- Overcomer Literature Trust
- Swindon
- Wiltshire
One Object of Persuit
By Charles Simeon
“I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2 v2).
1. Let us take care that we know Christ crucified. Many, because they are born and educated in a Christian land, are ready to take for granted that they are instructed in this glorious subject. But there is almost as much ignorance of it prevailing amongst Christians as amongst the non-christian. The name of Christ indeed is known and He is complimented by us with the name of Saviour. But the nature of His office, the extent of His work and the exellency of His salvation, are known to few. Let not this be considered as a rash assertion, for we will appeal to the consciences of all. Do we find that the apostle’s views of Christ are common? Do we find many so filled with admiring and adoring thoughts of this mystery as to count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of it, and to say, like him, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal. 6 v14)? On the contrary, do we not find that there is an almost universal jealousy on the subject of the gospel, that those who most labour to tread in the apostle’s steps are often most hated? Do we not find that his views of the gospel are ridiculed now, precisely as they were in the days of the apostle himself? We should be glad to be found false witnesses in relation to these things, and would most joyfully retract our assertions if it could be shown that they are not founded in truth. We do hope however that there is an increasing love to the gospel pervading the whole land.
I pray God it may prevail more and more, and be embraced by every one of us, not superficially, partially, theoretically, but clearly, fully, practically.
2. Let us adopt the apostle’s determination. Doubtless, as members of society, there are many other things which we are concerned to know. Whatever be our office in life, we ought to be well acquainted with it in order that we may perform its duties to the advantage of ourselves and others. And we would most particularly be understood to say that the time that is destined for the acquisition of useful knowledge ought to be diligently and conscientiously employed. But, as Christians, we have one object of pursuit which deserves all our care and all our labour. Yes, we may all determine to know nothing but Christ and Him crucified. This is the subject which even “the angels in heaven are ever desiring to look into”, and which we may investigate for our whole lives and yet leave depths and heights unfathomed and unknown.
Paul, after preaching Christ for twenty years, did not see himself to have “attained” all that he might, and therefore still desired to know Christ more and more, in “the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings” (Phil. 3 v10). This therefore we may well desire, and count all things but loss in comparison of it.
3. Let us make clear the wisdom of our determination by the holiness of our lives. The doctrine of Christ crucified ever did, and ever will, appear “foolishness” in the eyes of the ungodly, so that even if it were preached by Paul himself he would be accounted a babbler and deceiver. But there is a way of displaying its excellency available to us, a way in which we may effectually “put to silence the ignorance of foolish men”, by showing the sanctifying and transforming effect of this doctrine in our lives. Paul tells us that by the cross of Christ the world was crucified to him, and he to the world (see Gal. 6 v14), and such is the effect it should produce on us. We should show that we are people of another world, and of “a more excellent spirit”.
We should show the fruits of our faith in every part of life and in so doing we may hope to win “by our good conversation” many who would never have submitted to the proclaimed word.
But we must never forget where our strength is, or on whose aid we must rely. Isaiah reminds us, “They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone are righteousness and strength” (Is. 45 v24). And our Lord Himself plainly tells us that without Him we can do nothing. Since then we have no strength in ourselves to help ourselves and God has laid help for us upon One that is mighty, let us live by faith on the Son of God, receiving daily out of His fullness that grace that shall be sufficient for us. Let us bear in mind that this is a very principal part of the knowledge of Christ crucified. For as all our strength is in Christ, so must we look continually to Him for the supplies of His Spirit and have Him for our wisdom, our righteousness, our sanctification, and redemption.
From: ‘Let Wisdom Judge’.