DISCOURSE: 1981
NO KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST BUT BY THE SPIRIT
1 Corinthians 12:3. I give you to understand, that ….. no man can say, that Jesus is the Lord, bat by the Holy Ghost.
WE trust that amongst us there are none so hostile to the name of Christ, as to “call Jesus accursed;” and therefore we omit from our text that part which is inapplicable to the age in which we live. There were among the Jews many, who, whilst they rejected Christ as an impostor, pretended to be inspired by the Holy Ghost, and, either through magic or satanic influence, wrought “signs and lying wonders” in confirmation of their word. Amongst believers themselves also, there were some, who made a very unbecoming use of the miraculous powers with which they were endowed, priding themselves upon them, and exerting them rather for the furtherance of their own glory, than for the edification of the Church of Christ. To rectify the views of the Corinthians on these subjects, St. Paul informs them, that the unbelieving Jews, whatever they might pretend to, had not the Spirit of God; since “no man, speaking by the Spirit of God, calleth Jesus accursed:” nor, on the other hand, had those, who possessed the miraculous influences of the Spirit, any such ground for self-preference and self-complacency as they imagined; since every true believer enjoyed those influences which were infinitely the most important; for that “no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.”
This is a truth of infinite importance; and St. Paul was very anxious that it should be duly weighed and considered. We will, therefore,
I. Explain the assertion in our text—
It is obvious that the text is not to be understood as denying our power to make use of that particular expression; because that form of words is as easily used as any other: but it affirms, that we cannot, without the aid of the Holy Spirit, make use of that assertion,
1. With a full conviction of its truth—
[We may easily from education give a notional assent to the whole Gospel; but when we come to reflect on the idea of our God becoming incarnate, and offering himself a sacrifice for the sins of his rebellious creatures, and reconciling them to himself through his own sufferings upon the cross, the mind revolts at the thought; and the whole plan of the Gospel appears a cunningly-devised fable. We see not any need for such an intervention of the Deity. We are ready to ask, Why could not God pardon us without such an atonement? Why could not his mercy be extended to us on our repentance and amendment, without any such devices as those which the Gospel professes to reveal? Yes: when these mysteries are more nearly contemplated, they are “to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness:” and “the natural man neither does, nor can, receive them [Note: 1 Corinthians 1:23; 1 Corinthians 2:11; 1 Corinthians 2:14.].”]
2. With a just sense of its importance—
[Supposing the mysterious truths of Christianity to be admitted from the force of reasoning alone, the importance of them can never be felt, but from a deep consciousness of our guilt and helplessness before God. We must feel our disease, before we justly appreciate the remedy. But who can ever know the desperate wickedness of his own heart, unless he be taught of God [Note: Jeremiah 17:9.]? Who can see the fulness that is in Christ, and his suitableness to our necessities [Note: Revelation 3:17-18.], till the eyes of his understanding have been enlightened by the Spirit of the living God [Note: Ephesians 1:17-18.]? We must be “brought out of darkness into marvellous light,” before “Christ can become so precious to us” as he deserves to be.]
3. With a suitable determination to act upon it—
[When we truly confess Christ as our Lord and Saviour, we shall of necessity feel his love constraining us to live no longer to ourselves, but unto him who died for us and rose again [Note: 2 Corinthians 5:14-15.]. But who can thus live, unless he be aided and strengthened from on high? Are the world, the flesh, and the devil so easily vanquished, that we can by any power of our own subdue them? No: it is “not by might or by power, but by the Spirit of God” alone that such victories are gained [Note: Zechariah 4:6 and Philippians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 3:5.]. Grace must lay the foundation-stone; and grace must bring forth the head-stone: and to all eternity must the glory be ascribed to the grace of God alone [Note: 2 Corinthians 3:7; 2 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 5:5.Revelation 7:9-10.]
Thus comprehensive is the assertion contained in our text. We will now,
II.
Commend it to your most attentive consideration—
The Apostle evidently considered this declaration as of peculiar importance: “I give you to understand this,” says he; and I wish you ever to bear it in remembrance, as of singular use both for the instruction of your minds, and the regulation of your lives. This one assertion, truly understood, will shew you,
1. What is the great office of the Holy Spirit in the economy of redemption—
[Amongst the many purposes for which our blessed Lord was sent into the world, one was, to “declare the Father to us [Note: John 1:18; John 17:26.].” But the chief end for which the Holy Spirit is sent, is, to “testify of Christ,” and “to take of the things that are his, and to shew them unto us [Note: John 15:26; John 16:14.].” This then is the end for which we are to desire the gift of the Holy Ghost: we should feel sensible that we cannot know Christ, unless the Spirit reveal him in us [Note: Matthew 11:27.]; or come to him, except the Spirit draw us [Note: John 6:44.]; or be one with him, unless the Spirit form him in our hearts [Note: Galatians 4:19.]. This is a point by no means considered as it ought to be. We have an idea that the Holy Spirit is to “help our infirmities;” but we have no conception of the extent to which we need that help, and especially in relation to the knowledge of Christ. But we entreat you to consider fully the declaration in our text, and to take it as a clew, which, if duly followed, “will guide you into all truth.”]
2. How deeply we are concerned to obtain his gracious influences—
[If “to know Christ be life eternal [Note: John 17:3.],” and those who know him not must die in their sins [Note: John 8:24.], it is obvious, that we never can obtain salvation but through the all-powerful agency of the Holy Spirit. But we need not take this in a way of deduction; for the voice of inspiration has expressly said, “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his [Note: Romans 8:9.].” Should it not then be a matter of serious inquiry with every one of us, Whether we have received the Holy Ghost; and whether he has performed in us that great work of discovering to us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ [Note: 2 Corinthians 4:6.]? Let us not be satisfied with any views which are merely obtained from books, and which may float in the mind without any influence on the heart; but let us, by prayer and supplication, seek the gift of the Holy Spirit, that through him we may be taught what no eye hath seen, nor ear heard, nor heart conceived [Note: 1 Corinthians 2:9-10.]
3. How thankful we should be for the smallest measure of his influence—
[If we have been taught truly and from our hearts to say that Jesus is the Lord, we then have certainly received the Holy Ghost; since it is by his gracious influence alone that we are enabled to do so. The assertion in our text establishes this truth beyond a doubt: for “no man,” however learned he may be, has any advantage over the poor in this respect. “If any man will be wise,” he must divest himself of all his fancied pre-eminence, and “become a fool, that he may be wise [Note: 1 Corinthians 3:18.].” On the other hand, if any man have attained a just knowledge of Christ, he has that, in comparison of which all other things are as dung and dross [Note: Philippians 3:8.]. Let not any one then be cast down because he possesses a smaller measure of earthly distinctions: for there is an infinitely greater distance between the meanest believer and the most learned philosophers on earth, than can be found between any two persons that have been taught of God. The wisdom of this world is of no account in the sight of God; and at all events it benefits men only for this present life: but he to whom the Holy Spirit has imparted even the smallest measure of the knowledge of Christ, possesses the choicest gift that God himself can bestow, and is made “wise unto everlasting salvation.”]