Comparing the enumeration here with that in Gal_3:28, we mark this difference. In Galatians the abolition of all distinctions is stated in the broadest way by the selection of three typical instances:Religious prerogative, Jew and Greek; social ,caste, bond and free; natural sex, male and female. Here, on the other hand, the examples are chosen with special reference to the circumstances of the Colossian Church.
1. The Judaism of the Colossian heretics is met by Greek and Jew, and as it manifested itself especially in enforcing circumcision, this is further emphasized by “circumcision nor uncircumcision.”
2. Their Gnosticism is met by “Barbarian, Sythian.” They laid special stress on intelligence, penetration, gnosis. The apostle offers thefull privileges of the gospel to barbarians even of the lowest type. In Rom_1:14 the division “Greek and Barbarian” is almost synonymous with wise and unwise.
3. Special circumstances connected with an eminent member of the Colossian Church had directed his attention at this moment to the relation of master and slaves. Hence he cannot leave the subject without adding “bond, free.” (Bishop Lightfoot.)
The high level
I. The gospel produces the new man.
1. Before man is made anew all influences fail to produce the change. The glories of heaven never move him to praise, the riches of the earth never touch his gratitude. Like a withered tree, which receives no benefit from sunshine or shower, gracious influences made no impression.
2. But thrown into the crucible and mould of the Cross, he comes out a new man. New thoughts crowd the theatre of his mind, new emotions flower in the garden of his soul, new prospects enliven his future, and impelled by new convictions he builds up a new character. When ignorant become learned and subjects kings, there is less change than when lions become lambs, and God’s enemies His friends.
3. The new man is possible to all. You cannot make poets, painters, musicians, soldiers, statesmen of all men, but the gospel can renovate all.
II. The gospel unites mankind under one head.
1. There were distinctions.
(1) The national contrast between Jew and Greek was strong. The boast of race, achievements, culture, etc., created mutual contempt. Those who gloried in Alexander and Socrates were scornfully reminded of David and Solomon.
(2) The religious distinction was still sharper.
(3) That between high and low was observed with rigour, there being no middle class.
2. All these distinctions must be sunk and the race come up by another way.
(1) All men must humble themselves in thesight of God. The gospel does not propose to readjust these various claims, but to press regeneration on all. Paul once prided himself on his distinctions, but they vanished in view of the great question, “What must I do to be saved?”
(2) The gospel leads to an exaltation which leaves the most exalted human stations behind. Stars shine brightly till the sun appears. The barbarian at the foot of the Cross is higher than Caesar on his throne. He who embraces Christ is rich, while the millionaire who trusts in riches is poor.
III. The gospel assimilates human life to that of christ.
1. Christ absorbs every other condition which influences the mind. The river which flows over mountain and dale preserves its name and identity all the way to its mouth--then it is lost. So with him whose life-streams flow towards Christ, they will be absorbed in the ocean of His love. We surrender all to the claims of the Cross.
2. Christ is seen and felt in all the relations of life. Nature, duty, etc., which before were Christless, are now full of Christ.
3. As Christ is all in all and we in Him, therefore all things are ours. (T. Davies, Ph. D.)
Christ is all.--
Christ is all
There are two worlds, the old and the new. These are peopled by two sorts of manhood, the old man, and the new man, concerning whom see verses 9, 10.
I. What there is not is the new. When we come to be renewed after the image of Him that created us, we find an Obliteration of--
1. National distinctions:“Where there is neither Greek nor Jew.” Jesus is The Man. In the broadest sense He is neither Jew nor Gentile. Jesus furnishes us with a new patriotism, loyalty, and clanship, which we may safely indulge to the utmost.
2. Ceremonial distinctions:“There is neither circumcision nor uncircumcision.” The separating rite is abolished, and the peculiar privilege of a nation born after the flesh is gone with it.
3. Social distinctions:“There is neither bond nor free.” We are enabled through Divine grade to see that these distinctions are--
(1) Transient.
(2) Superficial.
(3) Of small value.
(4) Nonexistent in the spiritual realm.
What a blessed blending of all men in one body is brought about by our Lord Jesus! Let us all work in the direction of unity.
II. What there is in the new. “Christ is all and in all.”
1. All our culture. In Him we emulate and excel the “Greek.”
2. All our revelation. We glory in Him even as the “Jew” gloried in receiving the oracles of God.
3. All our ritual. We have no “circumcision.” All Scriptural ordinances are of Him.
4. All our simplicity.
5. All our natural traditions. He is more to us than the freshest ideas which cross the mind of the “Barbarian.”
6. All our unconquerableness and liberty. The “Scythian “had not such boundless independence as we find in Him.
7. All as our Master, if we be “bond.” Happy servitude of which He is the head!
8. Our Magna Charta:yea, our liberty itself if we be “free.”
Conclusion:“Christ all and in all” furnishes a test question for us.
