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Christ Is All
by Stephen TyngIn Christ
Chapter VIII
Responsibility
We have considered the man in Christ as occupying a position of peculiar honour. But there can be no elevation in the condition of man, without its corresponding obligations and responsibility. The man who is exalted in privileges in any walk or line of human life, will also find himself distinguished by attending and proportionate cares and duties. This is also the condition of the man in Christ. He is highly exalted in the union which he has received with his glorious Lord, and he has a peculiar, and most important measure of responsibility resting upon him, corresponding with this high measure of advantage and exaltation.
The responsibility of his condition, is the view to which I would direct your notice, in my present remarks. There is a mutual responsibility toward each other, inseparable from the condition of men. In whatever station in human life, a man may be placed, there are always others, in a greater or less degree, made in the Divine Providence, dependant upon him; and he is bound to exercise the influence which is committed to him, for their permanent benefit. He is therefore held accountable in this measure, for the happiness and security of their present and future condition. And his own final happiness is to a great extent, wrapped up in his faithful discharge of his obligations to them. The man in Christ has all the various personal relations of human life to sustain towards others, according to the peculiar outward circumstances in which he is placed. And besides these, he has a peculiar responsibility resting upon himself, arising from the particular blessings which he has received from God, and the special means and opportunities of influence which he possesses. He is one of a community of persons, whom God has set up as the light of the world, and upon whom He has made the everlasting salvation of their fellow-men, in a great degree dependant. They have been constituted vessels of special mercy; and in the exercise of their duly towards others, the excellency of the power is of God, and not of themselves. The responsibility of the world's salvation is devolved upon them, as the chosen and appointed instruments of God, commissioned for this important end. They are in possession of intelligence which is able to make men wise unto salvation,--which can impart consolation in every human trial, and bind up and comfort the broken heart, in every condition of human sorrow. If they are faithful in duty, men are saved by the divine blessing upon their efforts. If they are slothful and negligent in their appointed work, much suffering and loss must ensue to others from their neglect. These important facts constitute a measure of responsibility which they cannot avoid, and which rests, and must rest, upon every individual member of this community.
In considering this responsibility of the man in Christ, I would remark first, upon the things for which he is responsible; the actual substance and facts of this responsibility. These may be profitably divided into the two points, of personal example, and active efforts to do good to others.
The man in Christ is responsible for his personal example. After all the privileges we have seen in his possession, the mercies, and the means of influence, which have been bestowed upon him, it is hardly possible unduly to magnify the demands which may be justly made upon him, for a personally holy example. The Saviour connects the exhibition of these great privileges, with the influence which ought naturally and properly to result from them. He teaches us, in many different forms, the relative position which his followers were designed by him to occupy, in reference to the world around them. He calls them, "The light of the world," -- "The salt of the earth," -- "The leaven which is to leaven the whole lump." These and similar expressions point to the fact, of a necessary operation of their character and conduct upon other persons. A light cannot be hidden, and is not brought to be put under a bushel. Salt that has lost its savour, is good for nothing. Such expressions display this purpose of relative influence as the chief design of their peculiar condition among men. For the exercise of this influence, they are endowed with many instruments and gifts, which under the blessing of God may be made thus effective.
But, among them all, probably none is more likely to be powerful, than a holy example. The word of God has established a standard, and revealed a pattern, for the character of every Christian, in the perfect excellence of the Lord Jesus Christ. To this, every disciple of Christ, is to be conformed, by the renewing power of the Holy Ghost. And according to its principles and demands, will he be judged and approved at last before God. His personal conformity to Christ, is the example which he must exhibit before men. The life of the Lord Jesus must be manifested in his life. The facts which make up this example will be found to extend into the most, secret and constant cultivation of the mind of Christ within. Even there, as the only source of holy influence upon others, is he to acquire and maintain, that holy and spiritual mind which is life and peace. His external, open conduct also comes under this requisition for personal example. What the man in Christ really is, he is abroad in his whole intercourse with the world in which he dwells. The transactions of his daily business will be sanctified by the uniform and evident influence of a religious and holy temper. There can be no stain of insincerity, or unfaithfulness, or unreasonable anger, or inconsistent levity, or sensual impurity allowed or excused in him. He is a living epistle, to be known and read of all men, every day. And if he does not bear with him the marks of the Lord Jesus, in his free and unpremeditated walk and character among men, it cannot be, but they will disbelieve the profession which he makes, and blaspheme the holy name whereby he is called.
His domestic habits must also be included within the range of his personal example. Here also, is he examined with an habitual, and very searching eye. And he cannot lay aside the watchfulness of his walk with God, because he has returned to the retirement of his own house. As a general rule, the standard of his manifest conduct will be the standard of family judgment in regard to the whole claims of personal religion, and for the formation of religious character in all who come after him in lower stations of the household. In this aspect of his character, he will see himself reflected in multiplying mirrors around him; and he cannot be too scrutinizing or guarded in the control of himself at home. His own private and personal actions, even to the secret engagements of his closet, will be a part of his example. The character of a Christian is an unbroken unit. To be effective, it must be always thus. If he relax his line of duty in any point, he has broken the principle which professedly controls him. He has a right to uniform independence of the false and harsh judgments of the world. But he can have no dispensing power or privilege, in reference to the claims of the divine character and truth. By the demands of these he must be seen to be habitually governed. And as secretly as the eye of any human being can follow him, is he to consider the claims and the responsibility of his personal example to extend.
