14. Chapter One
Chapter One A Connection of This Third Topic with the Two Previous Ones; Demonstrating How It Provides a Further Degree of Triumph. Two
Aspects Involved in It:
1. Christ's Ascension; 2. Christ's Power and Authority in Heaven.
I now turn to this third significant pillar and support of faith, Christ's position at God's right hand. I aim to demonstrate how the contemplation of this fact can strengthen faith seeking justification and forgiveness of sin:
"Who is he that condemns? Christ is at God's right hand."
In exploring this, I will adhere to the established method, by demonstrating both how justification itself depends on this, and how it provides evidence to us; both of which the apostle had in mind here, and from both of which our faith can draw comfort and assurance. I intend to focus strictly on the matter of justification, as in the previous discussions.
The two remaining points in the text—Christ sitting at God's right hand, and his intercession for us—are introduced by the apostle as having an additional force and effectiveness for the non-condemnation of the elect.
Although the two previous points sufficiently secure it, these two, when added to the former, make the triumph of faith more complete and full, making us "more than conquerors," as it is subsequently stated. This is not the only place that mentions Christ's "sitting at God's right hand," which I am now first to address, in its relation to our justification, and the assurance of faith about it; but it is also mentioned for the same purpose by the other great apostle, in 1 Peter 3:18-22. If the aims of these two apostles in both places are compared, they are the same. Here, the resurrection of Christ and his sitting at God's right hand are presented as the basis of this bold challenge and triumph of faith. And there in Peter, the response or plea of a good conscience in a believer justified is mentioned, which it presents in the court, and opposes against all condemning guilts (as it is called in 1 Peter
3:12). The apostle cites the resurrection of Jesus Christ as one basis of it, "the answer of a good conscience, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." And then, to further support and strengthen this plea or answer of a good conscience, the apostle includes his ascension and sitting at God's right hand, as further grounds confirming it.
So it continues, "who has gone to heaven, and is at the right hand of God, angels, and authorities, and powers, being made subject to him." All of which the apostle here expresses in one word (as enough to carry it) that Christ is "at God's right hand." The soul has a sufficient answer against condemnation in Christ's death and resurrection, full enough even if it stopped there; indeed, in this faith can triumph, even if it went no further; for it can show a full satisfaction given in his death, and that accepted by
God for us, and Christ acquitted, and we in him. Therefore, faith (you see) comes to a rather there. But then let it go on to consider Jesus sitting at God's right hand, and making intercession for us; and then faith will triumph and scorn all accusers, be more than a conqueror; then it comes not to a rather only, as here, but to a "much more shall we be saved by his life," as in Romans 5:10. And the meaning of this is, that if his death had the power to pay all our debts, and justify us initially, then his life has even more power. So that his death is but the ground and foundation of our faith in this matter, and the lowest step of this ladder, but these others are the top and full triumph of faith in it. And our spirits should rise, as the apostle here rises. Faith, on these wings, may not only fly above the reach of all accusations and condemners, but even completely out of their sight, and so far above all such thoughts and fears, as it may reach to a security that sins are forgotten and will be remembered no more.
What joy was there in the disciples when they saw Christ risen! John 20.
Therefore, in the early times, it was used as a voice of joy; and to this day, the Greek Christians greet each other, at that time of the year, with these words, "The Lord is risen," your Surety is out of prison, fear not. But (as Christ said in another case, so say I) what will you say, if you see your
Surety ascended up to heaven, and that as far "above angels and principalities" (as the apostle speaks in Ephesians 1) as the heavens are above the earth? Will you not in your faiths and hopes proportionally ascend, and climb up also, and have thoughts of pardon, as far exceeding your ordinary thoughts as the heavens are above the earth? Therefore, first view him as ascending into heaven, before he comes to be at God's right hand, and see what matter of triumph that will afford you. For that you must first suppose, before you can see him at God's right hand, and so is
necessarily included, though not expressed here. But that place previously quoted from 1 Peter 3 gives us both these two aspects included in it: 1. His ascension (who has gone into heaven); and 2. His power and authority there
(is at God's right hand, and has all power and authority subject to him), and suggests both these, as suitable matter to be put into a good conscience, its answer and defense why it should not be condemned. And therefore both may here as well come into faith's triumph, and that as being intended also by the apostle, and included in this one expression. He speaks with the least, to show what cause faith had to triumph, for the least expression of it; his purpose being but to give a hint of faith, or that which comprehensively contains many things in it, which he would have us distinctly to consider for our comfort.