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THE INESTIMABLE PRIVILEGES OF BELIEVERS
OUR Lord was hated, reviled, and persecuted unto death: but we see how glorious was his person, and how exalted his character. In the same manner his followers are treated with contempt: but God declares their state to be the most honourable upon earth. To this effect St. John represents them as slighted by man and honoured by God.
I. The present state of believers—
The Scripture speaks of believers in the most exalted terms. They are not merely servants, but “sons of God [Note: 2Co_6:18.].”
This they are by adoption—
[Every believer was once a child of wrath [Note: Eph_2:3.]. But God takes whom he will into his own family [Note: Eph_2:19.]: he adopts them as his sons, and makes them heirs of his glory [Note: Rom_8:15; Rom_8:17.].]
They are brought into this relation also by regeneration—
[Once they had only a carnal mind that was enmity against God [Note: Rom_8:7.]; but they have been born again of the Holy Spirit [Note: Joh_1:13.]; they are renewed after the image of their heavenly Father [Note: Col_3:10.].]
They enjoy this state “now”—
[Rich and poor, learned and unlearned, partake alike of this honour; nor does God withhold it from any on account of their remaining infirmities; even now, while the world despises them, does God own his relation to them.]
What an unspeakably blessed state is this!
[How different is it from the state they were once in! How great, the privileges which they enjoy by means of this relation! How sweet the sense of this relation often is to their souls! To what a glorious state does it lead them in a better world! Well might the Apostle break forth in wonder and admiration [Note: 1Jn_3:1.]—.]
Yet, blessed as it is, it falls infinitely short of what it will be in,
II. Their future state—
Very little is known respecting this—
[We can form no idea of spiritual and glorified bodies. We cannot imagine how extensive will be the capacities of the soul. We have very faint conceptions of perfect holiness and perfect happiness. Even one who had seen Christ transfigured, says, “It doth not appear,” &c.]
Yet there are some things revealed to us—
[We shall see Christ, not merely by faith, but with our bodily eyes [Note: Job_19:25-27.]; not veiled as formerly, but in all his glory. We shall resemble him too in all his imitable perfections. This resemblance will result from our sight of him. Even “our bodies shall be fashioned like unto his glorious body.” This shall be fully accomplished at the great day of his appearing.]
These things we may be said to “know”—
[We have already experienced the earnest of them in our hearts. When we believe in him, we have views of him which we had not before; these transform the soul into his image [Note: 2Co_3:18.]. Our Lord has given us the fullest assurance of these things [Note: Joh_17:24.]. St. Paul also leaves us no room to doubt [Note: 1Co_15:49. Col_3:4.].]
Infer—
1. How wonderfully different the lot of believers and unbelievers!
[Believers are the children of God. Unbelievers are the children of the wicked one [Note: Joh_8:38; Joh_8:44.]. Believers can form no adequate conception of the happiness that awaits them. Unbelievers have no idea of the misery to which they are hastening. How different will be the appearance of each in that day! How different their feelings on seeing Christ upon his judgment-seat! For what different ends will their capacities of soul and body be enlarged! What a different state will they experience to all eternity! Let none defer calling upon God for mercy. Let all seek his regenerating grace, and an admission into his family. If we will believe in Christ these blessings shall be ours [Note: Joh_1:12.].]
2. How bright the prospects of the true Christian!
[The Christian’s warfare will soon be over: then will come a blessedness which he cannot now conceive; another day may bring him to the full possession of it. Let these prospects animate every pious soul. Let none suffer their minds to be drawn away by the things of time. Let every one stand ready to take his flight [Note: 2Pe_3:12.]. Let the beloved Apostle be our example [Note: Rev_22:20.].]