The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 45

love to the height of hie capacity; hie power• baV'e been stimulated and developed. How strong for noble deeds must those be 'l'!ho think of the mighty heart of God pulsating to the rhythm of their feeble souls / Stunted lives may blos.-rom and grow fruitful under the "light of bis countenance," seeking to live worthy of bis wondrous love. It implies the weU-being of those laved. Not necessarily exemption from hardship and trial, not miraculous inter_POsition every day; but unfailing guidance and 811CCOW', and the certainty of a blessed issue to all events. Our God never intender] us to dwell all our lives in suspense concerning onr relationship to him, bnt to come ont inw the unclouded day by accepting hie declarations, and we honour him when we arm our breasts with these magnificent truths as with triple steel against all vexation, and flood our dwelling with the benignant splendour of hie promises. III. THEm DIGNIFIED VOOATION. "Called to be saints." The word "called" ha.a become so theological that to enter into its meaning with any freshness we must strip it of its technical clothing. A man's calliog is his occupation in life-that by which he earns his livelihood. The main bnsiness of the Christian is to cullioote hdine88. He is set apart, like the priest, with anointing oil for the service of God. This aim is in no wise incompatible with the fulfilment of his ordinary worldly avocation. Every situation is adapted to the pursuit of holiness, disciplining the soul, calling for endnrance or activity. The "saint" is "separate from sinners,'' not by reason of bodily absence, but through his consecrated thought and endeavour and behaviour. The same action may be performed from higher motives and with a regard to vaster issnes. The saints are furnished with all requisite aids to holiness. The written Word, the Spirit, the house of prayer,-these are all helps to a godly life. We are not set to make bricks without straw. The manner of our call enforces the obligation to sainthood. We have been called by Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, our Pattern and Power, who called the disciples by the sea-shore, and Matthew at the toll-bar; and his su=ons reaches ill! from his cross of anguish, and from his throne of victory on high. The title of" saints" is expressly assigned to the followers of Christ, and it behoves us to walk worthy of our high calling and of the name by which we are called. Mistrust disowns such high, grand titles; faith claims and justifies them. Will not some respond to Chri,,--t.'s call to-day? "Harden not your hearts, if ye should hear his voice."-S. R. A. Ver. 9.-.An appeal and a parenthesis. To the full and ardent mind the statement of one fact or thought calls up many associated ideas, and a parenthesis is the result. In the widespread recognition of the faith of the Roman Christians (ver. 8) Paul discerned an answer to his prayers. How constant those intercessions were only God could know, and to him the apostle appealed, justifying the appeal by a parenthetical reference to his life of faithful service, The text, therefore, suggests reflection on three topics. I. THE PROPRIETY OF INVOKING THE TESTIMONY OF Goo. Too frequently ha.,e publio utterances and conversation been interlarded with the mention of the Dinne Name, violating the third commandment and the Saviour's instructions. The tendency of modern legislation to restrict the occasions on which the taking of an oath is obligatory should be welcomed. It is allowable to call God to witness in solcrnr1 matters, befitting the dignity of the Most High. Especially in matters that lie tcithin God's cognizance only, as here respecting the frequency of the apostle's petitions at the mercy-seat. The invocation .of the Divine witness is seemliest from the lips of his servants. With what show of reason cau others demand his presence to cc,nlinu their statoments? Profane swearers convict themselves of inconsistency. Ewn ,\ rt'g",mi for others' feelings will sometimes lend men to o.bstain from trifiing with the s:,cn>J. Nam<J of our Fo.thor and Friend. II. Tmi: IMl'ORTANOE OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER. Largeness of heart contributes much to the enjoymont and prevnlenco of our prayers. When we seem dull in resp,:>Ct of our own uecds, the remombmnco of anot.her's want.s may "unlock the sealed fountain." We may gaugo our i11terest in our follows by ehe regularity Qj 0111· retiti,ms on thtlir bohalf. If wo pray uot oft on for t.hcru, how cun wo be ~id to caro tor their wt>lfsre? Speak of thorn whoro it sh1,ll ho of most avail. "For whl\t l\l'O tnen better than sheep or goata, 'l'ho.t nourish I\ blind life