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Christ Is All
by Stephen TyngChapter I
Christ Is All
Colossians 3:11
The spiritual character and the eternal interests of man are both wholly dependant upon his personal relation to the Lord Jesus Christ, the appointed Saviour of mankind. The proposition of the text refers to this spiritual salvation of man; and it must be received as entirely unlimited in its affirmation. In reference to this whole work of grace for the soul of man, "Christ is all." The sinner's deliverance from the penalty and the power of sin, and his reinstatement in the family and the favour of God, are accomplished for him, exclusively by the Saviour himself:
In the great undertaking of redeeming mercy, which was to give the victory to man, His arm brought salvation to him. In the atoning sufferings which were to be endured for man, He trod the wine press alone. The righteousness which was to be finished for man's justification, He hath perfected and brought in for divine acceptance in man's behalf. By one offering of himself, once offered, He hath perfected forever, them that are sanctified. All fulness dwells in him. Exceeding riches of grace are laid up in him. And from his fulness we receive grace for grace. The righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ, is unto all; and upon all that believe. There is no difference. Men are justified freely by the grace of God through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; and being justified by faith, they have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. In this respect, referring to man's acceptance with God, "Christ is all." He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not life.
But the apostle makes the affirmation also, in reference to the inward work of man's sanctification. In the putting on of that new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of him that created him, -- that setting of man's affections on things above, and mortifying his members which are upon the earth, -- which distinguish those who are risen with Christ, "Christ is all." By his Spirit, in obedience to his will, and after the pattern of his holiness, this work of new creation is carried on and completed; so that man becomes a new man, renewed in holiness, because by the ingrafting power of the Holy Spirit, he is in Christ, and has put on Christ. Christ is of God, made unto man, wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption; so that he that glorieth, must glory wholly and only in the Lord. The great question therefore which is to be settled in regard to every man as deciding the whole condition of his soul, is the relation in which he stands to the Lord Jesus Christ. In this great and all important concern, "Christ is all."
In displaying this personal relation of man to the Son of God, the Holy Scriptures exhibit his condition as threefold. Every descendant of man, is either "in Christ," or "with Christ," or " without Christ." These three descriptions include the whole race, and in reference to each, "Christ is all."
To be in Christ, is to be in a state of grace and spiritual security on earth, in preparation for a future state of blessedness and glory. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away: behold all things are become new."
To be with Christ, is to be in a final state of exaltation and bliss. "Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better."
To be without Christ, is to be in a condition of entire spiritual destitution, guilt, and misery. "At that time, ye were without Christ, having no hope, and without God in the world."
The state of every man living, whether in the present, or in the unseen world, is described, by one or the other, of these three expressions. No child of Adam can be found, who is not either in a state of unpardoned guilt, and thus without Christ; or pardoned, and in a state of acceptance with God, and thus in Christ; or in a state of eternal blessedness and reward, and thus with Christ. And in each of these conditions, every thing connected with the state and prospects of the soul, depends upon upon one fact: "Christ is all." The whole misery of the guilty man, in time and in eternity, arises from his being without Christ. The whole security and comfort of the pardoned man, springs from his being in Christ. The whole blessedness of the glorified man, is comprised in the one fact, that he is with Christ.
The Lord Jesus Christ is himself the fountain of all blessings to the soul of man. Union with him, partnership in his possessions, whether in the present state of grace, or in the future, final state of glory, is the secure possession of every thing, which can be to the soul of man, at all desirable. Man can ask nothing more, to enrich him with all conceivable blessings, than to have a real fellowship, and connection, with the Saviour of mankind; and that fellowship made permanent and everlasting. Such a fellowship must open to his endless enjoyment, rivers of pleasure, of the purest and the most satisfying character. If he is one with Christ, all things adapted to promote his joy, or to enlarge his glory, become his forever. He is enriched with all spiritual blessings in Christ, and all things are his, -- whether things present, or things to come, -- because he is Christ's, and Christ is his.
For the same reason, separation from Christ, is the necessary loss of every thing which the soul of man can desire. There can be no peace to man in this condition, whatever other circumstances of outward advantage he may possess, -- because Christ alone is our peace, and alone is able to speak peace, whether to him that is far off, or to him that is nigh. Man has nothing more to dread, and if his eyes were open to the truth, he would dread nothing more, than to be thus cut off from the only Redeemer of the guilty soul, -- shut out from his favour, and obliged to spend his present time, and his future eternity, without a participation in the mercies which this gracious Redeemer alone bestows. The presence of the Saviour makes a heaven of blessedness for the redeemed; comforting them in every possible trial of an earthly state; and establishing them in the inconceivable, and unchangeable glories of an everlasting world. Banishment from the Saviour, leaving the guilty forever under the burden and power of their own iniquities, is a punishment in itself, greater than a sinful creature can bear. When he says, therefore, "Depart. from me, ye cursed," it is a sentence overwhelming in itself, in the relation in which man stands to him, the only source of light and life to the soul, -- even though he had not added, "into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."
