Romans 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. I. WHAT IS THE RELIGION OF A TRUE CHRISTIAN? 1. It does not chiefly consist — (1) In any opinions which he may embrace, however scriptural and correct. (2) In any modes or forms of piety, however excellent. (3) In preserving an inoffensive and blameless conduct before men. (4) In what are termed good works, whether done to the bodies or souls of men. 2. But in being "in Christ," and having "Christ in him." These two phrases are not quite synonymous, yet they imply each other, and cannot be separated (John 14:20). (1) The former is used in Romans 8:1; Romans 16:7; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:14; Revelation 14:13. It implies — (a) Having an interest in Him, as a woman in her husband (Romans 7:4). (b) Union with Him, as a branch with the tree in which it grows. (c) Or a member with the head of the body to which it belongs. (2) The other implies that Christ is in us, as the leaven in the meal, the sap of the root in the branch, as the light of the sun in the air, as the heat of the fire in the coal or the iron. He is in us — (a) As our wisdom, enlightening us in the knowledge of God and ourselves, so as to produce repentance; and of Christ, so as to beget confidence (chap. Romans 15:12; Ephesians 1:12, 13) and love. (b) As our righteousness, producing justification, peace with God, and a hope of immortality. (c) As our sanctification, delivering us from the power, and, at length, from the whole influence of sin, consecrating us to God, and conforming us to His image. (d) As our redemption, that having redeemed our whole persons by price, He may rescue all by power. (3) Christ is thus "formed in us." On our part, by faith (John 17:20-23; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 3:17), and on the part of God by His Spirit (John 14:20; 1 John 3:24; Romans 8:8, 9). II. THIS RELIGION, AT PRESENT, PRODUCES NO MATERIAL CHANGE IN THE BODY, WHICH STILL REMAINS "DEAD BECAUSE OF SIN." 1. The body is under sentence to die (Galatians 3:19; Hebrews 9:27). (1) It is in its own nature mortal, having all the seeds of dissolution, bringing upon us old age and death, even if particular diseases should be escaped. (2) It is encompassed with infirmities and exposed to diseases. (3) It is a constant clog to the soul, impeding its motions and preventing its activity. Hence we "groan, being burdened" (2 Corinthians 5:4). 2. All this is because of sin; the sin of our first parents (Romans 5:12), being seminally one with them, or through the derivation of our nature from them, just as Levi paid tithes to Melchisedec in Abraham (Hebrews 7:9, 10); besides which we have committed actual sins, the wages of which are death (Romans 6:23). 3. Here we have the true reason why "the world knoweth us not" as being the children of God. They only judge by appearance, and hence they conclude that all that is said of Christians as having the Spirit of God, and being new creatures, is mere enthusiasm. For they have no idea of any spiritual change. III. THIS RELIGION PRODUCES A BLESSED CHANGE IN THE INNER MAN. "The Spirit is life because of righteousness," in which clause the opposition to the former is three fold: spirit is opposed to body, life to death, and righteousness to sin. 1. Man consists of a soul as well as a body, which soul will live when the body dies. 2. This spiritual part is by nature involved in moral death (Ephesians 2:1-5; Colossians 2:13), under wrath (Ephesians 4:18), and "carnally minded" (Romans 8:6). But by "Christ in it" it is made alive from this death (Romans 6:13). Christians live by Him, through His influence; to Him, in fulfilling His will; like Him, a wise, holy, useful, happy life. 3. This spiritual life they have "because of," or through, "righteousness" (John 20:31; John 6:53, 57; John 11:25, 26; Galatians 2:20). Through justifying righteousness they have the favour of God, through sanctifying righteousness they have the image of God; through practical righteousness, or obedience, they walk with God, and obtain more and more of a spiritual mind. Through the same righteousness they have eternal life. Through their justification they are entitled to it; through their sanctification they are tilted for it; through practical obedience they are in the way to it; and through faith (Hebrews 11:1) they have an earnest of it (John 6:47). Happiness is indeed the result of the whole. Justification, and the favour of God, bring peace, hope, and joy; sanctification brings deliverance from restless and distressing lusts and passions; practical righteousness brings the approbation of God, and the testimony of a good conscience. IV. THIS RELIGION WILL HEREAFTER PRODUCE, OR BE REWARDED WITH, A MOST IMPORTANT CHANGE, EVEN OF THE OUTWARD MAN. For "if the Spirit of Him that raised," etc. Not only is immortality implied, but this mortal body also shall be quickened. The bodies of all, indeed, will rise from their graves (John 5:28, 29), but the righteous only to what is worthy the name of life. For this we have Christ's promise (John 6:39-44, 54), of which we have pledges in His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:12-20) and His Spirit's indwelling. The mortal body shall be quickened. 1. That we may be judged in the body for "the deeds done in the body." 2. That the children of the great King, and the brethren and sisters of the Son of God, may not be found naked, but clothed with an external glory, exactly answering to, and perfectly descriptive of, their internal graces and virtues. 3. That we may be conformable to the Lord Jesus, in body as well as soul, and so fit to dwell with Him (1 Corinthians 15:47-49). 4. In honour of the Holy Spirit, whose temples our bodies now are. 5. That our triumph over Satan may be perfectly complete, no part of us being lost. 6. And with respect to all, that we may rise higher from the ruins of the fall than the state we had been in before (1 Corinthians 15:36-38, 42-44). (J. Benson.) Parallel Verses KJV: And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. |
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