And not only so, but we also joy in God
Something seems here to be understood, and which is to be
supplied thus; not only we are saved by his life, and from wrath
through him; not only are we reconciled to God by his Son, and
Spirit; not only Christ has died for us while sinners and
ungodly; not only do we glory in tribulations, and rejoice in
hope of the glory of God: "but we also joy in God"; himself, as
our covenant God and Father in Christ, as the God of all grace,
peace, and salvation; in his perfections, as engaged on our side,
and as glorified in our salvation; in the purposes of God, and
his covenant transactions with his Son, as they are made known in
the everlasting Gospel; in all his providential dispensations,
which are mercy and truth; and in our being of him in Christ, and
Christ's being made unto us wisdom, righteousness,
sanctification, and redemption; in all the blessings of grace we
receive from him, the glory of which is his due; and in his sight
and presence, and in the enjoyment of him. The means by which
saints come at this joying and glorying in God, is
through our Lord Jesus Christ;
not the light of nature, nor the law of Moses, nor any works of
righteousness done by men, nor through angels or saints, but
Christ, and him only; for it is only in and through him that God
is their covenant God and Father; by him only have they the
agreeable view of his glorious perfections; in him only all his
purposes and promises have their fulfilment; it is by his hands,
and through his blood, that all the blessings of grace are
conveyed to them; their access to God is only by him; and by him
they give the praise and glory of every mercy to him. And the
ground of this joy is the expiation of sin by Christ,
by whom we have now received the atonement;
atonement is not made, but received by us; which denotes the
application of the atoning blood and sacrifice of Christ to the
conscience, the Spirit's witness of interest in it, and the
office of faith, as a recipient of it: it is not faith, nor
anything else of the creature's, that makes the atonement, only
Christ; but faith receives it from him, and by him; which, as it
is the ground of present joying in God, so it is the foundation
of hope of future glory: the word "now" refers to the Gospel
dispensation. The poor Jews are at the utmost loss about
atonement: sometimes they tell F3 us it is by confession,
repentance, and good works; sometimes by beneficence and
hospitality F4; sometimes they say their captivity
is their atonement F5; and, at other times, that death
expiates all their sins F6. Blessed be God for the atoning
sacrifice of Christ!