For Christ’s sake

‘For Christ’s sake.’ Ephesians 4:32

Suggested Further Reading: Colossians 3:17–4:1

What have we done? Preached a few times, but with how little fire; prayed at certain seasons, but with what little passion; talked now and then to sinners, but with what half-heartedness; given to the cause of Christ, but seldom given till we denied ourselves and made a real sacrifice; believed in God at times, but with what unbelief mixed with our faith; loved Christ, but with what cold, stolid hearts. ‘For Christ’s sake.’ Do you feel the power of it? Then let it be like a rushing mighty wind to your soul to sweep out the clouds of your worldliness, and clear away the mists of sin. ‘For Christ’s sake;’ be this the tongue of fire that shall sit on every one of you: ‘for Christ’s sake;’ be this the divine rapture, the heavenly inspiration to bear you aloft from earth, the divine spirit that shall make us bold as lions and swift as eagles in our Lord’s service. How much owest thou unto my Lord? Has he ever done anything for thee? Has he forgiven thy sins? Has he covered thee with a robe of righteousness? Has he set thy feet upon a rock? Has he established thy goings? Has he prepared heaven for thee? Has he prepared thee for heaven? Has he written thy name in his book of life? Has he given thee countless blessings? Has he a store of mercies which eye hath not seen nor ear heard? Then do something for Christ worthy of his love. Wake up from natural sleepiness, and this very day, before the sun goes down, do something in some way by which you shall prove that you feel the power of that divine motive, ‘for Christ’s sake.’

For meditation: For our sakes the Lord Jesus Christ became poor and was made sin (2 Corinthians 8:9; 5:21); we didn’t give him a motive. God supplied one himself—his undeserved love. ‘For Christ’s sake’ should be a powerful motive for our prayers (Romans 15:30), readiness to be treated as fools (1 Corinthians 4:10), service (2 Corinthians 4:5), willingness to suffer hardship (2 Corinthians 12:10; Philippians 1:29), civil obedience (1 Peter 2:13) and gospel ministry (3 John 7). What are you prepared to do for his sake?

Sermon no. 614
12 February (1865)