I. Christ's Word is simple. It is all plain to him that understandeth. There have been many books which professed great things; some that promised to work wonders for man, and some that even professed to come from God, but they were abstruse and enigmatical. They showed how insecure they were by the mystery in which they veiled their meaning. But the Saviour, in His kindness and sincerity, has made His Word an easy and simple book, so plain that it need perplex no one, so self-evident that it is ready for everybody's use.
II. And yet though so simple there is no book so significant. Like Christ Himself in Christ's Word are hid the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; and those who dig into this hidden treasure may rest assured that as the word of an infinite Being there is an infinite fulness in it.
III. The Word of Christ is saving. There is a company whom no man can number before the throne; but ere they went to heaven they were all brought to God. It is Christ's Word received into the soul, and abiding there, which is the source and securing of its immortality.
IV. Christ's Word is sanctifying. If you get to love and revere it so as to exalt it into a companion and counsellor, it will tell on all your conduct. Like a lamp it will reveal what is wrong in your character and motives, and be the great help to self-examination; but, better than a lamp, like a wise and loving friend it will show the excellence of holiness, and set you on the way to attaining it.
V. And sustaining. Daily work needs daily bread, and it is in the Bible magazine that the bread of life is stored. And just as the man who wishes strength for labour would deem it false economy to save his time and take no food, so theirs is foolish haste who think to struggle on from day to day without the Spirit's bread.
VI. It is suited to all. If Luther adored the fulness of Scripture, we have as much reason to bless God for its variety and all-fittingness.
J. Hamilton, Works,vol. vi., p. 17.
The Word of Christ: Its Truths and Transformation.
J. It is of infinite moment that the Bible truths should dwell in us. To have clear conceptions and secure possession of them is faith, and he is a believer whose mind these truths occupy and inhabit. But I fear the best that can be said for many Gospel hearers is that they get a view of the Word on a visit. It is not a guest nor an inmate. Just as you may sit at the window and see passengers in the street or the public road, and make remarks on them; but none of them is any friend of yours, so you do not detain them, you do not run down and open the door and invite them in. So many see a truth pass by and they pronounce a verdict on it, but they do not take it home. Never rest till Christ's Word dwells in you. Like Abraham in the tent-door, look out for it. Enthrone it in your highest heart, and bid all your being wait on it and obey it.
II. But it is not enough that Christ's truths inhabit your convictions. In order to be strictly Biblical, you must not only ascertain the truth, but you must catch the tone; and in those only does Christ's Word dwell richly in whom Christ's Spirit dwells as well as Christ's sayings. It is perfectly possible, and for some purposes eminently important, to cull out from the Bible and arrange and classify its several truths. But the soundest doctrine is no more the Bible than carbon is the diamond, and the noblest system of theology is no more the Word of Christ than a vast museum is the smiling world which its Creator greeted "very good."
III. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Let its lifesome energy inspire your character. Exhibit the Saviour's truth in its transforming power. Then, indeed, will Christ's Word dwell in you richly, when it not only fills up your soul with sincerity and spiritual-mindedness, but exhibits itself in a radiant efflorescence over all your conduct. To have the Word dwelling in you so richly is to be Scripturalised to have Christ'sWord so dwelling is to be Christianised.
J. Hamilton, Works,vol. vi., p. 46.
The Word of Christ: Its Truths and Its Tone.
I. Let the truths and realities of the Word inhabit your convictions; and, in order that they may inhabit, let them enter. Many turn towards the firmament of Scripture a telescope with the lid still on, and then see nothing wonderful. Many plunge into the scriptural fountain a bottle with the cork still in, and marvel that, however long they leave it, they still bring it empty up. And many pray, "O send forth Thy light and Thy truth," but keep their minds so closed by worldliness and carelessness, or by some obstinate prepossession, or some besetting sin, that the light and truth cannot enter. Turn towards the Word of God an open eye and an honest heart. Be desirous to find something; seek and you shall find. Should there be branches in the tree of knowledge above your present reach, gather such fruit as is more accessible; and when refreshed and strengthened by those truths which you do attain, you will be able to reach those which grow more loftily.
II. Let its tone be infused into your temper. When a person speaks, there is not only the thing he says, but the tone in which he says it. There is a dry and flippant tone which withers the sincerity out of the kindest words, and there is a full-hearted tone, which will fill the most common words with a melting magic. There is not only Bible truth, but a Bible tone; not only Christ's Word, but Christ's way of speaking it. The keynote of Scripture is love, and the truth of Jesus is all spoken in a divinely gracious tone. There is something more than doctrine in the Word of Christ. A chemist may analyse the wine of Lebanon, and he may tell you that it contains so many salts and alkalies; and you may combine all these, you may mix them in the just proportions; but chemistry will never create what the vintage yielded. To make the wine of Lebanon needs Lebanon itself, the mountain with its gushing heart and aromatic springs. A theologian may analyse the Christian doctrine; he may tell you how many truths and tenets this Bible contains, and you may combine them all; but it needs Christ's own mind, His loving heart and benignant spirit, to reproduce the truth as it is in Jesus.
J. Hamilton, Works,vol. vi., p. 32.
References: Colossians 3:16. J. G. Rogers, Christian World Pulpit,vol. vii., p. 33; Preacher's Monthly,vol. iii., p. 270; vol. iv., p. 185; vol. vii., p. 378; R. S. Candlish, Sermons,p. 188; Homilist,vol. v., p. 14; Ibid.,3rd series, vol. vi., p. 270; A. Raleigh, The Little Sanctuary,p. 273; J. Edmunds, Sermons in a Village Church,vol. ii., p. 1; Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxvii., p. 302.