wiUiin the bnun,  If, knowing God, they lift not h&nda of prayer Both for thamselvea and those who oall them friend P" The apostle evidently thinks of pmying a.s a real pirl of Christian. illlf"llice. Like the incenl!e which it was the honourable dnty of the priests to offer, so did Paul daily "lift up holy hands " as his continual sacrifice and ministration. It ie a l1Uv of God's paternal go.ernment that his children's requests should, though eo simple and feeble in themselve~, link them with Omnipotence, and achieve mightiest effects. Wha.t a.ils us that we &l"0 so slow to visit this "wishing-gate 11 ? God measures the co11,stancy and .ferwncy of our prayers. They a.re not a sma.11 performance soon forgotten. They constitute a revelation of our condition, a. spiritual thermometer whose readings are redstered. ~ill. THE QUALITIES THAT BEl....DER BEBVICE ACCEPTABLE TO GoD. It must be Bpiritutd, that is, not formal or ceremonial, but an expression of the inner life ; not rendered as a burdensome task, but a.coording to " the spirit that giveth life rather than the ietter -v;hich killeth." The apostle was constrained by love, for Christ had laid hold of his heart's affections and made him conscious of & new inward impulse, which transfigured obedience and made it liberty, a.nd altered wearisome duty into gladsome service. It was the difference between the mechanical elevation and motion of a kite by the wind, and the soaring flight of the bird joying in its vital powers. Spiritual service is not blind, unreasoning devotion, but a ministration approved of by the noblest faculties of the soul It is evangelical, a.rising from and moving in the sphere of the glorious revelation of the Son of God. Through Christ had the apostle "received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his Name's sake" (ver. 5). The knowledge and reception of the gospel imply privilege and responsibility. The true Christian life is filled with gospel motives and aims, nor is any condition inapt for gospel service, its priesthood and sacri.fices.-S. R. A. Vers. n. 12.-Longing to meet. The vehement desire of the apostle cherished through many years was at l~uth gratified; but the manner of entering Rome how different from the anticipated voluntary visit I He was to arrive, after a tempestuous, perilous voyage, as a prisoner to plead for his life before the emperor. It is well that a veil hides the future, or our wishes for some event might die a.way in silence. I. LoVE IB KOT SATISFIED WITHOUT A MEETING. Augustine would have liked to see Christ in the :flesh, Paul in the pulpit, and Rome in its glory. The apostle thought little of the outward ma,,an.i.ficence of the metropolis; his heart turned to the company of Ch..ristians there. Some were his kinsmen, others had been his fellow-workers and pru!Oners, yet all who were knit in Christian fellowship were dear to him, and he longed t,o see them face to face. The ties of attachment in the early Church may have been cemented by the cold wind of opposition and persecution, which drove the members closer together for warmth and sympathy. Still Christianity proves itself able to banish worldly distinctions to-day, breaking down barriers of race and caste and language. The friends of the Saviour can feel no jealousy, since his love is large enough to embrace all, and a regard for his honour impels his friends to increase the number of his adherents. Love to Christ is the antithesis of narrowness of spirit. We may form an opinion of our discipleship from observing the degree of our longing to "885Cmble ourselves together." "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.'' There is a. natural desire to look upon the face and form of fa.moue men. that names may become persons to us, and that our weak imaginations may henceforth be assisted in picturing their voice and gesture and appearance. And this yearning leaps np into a. sacred hope of the consummation of our bliss, when we shall be permitted to behold the Saviour and "see him as he is." Christ is " with us" now, but at death we depart to be "with Christ" for ever. Proximity and a.ffecticn are correlative ideas. ' II. THE )[EETING OP' CBll.lBTIAli'B HAS EDIFICATION AB ITS ODJEOT. Paul was Bnpremely anxious t< be the medium of spiritual benefit to the Christians at Rome. He believed that a BpiritWJJ, gift wa, the most valuable present he could bestow or they could receive. It ranked higher than scientific communications or almsgiving. Hours of pleaear,t chat and recreation are not despicable, but if our societies set these in the foreground they miss their proper mark. 1'he cro88 of Chrillt flashes solemn light upon on. L 1-32.] TltE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS.