THE GOSPEL OF GOD CONCERNING HIS SON
[p. 394] THE GOSPEL OF GOD CONCERNING HIS SON
The persons who are outstanding as types of Christ in the Old Testament are Isaac, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Boaz, David and Solomon, but promises largely centre in Isaac and David. Isaac is Christ as the Heir-the fulfilment of all promise, but who inherits all as having died and risen. All that was promised in holy writings has been fulfilled in Christ, but Christ is the Heir — the only One entitled to the promises — “The seed came to whom the promise was made” (Galatians 3: 19). “But if ye are of Christ, then ye are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to promise” (verse 29). We are of Christ as having the faith of Him (see Galatians 3: 22). God’s promise is the setting forth of what He would bring to pass as glad tidings for men, but it is all “concerning his Son”.
But then He must “come of David’s seed according to flesh”. David is the man after God’s heart who is to do all God’s will. He represents Christ anointed to do God’s will in kingly power. The power of evil being here, it has to be met by the kingdom of God coming in. The horn of salvation in the house of David His servant shows that what was seen in David typically came out fully in his Seed. He was marked out Son of God in power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by resurrection of the dead.
When He walked on the water those in the ship did Him homage and said, “Truly thou art God’s Son” (Matthew 14: 33). Peter confessed Him as such, also the centurion and those with him after Jesus died. There was in Him a holy power in a scene of sin and death, culminating in resurrection which marked Him as Son of God. It is plural because His resurrection could not be limited; its power extended to all saints fallen asleep. The Son of God was just as holy — just as [p. 395] much apart from sin — in the days of His flesh as He was and is in resurrection. It is essential to the gospel that we should apprehend the absolute holiness of the Son of God. It was holiness which was the manifestation that His humanity was permeated in every detail by the power of the Holy Spirit. He was the fine flour of the oblation mingled with oil and anointed with oil. The holiness of God has been seen in a Man in this world; the very Spirit of holiness was there, for every part of His humanity was imbued with the Holy Spirit. It was not possible that He could be holden of death, and God has loosed the pains of death. He was held in those pains on behalf of others so that if He was loosed from them they were loosed also. And I believe that is why it says resurrection of dead (plural). His coming out of death means that through the glad tidings myriads will come out of death (see Acts 26: 23). Christ through resurrection of dead announces light to the people and to the nations. There is no real light for men now but what Christ announces through resurrection.
Now this is the One who gave Paul grace and apostleship on behalf of His name for obedience among all the nations. The gospel tests whether men have any disposition to obey God. The law was once the test of obedience, but the test is now the gospel. Will men obey that which brings untold blessing? Will they submit to be saved and justified and reconciled and set eternally in God’s favour? Now it comes to light that it is only faith that obeys — a new principle introduced by God Himself into the heart of man. Those called by Jesus Christ have it. Faith is a divine principle used by God in the soul in the working out of His own election.
Faith is mentioned nearly thirty times in the first four chapters (of Romans).