1. Is Christ so great with us that He is our all?
2. Is Christ so broadly and fully with us that He is all in our all?
3. Is He, then, all in our trust, our hope, our assurance, our joy, our aim, our strength, our wisdom--in a word, “all in all”?
4. If so, are we living in all for Him?
5. Are we doing all for Him, because He is all to us? (C. H. Spurgeon.)
But Christ is all in all
Here in the text Christ is said to be all; but in what sense is Christ all?
1. Christ is all by way of eminency; all good things are eminently to be found in Him, as the sun doth virtually contain in it the light of the lesser stars.
2. Christ is all, by way of derivation; all good things are transmitted and conveyed to us through Christ; as your rich commodities, jewels, and spices come by sea, so all heavenly blessings sail to us through the red sea of Christ’s blood; “through Him and to Him are all things.” Christ is that spiritual pipe, through which the golden oil of mercy empties itself into the soul. Christ must needs be all, for “in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead.” He hath a partnership with God the Father; “all things that the Father hath are Mine;” sothat there is enough in Him to scatter all our fears, to remove all our burdens, to supply all our wants; there can be no defect in that which is infinite. It shows us the glorious fulness of Jesus Christ; “He is all in all.” Christ is a panoply, a magazine and storehouse of all spiritual riches:you may go with the bee from flower to flower, and suck here and there a little sweetness, but you will never have enough till you come to Christ, for Be is “all in all.”
Now, in particular, Christ is in all six respects:
1. Christ is all in regard of righteousness--“He is made to us righteousness.”
2. Christ is all in regard of sanctification--“He is made to us sanctification.” This doth tune and prepare the soul for heaven; it turns iron into gold; it makes the heart which was Satan’s picture, Christ’s epistle. There must be first our days of purification before our days of glorification. What a blessed work is this! A soul beautified and adorned with grace, is like the firmament bespangled with glittering stars. But whence is this? Christ is all; He is made to us sanctification; He it is that sends His Spirit into our hearts to be a refiner’s fire, to burn up our dross, and make our graces sparkle like gold in the furnace; Christ ariseth upon the soul “with healing in His wings.”
3. Christ is all in regard of Divine acceptance. As Joseph did present his brethren before Pharaoh, and brought them into favour with the king, so the Lord Jesus carries the name of the saints upon His breast, and presents them before His Father, so bringing them into repute and honour. Through the red glasseverything appears of a red colour; through the blood of Christ we look of a sanguine complexion, ruddy and beautiful in God’s eyes.
4. Christ is all in regard of Divine assistance; a Christian’s strength lies in Christ. Whence is it a Christian is able to do duty, to resist temptation, but through Christ’s strengthening?
5. Christ is all in regard of pacification; when conscience is in an agony, and burns as hell in the sense of God’s wrath; now Christ is all, He pours the palm of His blood into these wounds, He maketh the storm a calm. Christ doth not only make peace in the court of heaven, but in the court of conscience; He not only makes peace above us, but within us.
6. Christ is all in regard of remuneration; He it is that crowns us after all our labours and sufferings. If Christ be all, it shows what a vast disproportion there is between Christ and the creature; there is as much difference as between ens and nihil; Christ is all in all, and the creature is nothing at all--“wilt thou set thine eyes on that which is not?” In all our spiritual wants we should repair to Christ as Jacob’s sons did to their brother Joseph. He opened all the store-houses, and “gave to his brethren corn and provision for the way.” Thus the Lord hath made Christ our Joseph; “in whom are hid all treasures.” If Christ be all, see here the Christian’s inventory, how rich is he that hath Christ! he hath all that may make him completely happy. Plutarch reports that the wife of Phocion being asked where her jewels were, she answered, “My husband, and his triumphs are my jewels!” so, if a Christian be asked, where are his riches, he will say, “Christ is my riches.” How could a Christian sit down satisfied with Christ? “Christ is all.” What though he wants other things, is not Christ enough? If a man hath sunshine, he doth not complain he wants the light of a candle. Thou hast Christ with all His perquisites and royalties! Suppose a father should deny his son furniture for his house, but should settle all his land upon him, had he any cause to complain? If God denies thee a little furniture in the world, but in the meantime settles His land upon thee, He gives thee the field wherein the pearl of price is hid, hast thou any cause to repine? A Christian that wants necessaries, yet having Christ, he hath the one thing needful; “ye are complete in Him.” What! complete in Christ, and not content with Christ? If Christ be all, see the deplorable condition of a Christless person; he is poor, he is worth nothing; “thou are wretched, miserable, and poor,” etc.
The sadness of a man that wants Christ will appear in these seven particulars.