Even the temper and habit of his mind, the manifest state and current of his thoughts and feelings, will come also under this head of personal example. Indeed, it may be justly said, that this is the main fact of example. He will be daily and habitually judged by the sincerity with which he manifestly acts, and the evident freedom and unconstrained exhibition of his religious character. The Saviour was obliged to say, "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of," to some who had forsaken all to follow him. Alas! how often do we feel such a rebuke to be justly applicable to ourselves! What strange fire do we often bring to the Lord's altar! What selfish and careless hands do we often lay upon the ark of God! And though God may mercifully pardon our infirmities, and heal our backslidings, and hide his face from our transgressions; we may not reasonably expect any thing of men, but that our failures will be remembered, far more accurately and permanently, than any efforts subsequently to amend them. All these points are necessarily included in the responsibility for personal example. Whether the man in Christ be a man of prayer, of meekness, of tenderness, of love, is a subject, for the judgment of others around him;--one upon which their unceasing scrutiny will be fixed, and in reference to which their opinions will very generally be according to truth.
This personal example, must be one of positive agency for good, and not merely negatively harmless. It is not enough to ask of the man in Christ, that he do no harm to others, either in his conversation, or his conduct. He is to be actually useful, to all with whom he is connected in life, to the utmost extent of his means and power. The life and spirit of true religion are habitually active in their influence. The Gospel is in the world as a conquering dispensation. It is to gain over to obedience and subjection to the Son of God, many whose hearts are naturally alienated from Him. And the influence of its real subjects and professors, is the great instrument in the power of the Holy Spirit in carrying out these victories of the truth of God. Each single Christian becomes therefore personally responsible, for all the influence which his own example can be made to produce in the attainment of this all-important end. Thus God designs to bless and save the world.
If but a single Christian be resident in a household, he is there by God's appointment, as aninstrument and messenger of the Lord of Hosts; and he must be about his Master's business, and make it his meat and drink to do His will. His personal example is one of the most important facts in the daily history of that family, and will constitute one of the most serious items in the account which shall be required both of him and them. Sad will it be for him, if those who are most intimate with him, have never known, by the actual, manifest character of his life, that he was standing truly on the Lord's side, and gathering daily with Christ. What he might have been the instrument of accomplishing, had his light been shining steadily and clearly before men, he has not only lost, but it is vain for him to calculate. The hour of mourning will come over privileges and means so unreasonably neglected and unimproved. And the measure of his privileges, and his possible attainments, will be made the measure of responsibility for him. This responsibility for personal example can never be laid aside. Wherever the man in Christ may be,--though but a wayfaring man tarrying for the night, this burden is laid upon him, and his example must and will operate, either for good, or for evil, to an extent, which will only be revealed to his at the judgment seat of Christ. 0 that all who belong to Jesus, might be led to reflect, habitually and seriously, upon this undoubted fact; and feel the weight of that inevitable influence, which they must exercise upon others, and the responsibility which they must consequently bear. Let your light so shine before men, that they, seeing your good works, may glorify your Father who is in heaven.
The man in Christ is responsible for personal efforts to do good to others, with whom the Providence of God has been pleased to connect him. He has a divine and precious treasure committed to his charge. And however earthen and worthless may be the vessel which contains it, the excellency of the power is of God. He can do much for the divine glory, and the happiness of man; and he is answerable for all that he can do. His efforts for the welfare of others, will require a real and deep interest in their condition. As he thinketh in his heart, so is he. He must feel for their necessities and dangers. He must have a clear perception of the need, and the nature of their salvation. God must be able to witness how ardently he longs for them all, in the love of the Lord Jesus. In this deep concern for their spiritual benefit, as well as for their present happiness, he must feel himself, and show himself, to be perfectly sincere. Such an interest will speak in habitual prayer. He knows God to be one that heareth prayer. He has been accustomed to receive, and to understand, manifest answers from God, to prayer. He will therefore abide in his calling upon God, with watchfulness, earnestness, and perseverance. He will be much engaged in intercessory prayer,--pleading for all saints, for the whole household of God; for all earthly friends; for those who have declared themselves enemies to him, for the world which lieth in sin. Daily will his supplications rise up to God, in affectionate intercessions, for those whom he is bid thus to remember before God, in the assurance that praying breath can never be spent in vain. But this active spirit of prayer will lead to a habit of effort just as active. The man in Christ will learn to be ingenious in devising methods of spiritual benefit to others. Affectionate religious conversation, directing and suggesting to a profitable course of reading, leading to the faithful preaching of the Gospel, as Andrew found his own brother Simon, and brought him to hear the Saviour whom he had previously seen,--all these are very familiar, and very effective instruments of religious benefit. How much a feeble Christian may in this way, by the divine blessing, accomplish for the benefit of his fellow-men, and the glory of his Redeemer, none can adequately describe. A sincere and believing heart, in faithful prayer, and earnest Christian effort, is attended with an omnipotent divine power. And by the most feeble of such instruments, God habitually accomplishes very great results.
