The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 219

HOMILETICS. T'er. L-" Xo rondemnation!' In reading this chapter, it cannot but be felt that there wa.s, in the mind of the apostle., a very vivid sense of the contra.et between the character, the position, a.nd the prospects of the true Christian, and those of unbelievers, whether Jews or Gentilea. This contrast is kept up, either verbally or implicitly, from the beginning to the close of what is felt to be one of the most encouraging and precious portions of the apostle's writings. L Tm: CB:msn..u;-'s OONDITION AND OHABACTER. It is plain that, in the view of St. Paul, personal religion did not consist in extern~l condition or relationships, in association with any family, or nation, or visible society. Christians are those who are" in Christ Jesus." 1. The language is illl!tructive as to the Divine provision for man's spiritual welfare made in the incarnation, ministry, and saclifice of the Son of God. To be accept.ad and approved by the great Ruler and Lord of all is a condition made dependent upon association with that Being in whom God at once revealed hie cbanlcter and purposes, and reconciled the world to himself. 2. A spiritual union is implied. To be "in Christ Jesus" is what he himself has enjoined: " Abide in me." And the New Test.ament represents Christ's people as "in him," "found in him," ., standing in him," "walking in him ; " and after this life as " sleeping in him," and "dead in him." 3. The purposes of union with Christ a.re involved in this descrip- tion. (1) Christians are hidden in Christ for safety; as in the cleft of a rock which affords shelt.er from the storm, as in the city of refuge whither the fugitive fu:es. and in which he finds himself safe from the pursuer. (2) Christiane are grafted in Christ for life ; they are branches in the liviag Vine. (3) They are joined to him for guici.ance, as members of the mystical body. 4. The power and principle of union with Christ are a.seumed. On the human side the union is effected by/aith ; on the Divine side it is rendered possible by the impartation of the grace of the Holy Spirit. IL THE CHEIBTIAli's EXEllPTIO!i A!."'D IMMUNITY. 1. What is the condemnation from which those who are in Christ are relieved ? Doubtless, the penal consequences of sin, th!: Divine displeuure and judicial anger, the present punishment of remorse and fear, the future puniBhment of destruction and death. 2. Who removes it? The Lord and Judge, whose prerogative it ls to pass sentence of condemnation, retains in his own l,ands the right to remit the punishment of those sentenced, and to eot guilty but repentant criminals free to enjoy a spiritual liberty. 8. On what grounds, ~.nd in virtue of what provision, doee the righteous Lord remove the condemnation? For his uwn mercy's sake, and in virtue of the redemption which was wrought by Jeslll! Chrut uur 6avbur, so fully stated and c,xplair,ed in this Epistle, 4. With whr1t re1mlt6 i' 'fbe con11c:ic,nce of the sinner ii! relicverl ; the favour of the holy God iH vuuchsafed; the privileges and pleasures of tlw U/iristian life e.ro opeood up, and fina.l !ICqUittal ii,; dcfi.n1tely aid ccr1ai11ly a111urcd. ott. vtn.1-39.] '11HE EPIS'rLE OF PAUL '1'0 'IRE ROMANS. 217