May 29

1 What shall we say, then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

10 For in that he died he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

13 Neither yield ye your members or instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members or instruments of righteousness unto God.

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

The eleventh verse is the keynote of this chapter. Do you ask "How does faith reckon?" The answer is: 1. It takes the promises of God, and says, These promises are true, and I will act upon them. 2. And inasmuch as I have certainly complied with the conditions, I now rest entirely and exclusively upon the veracity of God, and therefore do now receive within myself the end of my faith. 3. As an act of faith this assumption does not rest upon any sensible change, nor upon any perceived difference in the state of the heart, but solely upon two facts: (1) That God has promised it immediately upon certain conditions. (2) That I do now fulfil those conditions. Let us not doubt God's word, therefore, in the absence of emotion. "Ye are not under the law, but under grace." So far as the law is concerned, it is dead to those who live by love. There it is, away down below, to catch them if they fall; but if they keep up where they are, it will not touch them.

Closet Promise.—Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.—John xx. 29.

"Both mine arms are clasped around Thee And my head is on Thy breast; For my weary soul has found Thee

Such a perfect, perfect rest. Dearest Saviour, Now I know that I am bless'd."