MAY 1ST, 1888
MAY 1ST, 1888
Mr. Bradstock.
My Dear Brother, — I had rather explained things to you by word of mouth than in writing but will endeavour to comply with your wish. I hold nothing extraordinary, nor that any blessing given to us of Christ is matter of attainment but I am opposed to the taking up of things in such a way as practically to exclude faith and hope — two of the essential elements of christian life.
The point as to divine righteousness is as to the force of 2 Corinthians 5:21. It is, as I understand it, the text of the ministry of reconciliation. It gives us the divine intent in Christ being made sin for us. Divine righteousness is to be displayed in us in Christ. We are to have a perfect state in a heavenly standing. God has secured this for us in Christ in glory and the moment he appears it will be absolutely true in us. So long as we have the flesh and sin I could not say it is absolutely made good in us, but it is made good in us morally as we walk in faith in the power of the Spirit. Hence it is not any way a question of attainment but of walking in the power of the Spirit in faith and hope. Paul looked to be found having God’s righteousness.
In regard to eternal life, it seems to me that it is a kind of technical expression indicating an order and state of blessing proposed and prepared of God for man. With Paul it is viewed as a reward or end or hope, though the believer being called to it is to grasp it while on the road to it. With John it is present and moral (not in display) formed for us by the incarnation of the Son of God and we having entrance into it through His death. The Son, where His voice is heard, gives us the privilege and entry and freedom of this sphere of blessing which is expressed in Himself as a Man, the privilege of blessed nearness to the [p. 2] Father, and of being the object of the Father’s love and joy and delight. Hence the eternal life is in the Son. He is it. So that eternal life is objective and practical rather than subjective, a sphere and order of blessing. But not only does Christ give freedom of entry into this sphere, He gives also the Spirit as the capacity, the Spirit in the believer is life. Hence the believer has the freedom of entry and the capacity to enjoy this sphere of blessing which Christ has formed, and behind all he is born of God. This is no question of attainment but I am at the same time quite sure that there are many christians who are not morally in it, yet loudly claiming to have the possession of eternal life. Faith is not in exercise and they are not free of the world. I should be thankful if the Lord uses this to set your mind at rest.
Believe me,
Your affectionate brother,
F. E. Raven.