Not unknown in Church history is a view of the redemptorial work of Christ which would make it consist in appeasinc: an angry God. According to this view Christ and not the Father is the Reconciler, God and not the world is reconciled. In such a case perfect childlike trust is not to be thought of. There would be no firm ground for it. If God has once changed His purpose, why should He not do so again ? Only where God is manifest in Christ as the Reconciler of the world (2 Co .519) can there be perfect security for time and eternity. Where Christ is thought of as having wrought a change in the will of God, men will with wavering hope implore Him to intercede with God on their behalf, and will perhaps also invoke the aid of many saints. Perfect assurance is not to be reached by this road.
Only as we have the Son do we have the Father
(Jn M""-, 1 Jn 2^*- -*), but we have the Son only because of the Feather's love (Jn 3^*^). Jesus knows the Father, and He teaches us to know Him. His life is the glorious example of trust in the Father's love. But it is not through the contagious ex- ample of the ' inner life ' of Jesus that men are led into perfect filial trust. He promised His disciples a perfect joy, which no one should take away (16^""-^), but this was to come only after He shoulcl have been glorified. God's boundless love for sinners must first be manifested in the cro.ss of Christ (Ro 5^ 8^-). Yet even Christ's dying and rising again on our behalf (2 Co 5^^) is not the final proof of God's love. God has also sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts (Gal 4*, Ro B"*''-). The gift of the Spirit means the reality of com- munion in prayer, and the Spirit's work in us is the pledge of our complete salvation at last (cf. e.g. Ro 8-®, 2 Co 5^). To be rooted and grounded in the love of God, that one maybe strengthened to know that love which passeth knowledge (Eph S''^"^-) ; to know and have believed the love which God hath in us (1 Jn 4'^) ; and to keep ourselves in the love of God (Jude v. 2') — this is the meaning of Christian trust.
Since the sovereign grace of God manifested in Jesus Christ is the only ground of our assurance, we must place no confidence in the flesh (Ph S^"'-). The seed of Abraham or of Israel may not trust in this relation (Mt 3^, Jn m^-, Ro 228- ^9, Gal S^s- ^s). Nor may we trust in works of righteousness {e.g. Ro 3i9ff.^ Eph 2^, Tit 3^), or in our good purpose, effort, or zeal (e.g. Ro 9>« W"-, Ph 36). Even the con- fession of Christ and the profession of faith will avail nothing without the vital union with Him in the faith that works by love (Mt V^«-, Ja 2iJ«-, 1 Co 10^'^^, Rev 3'). Moreover, not even what men call a good conscience can give security ( 1 Co 4^- *, 1 Jn l^"^-). The wondrous fact of fellowship in the love of God is indeed a token of the life of God in us. And whereinsoever our heart condemn us, ■\ve shall obtain assurance in the way of sincere obedience to the Spirit of love. God is greater than our heart — He can pardon and heal. And when by His grace our heart is set free from self- condemnation, our communion with God may be unbroken.
Upon the immovable foundation of the recon- ciliation of the world in Christ (2 Co S"'"'-) the individual appropriates to himself the promise by faith. Thereby he experiences a present grace and rejoices in the sure hope of the glory of God (Ro 5^- *). Because he has the earnest of the Spirit — because God's love has been shed abroad in his heart— he can even glory in tribulations (5^"^, cf. 12'2). Even bearing the cross and being crucified with Christ are his joy and glory (Gal 22" 6l^ Ph ^^^•). Out of the richness of the grace of this fellowship he can know that all things work to- gether for his good, that is, for his salvation, and he is persuaded that nothing can separate him from the love of God which is in Christ. There is no power that can gainsay the loving will of the eternal God (Ro 8'^"^") jn every condition he proves the sufficiency of Christ's grace (e.g. 2 Co 12"), and by prayer and supplication finds that God's peace, far surpassing all understanding of men, keeps guard over his heart and thoughts in Christ Jesus (Ph 4"- ''). Through faith he is kept in a hope sure and steadfast unto the final salva- tion which awaits him (e.g. I P P"). But the sureness of the hope does not work carelessness. ' Every one that hatii this hope set on him puri- fieth himself even as he is pure' (1 Jn 3^). The true believer is ' careful without care.' Moreover, the grace of our fellowship works zeal in service (1 Co 15^"). Only the Christian can enjoy perfect freedom from anxious care in order that he may