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 (Rom. 5:10).
It is reported that when Cecil Rhodes, the empire builder of South Africa, lay dying, he said, "So much to do; so little done." He could not say, as did our Savior at the climax of His career as He hung upon the cross, "It is finished."
Reading the preceding verse with our promise text today, we see the whole mediatorial work of Christ divided into two great stages--the one already completed on the earth, the other in course of completion in heaven. Justification by His blood, reconciliation to God by the death of His Son--this is the first phase. The second is salvation "from wrath through him" (Rom. 5:9), salvation by His life. God preformed the first while we were yet enemies; much more will He perform the second for His friends, the children of faith.
Our reconciliation was the reconciliation of enemies by the death of Jesus. This is completed. Our salvation "from wrath through him," Christ's atoning work as our high priest in heaven, His work for us through the Holy Spirit, shedding abroad His own life in our hearts, is going on now. We read in Hebrews 7:25 that "he ever liveth to make intercession for" us. Because of this, God's children on earth are spared and blessed, and the image of God is being restored in them. They have not only His example, which leads to salvation, but His personal presence through the Holy Spirit--"Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27). So when we follow Him, we "shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12).
MEDITATION PRAYER: "For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light" (Ps. 36:9).
It is reported that when Cecil Rhodes, the empire builder of South Africa, lay dying, he said, "So much to do; so little done." He could not say, as did our Savior at the climax of His career as He hung upon the cross, "It is finished."
Reading the preceding verse with our promise text today, we see the whole mediatorial work of Christ divided into two great stages--the one already completed on the earth, the other in course of completion in heaven. Justification by His blood, reconciliation to God by the death of His Son--this is the first phase. The second is salvation "from wrath through him" (Rom. 5:9), salvation by His life. God preformed the first while we were yet enemies; much more will He perform the second for His friends, the children of faith.
Our reconciliation was the reconciliation of enemies by the death of Jesus. This is completed. Our salvation "from wrath through him," Christ's atoning work as our high priest in heaven, His work for us through the Holy Spirit, shedding abroad His own life in our hearts, is going on now. We read in Hebrews 7:25 that "he ever liveth to make intercession for" us. Because of this, God's children on earth are spared and blessed, and the image of God is being restored in them. They have not only His example, which leads to salvation, but His personal presence through the Holy Spirit--"Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27). So when we follow Him, we "shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12).
MEDITATION PRAYER: "For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light" (Ps. 36:9).
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