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GOSPEL SALVATION
IF we would know with certainty what the Gospel is, we should examine carefully what the Apostles preached. But in various places their discourses appeared to have a different aspect, according as they were called to lay the foundations of religion, or to build up the superstructure: and therefore we are concerned to receive from these inspired teachers a summary of their own doctrines: and this is precisely what we are favoured with in the passage before us. Let us, then, take these words as our guide: for in them we may clearly see,
I. The terms on which salvation is offered to us—
We are told, in few words, what was “the word of faith which Paul preached.” Two things he insisted on, as indispensably necessary to our salvation”
1. Faith in Christ as our crucified and risen Saviour—
[The Lord Jesus Christ was “sent of God to be the Saviour of the world [Note: 1Jn_4:14.].” All that was necessary for man’s salvation he effected on the cross: and God, in token that he himself was satisfied, raised the Lord Jesus from the dead, and exalted him to his own right hand, that there he might carry on and perfect the work assigned him. Of us he requires, that we believe in Christ, as thus sent, thus accepted, thus qualified: and that, discarding every other hope, we place our dependence on him alone.
This mode of salvation is contrasted with the law, which proposes obedience alone as the ground of hope. But by obedience can no man living be saved; because we have already violated the law; and, even if at this moment our past violations of it were forgiven, we should be unable to render to it the obedience it demands. That ground of hope, therefore, being renounced, we must rely simply on the Lord Jesus Christ, and seek salvation altogether by faith in him.]
2. A public confession of him under that character—
[No confession of ours can add any thing to his all-finished work. Yet are we required to confess him openly; because his glory, and the good of man, demand it of us. If we should conceal our faith in him, who would be benefited? or in what respect would he be glorified? Methinks such concealment would reflect on him the greatest disgrace; and it would assuredly tend to harden others in their unbelief. Hence our blessed Lord required, that “all who would derive benefit from him, should deny themselves, and take up their cross daily, and follow him.” And if we do not this, he declares that he will not acknowledge us as his disciples. Our faith, destitute of this fruit, will be in vain. Thus, though confession cannot add to faith, it is equally necessary with faith; the one being the root; the other, the fruit proceeding from it — — —]
For our encouragement, we are informed what will be,
II. The certain issue of a compliance with those terms—
Whosoever shall thus believe in Christ, and thus confess him, “shall be saved.” This expression is plain, positive, unqualified. But we are informed in our text what will be the bearing of each requirement, and in what respect a compliance with each will tend to the attainment of the end proposed. To each of them has the Lord Jesus Christ assigned its proper office:
Faith will invest us with his “righteousness”—
[He has wrought out a righteousness for sinful man; a righteousness fully commensurate with the utmost demands of law and justice [Note: ver. 4.]. This righteousness faith apprehends. In truth, it cannot be apprehended in any other way. If we were able to purchase an interest in it by any works of our own, salvation would in fact be by works; seeing that to purchase salvation, or to purchase that which gives us salvation, is, in reality, and in effect, the same. We are continually told, that this righteousness becomes ours by faith: “It is revealed from faith to faith [Note: Rom_1:17.]:” and “it is unto all, and upon all, them that believe [Note: Rom_3:22.].” From the moment that any one believes in Christ, this righteousness becomes his; yea, “Christ is made unto him righteousness [Note: 1Co_1:30];” and he is entitled to call the Lord Jesus, “Jehovah our Righteousness [Note: Jer_23:6.];” and to say, “In the Lord have I righteousness and strength [Note: Isa_45:24.].” Arrayed in this spotless robe, he will be so pure, that the eye of God himself will not discern a spot or blemish in him [Note: Eph_5:27].]
Confession will insure to us his final approbation—
[True, it will add nothing to Christ’s perfect righteousness: but it will evince the sincerity of our faith: and on it will the very sentence of our Saviour’s approbation be grounded, as displaying, beyond a doubt, the equity of his procedure. Our Lord has said, that on this shall his ultimate proceedings with us depend: “Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven [Note: Mat_10:32-33.].” Nor is this a mere arbitrary appointment: for the confessing of Christ openly has a great tendency to improve our character, and to prepare us for his glory. Doubtless it will be an occasion of many trials and many sufferings: for the ungodly world will hate the servants even as they hated the Master, and persecute them even as they persecuted him. But “he was made perfect through sufferings [Note: Heb_2:10.]:” and by the fire of affliction must we also be purged from our dross [Note: 1Pe_1:6-7.]. Our afflictions are but, in fact, the completing of that which was yet lacking in his [Note: Col_1:24.]: and, in enduring them, we are assimilated to his image [Note: 1Pe_4:13.]. Thus, though our confession of him adds not any thing to his perfect righteousness, it tends to fit us for the recompence which his overflowing bounty will accord to us. Assuredly, therefore, we may expect, that “if we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him,” and to all eternity “be glorified together [Note: 2Ti_2:12. Rom_8:17.].”]
Let, then, your faith in Christ be cordial—
[It is not to be a mere assent of the understanding, but an acquiescence of the heart. Twice is this mentioned in our text: nor is it possible for us to lay too great a stress upon it. In point of strength, I doubt not but that the faith of devils is superior to that of men: but they have no love to Christ, nor any delight in any thing relating to him. But ye, beloved, must see a glory in the whole of his mediation, and must feel exquisite delight in committing yourselves altogether to him. Nor must this be an occasional act, but the daily habit of your minds: “The entire life which you now live in the flesh, you must live by the faith of the Son of God, who has loved you, and given himself for you [Note: Gal_2:20.].” Nor must there be in you the least bearing towards any righteousness of your own. You must indeed endeavour to be “righteous even as he is righteous [Note: 1Jn_3:7.]:” but your dependence must be on him alone,]
2. Let your confession of him be uniform and unreserved—
[Never, for a moment, should you give way to fear [Note: Luk_12:4-5.], or suffer any carnal consideration to influence your minds, so as to damp your zeal in his service [Note: Joh_12:42-43.]. It is not necessary that you should be obtrusive, and force religious subjects on those who are utterly averse to them: this would be to “cast pearls before swine.” But you should watch for opportunities to honour the Saviour, and to lead others to the knowledge of him. And on no account should you ever be “ashamed of him [Note: Mar_8:38.]:” but should be ready, at all times, to “follow him without the camp, bearing his reproach [Note: Heb_13:13.]. If you possessed, like Moses, all the treasures of Egypt, you should consider them as of no account in comparison of the infinitely richer treasure which you will find in “the reproach of Christ [Note: Heb_11:24-26.].” If only “Christ may be magnified in you,” it should be equally a welcome service to you, “whether it be by life or by death [Note: Php_1:20.].”]