SERMON EIGHT
The First Fruits
of the Spirit
"There
is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ
Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
Rom. 8:1
1. By "them which are in Christ Jesus," St. Paul
evidently means, those who truly believe in him; those who,
"being justified by faith, have peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ." They who thus believe do no longer
"walk after the flesh," no longer follow the motions
of corrupt nature, but "after the Spirit"; both their
thoughts, words, and works are under the direction of the blessed
Spirit of God.
2. "There is therefore now no condemnation to" these.
There is no condemnation to them from God; for he hath justified
them "freely by his grace, through the redemption that
is in Jesus." he hath forgiven all their iniquities, and
blotted out all their sins. And there is no condemnation to
them from within; for they "have received, not the spirit
of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that they might
know the things which are freely given to them of God"
(1 Cor. 2:12); which Spirit "beareth witness with their
spirits, that they are the children of God." And to this
is added the testimony of their conscience, "that in simplicity
and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace
of God, they have had their conversation in the world"
(2 Cor. 1:12).
3. But because this scripture has been so frequently misunderstood,
and that in so dangerous a manner; because such multitudes of
"unlearned and unstable men" (oi amaqeis kai
asthriktoi, men untaught of God, and consequently unestablished
in the truth which is after godliness) have wrested it to their
own destruction; I propose to show, as clearly as I can, first
who those are "which are in Christ Jesus," and "walk
not after the flesh, but after the Spirit:" and, secondly,
how "there is no condemnation to" these. I shall conclude
with some practical inferences.
I. 1. First, I am to show, who those are that "are in
Christ Jesus." And are they not those who believe in his
name? those who are "found in him, not having their own
righteousness, but the righteousness which is of God by faith?"
these, "who have redemption through his blood," are
properly said to be 'in him'; for they dwell in Christ, and
Christ in them. They are joined unto the Lord in one Spirit.
They are ingrafted into him as branches into the vine. They
are united, as members to their head, in a manner which words
cannot express, nor could it before enter into their hearts
to conceive.
2. Now "whosoever abideth in him, sinneth not"; "walketh
not after the flesh." The flesh, in the usual language
of St. Paul, signifies corrupt nature. In this sense he uses
the word, writing to the Galatians, "The works of the flesh
are manifest" (Gal. 5:19); and a little before, "Walk
in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust" (or desire)
"of the flesh" (v. 16). To prove which, namely, that
those who "walk by the Spirit,"do not "fulfil
the lusts of the flesh," he immediately adds, "For
the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit lusteth
against the flesh (for these are contrary to each other); that
ye may not do the things which ye would." So the words
are literally translated; ina mn a an qelhte, tauta poihte ,
not, "So that ye cannot do the things that ye would";
as if the flesh overcame the Spirit: a translation which hath
not only nothing to do with the original text of the Apostle,
but likewise makes his whole argument nothing worth; yea, asserts
just the reverse of what he is proving.
3. They who are of Christ, who abide in him, "have crucified
the flesh with its affections and lusts." They abstain
from all those works of the flesh; from "adultery and fornication";
from "uncleanness and lasciviousness"; from "idolatry,
witchcraft, hatred, variance "; from "emulations,
wrath, strife, sedition, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness,
revellings"; from every design, and word, and work, to
which the corruption of nature leads. Although they feel the
root of bitterness in themselves, yet are they endued with power
from on high to trample it continually under foot, so that it
cannot "spring up to trouble them"; insomuch that
every fresh assault which they undergo, only gives them fresh
occasion of praise, of crying out, "Thanks be unto God,
who giveth us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord."
4. They now "walk after the Spirit," both in their
hearts and lives. They are taught of him to love God and their
neighbour, with a love which is as "a well of water, springing
up into everlasting life." And by him they are led into
every holy desire, into every divine and heavenly temper, till
every thought which arises in their heart is holiness unto the
Lord.
5. They who "walk after the Spirit," are also led
by him into all holiness of conversation. Their "speech
is always in grace, seasoned with salt"; with the love
and fear of God. "No corrupt communication comes out of
their mouth; but only that which is good," that which is
"to the use of edifying," which is "meet to minister
grace to the hearers." And herein likewise do they exercise
themselves day and night, to do only the things which please
God; in all their outward behaviour to follow him "who
left us an example that we might tread in his steps"; in
all their intercourse with their neighbour, to walk in justice,
mercy, and truth; and "whatsoever they do," in every
circumstances of life, to "do all to the glory of God.
