The Dignity and Obligations of Those Called Early to Faith
Paul Bayne. Ephesians 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. I. TO BE BROUGHT TO FAITH BEFORE OTHERS IS A PREROGATIVE WHICH PERSONS SO CALLED HAVE ABOVE OTHERS. 1. Let us acknowledge their dignity. The young rise up before the ancient in nature; so should it be with us who are babes, when we meet with those who are veterans in Christ (see Romans 16:6; 1 Corinthians 16:15). 2. Let those so honoured walk worthy of their dignity, by adorning their age in Christ with graces corresponding, such as experience, wisdom, weanedness, all kinds of mortification. Should one of fifty have no more wisdom and staidness than another at fifteen, it would make their old age despicable. II. THE END OF ALL THE BENEFITS WE OBTAIN IN CHRIST IS, THAT WE MAY SET FORTH HIS GLORIOUS GRACE AND MERCY TOWARD US. Let our words, our works, our whole man be at His command and service. The Church in the Canticles so praises the beauty of her spouse, that she wakens others; so should we from our hearts set forth the praise of our Christ, that others may by our means be brought to inquire after Him. Those who find bounteous masters on earth, how will they tell of their affability and liberality, of every circumstance wherein they do them any grace and favour? How will they protest themselves devoted to their service; how impatient are they of anything which so much as seems to tend to their disparagement? What a shame, then, it is that we should walk, neither feeling our hearts affected, nor yet opening our mouths to praise Him who has redeemed us and brought us to the hope of an immortal and incorruptible inheritance. (Paul Bayne.) Parallel Verses KJV: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. WEB: to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: