Most surely, the scene at the Red Sea is full of instruction for us. How often do we find the children of God plunged into the very depths of distress, because they have no sense of full deliverance. They do not see the application of the death of Christ to their evil nature. They see that the blood of Jesus screens them from the judgment of God, but there is no sense of full and everlasting salvation. They are, to speak according to our type, on Egypt’s side of the Red Sea and in danger of falling into the hands of the prince of this world. They cannot sing the song of redemption, for no one can sing it until he stands by faith on the wilderness side of the Red Sea and sees his complete deliverance from sin, the world and Satan. Israel did not raise a single note of praise until they had passed through the Red Sea and saw the Egyptians dead upon the seashore.
The Red Sea is the type of the death of Christ, in its application to all our spiritual enemies — sin, the world and Satan. By the death of Christ the believer is completely and forever delivered from the power of sin. He is conscious of the presence of sin, but its power is gone. He has died to sin in the death of Christ. It is not merely that His blood has purged our sins; His death has also broken the power of sin.
It is one thing to know that our sins are forgiven, and another thing altogether to know that “the body of sin” is destroyed, its rule ended, and its dominion gone. Many will tell you that they do not question the forgiveness of their past sins, but they do not know what to say as to indwelling sin. They have not learned the doctrine of Romans 6; they have not as yet, in their spiritual intelligence and apprehension, reached the resurrection side of the Red Sea. They do not know what it is to be dead unto sin and alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Scripture tells us that we are to “reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:1111Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:11)). I do not reason about it; I reckon myself to be what He tells me I am. I do not struggle to work myself into a sinless state, which is impossible, nor do I imagine myself to be in it, which would be a delusion. Rather, in simple faith, I take the blessed ground which faith assigns me, in association with a dead and risen Christ. I do not reason from myself upwards, but I reason from God downwards. This makes all the difference.
It is an unspeakable mercy to be done with self, for self-occupation is the death-blow to fellowship and a complete barrier to the soul’s rest. It is absolutely impossible for anyone to enjoy peace so long as he is occupied with himself. He must cease from self and rest, without a single question, on God’s Word. I change, but God’s Word is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Furthermore, it is a grand point for the soul to apprehend that Christ is the only definition of the believer’s place before God. This gives immense power, liberty and blessing. “As He is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:1717The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: (John 4:17)). All this seems too good to be true, and it is too good for us to get, but it is not too good for Him to give. God gives according to His estimate of the worthiness of Christ, for the glory of God and the worthiness of His Son are involved in His dealings with us. On resurrection ground, God brings us into association with a risen and glorified Christ.
Adapted from C. H. Mackintosh