by W. J. Hocking
For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead. (2 Corinthians 5:14)
Now,
there is never a question day by day that arises, but what brings out one
of these two things, that is, whether we are living to ourselves or to Him “who
died for us and rose again.” And
have I not to own the sad truth how constantly we have to rebuke our
souls? How often, not to say in
general, the first impulse of the heart is to take that view of everything
which would minister to our pleasure or gratification, or importance? What is this but living to ourselves?
When any question comes before us, when anything, either in the way of an evil to be avoided, a loss to be shunned, or something to be gained, is it not our tendency to look how it will bear upon us and to give it that turn which will be for our profit or advantage in some way or other? I do not say always personally: it may be for our family, for our children, looking onward to the future or to the present. Now we are always wrong when we do it. Our Father would not have us to neglect the real good of those dear to us and dependent upon us; but the question is, whether we trust ourselves and ours to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Are we adequate judges of what is best for our children? Are we the least biased and the wisest to decide on that which would be for, not the passing profit, but the good which endures for ever? It comes to a very simple issue. We have two natures – one which is always grasping for something that will please and exalt itself, and the other which, by the grace of God is willing to suffer for the Lord Jesus, and clings to what is of Him. But, as Paul said, not that which is spiritual was first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. So it is in our practical experience.
The
thought that is apt promptly to rise when there is trial and difficulty, is the
simply natural one, how to get out of it – not, how am I to glorify my Father in
it, and turn it to the praise of the Lord Jesus. Then, again, if there is any prospect of improving circumstances,
this is the first thought –that which is natural. Ought we not to be upon our watchtower in regards to this? We may not all be tried in the same way; for
that which would be a gratification to one might not be so to another. But there is one sad thing in which we all
agree: we have an old man that likes, and seeks to gratify himself; and we have
hence a tendency to first indulge that life.
But
let us come before the Lord Jesus – let us be occupied with Him, when either
trouble or pleasure comes before us, and what then? That which is natural fades away: we judge it as crucified. We say, that is the thing that brings no
glory to the Lord Jesus – and what are we here for? Let us remember that our
Father has done everything to fit us for His very presence: He has made us meet
to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. That remains
eternally untouched.
But
the practical question for our souls is, whether our hearts, knowing the
perfect goodness of our Father towards us, enter into this great thought –that
He now sets the Lord Jesus, dead and risen, before us, in order that, in the
presence of the angels as well as of men, yea, in His own presence, there may
be the wonderful spectacle of beings who once lived for nothing but themselves,
here, by the very image of the Lord Jesus before their souls, lifted above
themselves altogether.
May
we bring this to bear upon whatever may be the circumstances through which we
pass day by day? It is the main
thing for the walk of every saint. No
position can ever make amends for failure in the constant thought of the
heart. May we search and see whether we
are living to ourselves, or to Him who died for us and rose again?
And
that He died for all, that they who live should not henceforth live unto
themselves, but unto Him who died for them, and rose again.
(2 Corinthians 5:15) g