The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-17

lNTRODCCTlON.-lt WAS EivCn H.
Fdul TO carry the Gospel to the Gentle
world. Richly endowed by nature, lac
received in the school OF Gamaliel the
best training afforded in his time (ActS
XAii: 81. Converted when about sc years
Of age, sixteen years PASSED away before
he wrote line of what has come down
10 us. Those years were devoted to the
careful study of the Christian system
Whose truths he apprehended and stated
more clearly than did any of the other
apostles. The Pauline thought formed
the lasis of doctrine IN all the Reformed
churches in America ana Europe, and
became the dominating influence III mod
ern civilization. Paurs writings fan INTO
four distinct groups, separated by a Pc
riod of about five years cach-those of
his second mission tour; those of his
third missionary tour; those of his first
Imprisonment at Rome; and those be-
tween his liberation aud martyrdom. The
cpistle from which we study today be-
longs 10 the third group. 1t is both
doctrinal and praCtical-an exalted view
of Christ, is made the motive and meas
ure Of the rev life required of His fol-
lowers.
ASPlRATIONS.-Our lesson opens with
an attempt to elevate the desires and
purposes knowing that the heart reg
ulates the conduct duke vi: 40. the
apostle urged the COlossians to Sech
heavenly rather than earthly things
Nerscs and p, an advice given by the
Saviour Matt. vi: 1920. lie did not in
tend to enjoin tCtal Indifference to world
ly affairs, and i'm another place teaches
just the opposite tACts Xxx: 3d. but he
would have the affections fixed upon the
world 10 come, so that if need be the
lesser may be cheerfuly sacrificed for
the greater Phil. Iii: So. This dsposl-
ton he considered TO be appropriate for
two reasons. Christ has passed into
heaven and is now at the right hand of
God CRom. viii: 3D, the place of honor
and authority, and surely the aspirations
of His people should be toward Tim. Be
sides the believer by the act of baptism
tC0L IL: l2), professed to be buried and
risen with Christ, that is TO have laid
OF the old or carnal lite and to have
taken on the new and spiritual life, and
mis- profession can be made good only
by the method above described,
VITALITY. The plea for an unworldly
and heavenly disposition 10 supported by
| two other considerations more forcible
slil. What was shown Ia be cXpcdient
and proper is also held TO be necessary.
First the believer has no life in himself
he is dead-and what life he has is Ind
with Christ in God" (Norse 81. Paul
expresses the same idea more clearly
| elsewhere (Gal. ii: 2W, But If our life
is derived from Christ, and If lie Is in
heaven, u is absolutely essential TO the
maintenance OF that life that we should
direct our affections and efforts heaven
waGl psalm CNxi: -, Second. Christ is
not only the present source OF life, but
lie viii usher Ills people into the next
life, the glory which is beyond q Cor. Ky:
40, when lie shall accord
Ing to His promise Gohn xiv; 81, at a
time yet future, then shall His disciples
appear with Him" Verse A.. If, then,
the believers hope depends upon his
Lord and IL that Lord has passed into
the heavenly world, every consideration
OF the life TO come requires an earnest
looking upward and onward.