The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 139

Ver. 5.-Goo's 1~ •~ the heart. The process or spiritual discipline which the apost.\e h_as described is not a process natural to men, but one supernatuml e.nd special to the s1~°!"re Christian. The tribulations of this life do not work the good of all who are TISlted by them ; on the contrary, many are hardened by the trials which are Bellt_ to hnmble and soften and improve. But they profit by earthly discipline who ~rdially receive the gospel of Christ, and whose spiritual nature is brought under the influence of the cross. For to such God is a loving Father, ari'd all things th&t happen t.o them are regarded as ap!)Oinred by him. They arc enlightened by the Holy Spirit, who brings before them in their troubles the prospect of the future, inspiring hopes which Divine faithfulness shall surely realize, "because the love of God bath been shed abroad in their he&rts." Observe- L THE GIF1' Il[I'ABTED. ., The love of God." This is probably not our love to God, but his love to us, which indeed e"er, when recognized and felt, kindles the flame or affection within the breast of the Christian. 1. This love is properly part of the Divine D&ture &nd character. So distinctive is this gracious attribute of the Supreme Father, that we are told that "God is love." How different a representation of the Deity from those current among the unenlightened idolaters I How fitted to comfort &nd encourage the people of the Lord! 2. This love is regarded by Christians as especially revealed in Christ Jesus. In this Epistle, whilst the inspired apostle sets forth the Christ as revealing the righteousness of God, he also exhibits the Divine love as more conspicuously revealed in "the unspeakable Gift" than by any other means. In this representation, indeed, all the apostles are agreed. "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for our sins." In this 1.a.n,,auage St. John teaches the same precious lesson. There was love in the advent, love in the ministry, love in the death, love in the ascension, of our Saviour; &nd there is love in his intercession and his reign. 3. This love becomes, by Divine grace, the possession of the true believers in Christ. It is not merely something t.o be admired for its unparalleled moral splendour and beauty and excel- lence. It is to be appropriated and held and enjoyed. This leads us to consider- II. THE lli.Ttlll.B THAT IS FILLED BY THIS LOVE. It is "shed abroad in our hearts." If we believe in the love of a fellow-creature, and return that love, there is in such experience BOmething more than belief; there is strong and joyful feeling. The heart is the home of love. And love constitutes the riches of the heart. It is so, not only in the mutual relations of human beings, but in the relation between the soul and God. No doubt, mystics and sentimentalists, monks and nuns, saints in their ecstasies and revivali8ts in their fervour, have often used language extravagant, sickly, and senti- mental concerning the love of God in the heart. But unquestionably the danger with ordinary Engl.i.eh Christians lies in the tendency towards the opposite extreme. We ere in no great danger from sentimental raptures. But we are in danger of regarding religion too much as an affair•of belief and of duty. Love is not, indeed, to begin and enc in the heart; it is to become a motive to action, a principle of endurance, an inspiratian to cheerfulness and content. But that it may be all this, it must first be a feeling, a hallowed, spiritual emotion. The heart must contemplate the peerless love of God revealed in Christ, and must rejoice in the revelation. This love must be the most welcome theme of meditation. and must be present in the soul, not only in prosperity a.nd happiness, but in the season of trial and distress. A natural question ari8es--How can this come to pass'/ How can a nature, prone to sin and selfishness, come to take llllch plealW'e in the pure love of a benevolent and merciful God'/ To 11DBWer this inquiry, we muat observe- • IIL TBB .1.oncr BY WBIOJI THE GIFT IS BESTOWED. "By the Holy Ghost which iJ! giv~ unto us." That the Holy Spirit should have acce~s. to ?ur hearts is what we might reuonably expect should be the case. "'l'he Spmt w1tneeseth with our Bpirit.E." This Divine agency of illumination and quickening and renewal ever o.ccom- :r,anies the truths of the gc,spel, and accounb for their exercising an influence Ro great c,vt:or Luman heartB. It would be dishonouring to God were we to claim for oursolves the 1.18.tural ud moral power to appropriate c,r even to appreciate Divine love. It ii cu. v.1-21.] 'fHE EPISTLJ!I OF PAUL TO 'rHE ROMANS. 135