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"Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious" (1 Peter 2:7).
Every believer VALUES Christ. Let others think of Him as they may — all who are taught of God, think highly of Him. They can never honor Him as they wish, or enjoy Him to their full satisfaction. Every believer feels their NEED of him. No weary traveler ever felt his need of rest, no hungry laborer ever felt his need of food, no drowning mariner ever felt his need of a life-boat — as the believer has felt his need of Christ! They need to be saved — and only Christ can save them. They need to be happy — and only Jesus can make them happy. They need His blood to cleanse them from sin, and procure their pardon. They need His righteousness to clothe their souls, and justify them before God. They need His Spirit to sanctify their nature, and make them fit for Heaven. They need His intercession to secure them from evil, and procure for them good things. They need His fullness of grace to supply all their needs, from earth to Heaven. Every believer discovers the exact SUITABILITY of Christ to them. He is just what they need — He has all that they need! They are foolish — and He has wisdom. They are unrighteous — and He has righteousness. They are unholy — and He has holiness. They are weak — and He has strength. They are in bondage — and He has redemption. They are lost — and He has salvation. In a word, they are led to see that God has stored up everything in Jesus, and that possessing Him — they have all things! Every Christian believes on Him to the saving of the soul. They trust Him to procure their pardon, peace with God, and everlasting life. Their heart goes out to Him, they repose confidence in Him, they commit their souls to Him, they build on Him — as God's foundation; they hide in Him — as the sinner's refuge; and they trust themselves with Him — as the almighty Savior. "Unto you therefore who believe — He is precious!" But Jesus is only precious to believers. Others do not feel their need of Him, do not see His adaptation to them, and do not depend on Him for pardon, peace with God, and everlasting life. Beloved, do you have this saving faith — which renders Christ so precious? If so, admire the sovereign and distinguishing grace of God, which has conferred so great a blessing upon you — for not all are given saving faith. If so, realize the importance of this faith — which renders Christ so precious. It is the eye — which sees the beauty of Christ. It is the foot — which travels to Christ. It is the hand — which lays hold of Christ. It is the mouth — which tastes the sweetness of Christ. It is the inward principle — which clings and cleaves to Christ. Avoid therefore whatever weakens faith, or interrupts its exercise; and prize whatever strengthens it, and makes it vigorous! (James Smith, "Christ Precious!" 1861)
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Christ is our life; and our growth in spiritual life is Christ increasing within us. It is as utterly impossible to cherish a holy desire, to conceive a heavenly thought, to perform a good action, to conquer a single infirmity, or to baffle a solitary temptation, apart from a direct communication with Christ; as for the lungs to expand without air, or light to exist without the Sun. Oh, yes! Christ is increasingly precious to the believer. The absence from His beatific presence- distance from His blest abode- the vicissitudes of life- the fluctuations of time- the advance of infirmities- the increase of anxieties and cares- and the formation of new friendships, do not render the Savior less precious to the believing soul.
Other objects often lose their attraction, their desire to interest, or their power to charm us, by the lapse of years; but JESUS is that glorious object who grows more precious to the heart in time, as His capacity unfolds of making us supremely happy; and in eternity will become increasingly the object of our love, and the theme of our song, and the source of our bliss, as growing ages unveil His loveliness, His glory, and His grace! Beloved reader, is Jesus increasingly precious to your soul? Each day's history, each day's trial, each day's sin, each day's need, should endear the Savior to your heart, because in each and all of those circumstances you should have direct and close dealings, daily and personal transactions, with Christ! You cannot cultivate an intimacy with Christ and not be enamored of His beauty, charmed with His graciousness, and absorbed with His love! Be cautioned against an eclipse of the Savior! Let no object come between your heart and Christ! Do not be presumptuous when in high spiritual frames, nor be depressed when in low ones. Do not let your conscious shortcomings, failures, and stumblings estrange your affections from Jesus. Nor allow pride or carelessness to insinuate itself, if the Lord confers upon you some especial favor or proof of His regard. |
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