In Christ.

 
MANY dear people, who are in earnest as to the conscientious discharge of their so-called religious duties, labor under the unscriptural idea that it is right to have doubts and fears as to their present and eternal acceptance in Christ. Such well-meaning but mistaken souls are not established in grace. They do not appropriate the precious promises (addressed To BELIEVERS) in the Epistles, &c., and must necessarily be always groaning in bondage, the more so as they learn by experience “that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing,” &c. (Romans 7:1818For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (Romans 7:18).) The seventh of Romans represents the experience of a quickened soul not delivered until the last verse. It is well to estimate truly the flesh or old Adam nature. (See Jeremiah 17:99The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9); Mark 7:21-2321For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. (Mark 7:21‑23); Galatians 5:19-2119Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19‑21).) Right thoughts as to the believer’s standing in Christ must at once dispel the darkness.
At the cross, the end of man in the flesh came before God. The more God extended grace, the more did man display his innate and desperate wickedness, and hatred of God. This was brought out at the cross― the final test! “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.” (Acts 2:2323Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: (Acts 2:23).) “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him should not perish, but HAVE everlasting life.” (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).) Truly God is love! and that love was thus so perfectly expressed! Why doubt it for a moment?” Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love: in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the Head OF THE BODY, THE CHURCH: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the pre-eminence.” (Colossians 1:13-1813Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:13‑18).) Again, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water (the Word) and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:55Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5).)
This blessed One, then, was made sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:2121For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21).) The sixth of Romans shows how the believer is dead with Christ and risen with Him; also 2 Corinthians 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17); Colossians 3:1-5,1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: (Colossians 3:1‑5) &c. How it takes us away from self, when we consider our standing in Him who died for us and rose again! “For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones.” (Ephesians 5:3030For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. (Ephesians 5:30).) He of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:3030But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30).) And ye are complete in Him, &c.. (Colossians 2:1010And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (Colossians 2:10).) Thus being in Christ, I have everything in Him! Not what I am by nature, but what He is for me; and being in Christ, I am a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17).) Dead with Him, and risen! Oh, that souls were simple, so that the Spirit of God could take of the things of Christ and show them unto them! The feeblest believer is necessary to complete the body of Christ; hence Christ must perish before I can! “As He is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4:1717Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (1 John 4:17).) Until I knew my relationship as a child— “holy and without blame before Him in love”— how can I act as one? After showing the believer his standing (Ephesians 1, 2, 3.) the apostle beseeches to walk worthy. (Ephesians 4:11I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, (Ephesians 4:1).) The more I learn of the grace and love of my Father, the more will I distrust myself, and abhor that which is of nature. My joy will be to keep in the place of death that which God considers as dead with Christ—viz., the flesh. Until I thus apprehend, in some measure, that for which I am apprehended, I cannot be said to be upon Christian ground. Until I take God at His word (see Mark 10:1515Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. (Mark 10:15)), through faith in the person and finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ, I cannot be sealed with the Spirit. (1 John 5:1313These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13); John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36).) “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son.” (1 John 5:1010He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. (1 John 5:10).) How can the Spirit of God reveal to me the deep things of God when I have not received His testimony? thus setting to my seal that God is true. It is unbelief, and nothing else, to refuse to accept what God in His great love so freely offers TO ALL. “The truth shall make you free.” And again, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:32, 3632And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)
36If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (John 8:36).) None but one in the conscious relationship of a child can appropriate such a Scripture as Philippians 4:6, 76Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6‑7). The writer has met with many who say they have got “religion,” but who are not established in grace, and know nothing of that peace which passeth all understanding! Many put works in the place of Christ, and although they may have what they call “religion,” they know little of what it is to have Christ! “To him that worketh not,” &c. (Romans 4:66Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, (Romans 4:6)) does not seem to be understood. When one knows what it is to be in Christ, and thus a worshipper, it is then only that “acceptable” works flow spontaneously. (Hebrews 9:1414How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14).) Abraham proved his faith by his works. (James 2:21-2321Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. (James 2:21‑23).) “Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? BECAUSE HIS OWN WORKS WERE EVIL, and his brother’s righteous.”
The sixth chapter of Romans should give an earnest, “guileless” soul clear views as to deliverance from sin, law, and death, and show him his standing in Christ. Oh! why do people swallow every doctrine of men, and refuse to accept God’s own word?