Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org
Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org
whose conduct he has so much reason to blame, and whose spirit he has so much cause to abominate. He who avenges himself receives into his own heart all the evil and disgraceful passions by which his enemy is rendered both wretched and contemptible. There is the voice of eternal reason in, "Avenge not yourselves: overcome evil with good;" as well as the high authority and command of the living God. Wicked words and sinful actions may be considered as the overflowings of a heart that is more than full of the spirit of wickedness; and holy words and righteous deeds may be considered as the overflowings of a heart that is filled with the Holy Spirit, and running over with love to God and man. "Love ye your enemies."—This is the most sublime precept ever delivered to man: a false religion durst not give a precept of this nature, because, without supernatural influence, it must be for ever impracticable. In these words of our blessed Lord we see the tenderness, sincerity, extent, disinterestedness, pattern, and issue of the love of God, dwelling in man; a religion which has for its foundation the union of God and man in the same person, and the death of this august Being for his enemies; which consists on earth in a reconciliation of the Creator with his creatures, and which is to subsist in heaven only in the union of the members with the Head: could such a religion as this ever tolerate hatred in the soul of man, even to his most inveterate foes? We are not to suppose that the love of God casts out every kind of fear from the soul; it only casts out that which has torment. A filial fear is consistent with the highest degrees of love; and even necessary to the preservation of that grace. This is properly its guardian; and without this, love would soon degenerate into listlessness or presumptive boldness. Nor does it cast out that fear which is so necessary to the preservation of life; that fear which leads a man to flee from danger lest his life should be destroyed.
Nor does it cast out that fear which may be engendered by sudden alarm. All these are necessary to our well being. But it destroys, 1. The fear of want; 2. The fear of death; and, 3. The fear or terror of judgment. All these fears bring torment, and are inconsistent with this perfect love. PEACE.—Christ keeps that heart in peace in which he dwells and rules. This peace passeth all understanding; it is of a very different nature from all that call arise from human occurrences; it is a peace which Christ has purchased, and which God dispenses; it is felt by all the truly godly, but can be explained by none; it is communion with the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ, by the power and influence of the Holy Ghost. To live in a state of peace with one's neighbours, friends, and even family, is often very difficult. But the man who loves God must labour after this, for it is indispensably necessary even for his own sake. A man cannot have broils and misunderstandings with others, without having his own peace very materially disturbed; he must, to be happy, be at peace with all men, whether they will be at peace with him or not. The apostle knew that it would be difficult to get into and maintain such a state of peace; and this his own words amply prove: "And if it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably." Though it be but barely possible, labour after it. In civil society men must, in order to taste tranquillity, resolve to bear something from their neighbours, they must suffer, pardon, and give up many things; without doing which, they must live in such a state of continual agitation as will render life itself insupportable. Without this giving and forgiving spirit there will be nothing in civil society, and even in Christian congregations, but divisions, evil surmisings, injurious discourses, outrages, anger, vengeance, and, in a word, a total dissolution of the mystical body of Christ. Thus our interest in both worlds calls loudly upon us to give and forgive. Most of the disputes among Christians have been concerning nonessential points. Rites and ceremonies, even in the simple religion of
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Nor does it cast out that fear which may be engendered by sudden<br />
alarm. All these are necessary to our well being. But it destroys, 1. The<br />
fear of want; 2. The fear of death; and, 3. The fear or terror of judgment.<br />
All these fears bring torment, and are inconsistent with this perfect love.<br />
PEACE.—Christ keeps that heart in peace in which he dwells and rules.<br />
This peace passeth all understanding; it is of a very different nature from<br />
all that call arise from human occurrences; it is a peace which Christ has<br />
purchased, and which God dispenses; it is felt by all the truly godly, but<br />
can be explained by none; it is communion with the Father, and his Son<br />
Jesus Christ, by the power and influence of the Holy Ghost.<br />
To live in a state of peace with one's neighbours, friends, and even<br />
family, is often very difficult. But the man who loves God must labour<br />
after this, for it is indispensably necessary even for his own sake. A man<br />
cannot have broils and misunderstandings with others, without having his<br />
own peace very materially disturbed; he must, to be happy, be at peace<br />
with all men, whether they will be at peace with him or not. The apostle<br />
knew that it would be difficult to get into and maintain such a state of<br />
peace; and this his own words amply prove: "And if it be possible, as<br />
much as lieth in you, live peaceably." Though it be but barely possible,<br />
labour after it.<br />
In civil society men must, in order to taste tranquillity, resolve to bear<br />
something from their neighbours, they must suffer, pardon, and give up<br />
many things; without doing which, they must live in such a state of<br />
continual agitation as will render life itself insupportable. Without this<br />
giving and forgiving spirit there will be nothing in civil society, and even<br />
in <strong>Christian</strong> congregations, but divisions, evil surmisings, injurious<br />
discourses, outrages, anger, vengeance, and, in a word, a total dissolution<br />
of the mystical body of Christ. Thus our interest in both worlds calls<br />
loudly upon us to give and forgive.<br />
Most of the disputes among <strong>Christian</strong>s have been concerning<br />
nonessential points. Rites and ceremonies, even in the simple religion of
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