6. These are they who indeed "walk after the Spirit."
Being filled with faith and with the holy Ghost, they possess
in their hearts, and show forth in their lives, in the whole
course of their words and actions, the genuine fruits of the
Spirit of God, namely, "love, joy, peace, long-suffering,
gentleness, goodness, fidelity, meekness, temperance,"
and whatsoever else is lovely or praiseworthy. "They adorn
in all things the gospel of God our Saviour"; and give
full proof to all mankind, that they are indeed actuated by
the same Spirit "which raised up Jesus from the dead."
II. 1. I proposed to show, in the second place, how "there
is no condemnation to them which are" thus "in Christ
Jesus,"' and thus "walk not after the flesh, but after
the Spirit."
And, first, to believers in Christ, walking thus, "there
is no condemnation" on account of their past sins. God
condemneth them not for any of these; they are as though they
had never been; they are cast "as a stone into the depth
of the sea," and he remembereth them no more. God, having
"set forth his Son to be a propitiation "for them,
"through faith in his blood," hath declared unto them
"His righteousness for the remission of the sins that are
past." he layeth therefore none of these to their charge;
their memorial is perished with them.
2. And there is no condemnation in their own breast; no sense
of guilt, or dread of the wrath of God. They "have the
witness in themselves:" they are conscious of their interest
in the blood of sprinkling. "They have not received again
the spirit of bondage unto fear," unto doubt and racking
uncertainty; but they "have received the Spirit of adoption,"
crying in their heart, "Abba, Father." Thus, being
"justified by faith," they have the peace of God ruling
in their hearts; flowing from a continual sense of his pardoning
mercy, and "the answer of a good conscience toward God."
3. If it be said, "But sometimes a believer in Christ
may lose his sight of the mercy of God; sometimes such darkness
may fall upon him that he no longer sees him that is invisible,
no longer feels that witness in himself of his part in the atoning
blood; and then he is inwardly condemned, he hath again "the
sentence of death in himself" ': I answer, supposing it
so to be, supposing him not to see the mercy of God, then he
is not a believer: For faith implies light, the light of God
shining upon the soul. So far, therefore, as any one loses this
light, he, for the time, loses his faith. And, no doubt, a true
believer in Christ may lose the light of faith; and so far as
this is lost, he may, for a time, fall again into condemnation.
But this is not the case of them who now "are in Christ
Jesus," who now believe in his name. For so long as they
believe, and walk after the Spirit, neither God condemns them,
nor their own heart.
4. They are not condemned, secondly, for any present sins,
for now transgressing the commandments of God. For they do not
transgress them: they do not "walk after the flesh, but
after the Spirit." This is the continual proof of their
"love of God, that they keep his commandments"; even
as St. John bears witness. "Whosoever is born of God doth
not commit sin. For his seed remaineth in him, and he cannot
sin, because he is born of God:" he cannot, so long as
that seed of God, that loving, holy faith remaineth in him.
So long as "he keepeth himself" herein, "that
wicked one toucheth him not." Now it is evident, he is
not condemned for the sins which he doth not commit at all.
They, therefore, who are thus "led by the Spirit, are not
under the law" (Gal. 5:18): not under the curse or condemnation
of it; for it condemns none but those who break it. Thus, that
law of God, "Thou shalt not steal," condemns none
but those who do steal. Thus, "Remember the Sabbath-day
to keep it holy," condemns those only who do not keep it
holy. But against the fruits of the Spirit "there is no
law" (5:23); as the Apostle more largely declares in those
memorable words of his former Epistle to Timothy: "We know
that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; knowing this,"
(if, while he uses the law of God, in order either to convince
or direct, he know and remember this), oti dikaiv nomos ou keitai,
(not, "that the law is not made for a righteous man,"
but) "that the law does not lie against a righteous man:"
it has no force against him, no power to condemn him; "but
against the lawless and disobedient, against the ungodly and
sinners, against the unholy and profane; according to the glorious
gospel of the blessed God." (1 Tim. 1:8, 9, 11).
5. They are not condemned, thirdly, for inward sin, even though
it does now remain. That the corruption of nature does still
remain, even in those who are the children of God by faith;
that they have in them the seeds of pride and vanity, of anger,
lust, and evil desire, yea, sin of every kind; is too plain
to be denied, being matter of daily experience. And on this
account it is, that St. Paul, speaking to those whom he had
just before witnessed to be "in Christ Jesus," (1
Cor. 1:2, 9), to have been "called of God into the fellowship
"(or participation) "of his Son Jesus Christ ";
yet declares, "Brethren, I could not speak unto you as
unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ"
(1 Cor. 3:1): "babes in Christ"; so we see they were
"in Christ"; they were believers in a low degree.
