Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled… I. IS THE SUBJECT OF A GREAT MORAL CHANGE IN HIS RELATION TO GOD. All were once "enemies to God." The language presents to us two facts — 1. The most terrible condition in which it is possible to conceive a moral creature. "Enemies to God." The fact that men are not conscious of this is no proof that it does not exist. Emotion often settles down into a principle of action too regular to become a matter of consciousness. The father's love, which in its first stage was a warm emotion, in the course of years becomes a principle of action, that rules the life and explains the conduct; and thought concentrated on the object, can at any time bring up this emotion. 1. There are facts which indicate a man's state of mind towards another. If, e.g., I find a man — (1) Habitually acting contrary to my well-known wishes. (2) Habitually ignoring and shunning those who are my avowed friends. (3) Associating with my determined opponents, he proves himself my enemy in each case. In such ways as these, sinful men demonstrate their enmity to God, whatever they may say. 2. But what a state is this to be in! (1) How ungrounded! "They hated Me without a cause." (2) How guilty! hating the infinitely Righteous and the infinitely Good. (3) How mad! a worm raising its head against the thunders of the universe. "Hast thou an arm like God?" etc. 2. A suggestion which serves to correct a theological error — that God was an enemy whose love had to be purchased, whereas it is quite the other way. II. HAS BEEN THUS CHANGED BY MEANS OF THE DEATH OF CHRIST. We were "reconciled to God by the death of His Son." How is enmity to be destroyed? There is only one way in which from the constitution of mind it is possible — by love. This God does by the death of Christ, which is — 1. The grandest effect of God's love. The universe is an effect of His love, but this is the grandest. 2. The mightiest demonstration of God's love. It is impossible for the human mind to conceive of anything more convincing. All arguments and facts bearing on this subject seem to concentrate in this. This is the great focal and ultimate exhaustive argument. 3. The special organ of God's love. The Cross is the great instrument of His Spirit, in convincing, converting, justifying, and sanctifying sinners. It is that by "which the world is crucified unto us," etc. III. THAT HE HAS BEEN THUS CHANGED BY CHRIST'S DEATH IS AN INVINCIBLE ARGUMENT THAT HIS SALVATION WILL BE COMPLETED. "Much more." The following thoughts may develop the force of Paul's a fortiori reasoning. 1. The most difficult part of the work has already been accomplished. Any power may destroy an enemy, but it requires the highest power to destroy enmity. The reconciler or peacemaker is the divinest character in the universe. This work has been done; what remains to be done is the development of this new affection. 2. This most difficult part of the work has been accomplished — (1) When you were in the most repulsive condition. Enemies repel us from acts of kindness. "Vengeance for enemies," says corrupt human nature. "Scarcely for a righteous man will one," etc. (2) By a dying Saviour; the remaining and easier part of the work, now we are in a more pleasing position, is accomplished by a living Saviour. (D. Thomas, D. D.) 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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