17. On the Nature of
Christianity
Christianity is a religion of love. It flowed from the eternal love of God
the Father; was published in lines of blood on the cross of God the Son; and
is graciously revealed to every contrite soul through the power of God the
Holy Spirit.
Christianity breathes nothing but love to the penitent sinner. It woos, it
entreats, it invites all, without exception, to partake of its blessings,
and live. It holds forth the free mercy of God through Christ; and offers
pardon and acceptance even to the vilest, who come unto Jesus weary and
heavy laden, as the Savior and friend of sinners.
Can you, Oh! my soul, refuse such an offer as this? Can you reject so loving
a Savior; so rich an offer of grace and mercy? "Blessed Jesus! behold a
wretched sinner at the foot of your cross. Enable me to look unto you alone
for salvation. Draw me, and I will run after you. Oh! may I daily live upon
you, the true bread from heaven, by faith. Unite me to yourself, as the
branch to the vine; the member to the head; and bring me in joyful triumph
to your celestial kingdom. But what am I now asking? Blessings rich as
heaven, and extensive as eternity. I am imploring blessings bought with
blood—the blood of God incarnate! Amazing price! yet freely paid, to
purchase heaven for me!"
Christianity spreads happiness around her path. True happiness can only be
found in a covenant God in Christ, who has declared himself to be a just
God, and yet a Savior; just, and yet the justifier of all who believe in
Jesus; yes, faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness.
Outside of Christ, when we contemplate the great Jehovah in his essential
character, we behold every perfection in array against us, and demanding our
everlasting punishment as rebel creatures. Infinite holiness and justice,
truth and goodness, require that sin should be punished. Hence the
Scriptures declare that "our God is a Consuming fire," "who will in no wise
clear the guilty."
But when we view God in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not
imputing their trespasses unto them; when we behold the Eternal Word
becoming flesh, and dwelling among us; when we see the babe of Bethlehem,
Emanuel, God with us; then hope revives, and, leans with sweet, delightful
confidence on the rock of ages; love kindles into a bright and ardent flame;
faith contemplates with rapture the stupendous plan of mercy; while all our
enraptured powers unite their efforts to adore the great Redeemer's name.
Lord, what is man, that you are thus mindful of him; or the son of man, that
you so regard him? Oh! how wonderful is the love of God towards lost
rebellious sinners!
"Who is a God like unto you, that pardons iniquity, and passes by the
transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retains not his anger
forever, because he delights in mercy. He will turn again; he will have
compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and you will cast all
their sins into the depths of the sea."
The religion of Jesus is a religion of peace. The angels sang, "Glory to God
in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will towards men," when they
announced to the wondering shepherds the glad tidings of the Savior's birth.
Wherever the power of the Gospel is felt, there joy and peace reign. "The
wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad, and the desert shall
rejoice and blossom as a rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even
with joy and singing."
Christianity displays the wisdom of God. "Happy is the person who finds
wisdom and gains understanding. For the profit of wisdom is better than
silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than
rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. She offers you life in her
right hand, and riches and honor in her left. She will guide you down
delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. Wisdom is a tree of life to
those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly." Proverbs
3:13-18
"Take, then, to yourself, Oh mighty Savior, your great power, and reign over
all the earth! Fulfill your promise to your ancient Israel, and to the
benighted millions of the heathen world. Let Satan no longer maintain his
empire in the human heart. Hurl him from his seat. Dislodge him from his
citadel. Command him into the deep; for you have said, 'All Israel shall be
saved,' and 'the Lord shall be the King of the whole earth.' Adorable
Emanuel, Prince of peace, Sovereign of souls! take away the veil from the
heart of the poor Jews, who have so long been 'scattered and peeled;'
'without a king, without a prince, without a sacrifice.' Hear the prayers of
gentile Christians on their behalf, that they may look upon you whom they
have pierced; and mourn, until their sorrow, through your forgiving grace,
shall be turned into joy. Open the eyes of the perishing heathen, that they
may see the misery of their condition; the hard bondage under which they
labor; the cruel tyrant whom they serve; and the awful doom which awaits
them in another world. Oh! do you reveal to them, through the preaching of
the Gospel, your agony and bloody sweat, your cross and passion; all the
mysteries of Gethsemane and Calvary. Show them the crown of glory which you
have purchased; the kingdom which you have prepared; the inheritance
incorruptible and undefiled, which is reserved for all who live a life of
faith in you. Endue them with strength to renounce their sins, and to burst
the chains which bind their captive spirits. Shed abroad your love in their
hearts, and transform them into your own most holy image. And Oh, loving
Savior, have mercy upon those thousands of nominal professors of the Gospel,
who are by you esteemed the worst of sinners! These, Oh Lord, do unto you
the greatest dishonor. They hear of you without emotion. They talk of you
without affection. They know your Gospel, speculatively, but experience
nothing of its power. They call you Lord, but do not obey you. They have the
light shining around them, yet love darkness rather than light. They hear
the sweet sound of grace, yet find no chord of unison within. They see the
waters of life flowing on every side, yet never taste of their refreshing
stream. They have a name that they live, and yet are dead. They profess that
they know God, yet in works deny him. They have the form of godliness, yet
deny the power thereof. They express a self-complaisant pity for the poor
Jew and Gentile, while they themselves are in a far more wretched state than
these objects of their commiseration. Oh! that the Spirit may be poured out
from on high; that the wilderness may become a fruitful field; that every
heart may experience the transforming power of your sovereign grace, and the
whole earth be filled with your glory! You have said, 'Surely I come
quickly—Amen, even so come, Lord Jesus.'"
Eternal God, your power display;
Chase all the shades of night away;
Let every foe before you fly,
And bring each Gospel blessing nigh.
Your dying love, Oh Lord, reveal,
That love which melts the heart of steel;
Each stubborn will in mercy bow,
And lay the rebel sinner low.
Arise, Oh Sun of righteousness,
And all your waiting people bless;
Arise upon our hearts, and shine
Until every heart be wholly thine.
Inflame our cold affections, Lord;
Renew them by your quickening word;
Bind every thought in willing chains,
Until not a rebel thought remains.