GOVERNMENTAL RESTORATION

GOVERNMENTAL RESTORATION

The sequence of this vital restoration in the life of man is that of a GOVERNMENTAL RESTORATION. As at the first, man ruined himself by rebellion (Gen. 3:6-7), so now his redemption being accomplished by the operation of God in Christ, within the realm of law and of justice he must abide in the will of God. This is not an arbitrary and capricious requirement. It is rather, as the whole history of man in his ruin demonstrates a necessity upon the fulfillment of which love must insist, or cease to be love. Outside the realm of the Divine will, man is in the place of ruin and of death. Within that will, he is in the sphere of permanence and of perfection.

Now however it is possible to refer to ABIDING IN THE WILL OF GOD in new terms, which are the terms of a plenteous redemption. (Psa. 130:7) To abide in that WILL is to abide in Christ. The restoration of man to God in Christ being, as has been shown, VITAL AS WELL AS JUDICIAL, it is therefore GOVERN­MENTAL ALSO, in a way which reveals the infinite love and wisdom of God, as perhaps it is nowhere else revealed, be­cause it appeals to man at the point of his ultimate consciousness of weakness. The God-man is the meeting place between God and man. Rejecting man, God en­throned Jesus. Rejecting himself, man enthrones Jesus. Thus the Divine and the human will move into union of decision and purpose. God and man meet in Christ. Upon this basis, the Spirit communicates the life which creates vital relationship, and that life henceforth becomes the directing, controlling, suggesting principle in the life of the saint. Moving along the line of the perfect will of God (Rom. 12:2), as it ever has and ever must, it regulates all the life of the saint, within the government of God, "casting down reasonings, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." (2 Cor. 10:5) It is because of this that the Christian is no longer under the law (Rom. 6:14-15), which consists in commandments outside the personality. He in Christ answers the law of the Spirit of life, which is at once a perpetual illumination, and a constant power. God in Christ by the Spirit works in “to will and to work, for His good pleasure." (Phil. 2:13)

It was in view of this great truth the apostle declared "for if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, shall we be kept safe in His life." (Rom. 5:10) Thus plenteous indeed, even in super-abounding fullness, does Christ answer the call of man distanced by sin, in restoring him to God. In Christ, man is restored judicially, and there is no condemnation; vitally, and there is no separation governmentally, and there is no alienation. (Bishop Handley Moule's translation)