The Two Great Distinguishing Features of Christianity (1) - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

Old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17

The Two Great Distinguishing Features of Christianity (1)
Old things pass away and in Christ there is the introduction of all things new. But further, we have brought before us the two great outstanding facts of the Christian period on the basis of which the new things of Christianity are established, and by which the truth of Christianity is maintained. These two distinguishing facts are prophetically announced in . On the last and great day of the feast—the day that looks on to a new world of satisfied desire—the Lord invites all the world to come to Him and drink. He also speaks of the present result for the one who comes. Such would become a channel of refreshment in this needy world. Then we are definitely told that the Lord is speaking of the Holy Spirit, which they who believe on Him should receive. True believers companied with the Lord in His earthly path, but they had not received the Holy Spirit. Then we are told that the gift of the Holy Spirit on earth awaited the presence of Christ in the glory, as we read "The Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified" (nkjv). Here then we have the two great distinguishing features of Christianity: 1) there is a Man in the glory; 2) there is a Divine Person on earth.

Christ as Son of Man is seated in the glory; the Holy Spirit—a Divine Person—is present on earth. There are four great outstanding facts that every Christian should cherish. First, the Cross; second, Christ's being seated in the glory; third, the Holy Spirit's presence on earth; and fourth, the second coming of Christ. All true Christians rightly make much of the Cross; very generally, too, they look for the second coming of Christ. But sadly, the two central facts are almost ignored and their significance lost, and yet those two central facts are the distinguishing marks of the present dispensation.

Hamilton Smith