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PREFERRING THE GOOD OF OTHERS
In the apostolical Churches there were many evils to be corrected. These arose, partly from the vast diversity of states from which the converts were brought to unite with each other in one Church; but they arose also, more particularly, from the corruptions of the human heart. Selfishness is not peculiar to any age or place, but extends itself through the whole race of mankind; and to correct this is one of the great objects of the Gospel of Christ. For the correction of it the Scriptures supply the richest instruction: for the correction of it they exhibit also the brightest example. To both of these we are directed in the passage before us.
We will consider,
I. The example of Christ here proposed to us—
[To enter into this we must consider the state in which our blessed Lord was from all eternity; his glory and felicity in the bosom of his Father. What would he have done had he considered only his own. happiness? He would have left the world in the same way as he did the fallen angels. But how did he act? He assumed our nature in its fallen state; submitted to all the evils incident to that state; endured the contradiction of sinners throughout his life; bore the very wrath of God himself even unto death; and by this has redeemed our souls from death, and restored us to the favour of our offended God. Thus, instead of pleasing himself and disregarding us, he disregarded himself to benefit us.]
II. The obligation that lies upon us to follow it—
[Our blessed Lord is set forth as an example to us: in the above respects we need more especially to follow him. Man as fallen, thinks of nothing but his own personal gratification: man, as redeemed, continues also but a selfish creature. Self-denial is a grace which we are very averse to exercise: we press even duty to the side of self-indulgence, and enlist conscience in the service of our own lusts. But love should be seated on the throne of our hearts; its dictates alone should be followed in all things. The waving the felicity of heaven for a season, and incurring for a season the pains of hell, would scarcely be too high a standard to aim at for the good of others. This was our Lord’s example; and in this we should endeavour to follow his steps [Note: Php_2:4-5.].]
III. The high attainments to which we should aspire in the prosecution of it—
[The want of this spirit produces much disunion in the Church, and brings much dishonour to God; the exercise of this spirit renders the Church a prelude to heaven. To glorify God should be the one object of all; and in this there should be one heart, one mind, one faith, throughout the whole. To the attainment of this should every one aspire, and to contribute towards it should be the one labour of his life.
But it may be asked, How can all this ever be attained? how can creatures, who have so little natural forbearance, in whose minds there is such a proneness to irritation and disquietude, ever be brought to such a state as this? Truly, if we looked into ourselves, our state would be hopeless; but in God there is all that we stand in need of. Need we patience? He is a God of patience; possessed of it in all its fulness. Does such a fulness of comfort appear beyond the reach of mortal man? God is a God of comfort also; ready to bestow it out of his own inexhaustible, immeasurable fulness; and to him we are here directed to lift up our eyes, in earnest and assured expectation. There is nothing which he cannot work in the mind of man. He who wrote his law on tablets of stone, can write it on the fleshy tables of our hearts: he who upheld his own law in all that he did and suffered, can effect the same blessed work in us also; and this he has promised to his Church and people; has promised it by covenant and by oath. Look to him then as your covenant God and Father; plead with him the glory that will result to himself from the exercise of these graces; and, in dependence on his strength, go forth to the fulfilment of this duty: “Seek not your own things;” “prefer others in honour before yourselves;” “seek not even your own profit,” as abstracted from that of others, but “seek the profit of many, that they may be saved;” and know that the more you deny yourselves for the benefit of others, the more you will resemble Christ, and glorify your God.]