_VOCATION_ ‘I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.’ Ephesians 4:1 The vocation or calling here referred to was the _ name_, the _ status_, the _ dignity_, the _ privileges_, flowing from admission to the Church of Christ. I... [ Continue Reading ]
_CHRISTIAN UNITY_ ‘The unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ Ephesians 4:3 ‘Ye are one,’ the Apostle would say, ‘one in Christ Jesus, therefore live and walk as one.’ Two points here suggest themselves for our consideration. I. IN WHAT DOES TRUE CHRISTIAN UNITY CONSIST? (_a_) _ True unity... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE APPEAL FOR UNITY_ ‘There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, Who is over all, and through all, and in all.’ Ephesians 4:4 (R. V.) The great dangers we are in by reason of the existe... [ Continue Reading ]
_USES OF ANGER_ ‘Doest thou well to be angry?’ ‘Be ye angry, and sin not.’ Jonah 4:4 (with Ephesians 4:26). The former text implies that there is an anger which is sinful; and the latter text implies that there is an anger which is not sinful. The difference lies not so much in the character, or... [ Continue Reading ]
_AN APOSTOLIC INJUNCTION_ ‘Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God.’ Ephesians 4:30 How sad it is to grieve a friend! But to grieve the best of friends seems more than sad, more than culpable. We may grieve the Holy Spirit of God— I. BY LACK OF CHRISTIAN CHARITY.—Selfishness no doubt is at the root... [ Continue Reading ]