Compare Him With Other Beloveds...

So why keep posting quote after quote about the nature of Christ? Primarily because I feel my need to be reminded of how great a savior He is every day. I frequently feel my heart begin to wander after "other beloveds," yet I need only to compare them to the sufficiency, supremacy and sweetness of my Beloved Savior and their appeal immediately wanes. In order to be mastered by Christ (re: Sam's message last week) it is necessary to spend time admiring His person and His excellencies. Perhaps no one has admired Christ with as much eloquence and emotion as the Puritans. (Even a cursory reading of puritan writings will quickly demonstrate how they fail to live up to the stodgy, kill-joy persona that has been projected on them by our contemporary culture.) The following is from my favorite puritan writer, John Owen, in his Communion With God:

"Many poor creatures are aware of their needs, but do not know where to find the remedy. Indeed, whether it be life or light, power or joy, all is wrapped up in Christ.

"Christ is a fit Saviour, having pity and ability, gentleness and power, to carry on the work of salvation to the uttermost.

Christ is a full and complete Saviour, for he is made to us redemption, sanctification and righteousness, and he gives us his Spirit. Christ is also sufficient for all the needs of our souls. So he becomes exceedingly desirable and altogether lovely. It is in this that the saints have distinct fellowship with the Lord Christ.

"Only Christ can satisfy the soul. All other ways and things will only end in disappointment... We are too needy to be satisfied by a mere creature.

"Frequently think of him by faith, comparing him with other beloveds, such as sin, the world and legal righteousness. Then you will more and more prefer him above them all, and you will count them all as rubbish in comparison to him. And let your soul be persuaded of Christ's sincerity and willingness to give himself to you, in all that he is, to be yours for ever. And let us give up ourselves wholeheartedly to him."