18. The grace of Christ--like that of the Father and the Spirit
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The Grace of Christ is not different from that of the Father or Spirit
It would be a great mistake if any should suppose that the grace of Christ is greater than that of the Father or of the Spirit, or that the love of Christ differs from the love of the first and third persons of the Trinity. The truth is, the grace of each person of the Godhead in man's salvation is absolutely infinite and amazing. The "help of the Spirit," and "the love of the Spirit," are forms of expression as dear to the church of God as any found in Scripture. So also when "grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ," are brought to our notice, we see at once how inspiration refuses to separate between the love and grace of one person, and the love and grace of another person of the Godhead. Sometimes all three persons are spoken of in one verse, as in 2 Cor. 13:14. "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
The concord of the divine persons is no less than the harmony of the divine attributes in the work of man's salvation. The Father pitied our case, and gave his Son, and sends his Spirit. TheSon loved us, came and died for us, is ascended up on high to plead for us, and unites with the Father in sending the Spirit. The Holy Spirit loved us, and illuminates, regenerates, sanctifies and comforts all the people of God. So that while the phrase "grace of God" has at times, no doubt, special reference to the kindness of the Father, it yet appropriately expresses the mercy and favor of the entire Godhead. The Bible no where represents to us a Trinity divided in counsels, in purposes, in works, in being or in glory. Creation, providence and redemption are the works of all united. In all of these each person has equal and undivided honors. The death of the man Christ Jesus, was the fruit, and not the cause of the love of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Spirit towards our race. The first and third persons of the Trinity are as compassionate and loving as is the second. The love of Father, Son and Holy Spirit is shown in Christ Jesus, being the way, the truth and the life. Yet nothing here said is designed to diminish our love for Christ, but on the contrary to heighten it. His grace is indeed an expression of the unfailing good will of the Creator of the ends of the earth. To those who believe Christ is precious.
Calvin well says "Since we see that the whole of our salvation, and all the branches of it, are comprehended in Christ, we must be cautious not to alienate from him the least possible portion of it. If we seek salvation, we are taught by the name of JESUS that it is in him; if we seek any other gifts of the Spirit, they are found in his unction; strength, in his dominion; purity, in his conception; grace discovers itself in his nativity; by which he was made to resemble us in all things, that he might learn to condole with us. If we seek redemption, it will be found in his passion; absolution, in his condemnation; remission of the curse, in his cross; sanctification, in his sacrifice; purification, in his blood; reconciliation, in his descent into hell; mortification of the flesh, in his sepulcher; newness of life and immortality, in his resurrection; the inheritance of the celestial kingdom, in his entrance into heaven; protection, security, abundance and enjoyment of all blessings, in his kingdom; a fearless expectation of the judgment, in the judicial authority committed to him. Finally, blessings of every kind are deposited in him; let us draw from his treasury and from no other source, until our desires are satisfied; for they who, not content with him alone, are driven hither and there into a variety of hopes, although they fix their eyes principally on him, nevertheless deviate from the right way in the diversion of any part of their attention to another quarter. This distrust however cannot intrude where the plenitude of his blessings has once been truly known."
Nor is it necessary to be continually on our guard lest by giving divine honors to one we should offend the other persons of the Trinity. He who honors the Son, honors the Father. God is one, though subsisting in three persons. Worship offered to one person of the Godhead with the intention of slighting the others would indeed be an abomination. But a heart full of love to the Father for giving his Son, will be sure to love the Son, who came, and the Spirit who anointed him.
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