A Christian's Graces
A Christian's graces are all gifts from God, and their strength and maintenance come from Christ's spiritual operations.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that all graces in a Christian's life are gifts received from God, urging believers to recognize that their light, life, love, and other virtues are not self-generated but bestowed by the Father. He illustrates that just as light comes from the sun and water from the sea, all good in a Christian's life flows from God, reminding them to remain humble and grateful. Brooks encourages Christians to view their graces as jewels of glory, always remembering Christ as the source of these gifts. He stresses the importance of keeping one's focus on Christ, the fountain of grace, to nourish and sustain their spiritual life. Ultimately, Brooks calls for a deep appreciation of God's grace and a continual reliance on Christ for spiritual growth.
Text
"What do you have--that you have not received?" 1 Cor. 4:7
What grace do you have--that you have not received?
All the light,
and all the life,
and all the love,
and all the joy,
and all the fear,
and all the faith,
and all the hope,
and all the patience,
and all the humility, etc.,
that you have--are all grace gifts--they are all
from God. "Every good gift and every perfect
gift is from above, and comes down from the
Father of lights." James 1:17
A man should never look upon his graces--but should
be ready to say, "These are the jewels of glory with
which God has bespangled my soul!"
Look! as all light flows from the sun, and all water from
the sea--so all temporal, spiritual, and eternal good flows
from God. All your graces, and the greatest excellencies
which are in you, do as much depend upon God, as the
light does upon the sun, or as the rivers do upon the sea,
or as the branches do upon the root, John 15:1-5.
All the springs of comfort that I have communicated to my
soul, and all the springs of grace that I have to quicken me,
they are all from God. A Christian's graces are all such
flowers of paradise as never grew in nature's garden. Now,
when a Christian looks thus upon all those costly diamonds
of grace, with which his soul is bedecked, he keeps humble,
though his graces are high.
Dear hearts, when you look upon the stream, remember
the fountain; when you look upon the flower, remember
the root; and whenever you look upon your graces, then
be sure to remember Christ the fountain of grace. When
one of your eyes is fixed upon your graces--let the other
be always fixed upon Christ the fountain of grace. "Indeed,
we have all received grace after grace from His fullness."
John 1:16
Grace is strengthened, maintained, nourished, and upheld
in your souls--in life and power, in beauty and glory--by
the spiritual, powerful, and glorious operations of Christ!
Christians, your graces are holy and heavenly plants
of Christ's own planting and watering! It is Christ alone
who can cause your graces to blossom, and your souls to
be like a watered garden--green and flourishing! Therefore
let the eye of your souls be firstly, mostly, and chiefly
fixed upon Christ.
Sermon Outline
- All Graces Come from God
- A Christian's Graces are from God
- Christ is the Fountain of Grace
- Christ Strengthens and Maintains Graces
- Spiritual Operations of Christ
- Holy and Heavenly Plants
Key Quotes
“What do you have--that you have not received?” — Thomas Brooks
“Indeed, we have all received grace after grace from His fullness.” — Thomas Brooks
“Christ is the fountain of grace, and your graces are holy and heavenly plants of Christ's own planting and watering!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Remember to view your graces as gifts from God, and not as something you have earned.
- Fix your eyes on Christ as the fountain of grace and the source of your spiritual growth.
- Depend on Christ's spiritual operations to strengthen and maintain your graces.