The Mind of Chrisst # 3

The Mind of Christ # 3

The Divinity of Jesus Christ is, in the system of grace, the sun, to which all its parts are subordinate, and all their stations refer; which binds them in sacred concord, and imparts to them radiance, life, and vigor. Take from it this central luminary, and, the glory is departed. Its holy harmonies are broken - the elements rush to chaos - the light of salvation is extinguished forever." 

Before I come to the practical application of the passage on which I have dwelt in this address, I will give a summary of the Scriptures evidence of the fact of Christ's true and proper Divinity. The argument is this - Inasmuch as every title, attribute, work, and honor belonging to Deity is, without limitation or reserve, ascribed to Christ in Scripture, He, in addition to His being in one view truly and properly man, must, in another, be as truly and properly God. He is thus God and man, in one mysterious Person.

Titles of Deity Ascribed to Christ

Jehovah; Isaiah 6 compared with John 12:41. Isaiah 45:22-25,compared with Romans 14:10-12. Jeremiah 23:6

God; John 1:1-4.
God with us; Isaiah 7:14.
Mighty God; Isaiah 9:6.
God over all; Romans 9:4.
God manifest in the flesh; 1 Timothy 3:16.
Great God; Titus 2:13.
True God; 1 John 5:20.

Attributes of Deity

Eternity; Isaiah 9:6; John 8:58; Heb. 1:12; 13:8; Rev. 1:8.
Omnipresence; Matthew 18:20.
Omnipotence; Matt. 28:18; Hebrews 1:3; Rev. 1:8.
Omniscience; Rev. 2:23, compared with Jer. 17:10.

Works of Deity

Creation; John 1:3-10; Col. 1:16; Hebrews 1:2.
Preservation of all things; Hebrews 1:3.
Government of the universe; Daniel 2:9-14; Matt. 28:18; 
1 Corinthians 15:24-27; Eph. 1:20, 23; Philip. 2:9-11.
Regeneration; John 5:25, 26.
Resurrection of the dead; John 5:29; 11:25.
General Judgment; John 5:22; Acts 17:31; Romans 14:9-10; 
2 Corinthians 5:10.

Honors of Deity

Chief end of the Creation' Colossians 1:15.

Worship, Prayer; Acts 7:59; 2 Corinthians 13:8; Romans 1:7; and the benedictions and salutations, at the commencement and conclusion of most of the epistles.

Praise and Adoration; Revelation 5.

These are but a selection from the passages of Scripture which assert and prove the Divinity of our Lord. In fact, this great truth is so interwoven with the very texture of revelation, and occurs incidentally in so many places, that it appears to me impossible to separate it without destroying the whole. Let these passages be well studied, and accurately stored in the mind, both in their own words and meaning. I now return to the passage which has been the subject of previous remark, "Let the mind which was in Christ be also in you."

Jesus Christ is the only Teacher who ever made a similarity of disposition to Himself - a test and badge of discipleship. He is not only the teacher - but the pattern of His own religion. His example is an essential part of His system. A man might be a philosopher of any school, if he only embraces the principles of his master, although in temper and spirit he be as opposite to his leader as the east is from the west. But this is not enough to constitute a man a Christian; for he must not only receive the doctrines of our Lord - but must imbibe His very spirit. He must not only believe all He taught - but he must live as He lived, think as He thought, and feel as He felt. Christ's mind must be in his mind, as far as he con contain it. I really know nothing more instructive, or more solemnly impressive than this. To be a Christian, it is not only necessary we should adopt Christ's doctrines, comply with His ordinances, observe His sacraments, associate with His church, and espouse His cause; no, nor even conform outwardly to His conduct - but we must have His very mind in us. The prevailing spirit and disposition of His mind, must be ours also; and unless the eye of man sees the image of Christ upon our character, and the eye of God see the mind of Christ in our soul, we are not acknowledged as true Christians.

And what was the mind of Christ? Who shall describe it? Only the apostles who have written His life. How holy was His mind! Not the shadow of sin, nor the least taint of moral evil ever passed over it, to becloud or pollute its immaculate purity. His mind was the seat of the most ineffable benevolence. His heart was the very temple of love - nothing malevolent, vindictive, or cruel, ever found a place there. All His actions, words and feelings were the workings of incomparable love. His humility was equal to His purity and benevolence - and it is more especially to the latter of these triune graces that the apostle refers when he says, "Let this mind also be in you." It is the Saviour's condescension which is especially commended to our attention and imitation. And none ought to be so distinguished for this virtue as the advocates for the Divinity of Christ. It comes upon them with the weight of a peculiar obligation. It is their appropriate duty, and ought to be their distinction.

~John Angell James~

(continued with # 4)