Romans 10:12 - Homiletics

Spiritual enrichment.

The experience of the apostle was sufficiently large to enable him with confidence to make this sweeping assertion. And the experience of the Church of Christ, through the many centuries which have elapsed since St. Paul thus wrote, enables Christians to make the same assertion with undiminished confidence. In fact, the actual proofs at our disposal and command are overwhelming, both in number and in appropriateness; for, whilst the bestowal of Divine and spiritual wealth has been incessantly proceeding, the resources are unexhausted and inexhaustible.

I. THE RICHES OF THE LORD . In Christ is wealth adapted to the enrichment of dependent, needy men. He has in himself:

1. Riches of revelation.

2. Riches of redemption.

3. Riches of replenishment, owing to the nature and perpetuity of the spiritual dispensation of grace.

4. Riches of resurrection, inasmuch as the true riches endure unto life eternal.

II. THE LIBERALITY WITH WHICH THESE SPIRITUAL RICHES ARE DISPENSED .

1. It is because Christ is Lord over all, that he is rich unto all.

2. The riches of redeeming love are conferred upon men of every nationality. In the apostolic age, the great distinction which Christianity transcended was that between Jew and Gentile; but, in subsequent times, it has been proved by experience that there is no nation, no class, and no condition incapable of this Divine enrichment.

III. THE CONDITION UPON WHICH SPIRITUAL RICHES HAVE BEEN , AND STILL MAY BE , APPROPRIATED . As throughout this chapter, the apostle here insists upon that spiritual condition of receptivity and application by which all that is good may enter the nature of man. Calling upon him is an act

As we exercise this means of communion, all things are ours.