Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-06-26

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''Do all in the name Of the Lord Jesus.
Col 5 II.
The world is largely indebted for III
best thought to wrong or inadequate con
ceptions. Correcting or CON, .leting the
faulty, truth is published as no man wouL
thing of publishing it in absence of fell
need. The Epistle to the Colossians is ar
example of evil thus over-ruled for good
Dangerous heresy was at work among
the disciples in the valley of the Lycus
Shaken by sophistry, many were turning
| from wisdom. The person of Christ was
lost in a multitude of agencies conceived as
standing between man and God. This
meant denial of Christs right to the faith
| of men.
ITO meet this false conception the letter
ty the Colossians was written. For those
who accept the authority of the writer as
an apostle of God the question is settled for
all time. The person of Christ stands forth
alone. Angels and principalities and pow
ers are simply agents to do his bidding. He
is the one object of faith for redemption,
for by him alone man finds God.
The matter does not stop here. Doc
trine is made the basis of practice. The
exaltation of Christ becomes the ground of
holy living. Out of profoundest theolog-
ical thought emerges perpetual obligation
to every day righteousness, not for the val
ley of the Lycus, but for the world, the
supremacy of Christ imposes upon men the
| duty of right living.
Within the sphere of life in Christ all
activity moves. There are no limitations
or exceptions. Whatsoever ye do, in word
or in deed. do all in the name of Lord
Jesus. We cannot be far from the apos-
ties thought when we find in this the
Christian moral motive. By this is meant
that in the nature and will of Christ is
found the motive which is to control the
life of man
AT least three questions will arise.
What is the ground of the motive! What
are the elements of the motives Is the
motive sufficient.
THE ground of the motive is found in
the sole mediatorship of Christ his supreme
lordship, and his office as given of bfe.
Christ claims no place among angels and
cons as the servants of God to reconcile
men to Himself. In the work of mediation
He stands absolutely alone. In none other
is there salvation. He is the representa-
tive of God in all revealing and redeeming
relations with men. The Bible knows no
other Savior.
"If there is any other way to God men
need to know it. But to find it other rev.
eations " i'll he needed than that which has
been given to the world as the Word of
God. The one Mediator is the one Lord.
The claims of Christ are exclusive. This
does not mean narrowness or intolerance or
bigotry. 1t means that with Christ as
Mediator and Lord there is no room for
rival claims
"Tbe prologue of Johns gospel and the
first chapter of Hebrews are simply un-
answersblc on this point. Other Scripture
is not behind. Colossians, Ephesians and
Philippians are emphatic in their avowa of
the supremacy of Christ. After humilia
tian comes exaltation.
Wherefore also God highly exalted hlm,
and gave unto him the name which is above
every name; that in the name of Jesus
every knee should bow. of thing in heaven
and things ON earth and things under the
earth. and that every tongue should con
fess that Jesus Christ is lord, to the glory
of God the Father.
After this 1t is useless to talk about
Christ sharing his supremacy. Agents and
aids there may be. Thrones and domin-
lous and principsIi,ies and powers have
place and office. But Christ is lord of them
AL. The argument of Hebrews is signiti-
cant. Christ is be tier than the prophets
as the son is better than the servant.