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THE BENEFIT OF FOLLOWING CHRIST
THE Christian’s life is certainly a life of difficulty and self-denial, not only as being contrary to our natural inclinations, but as exposing us to the contempt and hatred of an ungodly world. From the very days of Cain to this present moment, the wicked have hated, reviled, and persecuted the just. The prophets were all, without exception, treated with great malignity. The Apostles were deemed as “the very filth of the world, and as the off-scouring of all things,” both by their own people the Jews, and by the Gentiles in every place. Our blessed Lord himself, in whom no fault whatever could be found, was an object of “abhorrence to his whole nation,” and was put to death by them as the vilest and most odious of malefactors. And we also are taught to expect similar treatment at the hands of those amongst whom we live. Nor are we at liberty to shun the cross by any relaxation of our principles, or by any deviation from the path of duty. Our Lord tells us plainly, that “he who loveth his life shall lose it; and that he only who hateth his life in this world, shall keep it unto life eternal [Note: ver. 25.].” But if this appear hard, the encouragement which our Lord affords us is amply sufficient for the support of our minds. His injunction is, “If any man serve me, let him follow me,” even unto death. And for his encouragement I assure him, that where I am there shall also my servant be: yea, if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Here we have, on the most unquestionable authority,
I. Our duty set before us.
II. Our encouragement to perform it.
I. Our duty is to “serve” the Lord Jesus Christ, “whose we are and whom therefore we are bound to serve.” But how must we serve him? Our Lord says, “If any man serve me, let him follow me:” Let him follow me,
As his Teacher, to instruct him.
As his Master, to rule him.
As his Saviour, to save him.
As his Example, whereby to regulate the whole of his conduct.
We must follow Christ as our Teacher, to instruct us. “Christ is a Teacher come from God.” He has “left the bosom of his Father, and come down to earth to declare him to us,” and to make known to us his mind and will. In particular, He is come to inform us what plan his heavenly Father has devised for the restoration of a guilty world to his favour; and in what way they must walk so as to please and honour him. And he expects that we come to him with the docility of little children, and receive instruction from his lips: “Learn of me,” says he, “for I am meek and lowly in heart [Note: Mat_11:29.];” that is, ‘Learn of me, for I can bear with your infirmities, and will carefully convey instruction to you as you are able to receive it.’ It was in this way that Mary sat at his feet, whilst her more earthly-minded sister Martha was cumbered about providing for the guests whom she was about to entertain: and this was “the good part” which Mary chose, and which, our Lord assured her, should never be taken from her. To inculcate this lesson, and to induce this habit, was the real scope of our Lord’s address to the Rich Youth, who desired to know what he must do in order to obtain eternal life. Our Lord told him to “keep the commandments.” And, when the Young Man, ignorant of their spiritual import, affirmed that he had kept them all from his youth up, our Lord said to him, “Go and sell all thou hast, and come and follow me; and thou shalt have treasure in heaven [Note: Mat_19:21.];” by which he meant, not that the sacrifice of earthly treasures would purchase those which are eternal; but that by disencumbering his mind of earthly cares, and attending diligently on the instructions that should be given him, he should gradually be guided into all truth, and finally attain that eternal life about which he had professed so much concern. This is what our Lord requires at our hands also; and not at the commencement of our career only, but throughout our whole lives. After he had taught his Disciples during the whole of his ministerial life, even after he was risen again from the dead, he both “expounded to them out of the prophets all that related to himself,” and “opened their understandings that they might understand the Scriptures [Note: Luk_24:44-45.]:” and in like manner must we, to the latest hour of our lives, come to him for the illumination of our minds by his word and Spirit. We shall still need the same teaching as at the first, and must come to him for that spiritual “eye-salve which he alone can give [Note: Rev_3:18.].”