And yet how much of sin remained in them! of that "carnal
mind, which is not subject to the law of God!"
6. And yet, for all this, they are not condemned. Although
they feel the flesh, the evil nature, in them; although they
are more sensible, day by day, that their "heart is deceitful
and desperately wicked"; yet, so long as they do not yield
thereto; so long as they give no place to the devil; so long
as they maintain a continual war with all sin, with pride, anger,
desire, so that the flesh hath not dominion over them, but they
still "walk after the Spirit"; "there is no condemnation
to them which are in Christ Jesus." God is well pleased
with their sincere, though imperfect. obedience; and they "have
confidence toward God," knowing they are his, "by
the Spirit which he hath given" them. (1 John 3:24).
7. Nay, fourthly, although they are continually convinced of
sin cleaving to all they do; although they are conscious of
not fulfilling the perfect law, either in their thoughts, or
words, or works; although they know they do not love the Lord
their God with all their heart, and mind, and soul, and strength;
although they feel more or less of pride, or self-will, stealing
in, and mixing with their best duties; although even in their
more immediate intercourse with God, when they assemble themselves
with the great congregation, and when they pour out their souls
in secret to him who seeth all the thoughts and intents of the
heart, they are continually ashamed of their wandering thoughts,
or of the deadness and dulness of their affections; yet there
is no condemnation to them still, either from God or from their
own heart. The consideration of these manifold defects only
gives them a deeper sense, that they have always need of that
blood of sprinkling which speaks for them in the ears of God,
and that Advocate with the Father "who ever liveth to make
intercession for them." So far are these from driving them
away from him in whom they have believed, that they rather drive
them the closer to him whom they feel the want of every moment.
And, at the same time, the deeper sense they have of this want,
the more earnest desire do they feel, and the more diligent
they are, as they "have received the Lord Jesus, so to
walk in him."
8. They are not condemned, fifthly, for sins of infirmity,
as they are usually called. Perhaps it were advisable rather
to call them infirmities: that we may not seem to give
any countenance to sin, or to extenuate it in any degree, by
thus coupling it with infirmity. But (if we must retain so ambiguous
and dangerous an expression), by sins of infirmity I would mean,
such involuntary failings as the saying a thing we believe true,
though, in fact, it prove to be false; or, the hurting our neighbour
without knowing or designing it, perhaps when we designed to
do him good. Though these are deviations from the holy, and
acceptable, and perfect will of God, yet they are not properly
sins, nor do they bring any guilt on the conscience of "them
which are in Christ Jesus." They separate not between God
and them, neither intercept the light of his countenance; as
being no ways inconsistent with their general character of "walking
not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
9. Lastly. "There is no condemnation "to them for
anything whatever which it is not in their power to help; whether
it be of an inward or outward nature, and whether it be doing
something or leaving something undone. For instance, the Lord's
Supper is to be administered; but you do not partake thereof.
Why do you not? You are confined by sickness; therefore, you
cannot help omitting it; and for the same reason you are not
condemned. There is no guilt, because there is no choice. As
there "is a willing mind, it is accepted according to that
a man hath, not according to that he hath not."
10. A believer, indeed, may sometimes be grieved: because he
cannot do what his soul longs for. He may cry out, when he is
detained from worshipping God in the great congregation, "Like
as the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth my soul
after thee, O God. My soul is athirst for God, yea, even for
the living God: When shall I come to appear in the presence
of God?" he may earnestly desire (only still saying in
his heart, "Not as I will, but as thou wilt") to "go
again with the multitude, and bring them forth into the house
of God." But still, if he cannot go, he feels no condemnation,
no guilt, no sense of God's displeasure; but can cheerfully
yield up those desires with, "O my soul, put thy trust
in God! for I will yet give him thanks, who is the help of my
countenance and my God."
11. It is more difficult to determine concerning those which
are usually styled sins of surprise: as when one who commonly
in patience possesses his soul, on a sudden and violent temptation,
speaks or acts in a manner not consistent with the royal law,
"Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Perhaps
it is not easy to fix a general rule concerning transgressions
of this nature. We cannot say, either that men are, or that
they are not, condemned for sins of surprise in general: but
it seems, whenever a believer is by surprise overtaken in a
fault, there is more or less condemnation, as there is more
or less concurrence of his will. In proportion as a sinful desire,
or word, or action is more or less voluntary, so we may conceive
God is more or less displeased, and there is more or less guilt
upon the soul.
