2 Corinthians 4:10-12 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.… How do we bear about daily the dying of the Lord Jesus? I. BY CHERISHING FAITH IN A CRUCIFIED SAVIOUR. 1. The death of Christ is — (1) The most wonderful of all facts, and we should not be warranted to believe it unless it were authenticated to us by Divine testimony. (2) The most interesting. It is the foundation of all that is dear to man. It is the most interesting of all the facts that are recorded, not only in human narrative, but in the Book of God and in the annals of the universe. (3) The most influential. It spreads itself through the whole revelation and economy of God, and pervades the moral government of the Most High. It is in the Book of God the first, if not in point of order, yet of importance. "I delivered to you, first of all, how that Christ died for our sins," etc. 2. To cherish faith in this fact, then, is the first duty of man, and by so doing we become partakers of the sufferings of Christ. II. BY A CONTINUED REMEMBRANCE OF THIS GREAT EVENT. That which we believe most assuredly, in which we feel the deepest interest, and to which we give the highest placed will be best remembered by us; and the death of Christ, possessing all those requisites, with a good man will impress itself deeply on his mind. To help us in this great exercise is the most obvious design of the Lord's Supper. If we forget Jesus who died for us, whom and what shall we rationally and religiously remember? III. BY A PROGRESSIVE IMPROVEMENT OF THIS GREAT EVENT. The decease of our Lord is set forth in the Word of God and in the Lord's Supper, not merely for contemplation, or for curious inquiry, but for deep meditation and practical improvement. Now, a good man is anxious to improve this death for all the purposes for which it was appointed of God and endured by Christ. Others may gaze upon the Cross; he glories in it. Others may cast a passing glance upon the Divine Sufferer; he hangs upon the Cross — he lives by it. IV. BY IMBIBING MORE AND MORE OF HIS SPIRIT. And what was this spirit? It was a spirit — 1. Of holy love. "He loved us with an everlasting love," and thence "gave Himself for us." 2. Of holy submission to the Divine appointment. "Lo, I come to do Thy will, O My God"; and He well knew all that that involved. 3. Of determined decision in His great work. "I have a baptism to he, baptized with, and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" 4. Of holy purity. He was the Lamb of God, "without blemish and without spot." 5. Of invincible faith. "My God, My God!" He cried, claiming an interest in Him when the waters overwhelmed His soul. 6. Of entire resignation to God amid the agonies of death and the prospect of dying. "Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit." Now, a good man bears about the dying of the Lord Jesus by seeking to drink continually into Christ's spirit, and by exemplifying it more and more. V. BY A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF THAT GREAT DECEASE, OF ITS CHARACTER AND POWER. Although it was not the only, or even the main, end of His coming in the flesh to exhibit a sublime example of perfect morality, yet doubtless He came to present to us a pattern of all goodness and godliness. Hence we are told that He hath "set us an example that we should follow His steps." VI. BY A FREQUENT SOLEMN COMMEMORATION OF HIM. (J. Mitchell, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. |
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