(Romans viii 9)
“If a man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” This emphatic and comprehensive statement by the apostle Paul deserves careful consideration if we would arrive at its true personal value and meaning. In the first instance it must be confessed that the possession of the spirit of Christ is the rarest of all virtues, and carries with it a very deep significance. It is a virtue which is obtainable and must be obtained by all whose desire is to gain an entrance into the Kingdom of God’s well-beloved Son.
An attainment to the disposition of the great Exemplar means self-subjugation, brought about by a figurative crucifixion (Gal. v. 24-26). Belief and baptism are indeed the first steps towards the acquisition of the mentioned divine qualification. There is, however, much more to be done to develop the spirit of Christ.
The apostle Peter did not seem to have come into full possession of it until after his denial of the Master, for it will be remembered that Christ, lovingly addressing him, said, “When thou art converted strengthen thy brethren.” The same thought may be applied to David, who on several occasions prayed fervently to be “quickened” in many things, ,which strongly indicated that he was to some extent conscious of spiritual deadness. The same idea can apply to us. Nominally, anyone may become a member of God’s household, but unless he is actuated by “the spirit of Christ,” the profession is reduced to vanity and uselessness.
The words, “none of his,” are a subject for painful meditation, compelling self-examination and the necessity of realizing the great sacrifice which must be made prior to the possibility of possessing the spirit of the Master, but when this is attained the “overcoming” will prove comparatively easy (Phil. iv. 13). “The spirit of Christ” is inestimable and cannot be valued by earthly measure. We are called upon and encouraged by the epistles of Paul to no small extent to make a great and exceptional effort if we would become heirs in deed and in truth to eternal life. The counsel of the Word of Life is to surrender “self” to the requirements of the Father, and this means crucifying the flesh with all its affections and lusts.
It is for us to understand that the “Fruits of the Spirit” (Gal. v. 22) cannot be developed until self is abased. Christ’s disposition and holiness of life as revealed in the New Testament can be successfully followed, but it entails a constant, faithful, intelligent, and consistent study of the life and work of the Redeemer—Christ’s loving invitation to his would-be disciples was, “Follow me.” This commanding invitation carries with it the greatest of all privileges, for it conveys the gracious right to divine riches and honour. In the event of faithfulness to the end, everlasting life and inconceivable blessings will result. Think of it, and allow the truth of it to burn into our very souls, that unless we are actuated by the spirit of Christ according to the apostolic word, we are disowned by him.
Having the Spirit of the Redeemer means possessing a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, suffering, forbearing one another and forgiving one another . . . which are the bonds of perfectness . . . (Col. iii. 12-17). We may correctly gather from such testimony that it is nothing more nor less than presumption on anyone’s part to claim a relationship to God unless the spirit of Christ is evidenced (Rom. viii. 11), and a practical sincere effort made to maintain it.
We dare not even suggest that the spirit of Christ is possessed by those who repeatedly raise difficulties and differences which tend only to produce irritation and disturbance in the ecclesial circle, thus making the tasks of the respective executives well nigh impossible. The lively contentions which have and do incessantly come before our notice are lacking the sweet reasonableness which is a true indication of true Christianity. In such contentions the virtues of love, gentleness and peace cannot exist. The spirit of Christ is not manifest. Now and again a great deal of fight is shown for what is known as “the principle of the thing,” but which really only ends in bitterness, ill-feeling, and more often than not a split in the camp.
To argue with the object of solution questions which are obviously problematical, and which must remain so until the infallible Teacher returns to solve them, amounts to nothing more or less than arrogance or the love of contention. Amongst some of the questions referred to are: “Jacob’s deception,” Saul and the Witch of Endor,” “Christ’s tempter in the wilderness.” To attempt to solve them beyond question is wrong, for the simple reason that at the best we can on such questions work only on hypothetical lines, which means going beyond what is written (Col. ii. 18). The spirit of Christ allows of no such fleshly manifestation.
