Romans 7:5-6 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit to death.… 1. The great design of the gospel is to make men holy, in order to their becoming happy. 2. To this end Christ lived and died, "that He might redeem unto Himself a peculiar people." "If, therefore, the Son make us free, then shall we be free indeed." Of this freedom my text speaks. The nature and extent of this privilege will appear when viewed in contrast with our state of sin (ver. 5), the misery of which consists in the reigning, the condemning, and the irritating power of sin. Now "from all these things we are delivered; from the reigning power by the law of the spirit of life in Jesus Christ; from its condemning power by the obedience and death of Christ; from its irritating power in some good measure already, and we shall ere long obtain a perfect and everlasting deliverance." 3. Now the end of our being thus delivered is that our obedience should bear some good proportion to our new state, principles, and privileges. "As ye have received a new spirit out of Christ's fulness, let it be your daily labour and pursuit not only to observe the outward letter requiring external obedience to God, but in a spiritual manner" (Romans 2:29). Learn, hence — I. THAT DELIVERANCE OUT OF THE STATE OF NATURE, FROM UNDER THE POWER OF SIN, AND THE RIGOUR OF THE LAW, IS AN UNSPEAKABLE BLESSING. 1. Herein is freedom from the law of death. It is a law of death, as it commands obedience, but gives no strength for obedience; as it curseth for disobedience, yet, through the corruption of our nature, becomes the occasion of sin, and so brings upon the sinner condemnation. 2. When does this commence? Although the purpose was from everlasting, and takes its rise from the free love of the Father, yet the actual bestowment of this privilege is upon believing: when by the Spirit of grace they become dead to the law by the body of Christ. II. THAT DELIVERANCE FROM THE LAW IS A POWERFUL MOTIVE, AND A SPECIAL MEANS OF GOSPEL OBEDIENCE, IN ALL THEM THAT BELIEVE. 1. It is a powerful motive. (1) In general, all our deliverances, whether from sin, from dangers, or from death, are to be viewed as fresh obligations to serve the Lord. This is the grand argument constantly used in the Divine word. The goodness of God should lead to repentance. Distinguishing mercies are special claims of God for new obedience (Exodus 20:2, 3; John 8:14; Ezra 9:13, 14; Psalm 103:1-4, 116). (2) But what shall we say of that great special mercy, which is the glory of the gospel (Romans 8:32; John 3:16; Romans 12:1). Our obedience unto God is never more pleasing to Him than when it flows from this noble principle. 2. It is a special means of gospel obedience. (1) As it removes all hindrances. How can the soul act for God, that is dead in trespasses and sin? It must first live before it can act; but this deliverance includes in it spiritual life. The soul, in its natural state, is not only dead in its moral powers, but also in law, being under the curse; how then can it do anything truly pleasing, or acceptable unto God? Can such an one love God? rather is his heart full of enmity against Him. (2) As it qualifies the soul for spiritual services. It may be said of every natural man, that he has no heart suited to the duties of religion (Deuteronomy 29:4). But in order to prepare them for His service the Lord promises a new heart and a new spirit, etc. (Ezekiel 36:25-27). (3) As it animates to all evangelical obedience. It is not only the life, but also the spring of action (2 Corinthians 5:14). III. THAT TO SERVE GOD, IN NEWNESS OF SPIRIT, AND NOT IN THE OLDNESS OF THE LETTER, IS THE DISTINGUISHING PRIVILEGE OF THOSE WHO ARE DELIVERED FROM THE LAW. 1. They serve God. They not only profess themselves to be His servants, but they do serve Him. It is their delight so to do, and they are grieved when they are taken off from His service. They serve Him in the duties of public and social worship, in their secret devotions, in their daily callings; they serve Him always and at all times; in their afflictions, by a cheerful submission; in their enjoyments, by improving them to His glory (1 Corinthians 10:3). 2. They serve God, not in the oldness of the letter. What the letter of the law is may be learnt by consulting the doctrine of the Scribes and Pharisees of old (Matthew 5.), together with the antidote given us by Christ Himself. We may also find much the same doctrine maintained by the Church of Rome. But why blame the Pharisees and Papists? Alas! how often have we condemned their sin, and yet have been guilty of the same folly! 3. They serve Him in newness of spirit, or with a new spirit. They cannot satisfy themselves merely with external service, lip labour, or a lifeless profession. They well know that God is a spirit, and they that worship Him must do it in spirit and in truth; that their worship must not only be real, in opposition to hypocrisy, but spiritual, in opposition to all that is carnal and corrupt. In a word, it must be suited to their new state (Philippians 3:3). IV. THAT NEW OBEDIENCE, OR TRUE HOLINESS, IS THE WORK OF GOD'S FREE SPIRIT. "I will put My Spirit within you." (J. Stafford.) Parallel Verses KJV: For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. |
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