1. He hath no justification.
2. He that wants Christ, wants the beauty of holiness; Jesus Christ is a living spring of grace; “full of grace and truth.”
3. He that wants Christ, wants His freedom; “if the Son make you free, you shall be free indeed.”
4. He that wants Christ, hath no ability for service.
5. He that wants Christ, hath no consolation; Christ is called “the consolation of Israel.” A Christless soul is a comfortless soul.
6. He that wants Christ, hath no salvation.
1. If Christ be all, then set a high valuation upon Jesus Christ; “to you which believe, He is precious.”
2. If Jesus Christ be all, then make sure of Christ; never leave trading in ordinances, till you have gotten this pearl of price. In Christ there is the accumulation of all good things.
And that I may persuade all to get Christ, let me show what an enriching blessing Christ is.
1. Christ is a supreme good; put what you will in the balance with Christ, He doth infinitely outweigh. Is life sweet? Christ is better:He is the life of the soul; “His loving: kindness is better than life.”
2. Christ is a sufficient good; He who hath Christ, needs no more; he who hath the ocean, needs not the cistern.
3. Christ is a sanctifying good, He makes every condition happy to us, He sweetens all our comforts, and sanctifies all our crosses.
4. Christ is a select, choice good. God shows more love in giving us Christ, than in giving us crowns and kingdoms.
5. Christ is such a good, as without which nothing is good, without Christ health is not good, it is fuel for lust:riches arenot good, they are golden snares; ordinances are not good, though they are good in themselves, yet not good to us.
6. Christ is an enduring good; other things are like the lamp, which while it shines it spends, the heavens “shall wax old like a garment.”
7. Christ is a diffusive, communicative good; He is full, not only as a vessel, but as a spring, He is willing to give Himself to us.
But how shall I get a part in Christ?
1. See your need of Christ, know that you are undone without Him.
2. Be importunate after Christ. “Lord, give me Christ, or I die!”
3. Be content to have Christ, as Christ is offered,
A Prince and a Saviour.
1. Make Christ all in your understanding, be ambitious to know nothing but Christ. What is it to have knowledge in physic--to be able with Esculapius and Galen to discourse of the causes and symptoms of a disease, and what is proper to apply, and in the meantime to be ignorant of the healing under Christ’s wings? What is it to haveknowledge in astronomy--to discourse of the stars and planets, and to be ignorant vi Christ, that bright morning-star which leads to heaven? We cannot know God but through Christ.
2. Make Christ all in your affections. Love nothing but Christ; love is the choicest affection, it is the richest jewel the creature hath to bestow; O if Christ be all, love Him better than all!
3. Make Christ all in your abilities, do all in His strength, “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.” When you are to resist a tentation, to mortify a corruption, do not go out in your own strength, but in the strength of Christ:“be strong in the Lord.”
4. Make Christ all in your aims; do all to His glory.
5. Make Christ all in your affiance; trust to none but Christ for salvation; the Papists make Christ something, but not all.
6. Make Christ all in your joy. “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” When a Christian sees a deficiency in himself, he may see an all-sufficiency in his Saviour:“happy is that people whose God is the Lord!” That servant needs not want who hath his master’s full purse at command:he needs not want who hath Christ, for “Christ is all and in all.” (T. Watson.)
Christ is all
Thedoctrine of the text--
I. Accounts for the essential similarity of Christian character. Innumerable are the causes of diversity--constitutional peculiarities, external circumstances, accidental associations. But amidst all these, whether men are slaves or freemen, rude or civilized, etc., the Christian principle equalizes all, us forming a common centre, a standard under which all are enlisted, the source of their felicity, the rejoicing of their hearts. Christ is all in all.
1. To those who believe in Him.
2. In all the felicities of an eternal life.
II. Illustrates the true unity of the church. To produce unity uniformity has been attempted, but this is different from oneness of spirit. No visible accordance by subscribing to formularies or uniting in observances can realize unity. There will be a period when this will be realized; but amidst all that separates, amidst all that enemies and friends have done to injure the cause’, there is a real and effective unity between Christians. Bring believers of every age, class, name together, and one chord will vibrate in every heart, one topic be the theme of every song, one principle the life of all. They are all in Christ and therefore one:one in relationship, sympathy, joy, sorrow, hope.
III. Proves the universality of the Christian dispensation. This is the religion of man; adapted to him wherever you find him, whether scorched by Indian suns or blanched by northern snows. All men are lost; Christianity comes to save all men. The religion of Christ, unlike any other, has nothing local or restrictive. There are no circumstantials in it to narrow its range. This universality--
1. Is founded on the condition of man in all circumstances.
2. Is proved by its actual results wherever received.
3. Is provided for by the security of the everlasting covenant.
4. Is guaranteed to the Church by the presence of Christ.
IV. Constitutes the great subject of the Christian ministry, and assigns the true cause of its efficiency. “I if I be lifted up,” etc.
