Christ Our Life
Jabez Bunting, D. D. Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory. "What think ye of Christ?" The proper answer is the text. It is not said merely that He lives in us, or that we live by Him or through Him, but that He is our life. Let us apply this — I. TO THE CHRISTIAN'S RELATIVE LIFE: justification. 1. We are all dead in law. The soul destitute of the favour of God is dead. There remains only the execution of the sentence to complete our misery. 2. In this state Christ finds us and undertakes to be our life. One of the first questions of an awakened soul is, "How shall a man be just with God?" The gospel replies, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ." There was such merit in His cross that God, though just, becomes a Saviour. It is not by the works of the law or repentance, but by the atonement laid hold of by faith that we legally live. But this only justifies us instrumentally; Christ through it meritoriously. Whatever view the Scriptures take of it — release from curse, deliverance from wrath, remission of penalty, acceptance with God — Christ is always the author. II. TO THE CHRISTIAN'S ACTUAL LIFE: sanctification. 1. Our death in sin is not only a death in law, but a proper alienation from the life of God. Before we can be restored to communion with God a life of purity must be imparted. Of this Christ is the cause, His Spirit the agent, His word the instrument, His example the model. The outcome of all which is that as He was so are we in the world. 2. But Christ is our life not only as it respects the way in which we are made holy, but as it respects holiness in detail. He is(1) the life of all Christian graces. (a) Faith which gives life to good works, holy tempers, joyful affections; but faith is looking to an object; that object is Christ. It is receiving a gift; that gift is Christ. (b) Hope. Our anchor is cast within the vail, and is sure and steadfast; but if Christ had not entered first our attempts to cast it had been in vain. (c) Love. Christ is its object, purifier, director. (2) The life of all Christian duties. They are inspired by Him and directed to His glory. (3) The life of Christian ordinances. These will be wells without water if He be absent — sacraments, prayers, thanksgiving, preaching. III. THE CHRISTIAN'S FUTURE LIFE. 1. Of resurrection. (1) As His power is the agent to effect it. (2) Because His raised body will be its model. (3) Inasmuch as His appearance the second time will be its signal. 2. Of glory. (1) It is His to assign to each saint his proper place and occupation in heaven. (2) His presence mainly constitutes the bliss of heaven. (3) The degrees of heavenly glory will be regulated by the degrees of our nearness and intimacy to Christ. Conclusion: 1. The subject addresses itself most powerfully to the hearers of the gospel. Preachers labour in vain, hearers listen in vain, if there be no communication of life. 2. To earnest seekers of salvation the subject affords much encouragement. You want pardon, purity, strength, hope. Secure Christ for your life and you will have all. 3. Let Christians learn to be grateful, consistent, useful. (Jabez Bunting, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. WEB: When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.