Justification an Effect of Faith. The proximate effect of this union, and, consequently, the sec- ond effect of faith, is justification. We are " justified by the faith of Christ." (Gal. ii. 16.) " There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." (Rom. viii. 1.) "He that believeth on him is not condemned." (John iii. 18.) Faith is the condition on which God promises in the covenant of redemption, to impute unto men the righteousness of Christ. As soon, therefore, as they believe, they cannot be condemned. They are clothed with a righteousness which an- swers all the demands of justice. "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect ? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth ? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Rom. viii. 33, 34.)
Participation of Christ's Life an Effect of Faith.
The third effect of faith, or of union with Christ, is a partici- pation of his life. Those united with Christ, the Apostle teaches (Rom. vi. 4-10), so as to be partakers of his death, are par- takers also of his life. " Because I live, ye shall live also." (John xiv. 19.) Christ dwells in our hearts by faith. (Eph. iii. 17.) Christ is in us. (Rom. viii. 10.) It is not we that live, but Christ liveth in us. (Gal. ii. 20.) Our Lord's illustra- tion of this vital union is derived from a vine and its branches. (John xv. 1-6.) As the life of the vine is diffused through the branches, and as they live only as connected with the vine, so the life of Christ is diffused through his people, and they are partakers of spiritual and eternal life, only in virtue of their union with Him. Another familiar illustration of this subject is derived from the human body. The members derive their life from the head, and perish if separated from it. (Eph. i. 22 ; 1 Cor. xii. 12-27, and often). In Ephesians iv. 15, 16, the Apostle carries out this illustration in detail. " The head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." As the prin- ciple of animal life located in the head, through the compli- cated yet ordered system of nerves extending to every member, diffuses life and energy through the whole body ; so the Holy
106 FART III. Ch. XVI. — FAITH.
Spirit, given without measure to Christ the head of the Church, which is his body, diffuses life and strength to every member. Hence, according to Scripture, Christ's dwelling in us is explained aB the Spirit's dwelling in us. The indwelling of the Spirit is the indwelling of Christ. If God be in you ; if Christ be in you ; if the Spirit be in you, — all mean the same thing. See Romans viii. 9-11.
To explain this vital and mystical union between Christ and his people as a mere union of thought and feeling, is utterly in- admissible. (1.) In the first place, it is contrary to the plain meaning of his words. No one ever speaks of Plato's dwelling in men ; of his being their life, so that without him they can do noth- ing ; and much less, so that holiness, happiness, and eternal life depend upon that union. (2.) Such interpretation supposes that our relation to Christ is analogous to the relation of one man to another. Whereas it is a relation between men and a divine per- son, who has life in Himself, and gives life to as many as He wills. (3.) It ignores all that the Scriptures teach of the work of the Holy Spirit and of his dwelling in the hearts of men. (4.) It overlooks the supernatural character of Christianity, and would reduce it to a mere philosophical and ethical system.
Peace as the Fruit of Faith, The fourth effect of faith is peace. " Being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom. v. 1.) Peace arises from a sense of reconciliation. God promises to pardon, to receive into his favour, and finally to save all who believe the record which He has given of his Son. To believe, is therefore to believe this promise ; and to appropriate this promise to ourselves is to believe that God is reconciled to us. This faith may be weak or strong. And the peace which flows from it may be tremulous and intermitting, or it may be constant and assured.
Assurance. To make assurance of personal salvation essential to faith, is contrary to Scripture and to the experience of God's people. The Bible speaks of a weak faith. It abounds with consolations in- tended for the doubting and the desponding. God accepts those who can only say, - Lord, I believe ; help thou mine unbelief." ihose who make assurance the essence of faith, generally reduce faith to a mere intellectual assent. They are often censorious, re-