ther enjoined of God nor did it prevent the indulgence of the flesh in sin (2:23 A.S.V.). k.—The answer to it—2:20 Believers were not to be unduly “subject to ordinances” (2:20) or caught in the maelstrom of wild eyed renunciation because: 1. —Christ was deliverer—2:13 He had made them free. They were not to be “entangled again in the yoke of bondage” (Gal. 5 :1 ). God had forgiven their sins for Christ’s sake (Col. 2: 13). The accusation against them on account of their iniqui ties had been blotted out, nailed to the cross (2 :14 ). Christ had conquered the forces of dark ness which sought to lead them back into the thraldom of legal ism and despair (2 :15 ). Then why should they once more seek the old shackles from which the Saviour had deliv ered them (2 :2 0 )? 2. —Life came by yielding — 2:11-14 The life that glorifies God is possible because the believer has assumed a new spiritual position. He is able to “put off the sins of the flesh” (2:11) because he has died with Christ (2 :20 ; 3 :3 ), has been buried with Him (2 :12 ), and has been raised with Him to newness of life (2 :1 2 ; 3 :1 ). He has thus been identified with the Lord Jesus in a beautiful, mystical union. From this vantage-point he is able to live victoriously. He needs no man-made slavery to restrain him. The Holy Spir it is the Guide and Power of those who are in Christ. Then away with all moral exhibition ism, all outward show, a 11 empty sham. Christ Jesus is at the right hand of God (3 :1 ), the believer’s life (3: 4) and victory forever.
LET US GO ON! Some of us stay at the cross; Some of us wait at the tomb, Quickened and raised together with Christ, Yet lingering still in its gloom; Some of us abide at the Passover feast With Pentecost all unknown— The triumphs of grace in the heaven ly place That our Lord has made our own. If the Christ who died had stopped at the cross, His work had been incomplete; If the Christ who was buried had stayed in the tomb He had only known defeat; But the way of the cross never stops at the cross, And the way of the tomb leads on To victorious grace in the heavenly place Where the risen Lord has gone. So let us go on with our Lord To the fullness of God; He has brought Unsearchable riches of glory and good Exceeding our uttermost thought, Let us grow up into Christ Claiming His life and its power— The triumphs of grace in the heaven ly place That our conquering Lord has made ours. — Annie Johnson Flint PEACE, BE STILL Cease your thinking, troubled Chris tian, What avails your anxious cares? God is ever thinking of you, Jesus every burden bears. Casting all your care upon Him, Sink into His blessed will; While He folds you to His bosom, Sweetly whisp'ring, "Peace, be still." Jesus knows the way He leads me, I have but to hold His hand; Nothing from His thought is hidden, Why need I to understand? Let me, like the loved disciple. Hide my head upon His breast; 'Till upon His faithful bosom, All my cares are hushed to rest. — A. B. Simpson
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