It is most interesting to observe how exactly the Apostle Paul takes up the gospel as it was promised by the prophets. The passages already quoted from the latter, are sufficient for our present purpose; such as, " My righteousness is near. My salvation is near to come: and my righteousness to be revealed." Nothing can be clearer than that these, and all such passages, do not refer to the covenant of Sinai. They are full of the spirit of grace-the grace that announces the righteousness of God in the salvation of the sinner through faith. Both the righteousness and the salvation are directly from God Himself. But we have not now to suppose what may be their true meaning. The apostle tells us that he is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, "for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." Here we have salvation, and righteousness revealed, as spoken of in the Jewish scriptures. The same line of truth, which has for its foundation the death and resurrection of Christ, frequently occurs throughout the writings of Paul, but especially in his Epistle to the Romans.
The expression "from faith to faith" means, on the principle of faith, in contrast with the principle of law. This, we may say, characterized the apostle's mission. " By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name." (Ver. 5.) Obedience to the faith, evidently, is in contrast with obedience to the law, as the way of blessing. The name of Christ is now the grand object of faith, and the rule of the believer's life. The power, value, and authority of the Name of Jesus, have also great prominence in the preaching of Peter in the early chapters of the Acts of the Apostles. There, too, the burden of the preacher, is the death, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord Jesus. All who had faith then, and since, and who have it now, are associated with the risen Christ, and are partakers of the blessings of the gospel of God. But on the other hand, it is said, that the wrath of God is revealed against all who refuse obedience to the name of Jesus, whether they be ungodly Gentiles or unrighteous Jews. All is now seen to be " of God," whether it be the gospel, salvation, righteousness, or wrath. We are said to be justified by God, not merely before Him. And, " who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect r And again, " If God be for us, who can be against us?" This is a great feature of the Epistle to the Romans. God is seen in the foreground, and everything is spoken of as coming from Him.
Man is thus brought, by faith, into the possession of salvation, without adding anything to it. It remains wholly and entirely the salvation of God. And what a mercy it is so! We are saved according to the thoughts of God. All is of God. " Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith." (Rom. 3:2727Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. (Romans 3:27).) How perfectly simple the demands-how eternally glorious the results, of the gospel of the grace of God!
Let us dwell on this thought for a moment. It is worthy of our closest study. The sin-stricken heart bows at the feet of Jesus. The truth of the gospel has been acting upon his heart in the power of the Holy Ghost. He is convinced of sin, and fears its consequences; he flees for refuge to the blood of Jesus. What can be more simple, or, in a certain sense, more natural? It is simply fleeing from imminent danger. But there God meets the sinner-meets him in His own goodness. And now, what must the results be? Who can speak of the blessing he receives? God's heart in its depths of goodness is its measure. That which is due to Christ is made over to the believer, by God Himself, and sealed with the Holy Ghost. " It is God that justifieth." He acts from Himself, and worthy of Himself. The blood of Christ is on the mercy-seat, and He is free to bless the child of faith according to His infinite grace. Every soul that honors that blood, is blessed according to its value in God's sight. Therefore, the blessing is infinite; and we can only think of it, and speak of it, as nothing short of that which is due to Him, who shed His blood for God's glory, and man's redemption.
This, dear reader, is the gospel of God-the righteousness of God. Christ so revealed and magnified God by His great work on the cross, and in the whole path of His perfect, blessed obedience up to the cross, that He made Him, as it were, His debtor. Hence the fullness, freeness, and delight of the Father's heart, to bless all who honor His Son. This is His grand purpose in the gospel-the honor of His Son. (Psa. 89,; Matt. 22:1-141And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:1‑14).) He knows not, we may say, how much to make of those who honor His Son. This is His love. But God also speaks of this as His righteousness, or His faithfulness to Christ.
What a light, we may exclaim, this great truth sheds on the work of Christ! What a glory it unfolds, as due to the risen Christ, and to all who are associated with Him. What perfect blessedness-what perfect happiness! Who would not love, trust, and worship the name of Jesus! The heart is filled with a peace that passeth all understanding. It is perfect rest. Numberless passages in the New Testament, and in the Old, too, are made plain in the light of this precious truth. The Bible becomes a new book. Take the following as an example of what we mean. " But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." " For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." " For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, to every one that believeth." " Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference." 1 Cor. 1:3030But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30) Cor. 5:21; Rom. 10:4; 3:224For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Romans 10:4)
22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (Romans 3:22).
Truly, we may say, this is a glorious gospel-the good news of the glory, and of the righteousness of God! What a privilege to be called of God to preach it! Surely, anything but great plainness of speech, singleness of purpose, and earnestness of heart, in preaching such a gospel, must be wrong-must be a mockery of the sinner's condition, and an injury to the grace and truth of God. But, alas! preachers are sometimes tempted to think of themselves. There is the temptation to try how nicely the discourse can be arranged, how well delivered, how successful in arresting the attention of the audience, as with power; but all the while, the poor outside sinner, standing on the slippery brink of hell, is not singled out, or a word spoken directly to himself. He goes away as ignorant of the way of salvation as he came. It has been all too high, or unsuited for his state of mind Oh, what must the responsibility of the preacher be! Who can estimate the results of even one occasion of preaching the gospel! It is always a question of life or death, of heaven or hell. " For we are unto God," says the apostle, " a sweet savor of Christ in them that are saved, and in them that perish. To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life." 2 Cor. 2:15, 1615For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? (2 Corinthians 2:15‑16).
We all know how deeply a congregation may be moved by an earnest heart, and how each one may be reached, even when comparatively little truth is unfolded. Its power must be felt. In illustration of this fact, we may refer to a scene which took place last winter, though it does not, strictly speaking, touch the province of preaching.
A very rough-living mechanic was obliged to drop work, and take to his bed. His constitution gave way under his course of life, though a young man. The Lord blessed the continued visits of christian friends. He became a completely changed man, and thoroughly happy in the Lord. Shortly before he died, he began to feel a great desire to speak to all his old shopmates, and associates in sin. It was not expected that he would live out the day, and as he was so weak, he was advised not to think of it. But no, he felt as if he could not die in peace until he had warned them of their danger. His desire was sent to the shop, and several came. But what a scene-what emotion, now that they are face to face! The dying man was partly raised up from his pillow. His own pallid cheek, sunken eyes, and want of breath, greatly affected the men. Fixing his eyes on an old familiar face, and with wonderful energy he said, in something like the following words, " Harry, you are to meet me in heaven-I am going to heaven-but, if you are to meet me in heaven, Harry, you must believe on Jesus now. Jesus died for us. We must believe in Him." This was about the extent of his address; but, with a little rest between, he appealed to each of the men by name, praying and beseeching them, with great fervor and agony of spirit, to give up their sinful ways, believe on Jesus now, and meet him in heaven at last. Soon after this exertion he fell asleep in Jesus, an example of sovereign grace; ere long to arise and shine on the plains of glory, as an eternal monument of plain speaking to a plain man.
We forget how ignorant the natural man is of spiritual things, and how difficult it is to make him understand the plainest facts, or feel concerned in view of the most fearful results. Though all alive to that which is earthly, he is dead to that which is heavenly. Who has not felt the difficulty-the heart-breaking difficulty-of getting the heart of man to believe in the all-sufficiency of the work of Christ. Nevertheless, it is worth all pains and labor to win a soul for Him-to become a fool for Christ, if the great end can be gained. But whichever way it ends, such is the plainness and fullness of the testimony to God's grace, that all who hear it must be left without excuse. They are responsible. They can no longer occupy a middle place. Henceforth, each one must stand before God, either as a receiver, or a rejecter, of Christ.