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CHRIST’S INTEREST IN HIS PEOPLE
THOUGH the Lord requires decision of character, where full information exists; and therefore says in one place, “He that is not with me, is against me; and he that gathereth not with me, scattereth abroad [Note: Mat_12:30.];” yet, in the passage before us, in reference to one who, for want of fuller information, did not follow with his Disciples, he said, “He that is not against us, is on our part.” There may be real integrity, where, from peculiar circumstances, there may be little profession: and where integrity of heart is, there will the Lord make due allowance for defects, which, under different circumstances, would provoke his heavy displeasure. The Apostles were, in this respect, but ill-instructed. They would have disallowed a brother altogether,
because he came not up to their standard: but our Lord told them, that, however weak his children were, he would reward every benefit conferred upon them, and resent every injury done to them.
Let us consider,
I. The interest which Christ takes in his believing people—
He completely identifies himself with them, and receives as done to himself whatever is done to them,
1. In a way of good—
[Scarcely any thing can be less than a cup of water: yet, if given to any one because he belongs to Christ, the donor of it “shall not lose his reward.” It is necessary that it be given for Christ’s sake; else, though it may be an act of humanity, it is no act of piety: but given for his sake, it is, and shall be, accepted of him, and be richly recompensed in the day of judgment [Note: Mat_25:40.] — — —]
2. In a way of evil—
[To “offend” one of his little ones, is to cast a stumbling-block before him, by which he may fall. And this may be done either by temptation or persecution: but, in whatever way it be done, whether by allurement or menace, it shall be visited with God’s wrathful indignation. To “have a millstone hanged about one’s neck, and to be cast into the sea,” would be a fearful judgment: but “a far sorer judgment” awaits the man who endeavours to turn from Christ one of the least of his people, or to impede his progress heavenward [Note: Heb_10:28-29.] Christ considers this also as done to himself [Note: Act_9:4.], and will resent it accordingly — — —]
If we view this aright, we cannot doubt,
II. The return it calls for at our hands—
Surely it calls for,
1. Admiration—
[How wonderful is it, that our adorable Redeemer should so condescend to notice what is done to us, and to regard “the touching of us as the touching of the apple of his eye!” It were absolutely incredible, if he had not so minutely and specifically affirmed it — — —]
2. Affiance—
[Is our Lord and Saviour so interested in our behalf? What can we ever want? or what is there which we have to fear? David says, “The Lord is my Shepherd; therefore I shall not want [Note: Psa_23:1.]:” and sure 1 am that we, under the Christian dispensation, are not a whit, less privileged than he — — —]
3. Gratitude—
[What shall we not do for Him, who so cares for us? And can we reach him, so to speak, by benefiting his poorer members? Whatever then I would do for Him, if he were personally present with me, that I will do for his Church and people; accounting nothing too much to do or suffer, if only I may please him, and honour him — — —]
Address—
1. Are there here any who have discouraged the saints?
[Possibly you may have done it only by sneers and ridicule; but, in whatever way it may have been, remember the warning here given you, and repent of your conduct ere it be too late. If you do not choose to go to heaven yourselves, beware how you aggravate your guilt, by making yourselves accountable also for the souls of others. It will be a fearful tiling to have the blood of others required at your hands — — —]
2. Are there any who have delighted to do them good?
[“Be not weary of well-doing; for in due season you shall reap, if you faint not” — — — None are to be excluded from your benevolent exertions: but“the household of faith” have a peculiar claim [Note: Gal_6:10.], as the members of Christ’s body, and as the very representatives of Christ himself [Note: If this were a Charity Sermon, it would be proper here to recommend an united attention to the spiritual wants of the poor with the relief of their temporal necessities. See both referred to in the text.] — — —]