1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: Let us — I. EXPLAIN THE WORDS. Christ is made unto us — 1. Wisdom. (1) As in knowing Him we know everything that is essential, and especially God, "whom to know is life eternal." God in nature is God above us; God in providence is God beyond us; God in law is God against us; but God in Christ is God with us and for us. (2) As He is the Author of our wisdom. He opens the eyes of our understandings, and, by His Spirit, "leads us into all the truth." And the knowledge, which He imparts, is always distinguished by its influences and effects. Wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence, but the excellency of this wisdom "is that it giveth life to them that have it." 2. Righteousness. "Christ is the end of the law of righteousness, to every one that believeth." 3. Sanctification. (1) The former is a relative thing, this is a personal. The former is the change of our state, this the change of our nature; the former is a work complete at once, but the latter is gradual, and carried on through the whole of life. But then, though these are distinguishable, they are never separate. (2) But what is this "sanctification." It must be something more than mere reformation or morality. A man cannot be sanctified indeed, unless he be moral; but he may be moral, without being sanctified. Sanctification is a transformation by "the renewing" of the mind; the implantation of new principles; a separation from the Spirit and course of the world, and a deliverance from the dominion and the love of sin, and a dedication of ourselves to the service and glory of God. 4. Redemption. The resurrection is called so — (1) Because it is the effect of the Saviour's purchase; for He ransomed the bodies of His people, as well as their souls. (2) Because of the grandeur that awaits us. II. APPLY THE WORDS. If we be "made of God unto us wisdom." 1. We see the state we are all in by nature. We see that we are destitute of all these things, and that, if ever we have them, we must obtain them from another. 2. We see the value and importance of the Lord Jesus. 3. We need not wonder that He should be the subject of the whole of revelation. 4. He ought to be the theme of every minister. 5. We see the wretched and dreadful state of unbelievers. "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life," hath not "wisdom," &c. 6. What can be so worthy of our pursuit as to seek after union and communion with Him. This was the apostle's conviction — "That I may win Christ, and be found in Him." 7. We learn the happiness of all those who belong to Him — or rather to whom He belongs. (W. Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: |
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