Chapter 230 of 460

Chapter 25: LIFE'S AFTERGLOW!

2 Peter 1:15

"In every nobler mood

We feel the orient of their spirit glow, —

Part of our life's unalterable good,

Of all our saintlier aspiration."

— Lowell.

IN HIS EPISTLES the Apostle stored the thoughts which he was especially anxious should be associated with his memory, and we must needs linger a little longer to consider them; and they may be thus enumerated:

1. COMFORT AMID TRIAL. — The Lord had specially commissioned him to strengthen his brethren, and indeed they were passing through experiences that specially called for comfort and strength. They were reproached for the Name of Christ. They were called upon to suffer as Christians. Their enemies spoke against them as evil-doers, and falsely maligned their manner of life. The trials to their faith, patience, and constancy were "fiery." They resembled the ordeal of scorching flame. In fact, they were called to be partakers of the sufferings of Christ, as though their path lay, as His had done, through Gethsemane and conducted to Calvary. Arraignments before arrogant and pagan judges, the loss of property, the infliction of torture, the scattering of families, cruel scourgings, prolonged imprisonment, death in the arena or by fire — these were their experiences. It has been pointed out that Peter uses the Greek equivalent for the word employed by Tacitus regarding Christians, they were punished as "evil-doers."

In these circumstances, what could be more exhilarating than the Apostle's repeated reminder of the example and constancy of the Saviour, who had suffered for them, leaving them an example that they should follow in His steps? It was not a strange thing that had happened to them. Christ had once suffered as they were suffering, and they had every reason to be proud of their association with Him in His supreme and unapproachable death. "Rejoice," he said, "inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings." In this he revealed the secret of his own soul. Before his eyes the martyr's death was always present, as his Lord had told him; and he passed on to others the source of his own steadfastness and courage, that Christ who had suffered for him would be near to strengthen and uphold him as he trod the burning embers with his bare feet.

II. THE SACRIFICIAL NATURE OF THE SAVIOUR'S DEATH. — That was no ordinary death before which the sun veiled his face and the rocks rent in sympathy. It was the death of the Redeemer. It was a sacrifice, as of a Lamb without blemish or spot. The Son of God had borne the sins of men in His own body on the tree. He had died, the Just for the unjust, to bring them to God. The blood shed on the Cross was "precious" blood. Its sprinkling on the conscience brought peace, and severed the soul from its vain conversation received by tradition from the past.

The Apostle had been brought to understand that the scene he witnessed, amid the gloom which nearly hid the Cross, was in pursuance of a purpose that was preordained before the foundation of the world. The element of sacrifice had always been present in the nature of God; and it was due to this that the Almighty was warranted in creating beings that could sin. But thence arose the demand that His children should be holy in all manner of life, whilst the crime of neglecting the love, which counted no cost too great, if only it might achieve salvation, was proportionately enhanced. If judgment began with the house of God, what would be the end of those who obeyed not the Gospel of such love, of such infinite value, of such unestimable price?

III. THE CERTAINTY OF FUTURE GLORY. — Those whom Peter addressed were reminded that they had been begotten unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. For them an inheritance had been purchased and was awaiting them, which was incorruptible, undefiled, and amaranthine. For them a salvation was ready to be revealed, which would cause them to forget their heaviness through manifold trials. Great Grace was to be brought unto them at the glorious unveiling of Jesus Christ. They had been partakers of Christ's sufferings, but His Glory would certainly be revealed, and then they would be glad with exceeding joy, and would receive a crown of glory that could not fade away. They had been called to glory, and God would not belie the hopes He had inspired. On the contrary, He would minister to them an abundant, i.e., a choral and triumphant, entrance into the Kingdom of their Lord and Saviour. The day would dawn after the night of storm. The day-star of the eternal morning would arise and usher in the Day. Though the heavens and the earth should be dissolved and the elements melt with fervent heat, they might confidently reckon on the new heavens and the new earth, "wherein dwelleth righteousness." Such were his anticipations. If Paul may be termed the Apostle of Faith, and John the Apostle of Love, surely Peter is rightly styled the Apostle of Hope.

IV. THE URGENCY FOR A HOLY LIFE. — His converts were elect through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience. They could not fashion their lives according to their former lusts, committed in comparative ignorance. He who had called them was holy, and they must be holy also. They were called to be a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for Christ's own possession; and they must show forth the praises of Him who had called them out of darkness into His marvellous light. By their good works they were to compel the Gentiles to glorify God. The time past had been more than sufficient to have walked in lusts, revellings, and abominable idolatries, and now they must reckon that, like Noah, they had crossed the waters of the deluge of death into the world of resurrection and life.

Our space does not permit of our dilating on all the exhortations to holiness which are found in these Epistles, nor to indicate the qualities of Christian character on which the Apostle insists; but we may specify the one grace of Humility on which he lays special and repeated stress. "Be ye clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace unto the humble." How different are these injunctions from the old proud, boastful, and imperious spirit, which in his earlier life had so often betrayed him! He was no longer a lord over God's heritage, but "an example to the flock."

In this connection, also, we should specially study those exquisite passages in i Peter ii. and 2 Peter i.

The one leading us from the foundation of the Christian character in the living stone to the ministry of the believer in the inner Temple, offering up spiritual sacrifices; and the other enumerating the graces of a holy life, as if they were a choir of blending voices, faith at the extreme beginning and love at the extreme end. Thus the soul of the believer may actually become a partaker of the Divine nature, and escape the corruption that is in the world through lust. Thus also shall we be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord. What a conception is here of the gallant ship having battled its way through storm and danger, coming into harbour with flags flying at the mast-head and greeted by welcoming crowds!

V. THE NATURE OF DEATH. — He thought and spoke of it as the putting off of the tent or tabernacle, which symbolized the pilgrim-character of his earthly life, that he might enter the house not made with hands, his permanent dwelling-place, eternal in the heavens. He said that it was a decease, or exodus. For him death was not a condition, but a passage. It was no Bridge of Sighs from a Palace to a Dungeon, but one of Smiles and Jubilation from a cell to the blaze of the Eternal Day. It was the crossing of the bar that lay between the limitations of the harbour and the broad ocean expanse.

He humbly hoped that he and those whom he addressed might have an abundant entrance ministered unto them into Christ's eternal Kingdom and glory. But beyond this he counted on the inheritance that was reserved in Heaven for him, and that he would be permitted to partake of the Glory to be revealed.

But all was summed up in the vision of that dear face, which he hoped to see as soon as he had crossed over. Jesus had been the day-star of his heart, and Jesus would be the light of all his future, in the City which needs neither sun nor moon, because the Lamb is the light thereof.

END

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