12. But if so, then there may be some sins of surprise which
bring much guilt and condemnation. For, in some instances, our
being surprised is owing to some wilful and culpable neglect;
or, to a sleepiness of soul which might have been prevented,
or shaken off before the temptation came. A man may be previously
warned either of God or man, that trials and dangers are at
hand; and yet may say in his heart, "A little more slumber,
a little more folding of the hands to rest." Now, if such
an one afterwards fall, though unawares, into the snare which
he might have avoided, --that he fell unawares, is no excuse;
he might have foreseen and have shunned the danger. The falling,
even by surprise, in such an instance as this, is, in effect,
a wilful sin; and, as such, must expose the sinner to condemnation,
both from God and his own conscience.
13. On the other hand, there may be sudden assaults, either
from the world, or the god of this world, and frequently from
our own evil hearts, which we did not, and hardly could, foresee.
And by these even a believer, while weak in faith, may possibly
be borne down, suppose into a degree of anger, or thinking evil
of another, with scarce any concurrence of his will. Now in
such a case, the jealous God would undoubtedly show him that
he had done foolishly. He would be convinced of having swerved
from the perfect law, from the mind which was in Christ, and
consequently, grieved with a godly sorrow, and lovingly
ashamed before God. Yet need he not come into condemnation.
God layeth not folly to his charge, but hath compassion upon
him, "even as a father pitieth his own children."
And his heart condemneth him not: in the midst of that sorrow
and shame he can still say, "I will trust and not be afraid;
for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is
become my salvation."
III. 1. It remains only to draw some practical inferences from
the preceding considerations. And, first, if there be "no
condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus," and "walk
not after the flesh , but after the Spirit," on account
of their past sin; then why art thou fearful, O thou of little
faith? Though thy sins were once more in number than the sand,
what is that to thee, now thou art in Christ Jesus? "Who
shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that
justifieth: Who is he that condemneth?" all the sins thou
hast committed from thy youth up, until the hour when thou wast
"accepted in the Beloved," are driven away as chaff,
are gone, are lost, swallowed up, remembered no more. Thou art
now "born of the Spirit:" wilt thou be troubled or
afraid of what is done before thou wert born? Away with thy
fears! thou art not called to fear, but to the "spirit
of love and of a sound mind." know thy calling! rejoice
in God thy Saviour, and give thanks to God thy Father through
him!
2. Wilt thou say, "But I have again committed sin, since
I had redemption through his blood? And therefore it is, that
"I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." It
is meet thou shouldest abhor thyself; and it is God who hath
wrought thee to this self-same thing. But, dost thou now believe?
hath he again enabled thee to say, "I know that my Redeemer
liveth"; "and the life which I now live, I live by
faith in the Son of God?" Then that faith again cancels
all that is past, and there is no condemnation to thee. At whatsoever
time thou truly believest in the name of the Son of God, all
thy sins, antecedent to that hour, vanish away as the morning
dew. Now then, "stand thou fast in the liberty wherewith
Christ hath made thee free." he hath once more made thee
free from the power of sin, as well as from the guilt and punishment
of it. O "be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage!"
--neither the vile, devilish bondage of sin, of evil desires,
evil tempers, or words, or works, the most grievous yoke on
this side hell; nor the bondage of slavish, tormenting fear,
of guilt and self-condemnation.
3.But secondly, do all they which abide "in Christ Jesus,
walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit?" Then we
cannot but infer, that whosoever now committeth sin, hath no
part or lot in this matter. He is even now condemned by his
own heart. But, "if our heart condemn us," if our
own conscience beareth witness that we are guilty, undoubtedly
God doth; for "He is greater than our heart, and knoweth
all things "; so that we cannot deceive him, if we can
ourselves. And think not to say, "I was justified once;
my sins were once forgiven me:" I know not that; neither
will I dispute whether they were or no. Perhaps, at this distance
of time, it is next to impossible to know, with any tolerable
degree of certainty, whether that was a true, genuine work of
God, or whether thou didst only deceive thy own soul. But this
I know, with the utmost degree of certainty, "he that committeth
sin is of the devil." Therefore, thou art of thy father
the devil. It cannot be denied: for the works of thy father
thou doest. O flatter not thyself with vain hopes! Say not to
thy soul, "Peace peace!" For there is no peace. Cry
aloud! Cry unto God out of the deep; if haply he may hear thy
voice. Come unto him as at first, as wretched and poor, as sinful,
miserable, blind and naked! And beware thou suffer thy soul
to take no rest, till his pardoning love be again revealed;
till he "heal thy backslidings," and fill thee again
with the "faith that worketh by love."
