1 Corinthians 2:8-9 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.… I. THE SUPERLATIVE EXCELLENCY OF THE GOSPEL. 1. Its discoveries and blessings far exceed all human knowledge or conception. (1) "Eye hath not seen." And yet by the eye we have surveyed many of the works of God; and if we look upon ourselves, we discover displays of infinite wisdom, power, and goodness. All these are glorious discoveries; but they say not how, when, or why they were formed. (2) "Ear hath not heard." When sight is exhausted, we can still drink in knowledge. But we never heard how the spring of moral conduct might be purified, life and heart made holy, and man be fitted for the society of God. We never heard of such powerful motives as the love of Christ, or such rich blessings as the beatitudes on the mount. (3) "Nor hath entered the heart of man," i.e., man never imagined. Every man carries about with him an ideal world of his own. How often have we attempted to paint to ourselves a character just such as we should approve! But it never entered into the heart of man to conceive of true dignity of character, or of the sources of real happiness as suited to the nature of man. 2. The peculiar excellency of this gospel will appear from — (1) The sublime and interesting truth which it discovers. Briefly, the design of the gospel is to raise man from the ruin of the fall — to wash him from sin — to adorn him with righteousness — to inspire him with sublimity of thought and holiness of affection — to lead him in all the paths of obedience, and finally to exalt him to the society of angels and fellowship with God. But who could have barely thought of such a purpose? Who could have admitted the possibility of the fact? The Divine Being was under no obligations to redeem man. All the motive is revealed to us in the gospel, and is to be found in His own unfathomable love. "God so loved the world," &c. And who would ever have conceived of such a simple plan of communicating such blessings! "Believe on the Lord," &c. (2) The pure and intense happiness it imparts. Even the speculative knowledge of these truths raises man in the scale of intelligence. But the gospel does more. The gospel calms the tumult of passion, reconciles man to God, and makes him to be at peace with himself. Now, "eye hath not seen," &c. Some have had every advantage and opportunity of knowing this subject, but they are still natural men. They cannot conceive how a man can know his sins forgiven, nor of the joy and peace in believing. The natural man doth not comprehend these things; and even believers do not form conceptions sufficiently noble. (3) The happy and glorious prospects which it unfolds. Philosophy never found out a remedy for the fear of death. It points to a few instances of apparent calmness and confidence. But it never fully met the evil. Death, to it, has ever been dissembled. But Christianity reveals the immediate consequences of death, and then supplants the fear of death. Where will philosophy show anything like the death of Stephen? And how is this to be explained? (Acts 7:55.) And all in whom is the spirit of Stephen have the like glorious prospects. But what are they? Nay, "Eye hath not seen," &c. The grandest description is, that it is beyond all description. If we cannot know all that God has prepared for us here, how can we conceive of the joys of heaven? (John 3:12.) "We walk by faith, and not by sight!" We could not possibly understand it; we have no powers of perception suited to such knowledge. Eye hath not seen so glorious a body as that of the Transfiguration, the model of ours; or so glorious a city as "that great city, the holy Jerusalem," &c. Ear never heard strains so melting as those John heard — "the voice of harpers harping with their harps." It never entered into the heart of man, the pure and unsullied bliss of the redeemed (Revelation 7:15-17). II. THE CHARACTERS FOR WHOM THESE BLESSINGS ARE PREPARED. For "them that love Him." Consider the love of God as — 1. A necessary principle. Mere admiration will not suffice. The infidel may admire the character of the Creator as impressed upon His works, and be without even a desire to enjoy these blessings. Nor will a mere transient impression of the passions be sufficient, such as is frequently felt whilst contemplating gospel truths, even as a matter of speculation. A consideration of the love of God, the sufferings of Christ, &c., produces no permanent effect, but is obliterated by the next consideration. Now this love of God is necessary. "Without holiness no man shall see Him." Holiness is the image of God, and "God is love." These things are prepared only for them that keep His commandments, &c. But the whole law is comprised in this, "Thou shalt love," &c. Hence, "this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments." It is only the love of God that gives us the true knowledge of Him. "He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love." This love of God is essential to our enjoying God. No man can enjoy what he hates. 2. A Divine principle. No man loves God by nature. Nothing less than Divine love can conquer this enmity of the human heart. A manifested principle. The love of God is the love of holiness, for God is holy. And if we love God we shall keep His commandments. This love cannot possibly exist without influencing the practice, and thus manifesting itself. (F. A. West.) Parallel Verses KJV: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. |
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