The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 1 — Section 510

IV. THE SPffiIT OF CmusTIA'ls DISCIPLESHIP. 1. Lowly, as regards ourselves, the learners. 2. Reverent, as regards him, the Teacher. 8. Diligent and persistent, as regard~ the lessons to be acquired. 4. Interested and appreciative, sympathetic and receptive. V. TnE CULTURE OF CIIRtsTIA.." DISCIPLESHIP. Learning is a means to an end, To what end is Christian <li~cipleship the means? To what discipline of blessino- do Christ's pupils attain? 1. The culture of knowledge-Divine and precious knowl.;'dge, 2. The culture of tharacter-Christ-likeness. 3. The culture which qualifies for useful,ncss. As school and college fit a youth for business or professional life, so Christ's discipline qualifies for Christian service. 4. The culture for immortality. This is Christ's school ; above is Christ's home, the scene of perfect service and of lasting joy.-T. Ver. 36.-Spiritual freedom. Our Lord Christ, who brings truth to the under- Handing and love to the heart, brings also the highest freedom to the active nature and life of man, and thus secures the prevalence of holiness, of willing e.nd cheerful obedience to God. L THE BOls'"IlAGE IS PRESUMED WHICH BENDERS NECESSARY THE ADVENT OF THE DIVTh"E LIBERATOR. llfan is by nature, whilst in this fallen state, under bondage to law, to sin, to condemnation. II. I'n.ETENDED FREEDOM, OF WRICH SINFUL MEN .ABE FOUND TO BOAST, IS EXPOSED. The Jewish leaders, our Lord's contemporaries, asserted a certain liberty. Relying upon their descent from Abraham, e.nd their consequent privileges in connection with the old covenant, the Jews claimed to be free men. The worst cases of bondage are those where there is the .pretence of liberty, and nothing but •the pretence. Free-thinkers, free-livers, are names given to classes who are utter strangers to real liberty, who are in the most degrading bondage to error and to lust. IIL TRUE FREEDOM IS EXPL.ATh"ED, 1. It is deliverance from spiritual chains e.nd bondage. 2. It is liberty which reveals itself in the willing choice of the highest and noblest service. They are spiritnally free who recognize the supreme claims of the Divine Law, who evince a preference for the will of God above their own pleasure or the e:s:ample of their fellow-men. IV. THE SoN oF GoD DECLARES HIMSELF THE DIVINE LIBERATOR. As such he has all the requisite authority, and all the requisite wisdom and grace. Political freedom may be secured by a human deliverer; but in orqer to enfranchise the soul e. Divine interposition is necessary. Christ has the mastery of all spiritual forces, and can accordiDgly set free the hound and trammelled soul. He smites the tyrant who lords it over the spiritual captives; he cancels our sentence of sla.very; be breaks our fetters ; he calls us freemen, and treats us as such; he animates us with the spirit of libertv. V. "THE BLESSED RESULTS OF FREEDOM .ABE PROMISED, The enfranchised from Satan's service become God's willing bond men. • Then, from being God's servants, they become his sons. As his sons, they are his heirs, and being such, they in due time enjoy the iDherita.nce. This is liberty indeed-to pass from thraldom unto Satan int.o the "glorious liberty of the sons of God."-T. , , Ver. 46.-The sinlessness of Christ. Had our Lord Jesus been guilty of sin (the very thought is to a Christian mind inexpressibly shocking!), he could not have been all that "be actually is to us. As God manifest in the flesh, as the ideal Mah, as the all- sufficient Saviour, Christ must needs have been without sin. • I. THE wtTKEBs oF MEN To oua Loan•~ 6IIq,JJ:5SNES~. l, Th~t of hµi fric,11d11 ap_d oe. vm. 1-50.J THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. 385