V. Exhibits an adequate source of consolation and support in the prospect of death and eternity.
1. It secures a victory over the king of terrors.
2. It ensures an abundant entrance into heaven. (J. Fletcher, D. D.)
Christ is all
Thesethree words are the essence of Christianity. If our hearts really go along with them it is well. If not we have much to learn. Christ is all.
I. In all the counsels of God concerning man.
1. There was a time when this earth had no being, where was Christ then? (Joh_1:1; Php_2:6; Joh_17:5; Joh_17:24; Pro_7:23).
2. There came a time when this earth was created in its present order. Where was Christ then? (Joh_1:3; Col_1:16; Heb_1:10; Pro_8:27-30).
3. There came a day when sin entered the world. Where was Christ then? (Gen_3:15).
4. There came a time when the world seemed buried in ignorance of God. For 4,000 years the nations of the earth appeared to have clean forgotten the God that made them (1Co_1:21). What did Christ do then? Left His eternal glory and came down to provide a salvation.
5. There is a time coming when sin shall be cast out from this world (Rom_8:22; Act_3:21; 2Pe_3:13; Isa_11:9). Where shall Christ be then? And what shall He do? (Mat_24:30; Rev_11:15; Psa_2:8; Php_2:10-11; Dan_7:14).
6. There is a day Coming when all men shall be judged. Where will Christ be then? (Joh_5:22; Mat_25:32; 2Co_5:10). Now, if any think little of Christ, he is very unlike God. He is of one mind and God of another. In all the eternal counsels of God the Father, in creation, redemption, restitution, and judgment Christ is all (Joh_5:23).
II. Is the inspired books which make up the bible.
1. It was Christ crucified who was set forth in every Old Testament sacrifice (1Pe_3:18).
2. It was Christ to whom Abel looked when he offered a better sacrifice than Cain (Heb_11:4).
3. It was Christ of whom Enoch prophesied in the days of abounding wickedness before the flood (Jud_1:15).
4. It was Christ to whom Abraham looked when he dwelt in tents in the land of promise (Joh_8:56).
5. It was Christ of whom Jacob spoke to his sons, as he lay dying (Gen_49:10).
6. It was Christ who was the subject of the ceremonial law. The sacrifices, altar, priesthood, etc., were emblems of Christ and His work (Gal_3:24).
7. It was Christ to whom God directed theattention of Israel by all the miracles of the wilderness (1Co_10:4; Joh_3:14).
8. It was Christ of whom the Judges were types.
9. It was Christ of whom David was a type.
10. It was Christ of whom all the prophets from Isaiah to Malachi spoke (1Pe_1:11).
11. It is Christ of whom the whole New Testament is full. The Gospels are Christ living among men; the Epistles are Christ explained and exalted; the Acts are Christ proclaimed. What is the Bible to you? A book of good moral precepts, or one in which “Christ is all and in all”? If not the latter you have used it to little purpose. You are like a man who studies the solar system and leaves out the sun.
III. In the religion of all true christians. Christ is all--
1. In a sinner’s justification before God (Eph_3:12; Rom_3:26). Wherewith shall man come before God? Shall we say we have done our duty, and bring forward prayers, morality, church-going? Which of these will stand God’s searching inspection? None. We must come through Jesus.
(1) His righteousness is the only robe which can cover us.
(2) His name our only shibboleth at the gate of heaven.
(3) His blood the only mark that can save us from destruction.
2. In a “Christian’s sanctification.”
(1) No man is holy till he is united to Christ (Joh_15:5).
(2) None grows in holiness except he abide in Christ (Col_2:6-7).
3. In a Christian’s comfort in time present. A saved soul has many sorrows andtrials, which were unbearable but for Christ (Php_2:1). Jesus is a brother born for adversity (Heb_4:15). We talk of the preciousness of sympathy, but there is none like that of Christ (Psa_94:19; Psa_124:5). In Him alone there is no failure. Rich men are disappointed in their wealth, learned men in their books, husbands in their wives, etc., statesmen in their places; but none was ever disappointed in Christ.
4. In a Christian’s hopes for time to come. He has a good hope, the worldly man has none. It is a blessed hope (Tit_2:13; Psa_62:5).
IV. In heaven.
1. Like the altar in Solomon’s temple Christ will be the grand object in heaven (Rev_5:6; Rev_21:23).
2. His praise will be our eternal song (Rev_5:12-13).
3. His service will be our one occupation (Rev_7:15).
4. His presence will be our one everlasting enjoyment (Rev_22:4; Psa_17:15). All this being the ease, then Christ ought to be all in all.
V. In the visible Church Splendid buildings, gorgeous ceremonies, troops of ordained men are nothing in the sight of God if Christ be not magnified.