4. Thirdly. Is there
no condemnation to them which "walk after the Spirit,"
by reason of inward sin still remaining, so long as they
do not give way thereto; nor by reason of sin cleaving
to all they do? Then fret not thyself because of ungodliness,
though it still remain in thy heart. Repine not, because thou
still comest short of the glorious image of God; nor yet because
pride, self-will, or unbelief, cleave to all thy words and works.
And be not afraid to know all this evil of thy heart, to know
thyself as also thou art known. Yea, desire of God, that thou
mayest not think of thyself more highly than thou oughtest to
think. Let thy continual prayer be, Show me, as my soul can
bear, The depth of inbred sin;
All the unbelief declare, The pride that lurks within. But
when he heareth thy prayer, and unveils thy heart; when he shows
thee throughly what spirit thou art of; then beware that thy
faith fail thee not, that thou suffer not thy shield to be torn
from thee. Be abased. Be humbled in the dust. See thyself nothing,
less than nothing, and vanity. But still, "Let not thy
heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Still hold
fast, "I, even I, have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus
Christ the righteous." "And as the heavens are higher
than the earth, so is his love higher than even my sins."
Therefore, God is merciful to thee a sinner! such a sinner as
thou art! God is love; and Christ hath died! Therefore, the
Father himself loveth thee! Thou art his child! Therefore he
will withhold from thee no manner of thing that is good. Is
it good, that the whole body of sin, which is now crucified
in thee, should be destroyed? It shall be done! Thou shalt be
"cleansed from all filthiness, both of flesh and spirit."
Is it good, that nothing should remain in thy heart but the
pure love of God alone? Be of good cheer! "Thou shalt love
the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and mind, and soul, and
strength." "Faithful is he that hath promised, who
also will do it." It is thy part, patiently to continue
in the work of faith, and in the labour of love; and in cheerful
peace, in humble confidence, with calm and resigned and yet
earnest expectation, to wait till the zeal of the Lord of hosts
shall perform this.
5. Fourthly. If they that "are in Christ," and "walk
after the Spirit," are not condemned for sins of infirmity:
as neither for involuntary failings, nor for anything
whatever which they are not able to help; then beware, O thou
that hast faith in his blood, that Satan herein gain no advantage
over thee. Thou art still foolish and weak, blind and ignorant;
more weak than any words can express; more foolish than it call
yet enter into thy heart to conceive; knowing nothing yet as
thou oughtest to know. Yet let not all thy weakness and folly,
or any fruit thereof, which thou art not yet able to avoid,
shake thy faith, thy filial trust in God, or disturb thy peace
or joy in the Lord. The rule which some give, as to wilful sins,
and which, in that case, may perhaps be dangerous, is undoubtedly
wise and safe if it be applied only to the case of weakness
and infirmities. Art thou fallen, O man of God? yet, do not
lie there, fretting thyself and bemoaning thy weakness; but
meekly say, "Lord, I shall fall every moment, unless thou
uphold me with thy hand." And then arise! Leap and walk!
Go on thy way! "run with patience the race that is set
before Thee."
6. Lastly. Since a believer
need not come into condemnation, even though he be surprised
into what his soul abhors; (suppose his being surprised is not
owing to any carelessness or wilful neglect of his own); if
thou who believest art thus overtaken in a fault, then grieve
unto the Lord; it shall be a precious balm. Pour out thy heart
before him, and show him of thy trouble, and pray with all thy
might to him who is "touched with the feeling of thy infirmities,"that
he would establish, and strengthen and settle thy soul, and
suffer thee to fall no more. But still he condemneth thee not.
Wherefore shouldest thou fear? Thou hast no need of any "fear
that hath torment." Thou shalt love him that loveth thee,
and it sufficeth: more love will bring more strength. And, as
soon as thou lovest him with all thy heart, thou shalt be perfect
and entire, lacking nothing." Wait in peace for that hour,
when the God of peace shall sanctify thee wholly, so that thy
whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!"
Edited
by the Rev. Derek Johnson (semi-retired pastor in England) and
his wife Beryl, with minor corrections and alterations by Ryan
Danker and George Lyons of Northwest Nazarene University for
the Wesley Center for Applied Theology.
Copyright
© 1999 by the Wesley Center for Applied Theology. Text may be
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