Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled… Mankind, in all ages, have been prone to extremes. If we reject the doctrine of infallible perseverance, which has no foundation in Scripture, and has a tendency to lull asleep in carnal security, there is danger lest we conceive that the continuance and final salvation of God's people is a matter of uncertainty. The consequence is, that some, who might otherwise go on comfortably in the ways of God, are enervated and cast down, while their dejection and sorrow is very discouraging to others. To offer a preventative I have chosen this passage, from which I would observe — I. OF WHOM THE APOSTLE HERE SPEAKS. The context shows he does not speak of mankind in general — or of mere nominal Christians — but of those who have obtained peace with God through Christ. II. THE STATE SUCH WERE IN WHEN THE GRACE OF GOD FOUND THEM. 1. They were "without strength" (ver. 6), and without ability to recover themselves; ignorant, and without ability to enlighten themselves; guilty, depraved, and wretched, and without strength to expiate their guilt, change their depraved nature, or remove their miseries. 2. But did they not deserve that God should help and save them? No; for they were "ungodly" (ver. 6), devoid of the knowledge, fear, love, favour, image, and enjoyment of God (Romans 3:10, 11). 3. They not only had no merit, but they had demerit, for they were "sinners" (ver. 8). 4. Nay, they were "enemies" (ver. 10), to God's nature and attributes, to His will, word, and ways, manifested by the carnal mind, their disobedience to, or rebellion against His laws, their fretfulness and murmuring against His dispensations. III. WHAT GOD HAS ALREADY DONE FOR THEM. He has given His Son (see vers. 6-8). And consider — 1. His dignity (John 1:1; Colossians 1:13-17; Hebrews 1:2), and His dearness to His Father, whom the Father gave to die. 2. The unworthiness of the persons for whom He suffered; how this demonstrates God's love, as they were enemies, etc. He has justified them by Christ's death, reconciled them to Himself, and united their hearts in love to Him. And this He has done on the most easy condition, viz., repentance and faith. IV. THE GROUND HEREBY LAID FOR HOPING THAT HE WILL DO ALL THAT REMAINS TO BE DONE. "We shall be saved by His life" — that is, sanctified and glorified. The solidity of our hope in this respect will appear from three particulars. 1. From what He has done already. The incarnation, life, sufferings, death, resurrection, etc., of God's Son, have afforded much greater displays of Divine wisdom, power, and love, than any other that can possibly be made. To save the lost, to reconcile the enemy, to heal the sick, to raise the dead, were greater and more difficult than to guard the found, to preserve the friendly, to keep in health the restored, to sustain the life of the quickened and revived, and to save to the uttermost. 2. From the situation of the person from whom this remaining good is to be done. If not less weak, unworthy, and guilty than they were before, yet they are better disposed, and less opposed to the work to be done in them and for them. Therefore there is less obstruction in the way. 3. From the nature of the means employed to do it. If, when enemies, we were reconciled by the death of God's Son, much easier is it that when made His friends we should be preserved and saved to the uttermost by His life. For life is more powerful than death; especially life after death; life for evermore. (Joseph Benson.) Parallel Verses KJV: For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. |
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