The Pulpit Commentary — Ephesians — Section 193

liuman society. So blind in moral judgment and so perverse in heart bas civil society been, o.lmost from the beginning, that it has doomed its best men to degradation, suffering, and often martyrdom. 2. T/uJ high probability of a future retributive dis- pensation. The beheading of John the Baptist, the imprisonment of a Paul, the crucifying of the Christ, proclaim with a. tongue of thunder a coming judgment, a day when "all ungodly men shall be convinced of all ungodly things which they have ungodly committed." II. THAT THE END OF ALL TRUE THEOLOGY IS THE IMPROVEMENT OF CHARACTER. The apostle, after laying down in the preceding chapters the grandest theological truths, begins in these verses an application of these truths to practical life. "I beseech you therefore." "Therefore." Why? Because of the wonder fol things I have stated. Theology, if it remains with us merely as a science, will do us no spiritual service. It may stimulate thought, widen the realm of intelligence, afford scope and incentive to our speculative faculties, and develop our powers of logic and controversy. ,But what boots all this? Devils i.!i depravity and torture arc theologians. lt is only when theological truths pass from the intellect to the heart, and thence circulate as blood through every particle of our being-in other words, when doctrines are translated into deeds-that they really serve us. Theology is bread ; but undigested bread does not impart health, but impairs it, does not invigorate the man, but enfeebles him. A great theologian is often a. moral invalid. Ill. THAT THE PRrvILEGES OF A MORAL BEING ARE THE MEASURE OF HIS OBLIGATIONS, "Walk worthy of the vocation," etc. The Bible teaches us our duty, not so much by written precepts as by principles, either expressed _or implied. Indeed, it seems to me no code of legislative propositions, though its volumes filled the world, could supply directions for the boundless activities of an undying soul. You cannot bring all the obligations of souls into any number of written sentences. Hence we have principles, and often one principle will meet all the possible activities of a soul, determine its duty in every separate act. The principle we have stated is an example. When a real Christian is told to "act worthy of his vocation," he is told everything touching all conceivable obligations, This point supplies us with two genernl remarks. 1. Ghrist iuns are called into a Divine sonship, and their duty is to ivalk worthy of that. The call you have in the fifth verse of the first chapter. "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will." We are called to be the sons of God, What is our duty? •ro act worthy of our relationship, act as sons ought to act towards such a Father. Give him: (1) Tho highest reverence. Our heavenly Father is not only greatest to us, but greatest to tho universe. 'rherefore reverence him. (2) The highest gratitu<l,e. W o owe everythiLi; to him-being and the highest blessings of being. Therefore to him our profoundest arn! incessant thanks are due, (3) The highest esteem. He is tl.ie best of Beings, the Fountain of all virtues, the Standard of all character, the Totality of goodness. There- fore he should be love,\ with all our soul and strength. (4) The highest confidence. Yield to him a cheerful trust, a boundless reliance. Trust in him for ever. (5) '!.'ho highest attention. lie should occupy more. of our thoughts than any other being, You should study his character, trace his ways, anticipale his wishes, imbibe his Spirit, imitate hie character, 11nd thus become partakers of his nature. When Christians are told to walk worthy of their sonship, what more can be said? It means to livo a pure, useful, elevated, morally royal life. 2. Christians are called into a spiritual corporation, and their duty is to walk worthy of that. When on earth Christ founded a new society, its members consisted. of those who practically accepted him ns their great Teacher, Example, Saviour, Lord. That society, few in numbers at firs~, has been increasing ever since. Millions have gone to heaven, and millions are still on this earth found in connection with all Churches, and not a few in connection with none. This society, though its members are divided by sentiment and ritual and distance, are nevertheless one-one in spirit, purpose, life. They are but branches of ono tree the Root of which is Christ, members of one body the Head of which is Christ. Now, every Christian is called into this grand corporation. And the apostle here states two things concerning onr relation to it. (1) 'l'he grand purpose we should aim at. "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in tho bond of peace." "Unity of the Spirit," mP.ans the unity of which .the Spirit is the Author, Unity, not merely doctrinal  193 'l'HE EPISTLE 'l'O THE EPHESIANS. [OH, IV, 1-82,