Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled… How anxious the apostle was in all his letters to convince believers in Christ that their position was absolutely secure. The text suggests the following train of thought. I. THE SAD STATE INTO WHICH SIN HAS DEGRADED MAN. "We were enemies." Not simply godless and careless, but rebels against God. Hence the heinousness of sin. The carnal mind is enmity against the holiest and best of Beings, and implies alienation, guilt, condemnation, and if persisted in — death. II. THE HAPPY CONDITION INTO WHICH GRACE ELEVATES MAN. "Reconciled to God." 1. The exhibition of Divine love, in the sacrifice of Calvary, draws men to God, because there is proclaimed how deep, sincere, and pitiful He is, against whom sinners have revolted; how ready He is to forgive and save. 2. To be reconciled to God is not only to be pardoned, but to be admitted into fellowship with Him; to be in harmony with His will and purposes; to acquiesce in the dispensations of Providence. 3. What honour in such a state of oneness with the Almighty. Reconciled to Him we — (1) Walk with Him. (2) Talk to Him and He to us. (3) Work with and for Him. (4) Become like Him. (5) Become prepared to be forever with Him. III. THE DIVINE MEANS BY WHICH THAT GREAT CHANGE IS EFFECTED. "By the death of His Son." The voices of nature call us to grateful acknowledgment of the great and good Creator; but the loudest and sweetest tones come from Calvary. By the death of God's dear Son, we see — 1. The exceeding sinfulness of sin. 2. The ineffable love of God. Not that He loved His friends, but His foes. 3. The substitutionary character of the Redeemer's offering. IV. THE IMMOVABLE BASIS UPON WHICH WE MAY REST OUR HOPE OF COMPLETE SALVATION. "Much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." The death of Christ was not merely to save us from the consequences of sin, but from the love and practice of it. The love of Christ was seen in His life as well as in His death; and we are saved from sin by — 1. His exemplary earthly life. We may attain to the highest life by imitating Him, and in proportion as we become like Him do we please God. 2. His exalted heavenly life. He lives to see the purposes of redemption fulfilled, to dispense the gifts His atoning death procured. No wonder the apostle staked all on the resurrection of Christ. If we cannot look up to a risen and reigning Redeemer, then our preaching and faith are vain, we are yet in our sins. (F. W. Brown.) 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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