Rom. 5
The first part of this chapter unfolds our present portion, and then the end of the chapter shows the ground on which we can boast of this standing. We have peace: we stand. in grace, and are rejoicing in hope of the glory. Peace as to what concerned the old nature-favor as to present relationship, and we can rejoice in certain things in hope of the glory to come, and in tribulations by the way. They make the hope the brighter and things clearer along the road; and another thing of joy on the road is, " joy in God," in God Himself. The spring of all is grace reigning, and the foundation of all is " the obedience of One."
Look first at what the christian state is. Here we see how little real Christians have got hold of this-how little their state is a settled, defined thing. The portion of the Christian is peace: it is a settled thing. He is justified as to all the evil and t) sin that requires this justification. Then, as to our relationship with God, it is grace (that is the fountain, too); but if I ever think of God, it is peace as to the past-that is negative; and the present standing is grace-favor. Then, as to the future, I have nothing to look forward to but glory. I do not hope for righteousness; I do not hope for life; I do not hope for peace-I have all this; but I hope for glory, that I have not yet. The hope of glory-that is the key to everything. I may have tribulations-plenty, perhaps; but "tribulation worketh patience, patience experience, and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God" not only is proved in the gift of His Son, but is brought into me by the Holy Ghost: we have the joy of it by the Spirit in us. God's LOVE is shed abroad in our hearts: I know His love, delight in His love, lean on His love. Then I can rejoice in tribulations.
And we not only can rejoice in what He has given-peace, grace, hope; but we can delight in Himself. Every day I get tokens of this love; but to delight in Himself is the best thing. Then can go on, even counting the tribulations by the way greater prize than the blessings.
Do you think the purpose of God, and the blessed Son spent on us, and the Holy Ghost sent down, is to have no result? Are we to be left uncertain whether God loves us or not? Has the light come to leave us in the dark? No: it is never His purpose to leave a heart uncertain as to its relationship with Himself. No heart would have right affections without a knowledge of its relationships. A child brought into a house, not knowing whether those it is brought to are its parents or not, has not the affections of a child toward them. A soul born of God, but not knowing its relationship, cannot have the play of holy affections proper to it.
" Sin has reigned unto death." It has been master of the scene. All have departed from God, intellectually and otherwise. Bring God in where men are enjoying themselves, and what enjoyment of God would they find? Sin is reigning; man's will is away from God. Man has turned his back on God. There is not one thing in man's moral nature that does not shut out God. Does conscience help the will? No: conscience never brings a man to God; it drives him away. " Sin reigns unto death." What is to be done? Confess you are what you are. Confess that you are slaves to it. You cannot hide it from God: do not hide it from yourselves. Notice the contrast of sin reigning: it is not righteousness reigning, but grace reigning. There is one who is above the sin, and that is God. He is above it in love: that is what grace is-having to do with sin, but being above it-that which can love, though perfectly holy, because above the sin.
That was first manifested in the Son coming into the world. Sin was complete when He came, and that was the reason He came. Because man had no power to get out of it, Christ came to take him out. Where do I learn that " God is love?" I know it in the consciousness of my sins being put away. You say, " I cannot get out of them." Christ came to take you out. You say, " I am defiled by sin." " That is the reason I came," says the Lord. No man can be a truthful man but the believer in grace_ Then is God content to have him in his sins? No. " Grace reigns through righteousness." " He was made sin for us." God has dealt with the sin that is pressing on my conscience, and the sin is perfectly put away through the cross. If I look at my sins, I look at the cross; if I look at my position before God, I look at Him who is taken into God's presence; " through the obedience of one many are made righteous." You must be content to say, in me is no good thing; no righteousness in us.