VI. In the Christian ministry. Its one work is to lift up Christ. Conclusion:Learn--
1. The utter uselessnessof a Christless religion.
2. The enormous folly of joining anything with Christ in the matter of salvation.
3. If you want to be saved to apply direct to Christ.
4. If you be Christians deal with Him as if you really believed this; trust Him far more than you have ever done. (Bishop Ryle.)
Christ is all
I. By whom this truth is recognized.
1. There are many to whom Christ is nothing; He scarcely entersinto their thoughts.
2. There are others to whom Christ is something but not much. They are anxious to save themselves, and use the merits of Christ as a sort of make weight to their own slight deficiencies.
3. Others think Him to be much but not all, and so want to feel more, repent more, before they accept Him.
4. Some regard Christ as all in some things, in justification, e.g., but not sanctification, whereas it is said that He is “made unto us wisdom,” etc. There is no point between the gates of hell and the gates of heaven where a believer has to say, Christ fails me here and I must rely on my own endeavours.
5. This is a truth which every believer recognizes, and on which the Church, in spite of its divisions, is one. The man who cannot say this is no Christian, the man who can is.
II. What this truth includes.
1. Christ is all by way of
(1) National distinction. As a man I may rejoice that I am an Englishman, but not with the same joy as that I am a Christian. A Christian foreigner is more allied to me than a godless Briton.
(2) Subject for glorying. The Greek said, “We are a nation of heroes, remember Sparta”; but when he joined the Church he boasted of a nobler victory through the Cross. So the Jew laid aside his national traditions; the Scythian spoke the language of Canaan as correctly as his Greek brother; the slave was no longer a slave when he breathed the air of a Christian Church.
(3) Sinful national customs. Each asked no more, What did my ancestors do? but what does Christ bid me do?
2. Christ is all to us--
(1) Godwards. We need a Mediator; Christ is that. “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?”
(2) Before our enemies. Satan, and the world with all its vicissitudes.
(3) Within ourselves. If we look into our inner nature we see all manner of deficiencies; but when we see Christ there we know that He will destroy the works of the devil and perfect that which He has begun in us.
3. Christ is all.
(1) For us. “The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” “He made Him to be sinfor us,” etc.
(2) To us. We have no other hope but in His righteousness.
(3) In us. Whatever there is in us that is not of Christ will have to come out. Christ on the cross saved us by becoming Christ in the heart.
4. Shift the kaleido scope; Christ is all.
(1) The channel of all. All the love and mercy of God flow through Him. Other conduits are dry, but this is always full.
(2) The pledge of all. “He that spared not His own son,” etc.
(3) The sum of all. When we travel we need only to take money which answereth all things. So Christ has the sub stance of all good.
5. Christ is all
(1) we desire;
(2) can conceive.
III. What this truth involves.
1. The excellence of Christ. Of whom else could this be said? There are many good things in this world, but nothing that is good for everything. Some plants may be good medicine but not good cordial; but the plant of renown is good every way. Good clothing is not able to stay your hunger, but Christ is the bread of heaven and the best robe.
2. The safety and blessedness of the believer. Christ is all that he will as well as does want; but we are devoid of all when destitute of Christ.
2. A rebuke for the doubts of many seekers. “I have not this or that,” but Christ has it if it be good for anything.
4. A rebuke for the coldness of saints, If Christ be all, how is it we prize and love Him so little?
5. A means of measuring young converts. We ought not to expect them to be philosophers or divines. Is Christ all in all to them? If so, welcome them.
6. A measure for ministers. Is Christ all in their preaching?
7. A help to estimate our devotions.
IV. What this truth requires--the exhibition of a Christlike life. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Christ all in all
Christianity is simply Christ. Without His person there is nothing left that is distinctively Christian. Other religions may be separated from their founders; and we rosy take any feature away without destroying its force. But separate any truth of Christianity from Christ andit has lost its peculiar character. Christ is the all in all--
I. Of Christian Morality. Even sceptics admit the extraordinary reformatory effect of Christianity. This is not due to any new truth of morals Christ gave to the world. His system is original in the new form and power given to truth. It would be absurd to deny the claim of an inventor to originality, simply because the materials of his machine were known before. But the peculiar power which has made Christian morality so effective is the living person of Jesus. Embodied in Him the truth is seen and felt and loved as never before, We first love Him and then we love the purity, charity, etc., which make Him “the altogether lovely,” andenthusiasm for these follows. When the sun has set, the mountains, plains, and rivers may be still visible, but their glory has gone. When the person of Jesus is removed from His moral system, its precepts and maxims are there still, but their charm has gone.
