The Pulpit Commentary — Ephesians — Section 60

that we have t.o deal with organic conditions-with living forces and their resultant9. He discerns a purpose in the seeming confusion of foroes. In spite of many indications of failure, he discovers a sure progress. .And the end of this progress he declares to be union and harmony. Yet be is not merely philosophizing. His idea is theological; he sees God's mind planning the whole, and God's hand effecting it. It is also essentially Christian. The end is accomplished through Christ. I. GoD PURPOSES 'l'O BRING ALL THINGS INTO ORGANIC UNION. This purpose is illustrat.ed by the latest philosophy of evolution. Mr. Herbert Spencer has shown that e,olution is a proce..."5 of increasing inte,,aration, accompanied by increasino- differen- tiation. Scattered nebulous matter concentrates into solid worlds. From bexistence in separat;e cells, life advances to the union of cells in organic creatures. Society progresses from indindual separation, through tribal union, to the formation of great nations. St. Paul carries out the idea on a larger scale. Heaven and earth, things spiritual and things materi&!, will ultimately integrate in one grand unity, Consider some of the wonderful results involved in such a process as. it completes itself. 1. An approach of all tki-rigs nearer together and a more ready intercommunication. The earthly m1l no longer be separated from the heavenly. 2. Mutual co-operation. Each will minister to the other. 3. The 'ITUJre effective work of higher organization. 4. The end of all durord, the overthrow of all evil, the subjection of the lower to the higher. Sin must then be cast out and God's will done on earth as it is now only done in heaven. 5. No necessary uniformity. On the contrary, differentiation increases with integra- tion. The most highly organized bodies have the greatest variety of parts. While we look for progress, therefore, we must not be surprised at seeing increasing differences of constitution, idea, method of action, etc., among Christians, but even expect this to accompany a growth in harmonious mutual helpfulness. We are not to see the uniformity of the blades of grass in a meadow; but the unity of the root, trunk, branches, leaves, and fruit of one great tree. IL THE UNION OF ALL THINGS WILL BE EFFECYl'ED THROUGH CHRIST. We cannot measure the far-reaching effects of the life-work of Christ. But the character of all of them is pea.c,emaking and progressive. Christ comes to quell the discord of life, to draw all into one, and to lead the whole on t.o a higher life. We may see, partly, by what means this is done. L The Incarnation. Thus heaven comes down to eartn. The process begins here in one man, Jesus. 2. The sacrijke of Christ. This is a peace offering. By it the separation between man and God is done away. 3. The 'brotl.erl.ood of Christ. All Christians are brethren in Christ. Thus human differences are done away; Jew and Gentile, bond and free, barbarians and civilized, are one in Jhrist. In the end, the union of Christians in the Church should realize the cosmo- politan oneness which will banish war and mutual jealousies. 4. The headship of Christ. 1.$, Christ is recognized to be the Head by all, all become members of him, a!ld so members one of another. 5. The final triumph of Christ over sin, death, and. all evil things. JlL THE ACCOl!PLISinrENT OF THE OBGANIO UNION OF ALL THINGS WILL COME WITH "THE DISPENSATION OF THE FULNESS OF TIMES." 1. It is only possible in course of time. Evolution takes time ; so do the Divine education of the race, the spread of the gospel, and the growth of the Church in. truth and grace. 2. It is not. to be indefi:r,itely postponed. There will be a fulness of times. The present confusion is only temporary. It may last long, but not for ever. We may do something to hasten the consummation of all things. It will only come when the times are ripe for it; but as we do our part to aid the great Christian progress, we help on the ripening of. the ages.-W. F. A. Vers. 13 1 14.-Sealed. L THE ASSURANCE THAT CmlIBTIANB ARE SEALED. 1. They. are owned by God. "The Lord knoweth them that are his." God is said t,o keep a book of remembrance, so that they who fear him shall be remembered in the day when he makes up his jewels (M.al. iii. 16, 17). 2. They are to be known by men. A seal is conspicuous. It is intended to be seen and understood. There are signs in the life by which the inward spiritual religion may be detected. If we know how to read· the seal, we shall be able to discover whether or no it is on ourselves. Yet it is poa:;iLle to be a true 1,ervant of Christ, and yet to be sadly douhtful as to one's own  THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS. 57