The Heart of Christ in Heaven for Sinners on Earth

 A Breath for Faith.

HIS COMPASSION IS GREATER THAN OUR SIN

"Christ Set Forth" was initially published in 1651. It quickly became the most prominent work of Thomas Goodwin (1600-1680). This book is an excellent example of his Christ-centered perspective, as well as his combination of theological precision and pastoral sensitivity. In this work, Goodwin seeks to demonstrate through Scripture that, even in all his heavenly majesty, Christ is not distant or unconcerned about believers, but maintains a deep affection for them.

Goodwin begins his discourse with the beautiful promises Christ offered to his disciples. He uses the act of Christ washing his disciples' feet, an episode narrated in John 13, as an example of that love. However, the heart of his argument lies in the interpretation of Hebrews 4:15: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." Here, Goodwin explains that, even in his holy and glorious heavenly presence, Christ harbors no resentment toward his people. On the contrary, his generous heart beats, perhaps more than ever, with a tender love for them. Particularly, two aspects awaken his compassion: our tribulations and, almost incredibly, our sins.

How much we need Goodwin and his message today! If we want to turn away from misconceptions about God and the love of sin, we need this knowledge of Christ.

"If Owen's majestic, precise, and exhaustive expositions of the trinitarian teamwork by which sinners are saved, and specifically on the person, place, and action of the Son and the Spirit within the team, are considered incomparable, it must be immediately noted that Goodwin's more leisurely devotional and doxological statements on the same truths actually equal Owen in every way. Goodwin's joy was to write about Christ, with whom he constantly communed, and Christ Set Forth is among his best treatments of the Savior's love and service toward us." J. I. Packer