But the man in Christ, will go further than the mere employment of these instruments of benefit to man. He will rejoice to dedicate his money, and to devote his time, to the great purpose of saving the souls of men. All that he possesses, he realizes to be God's gracious gift, or rather God's confiding loan to him; and he acknowledges the obligation to dispense it, according to the rules which God has himself prescribed. He sees how much the cause of true benevolence languishes among men, in want of the efforts which those whom God hath redeemed and prospered, should put forth for Him. He feels, therefore, the more bound, to do all that he can, to promote and encourage every good work. It is with him a fixed principle of faith, that the world in which he dwells, is the property, and will be ultimately under the dominion, of the Redeemer whom he loves and serves. As this is a subject of divine promise, so is it with him a subject of habitual, joyful expectation. To hasten the fulfilment of this promise, and to accomplish to the utmost, of his power, the glorious result which it proclaims, is the purpose of his heart, and the object of his cheerful and persevering exertions in every path of influence which may be laid open to him. He waits for and desires the coming of his great God and Saviour, according to the Lord's command; and labours in his vocation, to have the Gospel preached unto all nations, as the appointed antecedent to this glorious manifestation of his Lord. The responsibility for the faithful discharge of this duty, the man in Christ continually realizes. And as he looks round upon his own advantages, upon the means of influence committed to him, and the wonderful mercies and blessings which God has been pleased to bestow upon him; he cannot but remember, and feel, that for all these things God will bring him into judgment. And he accustoms himself to make a serious and solemn estimate of the final account which he must be prepared to give to God.
But to whom is the man in Christ responsible? How shall he except any? His character and influence are the property and the right of others; and they may justly claim, all that he is bound by the divine commands to impart. He is responsible to the family with whom he dwells, and whatever may be his station in the household, every member of it has a just claim to a divine blessing through him; and will meet him in the presence of the heart-searching God at last, to settle the record of the mercies which they have received or lost, in their connection with him. He is responsible to the church in which he has been planted by the providence and grace of God. His character, and exertions, and influence are a portion of the property of this spiritual body, in which God has ingrafted him. If he sins in an inconsistent walk, the church is dishonoured. If he shines in manifest holiness, the church is advanced. It is his duty and privilege to edify the body of Christ, and to fulfil his portion of the great work, which God has assigned to his church upon the earth. What other Christians think of him, and say of him--if the estimate which they form of his character, and the record which they give of his life be just--is a fact of vast consequence to him.
He is also responsible to the world around him. God has placed him there, as a light shining in a dark place. All that he can do for the happiness and salvation of mankind, they have a right to expect from him. He must by all means save some. With them also he must stand in judgment. For them, he must answer before God. The perishing souls of sinful men have a right to his care, and time, and thoughts. Their desolate and ruined condition claims his pity and his help. And though it is a small thing for him to be judged of man's judgment; it is not a small thing to be judged before God, for the neglect of that which he was bound to do for the salvation of men, by the divine appointment. But amidst all this intermediate responsibility, he is finally accountable to God. All previous facts are but a gathering of the materials for this last account. There, before the tribunal of the Living God, he will be seen, and known, and thoroughly understood. All that he has done, and all that he has left undone, will come out in equal clearness before him. And according as he has sown upon the earth, must he reap an harvest for eternity. His life has been the evidence of his character, and will he the standard of his account. He has been enriched with amazing privileges, and God must require of him, according to that which he hath received. And though his glorious recompense is wholly the reward of a Saviour's perfect work of obedience for him; though his crown is merited by that everlasting righteousness which is imputed to him without his works; his own conduct and character are the proofs that he is really a partaker of that work of merit, and a possessor of that righteousness, which has purchased for him a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
This is the responsibility of the man who is in Christ. Let all those who believe this to be their condition, realize the importance of the view which we have now taken of it. As you have considered the various pleasing attitudes of this state of grace, so now make it your solemn purpose to realize and appropriate the serious and impressive responsibility which belongs to it. Let it be the labour of your life to fill up the measure of this responsibility, remembering how short your time is. You cannot be too active in effort, or too devoted in spirit, or too zealous in affection and plan, to comfort with the high vocation wherewith you are called. You have professed to give up all for Christ, and to make Him your treasure, and your portion. 0 hold not back any thing which belongs to Him! So serve Him, and so follow Him, in newness of mind, and holiness of life, that you may honour Him in your daily walk on earth, and rejoice before Him, at His glorious coming, with the multitude of His redeemed.
  
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