The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 360

sympathy nnd pity. Now, there are many clMses whom it is espeoie.lly desirablo thnt "·e, &!' Christians, t'1iould de.al with in this spirit and temper. For inste.nce, the young, the de.stitute, the afflicted, the wayward. All of these need to be approe.ohed in the spirit commended in this p&ssage; not in a hard, cold, mechanical me.nner, such ns seems habitual with some people, who in some respects might be called good; but in a Christ-like attitude, and with Christ-like tones, such as are proper to disciples of him who is touched with a feeling of human infirmities. ' \ . CHRISTIAN LO.X SHOULD DISPLAY ITSELF IN MUTUAL RESPECT A.ND HONOUR. Brofoerly affection is opposed to self-seeking, pride~ and arrogance, as pole to pole. It fosters humility as regards self, and it prompts to put honour upon others. In both these respecb! the Christian spirit is opposed to the spirit of the world, which impels men to push tbemsel'l'es forward, to urge their own cle.ims, and, on the other :band, tn depreciate their neighbours and to thrust them into obscurity. It is a precept of Christianity, "Be courteous." And true courtesy has its deep, Divine root in brotherly loYe, springing from the soil of fellowship with God in Christ. APPLICATION. 1. Let any one who may be living in hatred and malice towards any fellow-creature le.am to suspect the reality of his Christianity; for such dispositions are not the fruit of the Spirit. 2. Let those whose demeanour towards their neighbours is hard and unsympathetic, consider whether this is the temper of mind which their Lord ex:emplifie<l in himself and approves in his followers. 3. Let all Christians cultivate that spirit of love which will fit for the immortal fellowship of heaven, the abode of harmony and charity. Ver. lL-~ spirit of Christian. serui.c& Religion is a. persona.I, individual matter. Its seat is in the heart. Christianity is both an intelligible truth and a. living power. It enters into and takes possession of a man's spiritual nature; and controls and governs his life, and affe.ct.s his social relations. Christ dwells in the heart by faith, and rnles in the heart by the energy of the Divine Spirit. It is in this light that the apostle in this verse regards the religion which he authoritatively teaches and enforces. Let us look at the matter thus, and consider what Christianity proposes to do in the cha.racter and life of every person who truly receives it. L we haT"e here described THE GENERAL OHA.B.A.CTEB OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. It is een1ire, rendered to Christ. Several very important views of our existence and vocation are afforded by this language. 1. Life should be neither aimless nor selfish. A desnlt.ory way of spending time, with no definite purpose, no unity, is most unsuit- able t.o the professed Christian. To seek simply the satisfaction of one's own wants, the gratification of one's own appetites and tastes, is flagrant violation of the Divine law. How can such a. life be termed a service? The bondman has one occupation, doing his master's will ; and one aim, secnring his master's approval. So with the Christian; the life which is not service cannot be his. 2. Life should be, consciously and deliberat.ely, a reruue rendered to the Lord Jesus. This is what our Divine Master expect&. "Ye call me," says he, "Master and Lord : and ye say well; for so I am." This is what his inspired servants acknowledge to be right. "We serve the Lord Christ."' This is, in fact, the proper designation of all true Christiane-servants of the wrd. The will of God, revealed in Christ Jesus, is our proper law. The glory of God, in the advancement of the kingdom of righteousness, is our proper aim. The disciples of Christ are our congenial fellow-servants. The wages of our service, what are they? "The gift of God is eternal life." 3. Our service rendered to Christ should be an a.ck'lwwledgment of his incomparable service rendered to us. J eeue was the Servant u well as the Son of God. He was the Servant of God/or us. Buch was his own declaration: "The Bon of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister." And the apostle says of him, " He took upon him the form of a servant." This amazing condescension, perfec~ _in his e~rificial death, demands a _gr~teful recognition and return from ua; and IS, mdeed, div1nely adapted to awaken w1thm us the purpose and resolve to devote all our powers to him who withheld not hie labours and hia life from us. Hence we draw the motive and the power to obey and serve. Tc, express our gratitude and love and co_nsccration to him, no devotion can be too ur.gualified, no effort too strenuoue, no sacnfice too great. lL We have here described TBE 1'.11.ACTIOAL DlLlOENCE WlllCH BllOtlLD DIBTINO Ul8ll on. xn.1-21.) THE EPIS'rLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS. 859