(Col. 2:4-7.)

(Continued from p. 302.)

In our last study we considered the mystery of God to which the apostle refers in verse 3. He now gives his reason for speaking of it. He wished to guard the saints against being misled by any man's enticing words.

From Epaphras, whose affection and abundant labor (chs. 1:7,8; 4:12,13) were so largely bestowed upon the Colossians, the apostle had heard of their order and firm faith in Christ. Though not there in person, yet he was with them in spirit, and rejoiced because of what he learned concerning them.

His exhortation follows (vers. 6, 7). They had received Christ according to the word of truth in the glad tidings (ch. 1:6). Those glad tidings proclaimed "Jesus the Lord." Having believed them, and the reality of their faith being evidenced in fruit-bearing, the apostle can state with assurance that they "have received the Christ, Jesus the Lord."

The apostle has unfolded to them the truth concerning this blessed Person, His glorious preeminence, and their relation to Him according to the purposes of God, and he has shown that Jesus is in very truth "the Lord." As such they had received Him. Now they were not to allow the plausible speech of any man to dissuade them from Christ in His unique glory, as preeminent in all things. So he exhorts that having received Him as thus set forth in the glad tidings, they should so "walk in Him." They were to go on steadfastly and refuse to be diverted from it by any teaching of unprincipled men, cunningly leading into systematized error; but, by holding the truth in love, to grow up in all things unto Him who is the Head and pattern of His people. They were not to give ear to those vain teachers, but walk according to the way in which they had received Christ-firmly adhering to the faith, and not moved away from the hope of the glad tidings which they had heard (ch. 1:23). The true knowledge of God was treasured up in the person of Christ, and His revealed place in God's eternal purpose. Beyond this no man could go. The summit had been reached. Any attempt to go beyond this, or professed claim to higher, fuller knowledge could not proceed from God. It could only have its source in those spiritual powers of wickedness whose constant aim is to corrupt and distort the truth of God.

There is meaning in the manner the apostle speaks. They had received "the Christ," God's anointed, "Jesus the Lord"-not as one among many emanations from the Deity, as the Gnostic teachers might claim, but "the Lord." This is an important truth, and a few scriptures will help us to appreciate it.

It is the opening note of the Spirit's testimony. "God has made this same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36), as Peter again declares, "He is Lord of all" (Acts 10:36).

Paul learned this at his conversion-"Who art Thou, Lord?" "I am Jesus whom thou persecutes!" (Acts 9:15). Later, he declares Him to be "the Lord of glory" (1 Cor. 2:8). And again, "To us there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him" (1 Cor. 8:6). John describes Him as "Lord of lords" (Rev. 19:16), and one of the seven angels so proclaims Him (ch. 17:14).

This Lordship of Jesus includes His heirship of all things, and His subjugation of all things to Himself, His headship over all things, His supremacy over angels, authorities and powers, heavenly and earthly; it links with the truth of His eternal sonship, and glory as Jehovah. Compare Heb. 1:2; 2:8; 1 Cor. 15:24-28; Eph. 1:20-23; 1 Pet. 3:22; John 3:35; 5:22; 12:37-41 with Isa.6. To "walk in Him" therefore means to walk, practice, and live as maintaining this truth; our lives being sanctified by His being our Lord. We are to "walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing." "Whatsoever ye do, labor at it heartily, as doing it to the Lord, and not to men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance; ye serve the Lord Christ."

To thus walk in Him will give poise to our lives as we pass through this world of contrary influences and of the enemy's power, in which our Lord is not acknowledged. Spiritual and moral darkness envelope it as the atmosphere envelops the earth, and through this darkness the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience exercises his power and directs its activities against God and His Christ. But we who have received Him in the glad tidings preached are "now light in the Lord" (Eph. 5:8). We have been brought into a full knowledge of God, and made intelligent concerning the mystery of His will, for the secret of the Lord is given to them that fear Him.

Let us then "walk as children of light, for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, proving what is agreeable to the Lord; and do not have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness." There can be no excuse in being deceived, for we have been brought into the light by which all things have their true character exposed. Christ is the true light. "WALK IN HIM." John Bloore

(To be continued, D. V.)