III. The Christian life is supported and established by faith in fully declared truth.—1. There is the idea of stability. The believer is rooted in Christ, as a tree planted in firm, immovable soil; he is built up in Christ, as an edifice on a sure foundation; and in both senses, as a tree and as a building, he must be established in the truth which has been demonstrated to him as Divine and all-authoritative. It is not enough to preserve the appearance of an external walk in Christ; but the roots of our faith must be worked into Him, and the superstructure of holiness rest on Him as the only foundation laid in Zion. The soul thus firmly established will survive the heaviest storms of adversity and the most furious assaults of error.
2. There is the idea of progress.—Walking implies a continual advance to a given destination; a tree is planted in order to grow; the building, after the foundation is laid, rises to completion. The word “built” is in the present tense and describes a work in actual process. So the believer, having become attached to the only foundation that is laid, which is Christ Jesus, is ever rising in conformity with the foundation and with the outlines of that grand spiritual edifice of which Christ is the pattern and glory. Faith is the cement that fastens one part of the building to the other; but faith as a living, active principle, also admits of increase. With respect to every individual effort after a higher spiritual life, according to our faith it is done unto us.
IV. The Christian life has its most appropriate outflow in thanksgiving.—“Abounding therein with thanksgiving” (ver. 7). The end of all human conduct is thanksgiving. It should be expressed in every word and appear in every action. Life should be a ceaseless, ever-abounding outflow of gratitude. We should never forget the magnitude of the blessings we have received, the wealth of mercies now offered to us, and the source whence they all issue. A thankful remembrance of past benefits cheers and strengthens the heart under difficulties and disposes the bounteous Donor to confer further benefits. There is nothing in which Christians are more deficient than in a devout and heartily expressed gratitude. Gratitude expands our sympathies for the race. What a triumph of disinterested thankfulness was that of the invalid who, though confined to his room, “thanked God for the sunshine for others to enjoy”! The spirit of Christian progress is one of unceasing thanksgiving.
Lessons.—1. The Christian life is Divinely bestowed. 2. The Christian life is Divinely sustained. 3. The reality of the Christian life is evidenced by effusive and practical gratitude.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES.
Vers. 6, 7. Retrospection the Basis of Progress.
I. The Christian consciousness in its apprehension of Christ.—1. There are two opposing theories prevalent on the person of Christ—the rationalistic and the revealed. The one rules out His Godhead; the other is the basis of the Christian faith. 2. Two systems of theology, widely distinct from each other, are dependent on these theories. The one puts man at its centre, and is wholly human; the other enthrones God, and is essentially Divine. 3. There is only one Christ, one faith, one salvation. 4. It is within the one or the other of these two systems that we must posit our decisions.
II. The Christian consciousness in its reception of Christ.—1. Faith receives the whole Christ. 2. Christ asks and gets the whole man. 3. The life of faith, as embodied in the moralities of Christian living, is thus provided for and follows this consecrating act.
III. The Christian consciousness in its subjection to Christ.—1. The sphere of the lordship of Christ is the human mind. 2. The claim of this lordship is absolute. 3. The mind is free and unconstrained in its surrender to the authority of Christ.—John Burton.
Ver. 6. Moral Imitation.