This threefold condition of man in his relation to the Saviour, I purpose, with the Lord's blessing, to consider in the following pages. I would exhibit, the state of man by nature, -- the state of man in grace, -- and the state of man in glory. My object is to consider him, in each of these conditions, in his relation to the Saviour of mankind; and to display, in various aspects, and illustrations, the all-important fact, that in the vast concerns of man's redemption, "Christ is all;" has accomplished all the work, -- bestows all the benefits, -- and is entitled to all the glory.
To the man in Christ, Christ is all." He is personally the source and fountain of all the blessings which such a man enjoys; and is himself the greatest and most precious of all gifts, -- the unspeakable gift of God to him. The complete redemption of man, in all the particular acts and works of mercy which constitute it, is to be found in Christ. And whether you view the whole as one divine work, or pass into an examination of each of the particulars which is comprised within it, the assertion remains unchanged. "Christ is all." The pardon of his sin is in Christ. His iniquities have been laid upon the Saviour, who has become a ransom in his stead, -- and as was figured in the ceremony of the scapegoat, -- he has taken them completely away, and made an end of sin for him, in its condemnation and its penalty, by enduring that condemnation in his own body, once for all. There is therefore now, no condemnation for them that are in Christ Jesus. God sees not iniquity in them, but has blotted out, as a thick cloud, all their transgressions.
The justification of his soul is in Christ. It was the perfect obedience of this one Saviour, which magnified the law, and made it honorable. His obedience was a righteousness, spotless and everlasting. With this, imputed to his servants, he has covered them as with a robe. For this obedience, he was justified; and declared to be justified, in his resurrection from the dead; -- for death in consequence of it, could have no dominion over him. By this obedience, they also are justified, partakers of his justification, receiving the righteousness of God, by faith. And having thus passed from death unto life, in the entire and everlasting reversal of the sentence of God concerning them, they receive that crown of this perfect righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge, shall give them in the last day.
The conversion and regeneration of the man in Christ, is also in Christ. It is by the power of the Spirit of Christ, -- and through the operation of the truth of Christ, -- and by the influence of the love of Christ, -- that he has been brought from Satan unto God. The Holy Spirit dwelling within him, brings him unto Jesus, for every grace, -- and shows him, that He is the light and the salvation of his soul. His progress in grace, is all in Christ; -- he lives in Christ, -- and walks in Christ, -- and is growing up into Him who is the head, by the power of His Spirit which dwells within him. If he looks for the source of his gifts, he finds it in Christ. If he considers the origin of his hopes, this also is in Christ. If he contemplates his path of duty, or his personal responsibility; -- the work which he must do, -- or the strength by which he must do it, -- or the authority under which it must be done, -- or the account which he must give for it, when it is done, -- "Christ is all."
He returns from every meditation upon his personal condition, in all its aspects, whether of the joys which he receives, -- or the consolations which attend his trials, -- or the trials which are made the means of consolations, -- or the sorrow which he feels for sin, -- or the forgiveness which comforts him in his sorrow, -- or his hope of acceptance at a Father's throne, -- or his prospect of perseverance in the path of earthly duty, -- or his desire for the spirit of adoption, to make that path peaceful and happy, -- or his inheritance in the kingdom of his Father; -- he returns from every meditation upon each of these subjects of most serious and absorbing thought, to say, -- "Christ is all." He becomes more simply determined, to know nothing else, in his soul's relations, and more involuntarily convinced, that there is nothing else to know. And however self-righteousness may reject, or unbelief may despise, this Glorious Redeemer; his simple faith lays hold upon Him, in the exclamation, "This is all my salvation and all my desire:" -- "Here will I dwell, for I have a delight therein; and this shall be my heritage forever, for it is the very joy of my heart."
