William Gadsby expounds Isaiah 61:1-3 to demonstrate Christ's role as the anointed Savior who bestows spiritual blessings upon broken sinners, emphasizing God's gracious election of the despised and marginalized. The sermon develops the doctrine of "double knowledge"—the believer's understanding both of Christ's universal redemptive work and his particular application of salvation to the individual soul—arguing that this assurance produces joy that overwhelms shame and produces perseverance through affliction. Gadsby stresses that believers find their ultimate security and satisfaction wrapped in Christ's imputed righteousness rather than in their own spiritual attainments or emotional experiences.
What does the Bible say about double knowledge?
The Bible teaches that believers can have a double knowledge of God's salvation: understanding the ruin of humanity and the personal assurance of salvation.
This double understanding is crucial for Christians, as it brings both the realization of their unworthiness and the acknowledgment of God's unmerited grace towards them. When this truth is grasped, it leads to a joyous response in the believer's heart, encouraging them to rejoice in God's character and His salvific work. The promises in Scripture reveal that the more one acknowledges their sinfulness, the greater the joy that awaits them through His grace in Christ's righteousness.
Isaiah 61:1-3
How do we know salvation is for sinners?
Scripture explicitly teaches that Christ came to save sinners, confirming the truth of salvation for those who feel their sinfulness.
Understanding that salvation is for sinners comforts the believer, affirming that their shortcomings do not disqualify them from grace. Instead, it is through recognizing one's own sinfulness that one can fully embrace the abundant mercy offered by God. The assurance of salvation is not based on our merits but solely on Christ's redemptive work, providing certainty that every sinner who comes to him in faith is welcomed and saved.
Isaiah 61:1-3, 1 Timothy 1:15
Why is the concept of beauty for ashes important for Christians?
The concept of beauty for ashes signifies God's transformative grace, turning despair into joy for believers.
God promises to replace this desolation with beauty, which reminds believers that their suffering is not in vain and that God is actively working for their good (Romans 8:28). Furthermore, it points to the assurance of salvation and the ultimate hope found in Christ, who provides joy and restoration to the brokenhearted. This promise serves to comfort and encourage believers, reinforcing their identity in Christ as they navigate life's trials, reminding them that they can always look forward to a future filled with hope and joy.
Isaiah 61:1-3, Romans 8:28
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; (2) To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; (3) To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. - Isaiah 61:1-3
WHAT a divine cluster of immortal blessings rests in the Man Christ Jesus; and how blessed it is for poor sinners that he is appointed to give them these blessings and is filled with the Spirit without measure, that he might give them in measure to such poor vile sinners, loathsome sinners, God dishonoring sinners as we; and his blessed Majesty has to deal out these blessings to these poor sinners. However men may despise these poor hobbling creatures, the Lord will find them out, in some corner or another. God's method is to deal out his pity to these poor, forlorn creatures.
Now, if the Lord has given you to feel something of the blessedness of these three verses, when you come on a death bed you will out shout angels and triumph in the mysteries of the cross.
Who shall be redeemed priests? Why, these poor hobbling creatures, these poor captives, these sin-sick souls—they shall be named Priests; and God the Spirit shall so direct them that he will show them the mysteries of the cross. God's method is to take these poor creatures from the dust and the beggars from the dunghill; he lifts them up and he rejoices over them.
“For your shame ye shall have double.” “Ah!” says some poor soul. “I am afraid I shall have double confusion and condemnation; for I feel so much boiling-up of my inward sins that I am almost distracted.'' Notwithstanding all this, and all the shame and confusion that it produces, still the Lord says, “Ye shall have double.” Double of what? A double knowledge of God's method of salvation; first, that all the human race were ruined and that he came into the world to save sinners; and, next, that he came to save you.You shall have this double in your land here, and instead of confusion you shall rejoice in your portion, and everlasting joy shall be your portion hereafter. Dear forlorn child of God, can you have a better double than this? And are you not often ashamed, when you think of God's goodness and your sinfulness? Well. Some commentators say this should read, “For your double shame you shall have a double inheritance.” The greater your shame, the greater will be your rejoicing when the blessing comes.
“And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles,” &e. These poor broken-hearted sinners, men despised,—this obscure family, is the seed which the Lord hath blessed. Yes, and their enemies shall see it and acknowledge it too. And when God makes this manifest you will be enabled to say with Isaiah, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.”
Has the Lord the Spirit brought this feeling into your hearts and consciences? Since I saw you last, I have been laid on a bed of affliction. But while there, I was brought to feel that he had wrapped me up in his righteousness; and he passed the sentence of death so on self and all connected with self, that I felt no solid pleasure out of Christ. I want nothing else. Let others have what they may, I want to be wrapped up in Christ's righteousness and to feel the mysteries of redeeming love.
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