Next we must follow him as our Master, to rule us. “We call him Lord and Master; and we say well; for so he is.” But “to what purpose shall we call him Lord, Lord, if we do not the things which he says?” His word must be a law unto us at all times, and under all circumstances. There is no authority whatever that is to be regarded in comparison of his. When the Disciples were forbidden to preach in his name, they made this appeal to their Rulers; “Whether it be right to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye [Note: Act_4:19; Act_5:29.].” So whatever menaces be used to intimidate us, and to deter us from the path of duty, we must say with St. Paul, “None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto me [Note: Act_20:24; Act_21:13.],” so that I may but discharge the duty I owe unto my Lord, and approve myself to him as his faithful servant.
Further, we must follow him as our Saviour, to save us. There is no other Saviour, no other name under heaven given among men whereby we, or any human being, can be saved. It is he who has by the sacrifice of himself effected our reconciliation with our offended God: and he says, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” “As the serpent was lifted up in the wilderness that the wounded Israelites might look unto it and be healed, so,” says our Lord, “have I been lifted up, that whosoever shall believe in me may not perish, but may have eternal life [Note: Joh_3:14-15.].” But our eyes must be to him alone. We must not blend any thing with his all-sufficient merits. We must not look partly to ourselves and partly to him; for he will not endure any rival, or “give any part of his glory to another.” If St. Paul “desired to be found in Christ, not having his own righteousness but the righteousness which is of God by faith in Christ [Note: Php_3:9.],” much more must we renounce all dependence on our own works, and seek to be justified by Christ alone. As in heaven there is but one song, “To him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and made us kings and priests unto God and the Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever; [Note: Rev_1:5-6.]” so on earth must there be an entire and exclusive affiance in him for all the blessings of salvation.
Once more, we must follow him as our Example, to regulate the whole of our life and conversation. When he washed his Disciples’ feet, he declared, that he intended in this symbolical act to shew, how they were to demean themselves towards each other; and, by the example he then set them, to inculcate the necessity of their performing towards the meanest of their brethren every possible act of condescension and love [Note: Joh_13:12-14.]. So by St. Peter we are informed, that under still more trying circumstances the Lord Jesus Christ “has set us an example that we should follow his steps,” and more especially in those duties which are most difficult and self-denying. As “he did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth, and when he was reviled, reviled not again, and when he suffered, threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously [Note: 1Pe_2:21-23.]; so we, under all the heaviest trials that can come upon us, are to suffer them with all meekness, “blessing those who curse us, and praying for those who despitefully use us, and persecute us [Note: Mat_5:44.];” our determination, through grace, must be, not to be overcome of evil, but to overcome evil with good [Note: Rom_12:21.]. In a word, “the whole mind must be in us that was in Christ Jesus [Note: Php_2:5.]; and under all imaginable circumstances we must approve ourselves as followers of Christ, walking as he walked [Note: 1Jn_2:6.], and doing only those things which will please and honour our Father which is in heaven. It must at all times be “our very meat to do his holy will [Note: Joh_4:34.].”
Now this, I apprehend, is the import of those words, “If any man serve me, let him follow me:” ‘let him follow me for all the ends and purposes for which I came into the world, that he may honour me before men, and become fully meet for all the blessedness which I will award unto him.’
