The practical portion of the epistle to the Romans from the twelfth chapter to the end, is filled with most necessary and peculiarly helpful instructions as to the conduct of those who have entered into the precious truths which form the theme of the first portion of the book. It should always be remembered that the power for all consistent Christian conduct and the ability to enter into the application of certain spiritual truths to our own habits of thought, depends in great measure upon our having fully received, in the simplicity of faith, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, that wondrous unfolding of truth which must underlie all practical conduct.
We might almost define legalism as being not merely the attempt to observe the ten commandments, still less the ceremonial ordinances as laid down in the Mosaic ritual, but any effort to carry out practical instructions as to conduct without having the full knowledge of the grace which alone can enable for it. This is what makes the right apprehension of the grace of God so absolutely essential, and this is also what explains two things; on the one hand that carnal struggle after holiness and seeking to fulfil the requirements of God's will apart from Christ, and on the other, that feeble and unsteady walk which so often mars the profession of the truth. The first is legalism. The second is antinomianism. And both are equally removed from the simple path of faith which grows out of the knowledge of the grace of God in truth.
It is most significant, therefore, and should always turn us back to the earlier chapters, that it is the
latter part of Romans which has to do with the practical life. We need ever to be refreshed by and more fully established in the true grace of God. It is not merely the point from which we take our departure, for, thank God, we never depart from it. It is rather our furnishing for the whole way in the energy of which our walk will be a delight. Trials and difficulties will but invigorate the faith that draws its strength from the perennial streams of God's love and grace. The admonitions and correctives furnished by this practical portion will meet with a prompt response from hearts which have learned that there can be no stronger appeal to their love, gratitude and obedience than the mercies of God.
It is not our purpose to dwell in detail upon this practical portion, but simply to point out some of its more manifest subjects, suggesting, as they do, not only God's path for us, but the way by which alone we can walk in that path.
Chapter twelve shows how our obedience, as those who have learned the mercies of God is to apply to the entire life, to every moment of our time, to all our relationships. We are "in the body," and as long as there, everything is to be a living sacrifice to God. This is the reasonable service of those who have been redeemed. It is manifested in the activities of love and in the beauties of that grace which, delights to exhibit the same mercy to others that has been shown to itself.
Chapter thirteen passes from our individual to mutual relationships as Christians, to our position in the world; and here again obedience, sobriety, and regard to the needs of others are to mark us. We are, as children of the light, to be walking here as pilgrims and strangers, waiting for the dawning of that Morning Star, putting off all the works of darkness.
Chapter fourteen dwells upon the gentleness and consideration which should ever be exercised toward those who are weaker in the faith. Rigidity and harshness have no place in the hearts of those who know truly how all that is opposite to that has been shown to them. There will, therefore, be a most careful guarding against putting a stumbling-block before the weak, and a desire to glorify God in their care.
And so the epistle goes on, reaching its close in the sixteenth chapter with salutations from a heart filled with love to all the people of God and with warnings also against any who would subvert the saints from the simplicity of their faith in Christ. The sixteenth chapter is a most beautiful refutation of the thought that the study of doctrine dries up the soul. On the contrary, it furnishes the channel and the motive for the fullest outflow of affection to all who are Christ's, and we are persuaded that were there a full revival amongst the saints of God of a living interest in the great truths of the first part of the epistle to the Romans, there would be a richer and more constant outflow of that love which is suggested in the obedience and care in the salutations of the latter part.
Let us live, dear brethren, in the enjoyment of the great truth of our acceptance before God on the ground of the work of Christ. Let us practically and daily enter into the humbling truth that the sentence of death had to be passed upon the old man and all connected with him; that in ourselves there was neither good nor the possibility of it and that thus death with Christ was the only remedy. Now alive to God in Him, walking by faith and in the power of the Holy Spirit, the joy of the eighth chapter is ours and the power for the twelfth. We cannot emphasize this too strongly. May God, in His mercy, revive amongst us a real hunger for the great foundation truths of our most holy faith ! Let us be delivered from even the semblance of indifference to that great truth which must underlie all right living.