BLESSINGS IN CHRIST by M. E. K.

BLESSINGS IN CHRIST.

By M. E. K.

In many scriptures Jesus Christ is set forth as supplying all that we as sinners need. Taking into consideration man’s wants, God made in Jesus Christ provision for them all. Paul told the whole story in few words when he said, “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19. Notice the idea in the text. God is rich. From His glorious throne of the universe He supplies the needs of all His creatures, whether in this world or in others. This world is very needy. Sin has separated its inhabitants from their Creator. They joined Satan in his great rebellion, lost life, holiness, their spiritual likeness to God, their inheritance—everything. But God was equal to the emergency. The needs of mankind were great, but His supply of help was bountiful, immeasurable, infinite. The supply equals, yea, exceeds the demand; for “where sin abounded grace did much more abound.” God supplies not enough to barely cover our needs, but “according to His riches in glory.” The most precious thing, the most precious One, in glory was given so that our needs might all be supplied.

Our needs are fully supplied because we have all that Christ has. “For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell” (Col. 1:19), and when we accept Him, we have all that He has, so that it is said of those who accept Him, “And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace” (John 1:16); and the apostle prays that the Ephesian brethren might be “filled with all the fulness of God” (Eph. 3:19). Let us see what He has; then we can know what we have in Him. “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4. “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life.” 1 John 5:11, 12. Christ is the Son of God; He is the “only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14. The believer also becomes a Son of God. “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” Verse 12. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer

with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Rom. 8:14–17.

See what the believer receives! He becomes an adopted son of God, one of God’s children. He is taken into God’s family, and, receiving the spirit of adoption, can say, “Abba, Father,” with the same confidence as Jesus, his Elder Brother. He is also, by virtue of this new relation, made a joint heir with Christ, the only-begotten Son, and is glorified with Him. He has his share, an equal share, too, of the “riches in glory” of the heavenly Father.

The above illustration gives something of an idea of one part of the big United States gun works in Washington, D. C. One thousand machinists are here busily engaged in completing the twenty-six mammoth 13-inch rifles, as well as the numerous smaller guns that are soon to be turned out of this factory. At a similar factory in Watervliet, N. Y., the largest gun ever forged is being made. Its projectile will weigh 2,350 pounds, and a thousand pounds of powder will throw it fifteen miles. It is to be six tons heavier than the famous Krupp gun that has held the record as the largest heretofore. When the people understand what is being done in the way of manufacturing arms, how can they be deluded into the idea that we are on the era of a universal peace?

The believer is also made fit to receive all these blessings by the same provisions of redeeming grace. Read these comforting words: “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” 1 Cor. 1:30. Of whom are we?—We are of God. Says John, “And we know that we are of God.” 1 John 5:19. Yes, we are of God, in Christ Jesus, and Jesus, by God, is made unto us, for us, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Through Christ this treasure-house of marvelous gifts is open to us—wisdom to direct, righteousness to cover all sins and imperfections, sanctification to make us wholly the Lord’s, redemption from the bondage of sin, and finally redemption from the earth-life of a mortal body to the glorious immortality to be given at the coming of Christ.

There are many other precious scriptures which under different terms convey to our minds the knowledge of the blessings which we receive through Christ. We are risen with Christ (Col. 3:1); in Him we have peace (John 16:33); and those who have a hope in Him (1 John 3:3), purify themselves through the means which He furnishes.

And now, seeing that we have so many things “in Him,” what better can we do than “abide in Him”? Outside there is danger. Satan is there; his agents hover round us; they would lead us farther and farther away from the warmth of the Father’s house, to the bleak, wind-swept moors of sin and destruction. Inside, in Christ, is peace, hope, joy, righteousness, and eternal life. Reader, if you are not in Him, if you have wandered away, return. The prodigal son, returning, is received with rejoicing; the best robe is put upon him, and a bounteous feast is spread for his entertainment. Thank God, it is the privilege of every one to say, “Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.”

M. E. K.