To the man with Christ, "Christ is all." It is His gracious presence, which makes an abode of peace, and a recompense of reward, for His people. His promise was, that they should be with Him, and behold His glory. He went before them, as a forerunner, to prepare a place for them, -- that where He was, they might also be. And however partial, and general in other respects, are the revelations of this future state of glory, they are all combined in this one fact, most clearly displayed, the presence of Christ, -- and they are made dependant upon this. The living, inward principle, of true religion upon earth, is an abiding, conscious love for Christ, -- exciting the soul to desire, -- and enabling it to prepare for, the personal presence of the Being, thus truly and ardently loved. And in every anticipation of a coming glory, to a really spiritual mind, -- the expression of its feeling towards a beloved Redeemer is, "Whom have I in heaven, but Thee? and there is none upon the earth, that I desire in comparison with Thee."
In the present joys of a state of salvation, "Christ is all." These depend not upon the outward circumstances of advantage or disadvantage, in which a man is placed, but upon the conscious enjoyment of the presence of a Saviour with the soul; and a clear and reasonable assurance of a personal interest in Him. They are often higher and purer, when man is destitute of all outward ministrations, and is compelled, by the Providence which guides him, to go up from the wilderness of life, leaning upon this beloved Lord alone. The peace of God, which passeth understanding, keeps the hearts and minds of the people of God, through Christ Jesus alone. It depends upon the degree of simplicity and affection with which He is confided in, and embraced; and is as sure and abiding to the truly believing soul, in the seclusion of the chamber of sickness, or in the dungeon of confinement, as amidst any or all of the outward ministrations and means of the earthly sanctuary.
The more completely Christ becomes all to the soul, the more certain and elevated its joys become. And on the other hand, the nearer a soul approaches in character, and in enjoyment, to the blessedness and glory of a state of heavenly reward, -- the more simply and entirely it finds its all, of provision, and joy, and hope, laid up in Christ. With this divinely imparted spirit, it is prepared for glory, and rendered meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. In the possession and exercise of this spirit, it enters into life. And it is this habit and state of mind and affection, which places the soul perfectly and at once, at home where to every redeemed being, "Christ is all," and the fulness of the Divine glory shines forth, for all in the face of Jesus Christ.
If you could conceive, that the Saviour should be separated or absent, from such an expected and offered reward; -- that the redeemed man, who has lived upon the earth, only as he lived in Christ, and stood fast in the Lord; who was taught by the Holy Spirit, to grow up into Christ in all things; who has been happy only in the anticipation of a Saviour's presence; and would have been wretched, could he have been deprived of this anticipation; -- should find no Saviour there, -- should search in vain for the Lord whom he loved; -- there would be no heaven for him. Every hope which he had cherished would expire in disappointment; and in perfect emptiness of spirit, would he ask, "Tell me, where is He, whom my soul loveth." Crowds of angelic beings would be nothing to him. All the beautiful illustrations which the sacred Scriptures contain, made actual realities, would not, satisfy a single want. To his soul, -- fed with hope of the presence of Christ, and accustomed to look forward with joy unspeakable, to the hour when he should be like Him, and see Him as he is, -- the universe would be emptiness, if He were not there.
This divine presence gives attraction and charm to every other provision, which grace has made for him, in the riches of glory; and is itself, the chief attraction and glory of the state, which thus derives every thing from it. For what is heaven, but a complete elevation and establishment of pure religion to the soul? Whence can such joy ever arise, but from the love of Christ? In the joys of anticipation here, to the spiritual mind, "Christ is all." In the future state, anticipation has become possession; and to the man with Christ, it is this possession which constitutes his bliss. There, "Christ is all." And all joys abound upon him, because he is with Christ.
To the man without Christ, "Christ is all." Not in the possession of such a Saviour, -- because he is without Christ. But in his actual state of need, and guilt, and sorrow, all his wants are comprised in this one fact of destitution, that he has no Saviour. The difficulties which press him, arise from this one want. Could this want be supplied, every grief would be banished, and every danger would be removed forever. And whether you view him, in his condition on earth, or in a future state of recompense, this fact is unchanged; -- could you bring him to Christ, and unite him in love and faith to Him, at any period of his progress, you would change all his mourning into joy, and wipe away all tears from his eyes. In the present earthly condition of the man without Christ, a change of this one fact would make an entire change in all the facts which constitute or affect his state. The works impossible for him to perform and which must not withstanding be finished, would be found completed in a Saviour. The dangers from which he can never escape in any strength or wisdom of his own, would be found removed forever by the divine power of his Lord. The sorrows which now crush him with their burden, and which can only increase as time passes away, would find an adequate and perfect consolation in Jesus. The sinner would become a new man in all his relations, and find nothing left for him to desire, but a constant increase in the knowledge and love of this glorious and accepted Redeemer. Every longing of his soul would be satisfied, when blessed with this full salvation.
