2 Corinthians 9:13-14 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection to the gospel of Christ… Nothing can so excite God's people to give to Him as the remembrance of what God has given to them. "Freely ye have received, freely give." Gospel graces are best stimulated by gospel motives. The gospel is founded upon giving, and its spirit is giving. God gives us Jesus — everything in fact; and then, moved by love to Him, we give ourselves back to Him and to His people. I. CHRIST IS THE GIFT UNSPEAKABLE. 1. No man can doctrinally lay down the whole meaning of the gift of Christ to men. The devout and studious have themselves cried out, "Oh, the depths," but they have not pretended to fathom this abyss of mystery. It is idle to attempt a definition of infinity. Theology can speak on many themes, and she hath much to say on this, but her voice fails to speak the whole. 2. No man can ever set forth the manner of this gift. (1) The manner of the Father's giving the Only-Begotten to us. We swim in mysteries when we speak of the Father and the Son. How, then, shall any explain how God could give the Son to die, He being one with Himself? Or, if he could explain, can he tell us what it cost? (2) Our Lord's sufferings when He was made sin for us. None can declare the greatness of His sufferings. Incarnation is but the first step, but of that first descent of love who shall declare the mystery? "Thine unknown sufferings," says the Greek Liturgy, and unknown they must for ever be. 3. None can describe the boons which have come to us through the gift of Christ. There is, first of all, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace. Then comes adoption, and all that that means. "All things are yours," etc. Other gifts may amaze us, but this overwhelms us. If the stream be fathomless who shall find a plummet wherewith to measure the fountain? 4. When it is best realised speech about it fails. Utterance belongs not to the deepest emotion. Some feelings are too big for expression. A dear lover of Christ wished to join a certain church, but her testimony was too little to satisfy the brethren, and they told her so; when, bursting through all bonds, she cried out, "I cannot speak for Him, but I could die for Him." 5. Even when the Spirit of God helps men to speak upon it, they yet feel it to be unspeakable. You shall not be able to soar amongst the mysteries and then come back and say, "I can declare it all to you." No, Paul "heard things which it were not lawful for a man to utter." II. CHRIST IS A GIFT TO BE VERY MUCH SPOKEN OF. 1. By thanks to God. 2. By deeds of praise. If our words have failed let us try actions, which speak more loudly than words. (1) Give yourself away to your Lord. If God has given you Christ, give Him yourself. Ye are not your own. (2) Then, having given yourself, give of your substance to God, and give freely. Nothing can be too good or great for Him. (3) Deeds of patience are among the thanks which best speak out our gratitude to God. If you have lost everything but Christ, yet if you have Christ left you what have you lost? Why fret for pins when God gives pearls? 3. By always holding a thankful creed. Believe nothing which would rob God of thanks or Christ of glory. Hold a theology which magnifies Christ, which teaches that Christ is God's unspeakable gift. 4. By bringing others to accept God's unspeakable gift. Seek out those who do not know Christ, and tell them "the old, old story of Jesus and His love." (C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; |
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