Jul 13
27
Union with Christ- J.C.Philpot (extract from A spiritual death and a hidden life.)
How Christ is “our life.” Union with Christ is the grand truth revealed in the Scripture, and the fountain head out of which every blessing springs. But to understand this we must carry our thoughts upward and backward, to look at the foundation of the eternal union that exists between Christ and the Church. The Fall did not break in upon the purposes of God as a river swollen with heavy rains bursts in upon and desolates the smiling plains. It was an event fore-viewed and fore-provided for; and therefore, in the counsels of eternity, a people, “a multitude which no man can number,” was given to the Son of God, and united to Him by a union so close, so ineffable, and so indissoluble, that though the Scripture does give us figures to help our conception, yet all earthly figures fall far short of the divine reality. There is no union in nature that approaches in closeness the union between Christ and His people. “I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in one.” What natural oneness can ever approach a union thus set forth by the words of Him who cannot lie?
But to help our conceptions, the Scripture has given us various figures to set forth the eternal union that exists between Christ and His Church. The vine and the branches, the corner-stone and the stones that surround it, the husband and wife, the head and members—all these are Scriptural figures, whereby the eternal union between Christ and His people is set forth. Now, it is by virtue of this eternal union between Christ and His people that when He suffered they, so to speak, suffered with Him; when He died, they died with Him; when He lay in the tomb, they lay with Him; when He rose from the grave, they rose with Him; when He ascended up on high, they ascended with Him; and when He sat Himself down in heavenly places, at the right hand of the Majesty on high, they virtually sat down together with Him. All this was independent of the work of grace upon their soul, whereby they are brought in due time to a living apprehension of it.
There are members of Christ who are not at present in living union, and yet have an eternal union with Him. We may conceive this even in the instance of the human body. Take the case of a frost-bitten hand. That is to all vital movement and feeling fully dead; and would, unless vivified and restored, rot and perish. But by timely aid, and proper appliances, it is restored, and becomes a living, active member of the body. So there are members of the mystical body of Christ still dead in trespasses and sins. No, many are not even in existence, but are still unborn. As the Lord Himself speaks, “In Your book were all My members written, when as yet there was none of them.” These, then, have not yet received regenerating grace to give them a vital union; but they have eternal grace stored up in Christ, as their covenant Head, whereby they possess an eternal union. In due time the Spirit of grace will come into them, and quicken them into spiritual life; and then they will be not only one with Him in that eternal union, which is the source of all other, but they will have a living union by faith, whereby being joined to the Lord, they become one spirit (1 Cor. 6:17), and so receive out of His fullness grace for grace.
In this sense Christ is “our life.” When the blessed Spirit has breathed upon us, quickened us into spiritual existence, communicating the life of God, brought Him near to us and brought us near to Him, and given us a living faith to apprehend Him, then He becomes “our life,” our Head, and from Him we derive all supplies of faith, hope, love, and every grace.
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Our refuge!
(Joseph Philpot, “An Immutable God
and a Strong Consolation” 1866)
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my
deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take
refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my
salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2
On every side are hosts of enemies ever
invading our souls, trampling down every
good thing in our hearts, accompanied by
a flying troop of temptations, doubts, fears,
guilt and bondage sweeping over our soul.
And we, as regards our own strength, are
helpless against them.
But there is a refuge set before us in the
gospel of the grace of God. The Lord Jesus
Christ, as King in Zion, is there held up
before our eyes as . . .
the Rock of our refuge,
our strong Tower,
our impregnable Fortress;
and we are encouraged by every precious promise
and every gospel invitation when we are overrun
and distressed by these wandering, ravaging,
plundering tribes to flee unto and find a safe
refuge in Him.
“Keep me safe, O God, for in You I take refuge.”
Psalm 16:1
“O Lord my God, I take refuge in You; save
and deliver me from all who pursue me.”
Psalm 7:1
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“Nevertheless, I am continually with You.” Psalm 73:23
“Nevertheless,” as if, notwithstanding all the foolishness and ignorance which David had just been confessing to God, not one atom the less was it true and certain that David was saved and accepted, and that the blessing of being constantly in God’s presence was undoubtedly his. Fully conscious of his own lost estate, and of the deceitfulness and vileness of his nature—yet, by a glorious outburst of faith, he sings “nevertheless, I am continually with You.”
Believer, you are forced to enter into Asaph’s confession and acknowledgment, endeavor in like spirit to say “nevertheless, since I belong to Christ—I am continually with God!”
By this is meant continually upon His mind, He is always thinking of me for my good. Continually before His eye—the eye of the Lord never sleeps—but is perpetually watching over my welfare. Continually in His hand, so that none shall be able to pluck me thence. Continually on His heart, worn there as a memorial, even as the high priest bore the names of the twelve tribes upon his heart forever.
‘You always think of me, O God. The affections of Your love continually yearn towards me. You are always making providence work for my good. You have set me as a signet upon your arm; your love is strong as death, many waters cannot quench it; neither can the floods drown it. Surprising grace! You see me in Christ, and though in myself abhorred, You behold me as wearing Christ’s garments, and washed in His blood, and thus I stand accepted in Your presence. I am thus continually in Your favor, continually with You.’
Here is comfort for the tried and afflicted soul; vexed with the tempest within—look at the calm without. “Nevertheless” O say it in your heart, and take the peace it gives. “Nevertheless, I am continually with You.” Charles Spurgeon.
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If we deny- Charles Pennington.
If we deny that man is dead in sin; that he is nothing, has nothing and can do nothing to merit salvation then we make ‘man true and God a liar’!
If we deny God’s eternal and unconditional election of a people unto salvation; make salvation to be by man’s choice and will, instead of God’s choice, will and purpose; then we exalt man’s will above God’s, dethrone the Almighty and set man up in His place!
If we deny the particular and effectual redemption of the elect by the blood of Christ; then we have no gospel to preach, only an atonement that does not atone, a redemption that does not redeem, and a saviour that cannot save; we make a mockery of the suffering and death of the Son of God and count the blood of the covenant an unholy (common) thing!
If we deny the invincible and essential work of God the Holy Spirit; in regeneration and the new birth then we must deny that ‘that which is born of the flesh is flesh,‘ and say, ‘that which is born of the flesh is spirit’! Then we make Him to be less than man and emphatically deny that salvation is of the Lord, Who only can give life to the dead!
If we deny the preservation and perseverance of the saints; then we openly declare that there is a power greater than God, one who can frustrate His purpose and pluck the sheep out of the Father’s hand, contrary to the words of the Lord Jesus.
If we deny Him, He also will deny us. (2 Tim. 2:12).