Colossians 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all… I. There are some persons who have no essentials in their creed, and others no circumstantials. (1) Some seem perfectly regardless of doctrinal principles; it is nothing to them whether they address the Supreme Being as "Jehovah, Jove and Lord," whether Christ is Divine or merely human, and whether His sacrifice is an atonement or an example. (2) Others regard everything as equally important, and lay as much stress upon discipline as on doctrine, on the mode of administer. ing an ordinance as upon the ordinance itself, and plead as much for "mint, anise," etc., as for the weightier matters of the law. (3) While one of these parties has no room for faith, the other has no room for charity. Both extremes are to be avoided. 2. Surely there are differences between things, between speculative opinion and a practical truth, the ornament of a bridge and the key-stone of an arch, a man maimed and a man dead. The Scriptures, therefore, diminish the value of inferior things in religion, and magnify the importance of the superior ones. Hence, it everywhere shows that Christ is all in all. This is so — I. IN THE OPERATIONS OF DIVINE GRACE. 1. Redemption. "Ye are bought with a price," and this price is "the precious blood of Christ." 2. Justification. "By Him all that believe are justified from all things." Men talk of making their peace with God. That is made "by the blood of Christ's cross"; all that is required is to accept it. 3. Renovation. We are "new creatures in Christ Jesus." 4. Perseverance. The righteous hold on their way not by their own resolutions and efforts, but because He is able to save to the uttermost. We are "more than conquerors through Him." 5. Glorification. "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear," etc. II. IN THE TESTIMONY OF SCRIPTURE. The Bible is a revelation of Christ, and is therefore called "the Word of Christ." Christ is all in all. 1. in the historical part. In Adam you see him as the head and representative of his people; in Noah, as the restorer of the new world; in Isaac, as a burnt offering; in Joseph, as humbled and exalted, and the saviour of his father's house; in Aaron, as a high priest; in Moses, as a lawgiver; in Joshua, as the leader and commander of the people; in Solomon, as the Prince of Peace; in Jonah, rising again the third day. 2. In the Levitical part, which was a shadow of which He is the body. Everything in this dispensation reminds us of Christ: the smitten rock, of His refreshment; the manna, of the Bread of Life; the mercy seat, of His propitiation; the passover, of His blood sprinkled on the conscience securing us from the avenger; the sacrifices, of His atonement. 3. In the prophetical part. "To Him gave all the prophets witness." "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." 4. The promissory part. The promises are only "exceeding great and precious," as they are "Yea and Amen in Him." 5. The evangelical part. 6. The epistolary part. III. IS THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY. 1. In its institution. When He ascended on high He gave gifts to men, and gave some apostles, etc., "for the work of the ministry." 2. In its commission. "Go ye into all the world." 3. In its qualification. He only can make men "able ministers of the New Testament." 4. In its successes. He confirms the word by signs following. 5. In its theme. "God forbid that I should glory," etc. All other themes radiate from or converge in Him — God, providence, heaven. IV. IN THE ESTIMATION OF HIS PEOPLE. 1. This applies to Abraham, who "rejoiced to see his day"; to Moses, who esteemed His "reproach greater riches than the treasures of Egypt"; to Job, who knew that his Redeemer lived; to David, to whom He was "fairer than the children of men"; to the Church, in whose sight He is "altogether lovely"; to Simeon, who saw in Him God's salvation; to Paul, who esteemed all things loss for the excellency of His knowledge; to the first Christians, who exclaimed, "Whom not having seen we love"; to the noble army of martyrs, who said, "We cannot dispute for Him, but we can burn for Him." 2. This applies to His own people now, for He is all in all in their thoughts, desires, experience, actions. (W. Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. |
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