RECONCILIATION AND JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH127

Word, an unsaved heathen would believe or act upon the voice of God suddenly breaking into his consciousness?

Then read Genesis 12. The complete answer is there. Scripture records the one instance of Abraham because of the

purpose of God; but how many another has God spoken to, and who in the midst of heathen darkness have walked

by faith and been justified by faith, none of us know. The one outstanding instance, however, is enough to silence

for ever all objection as to the possibilities of the case; while Romans 2 in this light makes it clear that the call of

Abraham was by no means an isolated case.

What is the goal to which all this leads? Once again the one great theme comes uppermost, viz: Reconciliation.

Romans 5:11, like true harmony that it is, ends on the keyword, the word `atonement' of the Authorized Version

being the word elsewhere rendered `reconciliation'. While the true atonement made by Christ is more than

reconciliation, it is the procuring cause of it, and the reason for the use of the word `atonement' here is easier

understood. The English of the days when the Authorized Version was written differs from our current forms of

speech. Atonement carried the idea of reconciliation as we have already seen in Shakespeare's use of it:

`He makes atonement between the Duke of Gloucester and your brother'.

`Atonement between' must mean `at-one-ment', or as the word should be - `reconciliation'. Is it not clear, so far,

that all the wonderful doctrine and reasoning introduced in these chapters are introduced to prove and to uphold, to

impress and to fix the privilege and responsibility devolving upon all, whether Jew or Gentile, to live in accordance

with this dispensation of the reconciliation, wherein the present superiority of the circumcision and of the law is set

aside, and the common ground of being a sinner saved by faith through grace alone remains?

We summarize this section, as before, leaving the reader the happy task of filling in the wondrous details.

Chapter 4 is taken up with the righteousness of God and the Old Testament.

General statement.

The question of advantage resumed.

The answer is an exposition of Genesis 15:6. This answer is divided into two parts, (1) Negative, and (2)

1. WITHOUT WORKS (Rom. 4:4-8).

2. WITHOUT CIRCUMCISION (Rom. 4:9-12).

3. WITHOUT LAW (Rom. 4:13-16).

1. QUALITIES OF JUSTIFYING FAITH (Rom. 4:17-22).

(a) Related to the resurrection power of God.

(b) Related to natural inability.

(c) Related to the Divine promise.

2. THE BEARING OF THE NARRATIVE (Rom. 4:23-25).

(a) Not for his sake.

(b) Faith connected with resurrection.

(c) Justification connected with resurrection.

A1 5:1,2. Boasting in hope.

B1 5:3-. Not only so.

A2 5:-3-10.  a Boasting in tribulation.

b Reconciliation effected.