November 18

Believed on in the world.—1 Timothy 3:16.

As Jesus was rejected by the Jews, and then preached unto the Gentiles, so the Gentile world received the gospel, and thus Christ was believed on in the world. In Judea where he had lived, and taught, and wrought his astounding miracles, he was despised and set at nought — his own received him not. But in the Gentile world, where he had never been seen, and where he had wrought no miracles, the message of salvation came with power to the consciences of thousands. And it is a great mystery, that Christ should be thus believed upon in the world. For they preached him as a crucified Saviour, and to the wise of the world, this was foolishness. It was marvellous that they should abandon splendid and luxurious form of religious ceremonies, for the simple and unadorned truths of the gospel of Christ, especially when the great leading doctrine, required implicit faith and trust in a reputed malefactor. Then Christ's religion is emphatically pure, and opposed to all the vices which the various forms of paganism sanctioned, so that they would have to renounce all their carnal delights, to cease to live after the flesh, and to be crucified to the world, and the world crucified unto them. But this also they did; they evidently believed in Jesus, and were crucified with him; so that they lived a life of faith in him, who had loved and given himself for them. Although the apostles who made known Christ, were plain and poor men, without power or riches, and most of them illiterate, yet they heard their message, and believed their report. And this applied to all places where the gospel was made known. Wherever the cross was erected, men felt its attractive power, and believed in Jesus. In idolatrous Athens, in intellectual Corinth, and at imperial Rome, were found the sincere disciples of the Lord Jesus. Men of all ranks and stations, were subjugated by the power of the truth, and made wise to eternal life. Dear reader, have you thus believed in Christ? Without faith in him you cannot be saved. You must remain the objects of his Divine displeasure, and finally be the victims of his eternal wrath. Cordially embrace the Saviour, and you will be happy and saved for ever. Let believers rejoice, and glory in nothing, save in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.