A Whole Christ with a Whole Heart

jaybird0827 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-11-2006, 09:35 PM

Courtesy of "Blueridge reformer" (James A. Farley), who emailed this piece to me a few days ago.

Quote:

A Whole Christ with a Whole Heart

The terms upon which Christ is offered in the gospel are
these: that we shall accept of a whole Christ with a
whole heart. Now, mark--a whole Christ includes all
His offices; and a whole heart includes all our faculties.

Christ as mediator is prophet, priest, and king.
Christ as a prophet instructs us.
Christ as a priest redeems us and intercedes for us.
Christ as a king sanctifies and rules us.

A hypocrite may be willing to embrace Christ as a priest
to save him from wrath, from the curse, from hell, from
everlasting burning--but he is never sincerely willing to
embrace Christ as a prophet to teach and instruct him,
and as a king to rule and reign over him. Many hypocrites
are willing to embrace a saving Christ--but they are not
willing to embrace a ruling Christ, a commanding Christ.
"But those enemies of Mine who did not want Me to be
king over them--bring them here and kill them in front
of Me!'" Luke 19:27

Hypocrites love to share with Christ in His happiness--but
they don't love to share with Christ in His holiness. They
are willing to be redeemed by Christ--but they are not
cordially willing to submit to the laws and government of
Christ. They are willing to be saved by His blood--but they
are not willing to submit to His scepter.

But a true Christian receives Christ in all His offices. He accepts
Him, not only as a saving Jesus--but also as a Lord Jesus. He
embraces Him, not only as a saving Christ--but also as a ruling
Christ. He received Christ as a king upon His throne, as well
as an atoning sacrifice upon His cross.

A hypocrite is all for a saving Christ, for a sin-pardoning Christ,
for a soul-saving Christ--but has no regard for a ruling Christ,
a reigning Christ, a commanding Christ, a sanctifying Christ;
and this at last will prove his damning sin.

Brooks, Thomas. "Touchstone of Sincerity"

Emphasis in original.

[Edited on 10-11-2006 by jaybird0827]

armourbearer · #2 (**permalink**) 10-11-2006, 11:06 PM

Great quote! This used to be the emphasis in sacramental sermons around the Presbyterian communion season.

I just noticed the gracegems link. This would be an appropriate place to point out that this site often alters the Scriptural readings to reflect modern versions.

[Edited on 10-12-2006 by armourbearer]