WAKLING WITH THE LORD

COLOSSIANS 2:6

10/57

 

Introduction:

 

A very simple text, yet a great deep "as" and "so".  Faith and practice.

 

The admonition occasioned by a characteristic of human nature that makes for delight, yet can be so deeply, sadly perverted; our fondness for change.  Good- when delights in a new truth, new discovery, new venture.  But can be hurtful when applied to fundamentals.

 

Compare:  Our unregenerate nature, if it could possess heaven, in time grow weary of its delights, crave a change.

 

Compare:  Israel in the wilderness, bread of heaven, "angel food."  Number 21:5, murmured, "Our soul loatheth this light bread."

 

So this text: caution against shifting the ground of our hope and the object of our faith.  As the days pass, the flowers of grace, like the flowers of nature, die in the autumn of our piety.

 

Compare:  So many I knew, used to be so faithful, now so far away.

 

I.  AS YE RECEIVED CHRIST JESUS THE LORD

 

     1.  Joyfully, gladly.

 

The Anointed One of God.

Ordained of the most high.

 

No uncommissioned, amateur Savior, but one sect of the Father, the authorized representation of heaven.

 

Who could apply to himself, Isaiah 61:1-3.

 

Colossians 1:19; 2:9 Upon Christ rests the Spirit without measure.

 

Psalm 45:7; Hebrews 1:9 "anointed with the oil of gladness.."

 

May be as a child - "I want to see the pastor."

 

May be as a grown man - a new life, hope.

 

As the blind receiving sight.

As the deaf receiving hearing.

As the dead raised to life.

 

Washed whiter than snow - more acceptable to God than the unfallen angels; clothed in His righteousness.

 

     2.  Humbly.

 

John 3:27, John the Baptist, "No man can receive anything except it be given him from above."

 

Nothing of boastful thought - we have received it.

 

Implies the very opposite of anything like merit, purchasing, winning by valor.  "Receiving" is just accept; a thing as a gift.

 

Eternal life not the fruit of our exertion, but this gift of God.

 

As the earth drinks in the rain.

As the sea receives the streams.

As the night accepts the light of the stars.

As the empty vessel is filled by the spring.

 

So we the free grace of God.

 

The saints by nature wells, streams, fountains - they are but cisterns into which the living water flows.  Empty vessels, receiving grace for grace.  Whether young, old, ill-taught, well-instructed, full of faith or troubled with many a doubt, fear-salvation the receiving the gift of life in Christ Jesus.

 

Putting out your empty hand to receive the fullness of the Godhead...

 

     3.  Personally.

 

"Jesus."

 

While without faith, Jesus a name to us - may have lived a long time ago, but history.  But by an act of faith, Jesus becomes a real person - our brother, friend, Savior.  Our faith gives a substance to the story solidity into the name.  That which to the worldly man is but a phantom, a thing heard about, becomes to us one to low, lay hold upon, lean upon, trust.

 

We have received Jesus the Lord Himself.

 

Not just his doctrines, precepts, teachings.

Not just his ordinances, baptism, Lords' Supper.

Not merely the blessings of the covenant, his gifts, grace, promises, offices.  But Him.  The Savior Himself.  He is the center of our confidence, hope.

 

Jesus, Savior, to keep us,

Teach us,

Lead us,

Feed us,

Cheer us.

 

     a.  Bernard of Clarveaux "Jesus the Very Thought of Thee".  Page 135.

 

     4.  Submissively, obediently, worshipfully.

 

Peculiar phrase - nowhere else: "the Christ, even Jesus the Lord."  Emphasizing.

 

Accepted, not merely as one of the many anointed prophets nor as a man sent from God as John the Baptist, but as the Lord, the Son of God, Colossians 1:19; 2:9.

 

Those who say they cannot believe in His Deity have not received him.  If Christ is not the Son of God, we are idolaters; if he is, they are not Christians.  A great gulf - we stand on this side.  That same Jesus who was nailed to the tree is both Lord and Christ.

 

Like Thomas: "My Lord and my God."

 

Our King, our only Master, the Head of the Church, the Judge of all the earth, the absolute monarch of our souls.

 

Those who visited the manger - a child = but I hear, Hebrews 1:6.

 

"Let all the angels of God worship Him."

 

Those who kissed his feet, his humanity = but could walk upon the waves, his deity.

 

Those who saw his hands nailed to the tree, human = but those hands multiply loaves, fish.

 

Those who looked upon the corpse, laid in the tomb, man = but declared to be the Son of God by the Holy Spirit by the remnant, Romans 1:4.

 

II.  "SO WALK YE IN HIM"

 

     1.  Joyfully, gladly.

 

"I was glad when they said unto me..."

 

"Isn't it grand to be a Christian, isn't it grand."

 

Not like a slave driven to the galley...

 

     2.  Humbly.

 

Micah 6:8.

 

All honor, glory, praise unto Him.

 

Shall we turn aside, go astray - receiving salvation, Christ all in all.  But yield to old carnal nature, craving to be something, do something, to have some little personal honor by performing the work of the law; zealous obedience to the law, penance, manifestation of the flesh, to add to Christian work.  Now walk by feelings, philosophy, sight, carnal human wisdom.  No as we look upon Him alone as Savior, trust, for our salvation.  So look upon Him in the way - we walking in it.

 

Forerunner - we follow.

Companion - we lean upon.

Delight - we abide in Him.

 

     3.  Personally.

 

A most gracious permission as well as a very precious precept.  Suppose come to Jesus, poor sinner, saved.  Then He say:  "There, saved.  Go.  Been a prodigal, forgiven.  Shoes on feet, ring on finger, robe to cover nakedness.  Now go; do for yourself; on your own."  Infinite mercy welcome us, pardons us, then shoves us out.  How much more gracious, tender, the Lord's message of imitation, "Abide with me."