The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 131

spiritual nature and, walking by the_ light which earth offers, by the mere guidance of the senses, by the mfluence of soc10ty, the approval and esteem of men by considera- tions drawn from earth and limited to earfo. This is a course of life in 'which there is no satisfacUon, no safety, and no blessed prospect. II. THE OHARAOTERISTIOS OF THl!I WALK OF .FAITH. l<'aith in itself is neutral. its ,xcellence depends upon its object. The Christian regulates his course throuuh thi; lifo of temptation, danger, and discipline by: 1. Faith in the existence of God the God who possesses all moral excellences as his attributes. 2. Faith in Providen~ • i.e. in the personal interest and care of him who is called Friend and Father. 3. Faith in God as a Saviour, which is faith in Christ, the salvation of the Lord revealed to man. 4. Faith in a righteous and authoritative law. 5. Faith in ever-present spiritual aid- guidance, proteotion, bounty, etc. 6. Faith in Divine promises, by which the pilgrim is assured that he shall r~ach home at last. Ill. 'l'HE ENCOURAGEMENTS TO UNDERTAKE AND TO PERSEVERE IN THE WALK OF FAITH. 1. lt is the one principle enjoined throughout revelation, from the day of Abraham, the father of the faithful, down to the apostolic age. 2. The possibility of the ,walk by faith ha~ been proved by the example of the great and the good who have gone before us (vide Heb. xL). 3. 'l'o those who live by faith !Ue has a meaning and dignity which otherwise cannot possibly attach to it. 4. Faith can sustain amidst the trials and sorrows of earth. 5. And faith is the blossom of which the vision of the glorified Savi.our shall be the heavenly and i=ortal fruit.-T. Ver. 14.-The love of Christ. Every quality met in the Lord Jesus which could adapt him to accomplish the work which he undertook on behalf of our human race. But if one attribute must he selected as peculiarly and pre-eminently characteristic of him, if one word rather than another rises to our lips when we speak of him, that attribute, that word, is love. I. THE 011.IBOTS OF CHRIST'S LOVE. Look at his earthly life and ministry, and the comprehensive range within which the love of Jesus operates becomes at once and gloriously obvious. 1. His friends. Of this fact-Christ's love to his friends-we have abundant proof: "Greater love bath no man than this, that a man lay down his life fur his friends." .2. His enemies. . This is more wonderful, yet the truth of what tho apostle says 'is undeniable: "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." And we cannot forget his prayer offered for his enemies as they nailed him to the cross:" Father, forgive them." 3. All mankind. During his ministry the Lord Jesus was gracious to all with, whom he came into contact. His aim was by the bands of love to draw all men unto himself, that they might rest and live in his Divina and mighty heart. II. TJiE PROOFS OF CHRIST'S LOVE. The great facts of his ministry and mediation are evidences of his benevolence. 1. His advent. "Nothing brought him from above- Nothing but redeeming love." 2. His ministry. He went about doing good, animated by the mighty principle of love to man. Every sickness he healed, every demon he expelled, every sinner he pardoned, wa11 a witness to the love of Christ. 3. His death. His was the love "stronger than death;" for not only could not death destroy it, death gave it a new life and power in the world and over men. 4. His prevailing intercession and brotherly care. III. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF CHRIST'S LOVE. 1. It is sympathizing and tender, "passing the love of women." 2. It is thoughtful and wise, ever providing for t!ie true welfare of those to whom it is revealed. 3. It is forbearing and patient, otherwise it mi"ht often have been checked and repressed. 4. It is self-sacrificing, counting nothi~cr too "feat to be given up in order to secure its ends. 5. It is faithful: "Having loved his ow':i he loved them even unto the end." 6. It is unquenchable and ever- lasting : "Who can separate us from the love of Christ? "-T. Ver. 14.-The constraint of Christ's love. The apostle represents ~be Sayiou_r's love, not merely as something to be admired and enjoyed, but as someth_mg wh1c_h 1s to act as a spiritual force. He experienced it as the supreme power over his own life, and ha ~11,d coufidence i11- jt as the priilciple which should renew, !'nd bless the world. 182 THE SEOOND EPISTLE l'O THE CORINTHIANS. [oH. -,.1-21,