THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST

The words of “the unsearchable riches of Christ” are the words spoken by the apostle Paul. The whole scripture is indeed an epistle from heaven to earth; but in it we have upon record several particular epistles, more of Paul’s than of any other, for he was the chief of the apostles, and laboured more abundantly than they all. Before his conversion he had been a very keen and bitter persecutor of the church of Christ; but when the strong man armed was dispossed, and the stronger than he came to divide the spoil and to sanctify these qualitications, he became the most skillful and most zealous preacher.

The unsearchable riches of Christ are found in these words: “For unto us a child is bom, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace,” Isa. 9:6. It was the Prince of Peace who stopped the rebellious persecutor of the church as he came near Damascus with these words: “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?” It was the mighty God who brought this boasting Saul upon his knees confessing his spiritual ignorance saying, “Who art Thou, Lord?” When God speaks, He speaks effectually to a sinner. This Saul became aware of, like every sinner is who is called out of the state of utter darkness and is taught his great enmity against his heavenly benefactor.

O, the super abounding grace which was his lot, as he further experienced the all conquering power of God, Who had broken the enmity of his heart, as he submittingly said: “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” Saul was taught the unsearchable riches of Christ, for it had never entered into his heart to surrender himself, being in a state of total alienation. This he confessed with his own words: “And you hath He quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins.” Eph. 2:1. It was the love of God, who is rich in mercy who quickeneth every sinner together with Christ. As a Pharisee he sought his salvation by the works of the law. But salvation and reconciliation to God was wrought for him and for all the dear children of God upon the accursed cross, where Christ became their guilt bearer being nailed upon the tree, to ransom life eternal for them.

Saul had to taste the bitter fruits of his works, having persecuted the church of Christ. With a guilty conscience and in his inflicted blindness he was led by the hand, being brought into Damascus, where he remained three days without sight, and neither did eat or drink. Tears of deep sorrow, and souls agony were his portion. He had heard the voice of the immutable God, the greatness of His essence in all His glorious attributes, the searcher of hearts, who will not let the iniquity of man go unpunished. He accepted God’s righteousness if He had cast him into eternal damnation. He experienced what we find written in Psalm 18:5, 6 - “The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him, even into His ears.” It was here that he tasted the deep sorrows of Him whom had spoken to him: “It is hard for thee to kick against the prickes.” Words will never express the deep sorrow of heart when a sinner is called before His tribunal, and there to experience the bitter sorrow he has brought upon the bleeding redeemer who had cried: “My God, My God, Why hast Thou forsaken Me.” It was in Him and in Him only that reconciliation was wrought. This bad become for Paul an inexpressible depth, for which he could not find words to express; that He died for the ungodly: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!” Rom. 11:33. It was here that Paul experienced: “That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” I Tim. 1:15.

Paul here beheld Christ’s perfection, and His preeminence, and found Christ as his beloved: “My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand.” Song Sol. 5:10. How inscrutable are the riches of Christ. Christ became the guilt bearer for His people, and they receive His righteousness. The sinner deserves a threefold death, but Christ grants eternal life for His own. The gospel of salvation is to the furtherance of the exaltation of Christ, for we read: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation unto Zion, Thy God reigneth.” Isa. 52:7. To this apostolic office God appointed Paul, who had received the knowledge of the unsearchable riches of Christ, who heretofore was estranged to the DEITY of God, of which we read in Ps. 10:1,. “Why hidest Thou Thyself.” And in Isa. 45:15. “Verily Thou art a God that hidest Thyself, O God of Israel, the Savior.” “Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.” Matt. 11:25. It was this gospel of which Paul was not ashamed: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Rom. 1:16.

It was the unsearchable riches of Christ, Paul was to preach. Salvation for condemned sinners. The word Unsearchable means; that it cannot be searched into or explored; it remains inscrutable, and mysterious. Can a righteous God condescend so low, that He will have mercy on a hell deserving sinner, who has demerited any and all of His temporal and spiritual favors, that He should find a ransom for the chief of sinners? This is what Paul preached: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” I Tim. 1:15. For such, and only for such who have learned to accept the righteousness of God to pass them by, and for whom sin has become exceedingly sinful, for the poor in spirit; He has promised them to share in the unsearchable riches of Christ. The inheritance of God’s elect: “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor (spiritually poor) of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?” Hebr. 11:26. Yea, it remaineth a Paradox: “There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing; there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.” Pr. 13:7. Having received Spiritual vision: “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” Eph. 1:18. And for those who have become discomforted, and have learned to place no trust in themselves; we find a promise of His immutability: “For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.” Isa. 54:10.

Dear Readers, does not such love far exceed all your worldly enjoyments and expectations: May the Lord excite your hearts to the knowledge of the unsearchable riches of Christ. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” I John 2:15.

Words, and tongues fail to express the unsearchable riches of Christ. Eternity will not be too long for the redeemed to extol His eternal praises.

C.F. Boerkoel, Sr.

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