To enforce this precept, our Lord adds the richest possible encouragement:” Where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”
Now I would ask, Where was our Lord when he spake these words? In his human nature he was on earth; but in his divine nature he was in heaven. For thus he said to Nicodemus; “No man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven [Note: Joh_3:13.].” And after our blessed Lord had completed on earth the work which his Father had given him to do, he was raised from the dead, and exalted to the right hand of God, far above all principalities and powers, and was invested with a throne and a kingdom as the just recompence of his obedience unto death. ‘Now’ says our blessed Lord, ‘such is the felicity that awaits all my obedient servants, and such the glory that shall be accorded to them.’ Whilst he was yet on earth, he told them, that “he was going to heaven to prepare mansions for his obedient followers, and that in due time he would come again and receive them to himself that they might be with him, in a full enjoyment of his presence and glory [Note: Joh_14:2-3.].” He also made it a part of his intercessory prayer just before his death, “Father, I will that they whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me [Note: Joh_17:24.].” And St. Paul has told us, that at the last day the Lord Jesus will come again in power and great glory, and gather together his obedient people to “meet him in the air; that so they may be ever with the Lord [Note: 1Th_4:17.].” At the instant of death shall this felicity be conferred on our souls, as on the dying thief in paradise; and at the day of judgment shall our bodies also be restored to life, that in union with our souls they may have a full and everlasting participation of this glory. Well, therefore, does the Apostle add, “Comfort ye one another with these words.” And are there any circumstances under which these words must not administer comfort? The Lord Jesus glorified his Father when on earth: and now he is glorified with him [Note: Joh_17:4-5.].” And, if we glorify God by following his dear Son, will he not glorify us also? Yes: he will honour us, even as he has honoured the Lord Jesus. He will acknowledge us as his beloved children before the whole assembled universe. He will exalt us to the kingdom which he has prepared for us before the foundation of the world. He will place us on the very same throne on which he has placed his Son [Note: Rev_3:21.]: he will assign to us the office of judging the world, yea and of judging angels too, as assessors in judgment with him [Note: 1Co_6:2-3.]: and he will “give to us the very same glory which he has given to him [Note: Joh_17:22-23.].” Doubtless in all this the Lord Jesus will have the pre-eminence, even as the sun, which is the fountain of light, has above the twinkling star, which emits only a borrowed radiance: but as far as what is finite can be compared with what is infinite, we shall enjoy in our measure the same blessedness and the same glory which Christ himself possesses; being “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ [Note: Rom_8:17.].”
Behold then what encouragement is here afforded us! Did Christ himself “for the joy that was set before him endure the cross and despise the shame, till he was called to sit down at the right hand of the throne of God [Note: Heb_12:2.]?” Methinks we should do the same: we should account no commandment hard, nor any suffering grievous. We should consider ourselves as altogether devoted to the Lord Jesus, and “yield up both our bodies and our souls as living sacrifices to him [Note: Rom_12:1.],” to be consumed, as it were, if he see fit, on his altar by the flames of martyrdom, but especially and above all by the fire of his love.
But who can conceive aright of this glory? We can form no idea of what it was to behold the Lord Jesus on Mount Tabor, when his glory shined above the brightness of the meridian sun: how much less can we conceive what it must be to “see him as he is” in glory! There he shines, not only in all the brightness of the Godhead, but in the tempered effulgence of the “Lamb that has been slain [Note: Rev_5:6.].” There we shall see, not merely the glories of his nature, but all of them exhibiting in the brightest possible array the wonders of his love. There we shall behold him not merely as God, but as a Redeeming God, yea, as our Redeemer, and our God, and our portion for ever. Tell me, does not this afford us encouragement to serve him, and to “follow him without the camp, bearing his reproach [Note: Heb_13:12-13.]?” Surely not life itself should be of any value, but to honour him with it. See what men will do for earthly advancement; what cares, what labours, what privations will they endure; if by any means they may obtain the favoured objects of their ambition! And shall we account much of any labours or sufferings which we may be called to endure in order to the attainment of this glory? I blush to think how stupid and brutish we all are: Methinks, that acknowledgment of Agur was but the just expression of his feelings, and well befits every one of us, “I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man [Note: Pro_30:2.].”
And now, my brethren, let us improve this subject, first in reference to ourselves, and next in reference to the mournful occasion before us.
