Buried and risen with Christ.
Attaching to almost all privileges and blessings there are dangerous possibilities of abuse. So with the blessed doctrine of justification by faith, which has been so largely dwelt on hitherto. So especially with that aspect of it just referred to (Romans 5:20). How readily the question might spring to the lip, "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" But how readily, from every Christian heart, would spring the response, "God forbid! How shall we?" This answer amplified in the following verses: The relation of the believer, through the death and resurrection of Christ, to sin and holiness.
I. THE DEATH.
1. The relation of the death of Christ to sin. Two elements entering into the atoning work of Christ, each of which, in its bearings, must be distinguished from the other—the Divine, and the human.
(a) Divinely: condemnation for ever;
(b) humanly: expiation for ever.
(a) Divinely: stamp of condemnation; the thing which has brought guilt that must be expiated by death, is by that very death a branded thing;
(b) humanly: renunciation and conflict; the thing which is branded, in the atonement, on the part of God, is forsworn on the part of man.
2. Our relation through the death of Christ to sin. A natural identification of Christ with us, as federal Head of the race; and a spiritual—this latter of voluntary, sympathetic oneness. So a corresponding identification of ourselves with Christ: natural and spiritual. This latter, by faith; the spiritual analogue corresponding with the historical fact, or, in other words, our voluntary spiritual sympathy with Christ's own work.
(a) Acquiescence in the condemnation: every mouth stopped;
(b) acquiescence in the. expiation: for me!
(a) A thing condemned of God: so we regard it henceforth, as bearing a stigma of evil;
(b) a thing forsworn by us: so we regard it henceforth; perpetual war.
Therefore our faith in Christ not merely gives us pardon and peace with God, but commits us too a stern and uncompromising battle with all that is opposed to God. "Ye see your calling, brethren!" Your very baptism is your pledge to wage such warfare.
II. THE LIFE.
1. The relation of the life of Christ to God. Two elements entering into the resurrection-life of Christ: raised by God, raised as Man.
(a) Divinely: the accepted sacrifice; "through the glory of the Father;"
(b) humanly: from darkness into light; "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?" (Luke 24:26).
(a) Divinely: God could not suffer his Holy One to see corruption; "having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:33);
(b) humanly: "he liveth unto God;" for us.
2. Our relation through the life of Christ to God. Identification as before—potential for all, actual through faith.
(a) Acquiescence in the approval: gratitude;
(b) acquiescence in the joy: for me!
(a) A life claimed by God: henceforth we bear these "marks;"
(b) a life yielded to God: "the likeness of his resurrection."
So our faith in Christ has regard, not only negatively to sin, but positively to God. We are his; freemen in Christ; risen ones!
"Reckon ye" this! The potential fact will but aggravate our condemnation and our woe, if it be not actualized through faith. Enter into spiritual sympathy with the work of the Redeemer; be dead to the past, be alive to all the glorious future of an immortality in God.—T.F.L.