Christ Precious to those that believe.
The following is an excerpt from “Christ Precious to those who believe” by John Fawcett, published in 1839. This book can be freely downloaded in full from www.monergism.com
If Christ is precious unto us, we shall delight to think of Him, to hear of Him, and to speak of Him. The Christian knows that his future blessedness will consist in being where Jesus is, and beholding His glory; and he concludes that frequent contemplation of Him in the present state must have a tendency, through Divine grace—to prepare him for that happy state which he has in prospect. "For we all with open face, beholding, as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord—are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Cor 3:18)
A learned, pious and aged divine, makes use of the following expressions when speaking of the importance and utility and habitual contemplation on the glory and excellency of Christ: "If we desire to have faith in its vigour, or love in its power—giving rest, delight, and satisfaction to our souls, we are to seek for them in the diligent discharge of this duty; elsewhere they will not be found. Herein would I live; herein would I die. Hereupon would I dwell in my thoughts and affections, to the withering and consumption of all the painted beauties of this world; to the crucifying of things here below, until they become as worthless, dead, and deformed—and in no way fit for affectionate embraces."
The believer will surely take pleasure in musing on the glories and excellencies of his adorable Redeemer. The object of our warmest affection will be much in our thoughts. "My meditation of Him," says the Psalmist, "shall be sweet. In the multitude of my thoughts within me, Your comforts delight my soul." (Ps 104:34 & 94:19)
It appears from the writings of holy David—that he employed a considerable portion of his time, amidst all the business and the cares which came upon him as the king and governor of a numerous people, in meditating on the Word, the statutes, and the testimonies of God; and he ever found something in them worthy of his high esteem, and his holy joy. "O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. I have seen an end of all perfection—but Your commandments are exceeding broad." (Ps 119:96-97)
He was particularly delighted in contemplating the glories of the expected Messiah. "My heart," says he, "overflows with a beautiful thought! I will recite a lovely poem to the king, for my tongue is like the pen of a skilful poet. You are the most handsome of all. Gracious words stream from Your lips. God himself has blessed You forever. O mighty warrior! You are so glorious, so majestic!" It is the tendency of love to excite in the mind—many thoughts about the beloved object. A right knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ will fill the mind with thoughts and meditations concerning Him—so as to excite the affections to cleave to Him with delight.
A discovery of the glory of His person, of the perfection of His atoning sacrifice, and of the fullness of His grace—must inspire the heart with love to Him! He who lives the blessed life of faith in the Son of God, will frequently think of his Saviour; of what He is in Himself, of His love, of His humiliation, and of the manifestation of all the glorious excellencies of the Divine nature in Him—for the recovery and salvation of men.
It is much to be lamented, that those who profess a sincere attachment to the Redeemer, should have their thoughts so little employed about Him. Where a multitude of worldly cares, desires, fears and hopes prevail in the mind—they cumber and perplex it— so as to bring on a great disinclination to spiritual meditation. The advice of the apostle Paul is of great importance in this case, "If you then are risen with Christ—seek those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God. Set your affection (your mind, your thoughts), on things above, not on things on the earth. For (with respect to this present world, according to what you profess) you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." (Col 3:1-3)
Earthly and sensual affections fill the hearts and heads of men, with multitudes of thoughts concerning those objects on which they are fixed, so as to leave no room, nor indeed inclination for spiritual and heavenly thoughts. "Shall not my thoughts," says the believer, "be frequently employed in meditating on the love of that infinitely glorious person, to whom I am indebted for deliverance from the greatest misery —and for all the hope I have of being one day advanced to everlasting glory and felicity! He poured out His holy soul in agonies, under the curse of the avenging law—to make me a partaker of eternal blessedness. He perfectly fulfilled the precepts of that law, that I, by His obedience, might be made righteous!"
The grand blessing which our Lord solicits and demands for His disciples, in His last solemn intercession, is that they may behold His glory (. It is that which will complete the blessedness of heaven, and fill its inhabitants with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Surely, then, it should be our delight to anticipate, in some degree, that celestial bliss, and to habituate our souls to this sacred exercise, which will be our business and our reward forever.
Soli Deo Gloria!