In respect to ourselves, we are here of necessity called to inquire what our habits are, and what our prospects? Whose servants are we, and whom do we follow? The Apostle appeals to us, that “To whomsoever we yield ourselves servants to obey, his servants we are to whom we obey, whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness [Note: Rom_6:16.].” Let me ask you then, Whose sentiments you have adopted, and whose precepts you have followed? Do you not find, on a retrospect of your past lives, that you have adopted for the most part the maxims of a corrupt world, instead of receiving explicitly, and following exclusively, the commandments of your God? Let me further ask respecting your views of salvation: Have you seen and felt your utter incapacity to save yourselves, and “fled to Christ for refuge as to the hope set before you,” renouncing every other ground of dependence, and relying altogether upon his blood and righteousness for your acceptance before God? And have you consecrated yourselves to God as his redeemed people, that, “having been bought with a price, you may glorify him with your body and in your spirit which are his?” And do those who are around you, behold in you such a resemblance to Christ, as constrains them to acknowledge you as his peculiar people, who have been brought by him out of darkness into marvellous light, and are shewing forth his virtues in the whole of your life and conversation [Note: 1Pe_2:9. the Greek.]? If you are really Christ’s, you are “living epistles of Christ, known and read of all men [Note: 2Co_3:2-3.]?” Now inquire whether it be so with you? for on this depends all the consolation which is here afforded us. I appeal to you, whether you can reasonably hope to be with Christ hereafter, if you do not serve him here; or, that God will honour you as his redeemed people in heaven, if you do not honour him in this world as his faithful servants? He has told you expressly, “Them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed [Note: 1Sa_2:30.].” Yes indeed, if the obedient shall come forth to everlasting life, the disobedient “will awake only to shame and everlasting contempt [Note: Dan_12:2.].” Of this there can be no doubt. I will appeal even to the most confident amongst you, Do you yourselves believe, that God will put no “difference between those who serve him and those who serve him not [Note: Mal_3:18.]?” You cannot but know that he will act as a righteous Judge, though you are unwilling to regard this truth in reference to yourselves with all the solemnity that it deserves. Behold then, ye servants of the world, ye stand altogether self-condemned. Ye know, and must know, that God will recompense men according to their works; and that “they only who seek for glory and honour, and immortality, can ever have eternal life.” Suffer me then to ask, If in the eternal world ye be not with Christ in heaven, where, and with whom will ye be? Oh! this is an awful question. I pray you to answer it to your own souls. To the Jews who rejected him, our Lord said, “Whither I go ye cannot come:” so must I say to you who make it not the one end of your lives to serve and honour him: “Ye shall die in your sins; and where Christ is, ye cannot come [Note: Joh_8:21.].” I pray you, lay this to heart, and give up yourselves to him without delay, as his willing and devoted servants.
In reference to the mournful occasion on which we are assembled [Note: The Funeral of the Rev. C. S. Hawtrey, July 27, 1831.], one sentiment pervades us all; viz. that our loss is our brother’s gain. Our loss is indeed great. To his bereaved family it is irreparable, except as the bereavement may bring them, as I hope it will, to God, and be the means of spiritual and eternal welfare to their souls. To the Church of God the loss will be exceeding great. Who, that has known our departed brother from the first moment that he undertook to advocate the cause of God’s ancient people, must not bear witness to his unremitting zeal and diligence in this high calling? Truly in labours has he been very abundant; as all who have been connected with “the London Society [Note: The Society formed for the Conversion of the Jews.]” can witness. In truth, it is wonderful how a person, not naturally robust, should have been able to sustain all his diversified labours and fatigues. In all his counsels and deportment, they who have seen the most of him will attest, that he has manifested, in no ordinary degree, the meekness of wisdom, and rendered incalculable service to the cause in which he has been so long engaged. To the children in the schools he has been a parent from the beginning; nor can we doubt but that several of them, who have died in the faith of Christ, will be “his joy and crown of rejoicing” for ever and ever. O that God may be pleased to raise up another like unto him, endued with the same holy zeal and heavenly disposition! As for himself, we cannot but congratulate him rather than condole with him. If St. Paul accounted it “better to depart and be with Christ,” than to protract the most favoured existence upon earth, no doubt our departed brother feels this realized in himself at this time. Who can conceive what blessedness he now enjoys in the presence of his Saviour, and in the very bosom of his God? Could we but now behold the crown of glory placed upon his head, and the throne on which he is seated at the right hand of God, and could we appreciate the transports of his soul in singing the praises of his redeeming God, we should not wish him back in the midst of us, but should congratulate him, saying, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.” The office that remains for us, is, to “follow him, as he followed Christ,” and to stand ready for that summons which all of us must ere long receive; that, whenever it be sent, we may be found “with our loins girt and our lamps trimmed,” and may receive that welcome which has been vouchsafed to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”