The view in which Christ is the Object of a sinner’s faith, so that he may say, “He gave Himself for me.”
AS it respects the divine preordination, and concerns the elect, this doctrine of Christ’s giving Himself for us, is not the first object of any man’s faith; for who are elect is a secret, and secret things belong to God and not to us. As it respects the powerful application of Christ’s death, and concerns believers, neither is this the object or ground of every man’s faith, nay nor of any man’s faith, but rather the object of the believer’s sense and feeling, after he has believed. But as it respects the general dispensation of the gospel that Christ gave Himself for, and came to save sinners, this is the ground and object of their faith. Faith cometh by hearing this gospel doctrine, as it is generally proposed.
Faith comes not by hearing that Christ came to save the elect; for particular election cannot be the ground of a general invitation. There is here no visible ground for the sinner to fix upon; nor does the sinner’s faith come by hearing that Christ came to save believers, to complete their begun salvation; for as He came not to find them believers, but to make them believers, so this limited particular doctrine cannot be the foundation of an unlimited gospel call: but faith comes by hearing this gospel doctrine that Christ came to save sinners and gave Himself for them. This encourages them to venture their salvation upon Him, that He speaks to them as guilty sinners.
Let no sinner then exclude himself from the benefit of this gospel, and from making that particular application here, “He loved me, and gave Himself for me,” by saying either I know not if I be elect, or I know not if I be a believer, and so I know not if Christ died for me, and gave Himself for me, in particular. This is to mistake the ground and object of faith; for as salvation in God’s purpose, to the elect, is not the ground of faith, and salvation in possession by the believer is not the ground of faith, but salvation in the word of grace and gospel offer; this is the glad news that comes to the sinner’s ears, upon which he may build his faith and hope of salvation.
The question then here is not, are you an elect person or not? nor is it, are you a believer or not? but the question is are you a sinner that needs a Saviour? and is He manifesting His love and grace, and giving Himself in the gospel offer to you? Then upon the warrant of this word of salvation sent to you, you may say with particular application to yourself, “He loved me and gave Himself for me.” It is not Christ in the decree that you are to look to, while you know not that you are elected; this is to go too far back; nor is it Christ in the heart or in possession you are to look to, while you know not that you are a believer; this is to go too far forward; but it is Christ in the world, because you know that you are a sinner, and Christ a Saviour held forth to you there, saying, “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and besides Me there is none else.”
RALPH ERSKINE.