The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 140

all o( gre.oe, For obRerve "the Holy Ghost ie given unto llR." This rloe~ not me'ln that the effusion of the Holy Spirit is capriciouR anrl ~rbitrary, On the contrary, ],w,,,__ though they may not be underBtood by us-explain all the Divine acti00 • and ther~ is reason, even in the impartation of spiritual influences a.nd the comrn~nication of oelestinl love. But it must be plainly understood that we have no jnst leaal claim upon God for his Spirit. We may use the means he has appoi'nte.d. We ~y ask the Father for his choicest Gift. We may make ready a. dwelling-place for the heavenly Guest. We may await the promise of the Father. Yet, when given, the Holy Spirit is given freely, and of sovereign clemency and favour. Let us bear in mind onr daily need of the enjoyment of the Divine love in order to onr happiness, and in order to the efficiency and acceptableness of onr service. .And let our sense of need lead 118 to daily supplications for that Divine and spiritual influence that can make real and sweet to us the love of God in Christ, that we may feel its constraining power, and may learn to live, not unto ourselves, but unto onr Lord I Vere. 9, 10.-Reconciliation and salvation. God's love to man has its expression and proof in the gift of Christ. In what way does this gift enrich and bleM those for whom it is intended? The apostle answers this question in these two verses. By Christ's death his people are reconciled to him, and by Christ's life they are saved. I. THE PRIVILEGES OF CHRIST'S PEOPLE m THE PRESENT. I. These are described here, in one verse a.s J°ustificatiM, and in the other as reronciliatwn. The :first term implies that there takes place, in the case of those who believe, a " reversal" of the sentence of condemnation. Those who were guilty before God a.re accepted ; those who were judged by law a.re now received into favour. The second term implies that a. state of enmity has been replaced by a state of friendship and concord. Those who were in arms against God, and towards whom a righteous Ruler conld not tnm a look of complacency, a.re now pardoned, submissive, obedient, and at peace with Heaven. It is the same change presented in different lights. 2. By what means is this state of privilege secured for the people of the Lord? The means are described in one verse as the blood, in the other as the death, of Christ. The same thing is intended by the two expressions, the shedding of blood being equivalent to the taking of life. The language evidently points back to those sacrifices which were, by Divine appointment, offered under the old covenant. Jesus, the Mediator, was both the Victim and the Priest; he offered himself to the Father for us. "Without shedding of blood ie no remission of sin ; " a great principle this in the government of God ; pardon a.nd salvation a.re secured through suffering and sacrifice and devotion. The blood is the emblem of the life, and consequently the blood-shedding is emblema.tical, in the case of our Lord, of bis willing surrender of himself, his lile, with a vi11w to redeem a. sinful and guilty race. II. THE PROSPECTS OF CHRIST'S PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE. 1. What have they to look forward to ? The answer of the text is salvation. Justification is an act of God ; salvation seems to be a process, to be commenced here and perfected hereafter. "Now is salvation nearer to you than when you first believed." There are many ills, trials, temptations, from which Christians have yet to be delivered; and only when beyond this world can their salvation (however now perfectly assu1·ed) be regarded as actu:illy accomplished. 2. From what do Ch1istia.ns expect to be saved? From wrath; by which is to be understood the displeasure and indignation which the righteous Ruloir cannot but feel against sin and sinners, aud which will be manifested in the future punishment of the ungodly, impenitent, and unbelieving. 3. By what means do Christians hope to be saved from wrath? By Christ's life. His death is represented as the means of present acceptance, his life as the means of future sah'lltion. By Christ's life is to be understood his life after his oruci.6xion a.nd entombment-the life whioh now is and will be for ever. 'l'he connection between our Saviour's hea,enly life and our salvation is unmistakable nnd binding. His resurrection was the &..~\mw.:,, that hie mediation wne aooepted. H" ascension and life abo,e are the coud1t1on of his sympathetic intercession and his mediatorial reign. His presence on the throno of heaven 1s the pledge of our immortal fellowship with hiru. "Because I livoi, ye sho.11 live also." Ill. Notice Tlllll ARGUMENT FROM THE 6REATKR TO THE LES& It is the gre,1:,~:  188 THE EPIS1'LB OP PAUL TO TB1!: ROMA.NB. [on. v. 1--11.