SUBJ: The basis of our confidence
as it is revealed in the accomplishment of the death of Christ for us
and the things that proceed from being justified by His blood.
AIM: That we might reflect on the
precious aspects of our standing before God and so participate in the
joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
INTR: We are constrained by the
Word of God to think on the work of Christ and the justification that is
applied to our souls by God-given faith. This faith brings us always to
consider the cross and the legal manner is which we are justified and
that by the blood of Christ. 1. We are privileged to know the peace
that we have with God by virtue of the reconciliation made sure in the
suffering of Christ our Lord. 2. We are reminded in all this that it
is all of grace and that we are passive in the accomplishment of our
deliverance from sin and its consequence. 3. We are made to rejoice
as we learn of that, but of all that comes to us as a result of this
wondrous work of grace.
THESIS:
Nothing remains stationary in the life of a believer. Standing firm on
the foundation of Christ our Lord we appropriate the blessedness of
being justified and having continual application of the same in our
hearts and minds. We would look first at the commendation of the love of
God to us and then to the compounding of grace to us.
I. The love
of God commended (vv. 6-8) 1. The plain declaration of fact
concerning us and the death of Christ (v. 6) 1) It is first to note
our condition as being without strength to: i. To present an
acceptable righteousness or even to will to do so ii. To offer an
acceptable sacrifice for sins past or iii. To live in an acceptable
way which would require us to change our nature. 2) That fact is
further confirmed as to for whom Christ died – the ungodly! 3) And
so, in the fulness of time Christ came and died for them. 2. The
words of verse 7, are given to demonstrate the matchless sacrifice of
Christ for those who are constituted as rebels against Him 1)
Unlikely that one would die for the self-righteous person such as the
Pharisees 2) Possible that one might die for one who was known for
doing good things even though not in Christ. 3. But, the love of God
reaches into the depths of ruined humanity and by sending His Son 1)
And we, who know the Lord, are those of whom he speaks as 2) Those
who were in every way made up just like the children of wrath!
II. The compounding of grace (vv. 9-11) 1. We again encounter the
phrase “much more” (see verse 3 and “not only so”). V. 9 2. With
these words the Apostle intensifies our awareness of what justification
does. 1) Being justified by His blood – the difference is the legal
settlement and our receiving it unto ourselves by faith. 2) The
unshakeable foundation from which we proceed: “Saved by the blood of the
crucified One.” Our confidence arises from knowing that He died for me
personally. 3) That we shall be saved from wrath – noting the
certainty of its coming because of what we see on Christ i. Are we
not horrified at seeing the agony of Christ and ii. Do we not
further cringe as we realize that this for us iii. And that those
outside of Christ are the objects of that future wrath: If he turn not,
he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. Psalms
7:12 iv. It was aimed at me but landed in Christ! 3. Much more,
being reconciled (v. 10) (not God to us, but us to Him as a matter of
consititution). 1) That is having been brought to Him through
repentance and faith 2) Having submitted fully to His sovereignty
asserting no rights of our own 3) Having been found in full surrender
to His will and purpose by the operations of faith in us and the life of
Christ whereby we live and that we love Him and His righteousness. 4)
We are thus saved by His life: i. Not I, but Christ liveth in me.
ii. Thus, accepted in the beloved iii. By His continuing to live –
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto
God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews
7:25 4. And not only so (v. 11) – Still more! 1) We might be
expected to sit quietly in the realization that we are the products of
divine pity, but He will not have it to be so 2) The work of grace in
us is the triumph of God over sin and that which we are made to be is to
His honor and glory. 3) It is in this way that Christ is glorified
and we are brought to celebrate with Him i. This is more than joy at
not going to hell ii. It is the joy of being in the presence of God
and full identity with Christ our Lord. 4) And we have received the
atonement (reconciliation) i. To experience being loved of the Lord –
“Jesus loves me this I know…” is profound ii. The blessed estate of
being assured – “the word of reconciliation.” iii. The delight of
serving the Lord – “His delight is in the Law of the Lord.” iv.
Accepted – from contemptible to royalty in Christ.
|