Essex Congregational Remembrancer 1 Corinthians 12:2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, even as you were led. I. THE MANNER IN WHICH A TRUE CHRISTIAN IS HERE DESCRIBED. 1. He says "Jesus is the Lord." The term "Lord" is here used to signify Christ's Messiahship, including His authority and dominion. "He is Lord of all." Christ has authority — (1) To teach, to prescribe the faith of His followers, to enact laws for His Church, to direct and command in all things pertaining to our present duty, and our hopes for the future. (2) To rule. As Lord of all, He is the head of that mediatorial government which externals over the world, for the sake of His Church which is in the world. His reign is a reign of grace. His throne is in the hearts of the faithful, who are made willing in the day of His power, and find their pleasure in their obedience. (3) To pardon and save. When on earth He had power to forgive sins; and He is now "exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give remission of sins." We are required to look unto Him, that we might be saved. (4) He will hereafter come in the clouds of heaven with all authority to judge. 2. But what is meant by saying that Jesus is the Lord? (1) That to say it aright you must cordially receive Christ, and trust in Him as your Redeemer and Saviour (John 1:12, 13). (2) With this is connected a spirit of submission, and a practical acknowledgment of His lordship over us. To say He is the Lord, and yet to refuse to obey Him, is to mock Him with vain words. (3) To this must be joined those exercises of the mind which are the proper workings of faith, the fruits of the Spirit of grace. II. THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PRODUCING A CORDIAL SUBJECTION TO CHRIST THE LORD. 1. The human mind shows a reluctance to that spiritual reception of the gospel which is meant by saying that Jesus is the Lord. 2. It is not to be expected that the heart, under this wrong bias, will cure itself. Nor can so desirable a change be effected, except by our heavenly Father's gracious assumption of this work to Himself (Ezekiel 36:26). The scriptures connect the sanctification of the Spirit with the belief of the truth. What occasions the rejection of the authority of Jesus the Lord? Is it not ignorance and unbelief? And how shall these be removed but by instruction and evidence? These are to be obtained from the Word of God, and it is by means of His own truth as there revealed that souls are renewed and reconciled. His Spirit helpeth our infirmities, and "worketh in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (1 Thessalonians 2:13).Conclusion: 1. Let us infer, for our improvement, the great importance of the work of the Holy Spirit in the concerns of our salvation. 2. Let us all carefully use the means whereby our souls may be quickened to all holy obedience. (Essex Congregational Remembrancer .) Parallel Verses KJV: Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. |
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