The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 378

educRtes us t.o itself if we yield; lt restrRins us as with iron bl\nds if we attempt to break Rway. And the current of our own nRture sets with the stream (Eph, ii. 2, 3). Self-seeking; self-pleasing, Not only are the lusts (l.,,.,8up.Ca,) of the flesh worldwards, themseln>s c.outrollable if the inner life were right; but the desire (81>..f/p.a) of the mind is world wards t.oo. The interior springs of life are bad; the "willing" nature (11oiJs) is diseased. And the secret of all this is that the inward life is wron~ with God; there is <lfath, not life (Eph. ii. l). For this reason, God's governance and succour being lost, the will is sunk in the lusts thRt it should control, a.nd it is thus that the desires of the fle.sh (br,Pup.lcu) have become actue.lly volitions (8e>.."1p.arra) of the flesh (see Eph. ii. 3 again). Hence "be not conformed" is immediately followed by "be transformed." This is the great doctrine of the new birth: a re-attachment to the life of God, which shall make all things new. Has been fully elaborated in eh. vi.-viii., in which the apostle sets forth regeneration as the natural and necessary accompaniment of true justification. It is here insisted upon once more, as the only guarantee of a life of consecration such as he is about to set before his readers in the following chapters, which are an unfolding of the principle of the first verse of this chapter. The Spirit of God is the regenerating power: what is the regenerating principle? Love-love e,oked, fed, perfected by the mighty, changeless love of God, .A.n enthusiasm for the highest good, which wings its way throngh all that obstructs a lower energy of life, and triumphs e,ermore. So now the 11oiJs is renewed, the 8e>..fip.a-ra set with the current of the new life, and the h.Suµlcu of the flesh fall into their proper place. 'l'hus a power of nonconformity t,o the "course of this world " is ours ; the bonds are broken, and the plastic influences break like spray upon a rocky shore. And· so, with the altar set in order, the sacrifice is offered np; with the worshipful heart restored, a living service is rendered. We "proven what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God; it is known, loved, obeyed. In conclusion, let us remember that we are besought to this renewal and consecration by the yearning pity (oi.rr,pp.im,) of our God. His tears! Oh, let us be persuaded to accept our healing at bis hands !---eyesight for blindness, love for our dead, cold, barren selfishne= And being ali,e unto God within, let us live t,o God without. .A.way with fictitious sacrifices and fictitious service! The sacrifice is to be the living sacrifice of ourselves; the service the rational service of a pure and consecrated deed and speech and thoughL-T. F. L. V ers. 3-8.-0hristian humility. The life of Christian consecration is now set forth in its practical bearings. We have life in the Church, including its attitude towards those that a.re without (eh. xii), and life in the state (eh. xiii.). The life of members of the Church, as such, is set forth as oontrolled by two great vital principles: humility, as regards one's self; love, as regards others. Here the grace of humility is insisted on, as regulating each one's thoughts and work. L First, we are to have a sober and proper estimate of ourselves and our aptitudes. 1. The tendency amongst men is to exalt themselves in their own thoughts as com- pared with others. An unholy rivalry of heart is easily possible even in the Christian brotherhood. We magnify our own importance out of all proportion to the actual place we filL How contrary to the very initial requisite of the kingdom of heaven: "Blessed a.re the poor in spirit" I We must, on the oontrary, think soberly. • We must in all seriousness know ourselves and our pi.ace. We must indeed gauge and estimate our sanctified powers, but only that we may know to what holy purpose we shall put them- .. according to the capacity, in the realm of faith, which God has given us" (see God.et). 2. And so we must think of our various gifts, not as in rivalry, but as supple- menting one another. The figure of the ~any members, and their diverse offices: so the body of Christ. Va.riety in unity : this the lesson taught us by God's works, and by bis coI1Btitution of human society in general; we Chri,tians must learn the lesson, as teacl,in"' us that we all are " members one of another." II. Seco~dly, we are to give ourselves with all diligence to the fulfilment of our !,(;Vera! works. We trench here upon the i;econ<l principle. If humility teaches ue to confine ourselves soberly w our own God-appointed le.hour, love teaches us to throw oun,elves with holy zeal into such labour that the several members may all profit by our diligence. And the great truth brought out prominently here is that the 011.use of ciu.xtt.1-21.j TiiE EPtBTtE OF' PAUL TO TtIE ROMANS. 271