II. Of Christian philantrophy. There is no such self-sacrifice and devotion as in Christianity. Witness the history of missionary and charitable effort. Its secret inspiration is “The love of Christ constraineth us,” There are other motives, and Christians feel them as much as non-Christians--the beauty of self-sacrifice, the fine sentiment of humanity, the grandeur of heroic effort. But the grand inspiration is as Paul puts it. A child will work wonders under the approving eye of father or mother. A soldier will fight marvellously under the eye of his captain. A Highland chief fell; and his clan thinking him slain began to waver, but raising himself on his elbow he called, “My children, I am not dead, I am looking at you.” That turned defeat into victory. At the battle of Ivry Henry IV. said, “My children, when you lose sight of your colours rally to my white plume. You will always find it in the way to glory.” So when every other motive fails; when the flags of humanity, sentiment, duty have gone down, the Christian rallies round the Captain of his salvation.
III. Of Christian Consolation. It is not in any new philosophy of suffering, or philosophical way of looking at it, that the Christian finds that peace which the world knows not nor can give. Take to an afflicted Christian even Paul’s “These light afflictions,” etc., and you elicit no peculiar response. But speak to him of the personal love and sympathy of Jesus; say, “In all thy affliction He is afflicted”; point out to him in thedark valley he is treading the bloody foot-prints of his Redeemer; show him in the furnace “one like unto the Son of Man,” and mark the different effect.
IV. Of the Christian plan of salvation. Conclusion:Learn--
1. The folly of that cantabout retaining all that is essential in Christianity without the person of Christ.
2. That to be a Christian is to be in personal communion with Christ. (S. P. Sprecher, D. D.)
Christ all in all
I. For the righteousness of the Church. He is the Lord our Righteousness. “He hath made Him to be sin for us,” etc.
II. In a sinner’s acceptance before God. “No man cometh to the Father but by Me.”
III. For the sanctification of believers. “Made unto us … sanctification.”
IV. For the assistance of a saint’s weakness. “Present help in time of trouble.” “My graze is sufficient for thee.”
V. For the tranquility of the Christian’s soul. “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” “The peace of God which passeth all understanding,” etc.
VI. In the gracious rewards offered to His disciples. “Father, I will that … they be with Me.” Inferences:
1. How great the difference between Christ as our portion, and all those sources of comfort which earth can afford. The one is “the fountain of living waters,” the other “broken cisterns.” All are yours if ye are Christ’s.
2. The believer should glory in none but Him.
3. How deplorable the condition of those who have no interest in Him.
4. Let us make Him all in all to ourselves.
(1) In our understandings;
(2) affections;
(3) ability;
(4) every aim and action. (R. P. Buddicomb, M. A.)
The Lord Jesus Christ all in all
I. There are some persons who have no essentials in their creed, and others no circumstantials.
(1) Some seem perfectly regardless of doctrinal principles; it is nothing to them whether they address the Supreme Being as “Jehovah, Jove and Lord,” whether Christ is Divine or merely human, and whether His sacrifice is an atonement or an example.
(2) Others regard everything as equally important, and lay as much stress upon discipline as on doctrine, on the mode of administering an ordinance as upon the ordinance itself, and plead as much for “mint, anise,” etc., as for the weightier matters of the law.
(3) While one of these parties has no room for faith, the other has no room for charity. Both extremes are to be avoided.
2. Surely there are differences between things, between speculative opinion and a practical truth, the ornament of a bridge and the key-stone of an arch, a man maimed and a man dead. The Scriptures, therefore, diminish the value of inferior things in religion, and magnify the importance of the superior ones. Hence, it everywhere shows that Christ is all in all. This is so--
I. In the operations of Divine grace.
1. Redemption. “Ye are bought with a price,” and this price is “the precious blood of Christ.”
2. Justification. “By Him all that believe are justified from all things.” Men talk of making their peace with God. That is made “by the blood of Christ’s cross”; all that is required is to accept it.
3. Renovation. We are “new creatures in Christ Jesus.”
4. Perseverance. The righteous hold on their way not by their own resolutions and efforts, but because He is able to save to the uttermost. We are “more than conquerors through Him.”
5. Glorification. “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear,” etc.
II. In the testimony of Scripture. The Bible is a revelation of Christ, and is therefore called “the Word of Christ.” Christ is all in all.
1. in the historical part. In Adam you see him as the head and representative of his people; in Noah, as the restorer of the new world; in Isaac, as a burnt offering; in Joseph, as humbled and exalted, and the saviour of his father’s house; in Aaron, as a high priest; in Moses, as a lawgiver; in Joshua, as the leader and commander of the people; in Solomon, as the Prince of Peace; in Jonah, rising again the third day.
2. In the Levitical part, which was a shadow of which He is the body. Everything in this dispensation reminds us of Christ:the smitten rock, of His refreshment; the manna, of the Bread of Life; the mercy seat, of His propitiation; the passover, of His blood sprinkled on the conscience securing us from the avenger; the sacrifices, of His atonement.
