In Christ

James Smith, 1860

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ!" Ephesians 1:3

"The unsearchable riches of Christ!" Ephesians 3:8

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus!" Philippians 4:19

The Lord Jesus is heaven's great store-house, in whom is laid up all treasures, and from whom we are to receive all our supplies!

All we can need, all we can enjoy, and all we can desire — is in Christ!

All the perfections and attributes of God, are in him. Justice and grace, mercy and holiness, love and power — in all their fullness are in him, and are displayed by him.

All the promises of God are in him — confirmed by his death, to be fulfilled by his hand.

All the blessings of grace, and all the riches of glory, are in him, he possesses and he bestows them.

All the gifts that will adorn the church, or dignify creation, are in him, and he confers them.

All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in him — and from him we must receive them.

All the glory of saints and angels, flows from him, he is its source and center. "It pleased the Father, that in him should all fullness dwell," and, out of his fullness, we may receive grace on earth, and glory in heaven.

All saving offices are in Christ. He is the Surety — to pay the debts. He is the Substitute — to perform the obedience. He is the Redeemer — to ransom the person. He is the Mediator — to reconcile, and keep peace. He is the Physician, to cure all diseases. He heals the diseases of the mind — as our Prophet; of the conscience — as our Priest; and of the will — as our King. He imparts knowledge, gives peace, and governs the man.

All we need, therefore, is in Christ!

All God intends to bestow, is in Christ!

To him therefore we should apply for all, and from him we should expect to receive all. Every need — should send us to Christ. Every desire — should lead us to Christ. In all things — we should have to do with Christ. Everywhere, we should realize the presence of Christ. In a word, we should daily make Christ in our experience, what God has made him to us in his word — our Alpha and Omega, our first and last, our all in all. Everything should lead us to him, and everything should serve to endear him, who is at once our present fountain, and our everlasting portion!