The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 237

demn11tfon ofsin. And it is set forth, in regard to Chrl~t nnd in re1mrd:to.ourselves, neg11tively and positively. 1. Negatively, by contrast with the impote~ce of mere Law: "\',hat the Law could not do." The Law of God, whether inwardly in coll9'lience, or outwardly as through Moses, sufficiently condemns sin theoretically; but practically?- " weak through the flesh." All this has been emphatically demonstrated in the previous chapter : " I delight in the Law of God after the inward man; bat I see a different law in ~y members, warring against the law of my mind," eto. (vers. 22, 23). The flesh donunates, and there is no power to render effectual the better aspirations. 2. PO&i- tively, in the holy, loving life of Christ: "God, sending his own Son," etc. He came into the realms of sin, and wearing the nature which sin had weakened and destroyed, but resolutely resisting sin's power, defying sin's assaults. "The flesh in him was like a door constantly open to the temptations both of pleasnra and pain ; and yet he con- stantly refused sin aoy entrance into his will and action. By this persevering and absolute exclusion he declared it evil and unworthy of existing in humanity" (Godet). Yes ; God in Christ "condemned sin in the flesh," by practically casting it out from thiu humanity. Casting it out? nay, it was not suffered to intrude. The history of the temptation, and of the last agony, is the emphatic illustration of these words. II. CEIUST's WORK IN us. In Christ, then, there is a practical and immediate con- cemnation of sin, by its utter exclusion from his life. But is there not in this a pledge of the like condemnation in those who are joined to him by faith? And is not this pledge fulfilled to those who are" in Christ Jesus"? "When we see the king's son enter the revoHed province without opposition, and know that he has come because of the revolt, we are sore that the king is both able and determined to overthrow the rule of the usurper" (Beet). And in us who believe, and who therefore" walk not after the flesh, but a.ft.er the Spirit," the usurper is dethroned, and "the ordinance of the uiw" is "fulfilled." 1. Negatively. Not "after the flesh," to "mind the things of the flesh." As above, our state by nature is one of bondage to "the flesh ; " the lower impulses master us. And though the aspirations of the spirit may be quickened, yet we sigh vainly for freedom and strength. We do but realize the more bitterly our bond.age t.o sin. How shall the bondage be destroyed? " Through Jesus Christ our Lord." He has broken the condemnation of the past by the offering of himself, once for all; he destroys our present captivity by the incoming of his Spirit, received by faith in that same sacrificial love. Thus the aspirations are realized by this blessed inspiration. 2. Positivdy. "After the Spirit," to "mind the things of the Spirit." Christ, who conquered for us, conquers in w. We are joined to him, and "he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit" (1 Cor. vi. 17). Thus "we a.re transformed into the same image," and "walk even u he walked." Now, then, we more than realize our fin;t est.ate ; our manhood is redeemed ; " the Spirit of life in Christ J esue" makes us " free." Our service is the glad, spontaneous service of sonship; we are not com- manded to an impossible obedience from without, but animated by the impulse of a boundless love within; and this love, with the free obedience which it begcts, is nouruhed and strengthened evermore by our fellowship with God in Christ. "What- 110ever things are true, whatsoever things are honourable, whatsoever things a.re just, whatsoever things a.re pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report "-we "think on these things;" and "th~ peac~ of God, wbi~h _passeth e.U under11t&ndina guards our hearts and our thoughts 111 Christ Jesus" (Phil. 1v. 7, 8). The one ~preme question for us is-Are we in Christ? If so, the determining clement of our life is new, all things are new. But if not, we abide in death I And how ahall Christ be received? By simplest faith. He offers himself freely, we are to receive him freely. Believe I yes, believe with the heart in all his bolllldleea love, &11d livt: by iL-T. F. L. Vem. 6-9a.-27ie jltih and t1l4 Bpi,rlt. Being free from ain in Christ JesUB, w~ are also free from its resulte-conde1Jll1Ation and death; or rather-for the result is one- the death, of which condemnatiGD ill but one aspect. L Tm: lffllD oF THE FLEBJL In a atate of sin, u in a state of holin.ees, there la activity though the activity be abnormal. . The "flesh," equally with the "spirit/' h.a.e its•.. mind," i.e. its purpollf, its aspiration; e.n r.ctivity which tends. to II goal, A.Iu1 wbai ii the dread goal to which the activity of sin wust lead? . J;)eath I Yoa, ·cH, vm. 1-39,] THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS. 235