It is the gladness of the heart of Christ, the joy of his soul, to . . . What?
Reside with his Father, in heaven?
See justice vindicated as his enemies are judged?
Bask in the worship of the angels?
See the saints dutifully obey him?
It is the gladness of the heart of Christ, the joy of his soul, to take poor sinners into relation with himself. He rejoiced in the thoughts of it from eternity. . . . It is the main design of the ministry of the gospel, to prevail with men to give up themselves to the Lord Christ, as he reveals his kindness in this engagement.
--John Owen, Communion with God (Christian Focus 2007), 101, 100
I love it!
ReplyDelete