Christ the Saviour of the World
T. Boston, D. D. 1 John 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. I. TAKE NOTICE OF SOME THINGS IMPORTED IN THIS TESTIMONY. 1. The world needed a Saviour; otherwise one had not been provided for them by Him who does nothing in vain. (1) It was a sick world (Matthew 9:12). (2) It was a cursed world, and needed a Saviour to remove the curse, and bring in the blessing (Acts 3:26). (3) It was a lost world (Luke 19:10). 2. None of inferior dignity to the Son of God could be the Saviour of the world. 3. Christ was sent Saviour of the world from heaven's proper motion. The plot to save man was concerted entirely without him. 4. Christ is fully furnished for the saving of a lost world. His being sent in that character speaks His ability to answer it (Hebrews 7:25). 5. The salvation of lost sinners of the world of mankind is very acceptable to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, as well as to Himself, otherwise He had not sent His Son Saviour of the world (1 Timothy 2:3, 4). II. OPEN THIS CHARACTER, SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD, IS WHICH CHRIST WAS SENT. 1. In what sense Christ is Saviour of the world. (1) He is the actual and eventual Saviour of the elect. (2) He is the official Saviour, not of the elect only, but of the world of mankind indefinitely. 2. What is the business committed to Him as Saviour of the world. (1) It is to save sinners from their sin (Matthew 1:21). (2) It is to save sinners from misery, to free them from destruction (Hosea 13:9).Use I. Of information. 1. Behold here, admire, and believe the great love of God to a lost world, in providing a Saviour, and such a Saviour, for them, even His own Son. 2. Behold here a broad and firm foundation of faith for all and every one of you; that you may come to Christ, whatever your case is, and claim His righteousness and His whole salvation for yourselves. 3. Sinners living in their sins, pining away, and about to perish eternally in them, are without excuse. 4. Believers themselves may be ashamed and confounded, for that iniquity prevails so against them. Alas! it is a sad sign the Saviour is little employed among us.Use II. For trial, 1. If Christ has really begun to save you, ye will have the saved man's thoughts of sin, and of the wrath of God. 2. Ye will have a transcendent esteem of and love to your Saviour (1 Peter 2:7). 3. Ye will be groaning under the remains of the disease of sin ye are saved from; your conscience will witness ye would fain be wholly rid of it (Romans 7:24).Use III. Receive the Lord Jesus, then, O sinners, in that character wherein His Father sent Him, as the Saviour of the world, and your Saviour. 1. Consider you need a Saviour. Your disease of sin will ruin you, if ye be not saved from it. 2. There is no Saviour besides Christ (Acts 4:12). (T. Boston, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. WEB: We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as the Savior of the world.