“Contending earnestly for the Faith” is a very different thing and does not imply seeking for something which has not been revealed. To uphold and defend with single eye to God’s glory the first and vital principles of the One Faith is good. This duty is impellant and praiseworthy. Failing so to do implies unfaithfulness on the part of the enlightened. Let us remember, too, that Christ never over-weighted almost to the heartbreaking point the final judgment of the responsible class. Who does not realize the awful solemnity of that great day? We are not, however, commanded to dwell upon it to the extent of depreciating the grace and mercy of God. On the other hand, it is not for us to underestimate God’s discriminating justice and righteous condemnation.
It is within the knowledge of the writer that certain of the household are painfully suffering almost to the extent of despair, brought about by a feeling that an adverse judgment so far as they are concerned has been passed. All that they are waiting for is the sentence of “Depart from me.” Their state of mind is not improved by certain pictures drawn to give color to addresses by certain of our speakers when exhorting the flock. Lurid, terrible and nerve – racking recitations upon the coming judgment composed by apostates are given to impress. Emphasis, too, on certain lines of the mentioned compositions is not forgotten, so one can well imagine what the feelings of the members present are, especially those who are over-conscious of their many failings and weaknesses, who really require not the thrust of terror, but the spiritual assistance of discriminating exponents of the Word of Life, who possess the rare qualifications (to our knowledge there are such) which go to make up the man in Christ Jesus, the one who ever sought to comfort, to heal, to strengthen and to encourage those who would have seemed to us in Christ’s day beyond hope and redemption.
“Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest, take my yoke upon you for it is easy and my burden is light,” are the comforting, encouraging and assuring words of the Prince of Peace. Such expression we may say was the essence of his mission in life. We do not always realize what a fund of meaning and food for reflection there is in the incident where a man suffering from an incurable disease, the worst of all diseases, leprosy (the terrible figure for sin), came to him, beseeching him to make him clean, and Jesus, “moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will, be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.”
The loving touch of the Master, we feel at times, is greatly needed in some cases of our experience, for where some would condemn he would heal and forgive
Let us try and remember that it was not the disposition of Christ to intimidate and to terrify his brethren into doing the Father’s will (John iv. 14-19). The all-wise Creator has by His incomprehensible and unsurprising love promised immortality through His beloved Son, not only endless life but gifts of an unspeakable character, in return for willing and loving service (1 Cor. ii. 9). Are we not safe in saying that God does not require beings who need keeping in a spiritual frame of mind and faithful behavior by threats of impending judgment, but that He seeks through His infallible work and requires only those who will accept and appreciate the Truth in the spirit of holiness and reverential fear (Rev. xxii. 17), who take delight in doing His will, ever working to obtain in the broad sense the spirit of the one whose sole pleasure and business was to carry out the behests of His Father, and who for the great joy ahead endured with exemplary patience the shame and contradiction of sinners?
Questions which engender strife only result in confusion, lacking “the wisdom that is from above,” the “wisdom that is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality (Revised Version, -without wrangling”), and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” Endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. iv. 3). Could a better or more concise exposition than this be given of the spirit of Christ? It contains the principle of the walk of those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit such words clearly indicate that there is even now (conditional) no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus (Rom. viii. 1-16). Having “the spirit of Christ” cannot be better evidenced than by a life and conversation suitable to the precepts and example of “the one who was holy„ harmless, underfunded, separate from sinners.” It has been truly advanced that no profession or appellation can benefit us, unless we are of that number who endeavor to copy carefully the pattern approved of God (John ii. 4,6).
We are apt to say sometimes that to become like him in the way mentioned is impossible by reason of our repeated inevitable shortcomings and sins of weakness. It is for us to take encouragement from Psalm cxxx. 3. The Father lovingly allows for all this and directs His children to the appointed and exalted advocate, through whom He will hear if approached in faithfulness and humility, and will grant strength and forgiveness. It is for “all in Christ” to fight with determination “the good fight of faith” until the end, showing forth in their daily lives and conversation the mind of the immortalized Christ.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One