The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 445

Ver. 29.-A.n apostle's rxmfidenr,e, St. Paul has been stating his plans as regards the future, and especially regarding his intended visit to Rome. There is much that is uncertain. But one thing was a certainty to him. "I am sure that, when I come to you, I shall come in the fulness of the bleRsing of the gospel of Christ." Had Paul any grounds for this expectation? Was his confidence warranted by facts? Let us see. About two years after this he came to Rome a prisoner. What was his chief occupation then? Preparing his defence? No. " Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him" (Acts :xxviii. 31). There were two elements in his confident expectation. I. HIS CONFIDEN0E IN THE BLESSING OP THE GOSPEL. "The falnees of the blessing of the gospel of Christ." St. Paul felt that the best blessing he could bring to any city, or any people whom he visited, was the blessing of the gospel. Four features in the gospel have made it a blessing to the world. 1. It u a gospel of love and mercy. This was a new message to the world. What a contrast to the cruel gods of heathenism is the merciful God whom the gospel proclaims! 2. It is a gospel of salvation. It not only shows us the evil of sin and the guilt of it, but it tells us of a Saviour. Here is its transcendent superiority over the best of the heathen religions. Not only so, but the Saviour of whom it speaks is a Divine Saviour. He is able to save to the utter- most all who come unto God through him. 3. It u a gospel of everlasting life. What hopes it opens up I What a stimulus it gives us to exertion to remember that they that are faithful unto death shall receive the crown of life that fadeth not a.way! It teaches us that this life is eternal in its consequence~, and thus exercises a purifying and elevating influence upon the lives of men. What comfort it brings to the bereaved to know that the grave does not end all, but that there is another and a better life beyond! The hope of the a,,crnostic has recently been expressed in a popular novel, 'John Ward, Preacher.' The heroine expresses her hope for the futnre by;speaking of it as "an eternal sleep." Where is the stimulus to exertion there? Where is there any comfort for the bereaved? When death is drawing nigh, the dying Christian and those who are to be left behind can appreciate the blessing of that !!:ospel which has bronght life and immortality to light. 4. lt u a gospel, of light and guidanre. It points out to us the path of duty. It gives us not only wise precepts, bat the personal ex.ample of the Lord Jesus Christ. Here also it transcends all human systems of religion and morality. The best of human teachers have not been free from imperfection and sin. Christ alone can truly say," I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life." He alone has the right to say to us-a right vindicated not only by his Divine authority, but by bis perfect character-" Follow me." The influence of Jesus Christ and his ex.ample is one of the most precious blessings of the gospel. In the year 1876 the centennial of the United States was celebrated. General Grant was then president. The editors of the Sunday School Times wrote to him, requesting him to give them a message for children and youth in their centennial number. In his reply he said, " My advice to Sundoy schools, no matter of what denomination, is-Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet-anchor of your liberties, write its preCffPts on your hearts, and practise the:m in yowr lives. To the influence of this book are we indebted for all the progress made in true civilization, and to this we must look as our guide in the future." He, too, had confidence in the gospel, and in the blessings which it brings to the individual. and the nation. II. Hrs 0ONll'IDENCE IN TlIE CHRISTIAN'S POWEB TO COMMUNICATE THIS BLESSING. The apostle's words express not only his belief in the blessing of the gospel, but also his confidence tho.t he onn and will communicate that blessing. " I am sure that, when I oome to you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ." And yot it w111 not a confidence in self, in his own leMning or eloquence. It was a  THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO 'l'll~ HOMANS. (cu. xv.1-88