LOVING CHRIST IN INCORRUPTION
W. Lamont
The apostle Paul gives a clear indication, at the end of this epistle, as to how these wonderful things, that he received in a distinctive way, are to be continued vitally, and that is by loving our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruption. In the address to the church at Ephesus, the Lord says, “thou hast left thy first love”, Revelation 2: 4. I believe that infers that they had left love in incorruption. They had allowed other things to enter into their affections, and to affect their lives, and to affect the local assembly in Ephesus.
What we have here, I think, links with what we had on Lord’s day as to Mary in John 20, surely an example of a person who loved our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruption. Her affections were so filled with the Lord Jesus that nothing else would do for her, and no one else could satisfy her affections. If Mary of Magdala had been presented with any of the attractions of the world, or any attractions of earth, I am sure she would have said, No, all I want is my Lord. And if Christianity is to continue to the end, it must be on this principle of loving our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruption. How often in our hearts we allow other things to claim our affections, and to deflect us from singleness of purpose in our affection for Him, and that is what leads to departure, it is what leads to the lowering of standards. What has happened in Christendom is that affection for Christ has become corrupted, and whole systems have been built up around men. In chapter 5 of Song of Songs, the spouse for a time lost the vitality of her love, she said, “I have put off my tunic, how should I put it on? I have washed my feet, how should I pollute them?” (Song of Songs 5: 3), and by the time she opened the door her Beloved had gone. However recovery came in, and we can thank God for the recoveries there have been. We are all here as recovered persons, but recovery is not only in the mind, recovery must be in the affections, or we have lost the vitality of Christianity.
So let us be preserved to the end, whenever that may be, loving our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruption. For His name’s sake.
Word in meeting for ministry, Gothenburg, Sweden
6 August 1991
Edited and Published by J. Strachan, 59 Frederick Street, Dundee, DD3 9DE, Scotland Printed by Crystal Stationery, 22 Western Road, Billericay, Essex CM12 9DZ, (T) (0277) 650661