Romans 16:6-7 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labor on us.… I. WHAT IS THE IMPORT OF BEING IN CHRIST? 1. Some are in Christ only externally, as by baptism entered into His Church. 2. Some are also in Christ by vital union (Ephesians 5:30; 1 Corinthians 6:17; John 6:56). II. THE BLESSEDNESS ANNEXED TO THE BEING THUS IN CHRIST. You may see this — 1. In the union itself, as it is — (1) Most intimate and endearing. Christ is compared to a foundation for our support, a vine for our fruitfulness, a head for vital importance, a husband for the most tender love. This is the ground of that sympathy that there is between Christ and His members (Hebrews 4:15; Colossians 1:24; Acts 9:4). (2) Most honourable. No title among men is comparable to that of being a member of Christ. Angels are subject to Him, but are not styled His body (Ephesians 1:23; Hebrews 2:16). How great is their dignity who are thus allied to the Lord of glory (1 Corinthians 2:8). (3) Most enriching (Ephesians 3:8; Colossians 1:19; John 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Corinthians 3:21, 23). (4) Most comfortable. Nothing can be wanting to their support who are taken into it. (5) Immediate. Every member stands equally near the Head: they are all in Him (1 Peter 4:5, 6; Ephesians 2:22; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 2:19). (6) Inseparable. 2. In some instances of the happiness that belongs to those who are found in Christ. They — (1) Have their sins pardoned (Psalm 32:1; Colossians 1:14). (2) Are freed from sin's reigning power (Romans 7:24, 25; Romans 8:2). (3) Are rescued from the tyranny of Satan (Ephesians 2:2). (4) Are delivered from the curse and condemnation of the law, and so from hell (John 3:18; Romans 8:1; Galatians 3:13). (5) Are brought into a state of favour with God whose lovingkindness is better than life (Psalm 63:3; Romans 5:1). (6) Are adopted into His family, that of which the Lord Jesus Christ is the head (John 1:12; Ephesians 2:19; Romans 8:17). (7) Have the privilege of free access to God and are always welcome, being made accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6). (8) Have their perseverance secured while they live; the reception of their souls to heaven at death; a glorious resurrection of their bodies, and a blessed eternity. III. THERE ARE SPECIAL ADVANTAGES OF BEING EARLY IN CHRIST. 1. This is the best preservative from sin, so displeasing to God, and which will fill the guilty with so much horror in the review. 2. Hereby you will be saved from being destructive examples to others; drawing them on in sin together with yourselves. 3. You will be fitted for more eminent service for God and your generation; be common blessings in helping to keep off judgments, and bring down mercy upon the places of your abode. 4. You will be especially dear to heaven; in the number of those whom God and Christ will delight to favour and honour. 5. This will speak you signal instances of the sovereignty and riches of grace that may be matter of comfortable reflection to you all your days. 6. You will be most like to attain a comfortable evidence of the sincerity and truth of grace, and so that you are the objects of God's eternal choice. 7. Your great work upon earth will be over, being early provided for a blessed eternity. 8. If you are longer spared you will have a fair advantage of making a greater proficiency in grace, and so enlarge your capacity for greater glory. IV. APPLICATION. Is it the happiness of some to be in Christ before others? Hence learn — 1. That a state of nature is a Christless state, and so a very miserable one (Ephesians 2:12). 2. How dangerous must it be to rest in a mere profession, and what multitudes are like to perish as looking no farther I (Matthew 7:21; 1 John 3:23). 3. How unreasonable is the backwardness of sinners to close with an offered Saviour! And yet how commonly is it discovered! 4. With what seriousness should every one concerned about his everlasting happiness or misery take up and pursue the inquiry, Am I in Christ, yea, or no? (D. Wilcox.) Parallel Verses KJV: Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. |
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