As Ye Have Therefore Received Christ Jesus
The Christian life is a life of dependence on Christ for daily life, trusting and relying on Him for every moment.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes that the essence of spiritual life lies in Christ both for us and in us. He explains that our salvation and justification come from Christ, while our sanctification is sustained by Him living within us. This understanding leads to a life where we rely not on our own strength but on Christ, who is our life, hidden with God. Simpson encourages believers to walk in Christ with the same dependence they had when they first received Him, highlighting the importance of trusting Him for every moment of their lives.
Text
Here is the very core of spiritual life. it is not a subjective state so much as a life in the heart. Christ for us is the ground of our salvation and the source of our justification; Christ in us is the source of sanctification. When this becomes real, [We] are dead. Our own condition, state and resources are no longer counted upon any more than a dead man's, but . . . [our] life is hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). It is not even always manifest to us.
Moreover, Christ who is our life must Himself maintain it and be made unto us of God all we need.
Therefore, the Christian life is not just coming to Christ to save us, and then going on to work out our own sanctification, but as [we] have received Christ Jesus the Lord, thus to walk in Him, just as dependent and as simply trusting as for our pardon and salvation. Ah, friends, how much it would ease our tasks For the day that's just begun, To live our life a step at a time And our moments one by one.
Sermon Outline
- The Core of Spiritual Life points: - A life in the heart, not a subjective state
- Christ as the Ground of Salvation points: - Christ for us is the source of justification
- Christ as the Source of Sanctification points: - Christ in us is the source of sanctification
- The Christian Life points: - Dependent on Christ for daily life
- Walking in Christ points: - Trust and dependence on Christ for every moment
Key Quotes
“Christ for us is the ground of our salvation and the source of our justification; Christ in us is the source of sanctification.” — A.B. Simpson
“Our life is hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).” — A.B. Simpson
“Christ who is our life must Himself maintain it and be made unto us of God all we need.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- We must trust and rely on Christ for every moment of our lives.
- Our own strength and resources are not enough; we must depend on Christ for daily life.
- Christ must maintain our life and be our source of all we need.