But now being made free from sin, and become servants to
God,
&c.] In what sense regenerate persons are free from sin, and
are become the servants of God, has been observed already; the
consequence of which is, that such have their
fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting
life:
holiness is a fruit of freedom from the bondage of sin, and of
serving God; holiness begun in regeneration, calling, and
conversion, is a fruit of the Spirit; a course of living
righteously is a fruit of holiness, as a principle implanted; a
gradual increase in holiness is carried on by the Spirit of God
in a course of righteousness; and a course of righteousness, from
a principle of grace, issues in perfect holiness; "without which
no man shall see the Lord" (( Hebrews
12:14 ) ): here it seems to design, that holiness is fruit,
or that which is gain and profit to persons, in opposition to
sin, in which there is no profit: it is not indeed profitable to
God in point of merit; yet holiness, as a principle of grace, is
profitable to the saints in point of meetness for glory; and
holiness, as it denotes an external course of life, is useful and
profitable on many accounts; hereby God is glorified, the
doctrine of Christ is adorned, religion is honoured and
recommended, our own credit, reputation, and peace, are
preserved, and our neighbour's good promoted.
And the end is everlasting life:
as sin issues, if grace prevent not, in everlasting death;
holiness issues in eternal life, not by way of merit, but of free
gift.