The reality of this statement has been already proved, in all the millions of instances, in which men have been brought from the darkness of their guilt to the marvellous light of the Gospel. Herein they do rejoice, -- yea, and will rejoice, receiving the end of their faith, even the salvation of their souls. They are filled with all hope, and joy, and peace in believing, because they are no longer strangers and foreigners, -- aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and without God in the world, -- but have put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and have access unto the father, through Him, by the Holy Ghost. Could the same mighty Saviour be offered and accepted in hell, there would be hell no more. Redemption offered and accepted through the blood of Jesus, would transform all the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction into vessels of mercy, meet for the Master's use; -- would change the groans of bitterness into songs of praise; -- would bring deliverance to the captive, and let the oppressed go free.
It is the eternal impossibility of this, -- the everlasting absence of a Saviour, -- the fearful fact, that no anointed Redeemer can ever go into that world to save sinners, -- which constitutes the gloom and wretchedness of that abode of despair, and shuts out every ray of hope, and light, from the souls who are condemned to be without Christ forever. Because they have rejected Him, He hath also rejected them. He will laugh at their calamity, and mock when their fear cometh. They may call upon Him, but He will not answer. They may seek Him early, but they shall not find Him. Yet though this transformation of their condition is impossible, the fact remains the same, that ''Christ is all" for them. Their wants are all comprised in that which He has done. Their sorrows all arise from their despising and rejecting of this one provided Saviour. They are miserable forever, because they are forever without Christ. Their wretchedness in this condition is extreme, and cannot be alleviated; -- because the Lord whom they have rejected, visits them no more, and there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin, but a fearful expectation of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries of God. Whether, therefore, the man without Christ be in a state of probation, or in a state of recompense, "Christ is all" to him, -- he needs nothing else. Could he gain an interest and portion in Him, he would have every thing laid up in Him, and all things would become his, because he is Christ's.
The importance of the truth which has been here laid open, cannot be magnified. Every thing for you depends upon this one fact. The importance of a distinct statement of such truth to you, is equally great. Unfaithfulness in ministration on this point is ruin to the souls of men. The ministers of the Gospel are sent to teach and to preach the Lord Jesus Christ, and to persuade men not to receive the grace of God in vain. The weapons of their warfare: are not carnal, but spiritual, and mighty through God, to the pulling down of strongholds, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. The instrument of their influence and power, is not an official authority residing in them, but the preaching of the Gospel with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven. The method by which you become partakers of the blessing, is not by any incorporation in outward ordinances or services, but by an acceptance of the truth in your hearts, by the Holy Ghost who is given unto you. And as freely as Christ is offered to you, -- to be all your salvation, -- so freely is He to be accepted by you, as having every thing laid up in himself for you. We do not labour, therefore, to lead you to a mere external union with an earthly church, but to bring you to a spiritual, inward fellowship with Christ,-- a fellowship which you will attain and enjoy, when it is given you on behalf of God, by his Holy Spirit, to believe on His name.
We urge you therefore to receive Christ Jesus the Lord; to be rooted and built up in him; to renounce all works of your own, that you may find your righteousness in him. We urge you to count every thing but loss for Christ's sake; to lose your own life, -- all confidence in any inward power of your own to live, -- for Him, that you may find in Him a life eternal, -- a life hidden with Him in God; that when He shall appear, you may also appear with Him in glory. O! it is this coming to Christ, in the conscious emptiness of a craving nature, -- this hungering and thirsting after Him; this feeding upon Him in the soul, eating and drinking Him in the delighted resting of the spirit upon Him; making Him alone your life and your salvation; seeking every thing in Him, contented that every thing for you, should dwell in Him forever; -- it is this transferring of the soul, in all its hopes, and fears, and aims, and doubts, and works, and responsibilities, completely to Him, -- this taking of Him in exchange for the soul, this embracing of Him in the work which he has finished, and the work which he only is able to finish; this simple, determined abiding at his feet, in confidence amidst all doubts, in affectionate trust amidst all fears, with entwining adherence amidst all temptations; -- it is this, which gives life to the soul, and then preserves it, in the life which it has imparted. It is this which removes all dangers, settles all difficulties, bestows all gifts, and establishes the soul in grace, and keeps it by the power of God, through faith unto salvation. Hither, then, let sinners gather with unfeigned repentance. Here let saints abide in living faith. All shall be one in Christ Jesus; and every handwriting which is against you, and contrary to you, shall be blotted out, and taken away, and nailed forever to his cross, by this one almighty, all-sufficient, Saviour of guilty, perishing man.
  
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