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The
Apostle Urged Believers To This
Second Grace
ROMANS
At the time Paul wrote his epistle
to them, it cannot be denied they were children of God.
They were the "called of Jesus Christ,"
"beloved of God," "saints," and their
"faith was spoken of throughout the whole
world." Rom. 1:6-8. Yet they were not established in
holiness. Rom. 1:11; 1 Thess. 3:13. Paul showed them that
this degree of grace was to be entered by faith.
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace
with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom [through
whom—Sawyer] also we have access by faith into this
grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory
of God."—Rom. 5 :1, 2
"Being justified" they
had "peace with God." Yet they were not
established in perfect holiness. He then clearly showed
them that besides "being justified," they had
"also access by faith into this grace wherein we
stand;" namely, the establishing grace: and that
it was entered "through Christ."
He further exhorted them to attain
to this experience, "Yield yourselves unto God, as
those that are alive from the dead, and your members as
instruments of righteousness unto God."—Rom. 6:13.
"Present yourselves to God."— Revised. "I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. . .
. that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect will of God."—Rom. 12:1, 2. "This is
the will of God, even your sanctification."—1 Thess.
4:3. "Even so now yield your members servants to
righteousness unto holiness."—Rom. 6:19. "So
now present your members bound to righteousness, for
sanctification."—Emphatic D.
This is positive and clear. The
Roman "brethren" were already
regenerated—"made alive from the dead"— and
now Paul commands them to present themselves a living
sacrifice unto God, "for sanctification." This
was not to be deferred until death, but "now present
yourselves," etc.
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