This is one of the most awful truths in the Bible. He who hath not the Spirit of Christ, doth not know Christ, will not believe on him, cannot love him. Then that dreadful sentence stands against him and, living and dying so, will certainly fall upon him–" If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema, maranatha," that is, under the most dreadful curse, till the Lord cometh to execute the severest vengeance of it. 1 Cor. 16:22. Jesus, Master, save us from this. Holy Spirit, rather let us be destitute of every blessing than want love to Christ. O shed a Saviour's love abroad in our hearts, and that shall kindle ours.
What is it to have the Spirit of Christ? How may we know that we have the Spirit of Christ? Consider the appellation here given–the Spirit of Christ. This will greatly help us to solve these questions. You may perceive the spirit of a man by his temper and conduct. The men of this world have the spirit of this world. Their walk and conduct show it. They set their affections on the world, seek all their happiness in it, and expect all their comfort from its riches, honors and pleasures. So it is with us all by nature. We have not the Spirit of Christ. But when the fulness of time comes, according to his covenant engagements with God the Father and God the Son, God the Spirit is pleased to visit our souls. Then he opens our eyes to see both our own sin and misery, and to behold the righteousness and happiness there is in Christ. He enables us to believe in Christ, to delight in the things of Christ, and cry out, None but Christ, none but Christ be my portion in time and to eternity.
Have we a sigh in our hearts after Christ to be our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption? This is the Spirit of Christ. Do we groan under a body of sin and death, and cry out, Oh wretched that we arc, who shall deliver us? Do we thank God for Jesus Christ as the only Saviour, justifier and deliverer? Then we have the Spirit of Christ. Can we come to a throne of grace, seeing ourselves miserable sinners, yet believing that "the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin," and the righteousness of Christ justifies from all condemnation, and therefore cry, God be merciful to me a sinner; Jesus, save me or I perish? This is from the faith of Christ. This is the prayer of faith The Spirit of Christ has inspired it. We have the Spirit of Christ. Do we delight to hear of Christ, to have fellowship with Christ, to live upon Christ, to walk with Christ, and to have the power of Christ's grace subdue the power of sin in our hearts, lips, and lives? Then verily we have the Spirit of Christ. "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." Gal. 5:17.
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