CHRIST the Believer’s Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption.
1 CORINTHIANS i. 30.
_But of him are ye in CHRIST JESUS, who of GOD is made unto us, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption._
OF all the verses in the book of GOD, this which I have now read to you, is, I believe, one of the most comprehensive: What glad tidings does it bring to believers! what precious privileges are they herein invested with! how are they here led to the fountain of them all, I mean, the love, the everlasting love of GOD the Father! “Of him are ye in CHRIST JESUS, who of GOD is made unto us, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.”
Without referring you to the context, I shall from the words,
_First_, Point out to you the fountain, from which all those blessings flow, that the elect of GOD partake of in JESUS CHRIST, “who of GOD is made unto us.” And,
_Secondly_, I shall consider what these blessings are, “wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.”
_First_, I would point out to you the fountain from which all those blessings flow, that the elect of GOD partake of in JESUS, “who of GOD is made unto us,” the Father, he it is who is spoken of here. Not as though JESUS CHRIST was not GOD also; but GOD the Father is the fountain of the Deity; and, if we consider JESUS CHRIST acting as Mediator, GOD the Father is greater than he; there was an eternal contract between the Father and the Son: “I have made a covenant with my chosen, and I have sworn unto _David_ my servant;” now _David_ was a type of CHRIST, with whom the Father made a covenant, that if he would obey and suffer, and make himself a sacrifice for sin, he should “see his seed, he should prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD should prosper in his hands.” This compact our LORD refers to, in that glorious prayer recorded in the 17th chapter of _John_; and therefore he prays for, or rather demands with a full assurance, all that were given to him by the Father: “Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am.” For this same reason the apostle breaks out into praises of GOD, even the Father of our LORD JESUS CHRIST; for he loved the elect with an everlasting love, or, as our LORD expresses it, “before the foundation of the world;” and therefore, to shew them to whom they were beholden for their salvation, our LORD, in the 25th of _Matthew_, represents himself, saying, “Come, ye blessed children of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” And thus, in reply to the mother of _Zebedee_’s children, he says, “It is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them, for whom it is prepared, of the Father.” The apostle therefore, when here speaking of the christian’s privileges, lest they should sacrifice to their own drag, or think their salvation was owing to their own faithfulness, or improvement of their own free-will, reminds them to look back on the everlasting love of GOD the Father; “who of GOD is made unto us, &c.”
Would to GOD, this point of doctrine was considered more, and people were more studious of the covenant of redemption between the Father and the Son! we should not then have so much disputing against the doctrine of election, or hear it condemned (even by good men) as a doctrine of devils. For my own part, I cannot see how true humbleness of mind can be attained without a knowledge of it; and though I will not say, that every one who denies election is a bad man, yet I will say, with that sweet singer, Mr. _Trail_, it is a very bad sign: such a one, whoever he be, I think cannot truly know himself: for, if we deny election, we must, partly at least, glory in ourselves; but our redemption is so ordered, that no flesh should glory in the divine presence; and hence it is, that the pride of man opposes this doctrine, because according to this doctrine, and no other, “he that glories, must glory only in the LORD.” But what shall I say? Election is a mystery that shines with such resplendent brightness, that, to make use of the words of one who has drank deeply of electing love, it dazzles the weak eyes even of some of GOD’s dear children; however, though they know it not, all the blessings they receive, all the privileges they do or will enjoy, through JESUS CHRIST, flow from the everlasting love of GOD the Father: “But of him are you in CHRIST JESUS, who of GOD is made unto us, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.”
_Secondly_, I come to shew what these blessings are, which are here, through CHRIST, made over to the elect. And