3. In the prophetical part. “To Him gave all the prophets witness.” “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
4. The promissory part. The promises are only “exceeding great and precious,” as they are “Yea and Amen in Him.”
5. The evangelical part.
6. The epistolary part.
III. Is the work of the ministry.
1. In its institution. When He ascended on high He gave gifts to men, and gave some apostles, etc., “for the work of the ministry.”
2. In its commission. “Go ye into all the world.”
3. In its qualification. He only can make men “able ministers of the New Testament.”
4. In its successes. He confirms the word by signs following.
5. In its theme. “God forbid that I should glory,” etc. All other themes radiate from or converge in Him--God, providence, heaven.
IV. In the estimation of His people.
1. This applies to Abraham, who “rejoiced to see his day”; to Moses, who esteemed His “reproach greater riches than the treasures of Egypt”; to Job, who knew that his Redeemer lived; to David, to whom He was “fairer than the children of men”; to the Church, in whose sight He is “altogether lovely”; to Simeon, who saw in Him God’s salvation; to Paul, who esteemed all things loss for the excellency of His knowledge; to the first Christians, who exclaimed, “Whom not having seen we love”; to the noble army of martyrs, who said, “We cannot dispute for Him, but we can burn for Him.”
2. This applies to His own people now, for He is all in all in their thoughts, desires, experience, actions. (W. Jay.)
Christ is a Christian’s all
1. By a Christian is meant:
(1) Negatively:not those who have nothing more to declare them such than their baptism and professions (Rev_3:1). We account them monsters who have faces of men and limbs of beasts, and they are religious monsters who have the faces of Christians and the lives of pagans.
(2) Positively:those who are Israelites indeed.
2. To such Christ is all (1Co_1:30). We are foolish, but Christ is our “wisdom”; we are guilty, but He is our “righteousness”; we are polluted, but He is our “sanctification”; we are lost and undone, but He is our “redemption”; we are empty, He is a full fountain; we are necessitous and indigent, in Him dwells all fulness of everything (Col_1:19; Col_2:3; Col_2:9-10). The rich merchant was none the poorer for parting with all for the pearl of great price (Mat_13:45-46).
3. When ever so much is said, there cannot be a greater word than “all.” The Greeks deemed it an excellency to speak much in few words; “an ocean of matter: in a drop of words.” The apostle gives us here gold in the wedge, which we are to beat out. The two names given by the ancient philosophers to God were “The Being,” and “The All.” These the apostle gives to Christ. Physicians speak of an universal medicine, but Jesus is a true panacea. There are thousands of cases in which no other can help, but not one in which Christ cannot help fully.
I. Wherein Christ is all.
1. To all Christians, to free them from whatever might hinder their salvation.
(1) Sin. This he does
(a) by expiating its guilt, and so removing the wrath of God (Eph_5:6; Rom_8:1). This neither legal sacrifices nor good works could do; but Christ not only frees us from condemnation but confers the adoption of children (Rom_8:14-16).
(b) By cleansing its pollution (Zec_13:1), and restoring us to purity (Isa_1:18).
(c) By conquering its tyranny, and reigning Himself where it once held sway.
(d) By redeeming us from its bondage, and giving us the glorious liberty of the children of God.
(2) The oppositions of Satan, his wiles and subtleties. These are of great importance, as our first parents knew; and we, though redeemed, are not exempt from them (2Co_11:3). But Christ hath spoiled him (Col_2:15), and led captivity captive (Eph_4:8). Christ is all, and in that we may rely for resisting power.
(3) The disturbances, allurements, discouragements, smiles and frowns of a profane world. Be of good cheer, Christ hath overcome it:live by faith in Him who is your all, and you will overcome.
2. To fill the souls of believers with all that good which may capacitate them for happiness. The experience of grace is essential for the enjoyment of glory. Heaven must be brought down into our souls, before we can ascend thither (Col_1:12; Eph_5:5). We are by nature unmeet, and could we enter heaven in a state of nature, it would not be heaven for us (Rom_8:6-7), because all delight arises from the suitableness of object to subject. Now Christ is all in this respect (Joh_1:16; Joh_10:10; Eph_5:8; Eph_2:5-10).
3. To fill all ordinances with power. These are means of salvation, and through His concurrence effectual means. Yet they are but empty pipes unless Christ is pleased to fill them, who “filleth all in all” (Eph_1:23). It is He who baptizes with the Holy Ghost; and in the preaching of the Word speaks to the heart (Luk_24:32). While the disciples fished alone they caught nothing; but when Christ came they caught multitudes (Joh_21:3-6).
4. To fill every condition with comfort. The best condition is not good without Him, nor the worst bad with Him (Psa_84:10; Psa_73:25; Psa_63:3). The sense of Christ’s love enabled Paul to overcome all adversaries (Rom_8:38-39).
