THERE are truths unfolded in the earlier pages of this grand epistle that bring profound relief to the believing soul long before our text is reached. But when we do reach it, not only is the mist rolled away, but we seem to pass into the warmth and glow and sunshine of a glorious summer day. Here love is mentioned for the first time in the epistle — the love of God — and this love is shed abroad in the believer’s heart. The righteousness of God we read about in chapter three, and a grand thing it is — a righteousness which is our friend and not our foe, which justifies and does not condemn. Still it is cold. Then peace with God is spoken of in the first verse of chapter five, and when the soul knows the meaning of that, it finds itself set free from the reproaches of a guilty conscience and from the frowns of a Law whose commands have not been kept. Still the atmosphere is chilly, though no clouds darken the sky. But when we proceed a few steps further, lo! the love of God pours its bright beams around us, warming us within, gladdening the heart and making the tongue — long dumb — break forth in songs of praise.
It is the love of God that brings all this to pass. Let us understand it well. For some commentators expound the passage as though the Apostle spake of our love to God, and not of His to us. Now, while it is sweetly true that we have learned to love Him — “we love Him, because He first loved us”— yet this is not its meaning, as the context plainly shows. No, not our love to God, but God’s love to us — His own love — is what is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost given unto us. In many precious passages of Scripture we read about the love of God. They bear witness to it, and their witness we joyfully receive. But here the love we read about is shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Spirit given unto us. It becomes an inward reality — known believed, and enjoyed.
Notice the terms used to describe the former state of those into whose hearts the love of God has been poured. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Without strength! helpless as the paralytic whom his four friends carried on his couch to the Lord. Without strength to fulfill the Law’s demands; holy, just, and good as they surely were. Helpless as the man who fell among thieves, who, having robbed him of everything, left him wounded and dying by the roadside. Such was the plight into which sin had brought us, and from which we had no strength to liberate ourselves, even if we had had the wish.
But was it only weakness we were suffering from? Alas! no. We were ungodly. Of old it had been said that “the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for Himself” Psalms 4:33But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him. (Psalm 4:3)). But a word like that affords us no hope. It blows out our candle and leaves us in utter darkness and despair. It was when we were in that state — ungodly — that Christ died for us. How wonderful that it should be so! And how great must have been the love that led God not to spare His own Son, but to give Him up for our sakes!
“Oh, for this love let rocks and hills
Their lasting silence break!”
This is the love which, like the fragrance of flowers is shed abroad in our hearts.
Very strikingly and beautifully does the Apostle argue the matter further in the verses that follow. Have you ever noticed it? Let me quote his words: “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” It is indeed astonishing that He should have loved us so much seeing there was nothing in us on which His love could rest with pleasure and complacency. In human love it is otherwise. If it be almost beyond belief that anyone would be willing to die for a righteous man, still righteousness is there. If for a good man some would even dare to die, still goodness is there. In each case there is a cause. But in us there was none. Search and see if one righteous man can be found among earth’s fairest millions. The answer is: “There is none righteous, no, not one.” Search and see if one good man can be found. The answer is the same: “There is none that doeth good, no, not one.” And yet God loved us! And His love brings with it this peculiar commendation, that when we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Such is the love which we have believed, such is the love poured into the believer’s heart.
“Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my life, my soul, my all.”
In verse 10 another word is added which casts a darker, deadlier shade upon our former state — “We were enemies.” There was activity in evil, a will opposed to God’s, a hatred of Himself. That God’s own Son should have been given to die for such, invests God’s love with a beauty that is all its own. It is by that death that we have been reconciled to God — not only forgiven, but reconciled. The enmity is gone, and in the affections that belong to a new creation the believer has been brought into harmony with the Divine mind. As in the case of the prodigal — forgiven, clothed with the best robe with ring and shoes — he was at home in the house of his father. Reconciled indeed, and everything not in keeping with the place into which he was brought gone forever. So with us.
Well might the Apostle conclude this section of the epistle with the words: “Not only so, but we joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the reconciliation.” God becomes the joy and boast of our soul. How great the redemption that makes this possible, how complete the reconciliation that brings it all to pass! What an undoing of Satan’s work! What a triumph of grace, abounding over all our sin!
Reader, think us not overbold if we take it upon ourselves to ask whether you have tasted this amazing love. It is the joy and resting-place of your heart? Perhaps you are sometimes overwhelmed by the feeling of your own unworthiness and of your many short-comings. He knows them all. But remember that His love was manifested tard us when we were at our worst — sinners, ungodly, enemies without strength. Oh! do not Jet us doubt a love so wonderful — a love that not only seeks to remove every burden, but to bless us with all that love can give. To disbelieve that love because we judge ourselves unworthy of it is indeed but pride, though it clothes itself with the garments of humility. Worthiness we have not, nor shall ever have. That God should love unworthy ones, and seek their everlasting good at such a cost to Himself, would be beyond belief did not His own Word declare it. Here faith finds its warrant. The mouth of the Lord hath spoken of it, and we can but believe, rejoice, and adore.
“Not what I am, O Lord, but what Thou art!
That, that alone can be my soul’s true rest;
Thy love, not mine, bids fear and doubt depart
And stills the tempest of my tossing breast.
“Thy, Name is Love! I hear it from you cross;
Thy Name is Love! I read it in you tomb;
All meaner love is perishable dross,
But this shall light me through time’s thickest gloom.
“It blesses now, and shall forever bless;
It saves me now, and shall forever save;
It holds me up in days of helplessness,
And bears me safely o’er each swelling wave.
“‘Tis what I know of Thee, my Lord and God,
That fills my soul with peace, my lips with song;
Thou art my health, my joy, my staff, my rod,
Leaning on Thee, in weakness I am strong.”
W. B.
Someone said to a Reformer, “The whole world is against you.” He calmly replied, “Then I am against the whole world!”
We are afraid of being desperate Christians. Oh, let us be desperate! The Church needs extremity — a great tug out of the world.
A weak palsied hand may receive a strong Christ.