5. To furnish us with strength to persevere. The way to heaven is no smooth and easy way (Mat_7:14; Act_14:22):and inasmuch as the crown is reserved for the head of perseverance (Rev_2:10), we require a strength greater than our own (Rom_7:24). In ourselves we can do nothing (Joh_15:5; 2Co_3:5), but in Him who is our all; we can do all things (Php_4:13). Thus the Christian is complete in Christ (Col_2:10).
II. How is Christ our all?
1. Negatively:not so as to excuse us from all endeavours. Christ’s sufficiency does not excuse, but engage our industry (Php_2:12-13). It is God who does all; therefore, do all you can.
2. Positively:
(1) By way of impetration, inasmuch as our salvation was His purchase. Whence is it that they who have brought themselves under the deserts of hell, may have the hopes, means, and first fruits of heaven? All are the price of Christ’s blood (Eph_5:25-27; Act_20:28; Joh_15:13). It was by His own blood that He entered heaven, and opened the door for all who are incorporated into Him (Heb_9:12; Heb_10:19-20).
(2) By way of application, inasmuch as He brings home the blessings He has purchased into the soul of His people. He has not only purchased salvation for them, but them for it:not only the possibility of heaven, but the proprietorship, and this is necessary to every comfort. What are the treasures of the Indies to him who only hears of them? Mere stories. What are the glories of heaven to him deprived of the enjoyment of them? Mere torments. But we enjoy all in Christ. What the root is to the tree, the vine to the branches, the head to the body, all this is Christ to believers (Col_2:7; Joh_15:1; Joh_15:5; Eph_1:22-23), viz., not only a treasury of all good, but a fountain continually streaming down blessings into our souls.
III. what advantage is it to have our all in Christ.
1. Because our salvation can be in no hands so safe as Christ’s. Had it been in ours, alas for us; but in His who is able to save to the utmost it is secure. Hence, as we can have no other Saviour beside Him, we cannot have any other like Him (Act_4:12).
2. Because our salvation could have been in no way so comfortable. As God has the glory of every attribute, so Christians have the comfort of every attribute in this way of salvation.
Application:
1. If Christ be all, then there is no ground for despondency, either from your own deficiencies or those of creature helps. You need nothing since Christ is your all.
(1) You have the sum of all. Though you have not estates, friends, worldly comforts, you have Christ, who more than makes up for the want of them. The cistern may well be dispensed with by him who lives at the fountain; and the light of a candle by him …, who enjoys the sun (2Co_6:10).
(2) You have the pledge of all (Rom_8:32).
2. What cause have we to be thankful for Christ (Gen_32:10; Eph_1:3).
3. How great is their folly and misery who keep at a distance from Christ. (Joh_5:40; Eph_2:12).
4. That Christ may be all in all to you.
(1) Labour to get your judgments settled in the belief that all things in the world are nothing without Christ.
(2) Cast out” all inmates which, because they are unmeet companions for Christ, may hinder His taking possession of your souls. The ark and Dagon could not stand together in the same room (Amo_3:3).
(3) Accept Christ on His own terms.
(4) Measure all things by their reference to Christ.
(5) Be serious in resolving this great question--Whether Christ who is all to sincere Christians is all to you.
(a) Are you conformable unto Christ (Rom_8:9; Php_2:5; 1Co_6:17; 2Co_5:17).
(b) Are you all to Him in your affections (Psa_63:3; Psa_73:5; Heb_11:26; Mat_10:37); in your acknowledgements (1Co_15:10; Eph_5:20); in your contentment and satisfaction (Heb_3:17-18); in your dependencies and expectations; in your designs and aims (Php_1:20). (W. Whitaker, A. M.)
Christ everything to the Christian
The happiness we derive from creatures is like a beggar’s garment; it is made up of pieces and patches, and is worth very little after all. But the blessedness we derive from the Saviour is simple and complete. In Him all fulness dwells. He is coeval with every period. He is answerable to every condition. He is a Physician to heal, a Counsellor to advise, a King to govern, a Friend to sympathise, a Father to provide. He is a Foundation to sustain, a Root to enliven, a Fountain to refresh. He is the Shadow from the heat, the Bread of Life, the Morning Star, the Sun of Righteousness--all and in all. No creature can be a substitute for Him, but He can supply the place of every creature. (W. Jay.)
Christ all in all in death
Foster Rutherford when dying said, “He has indeed been a precious Christ to me; and now I feel Him to be my rock, my strength, my rest, my hope, my joy, my all in all.” Robert Newton said, “Christ Jesus the Saviour of sinners and life of the dead. I am going, going, going, to glory! Farewell, sin! farewell, death! Praise the Lord!”
