Ing t,o the usage of the apostle, this would include the Incarnation, or his cominu from the hC'aYenly home to earth (eh. iv. 1-4). It also distinctly declares that the S,rn of God-is on earth still-that he remains with us. Nor Cl\n the student of Scripture be at a loss to understand how that is (Matt. xviii. 20; xxviii. 20). His people are his representati\'es. His Spirit supplies his place. His words are still among us. So that, we may assign a manifold meaning to the eiq,ression. Jesus Christ is here: 1. In his words. 2. In the influence and power of his holy life. It abides in the world, the ideal standRrd of humanity. 3. In the people in whom he dwells. 4. In the living Church which be inspires. 5. By his Spirit, by whom he, though now bodily in heaven, is co1n-erting the world and educating the Church. Note: It is quite possible to do our Sanour a great wrong by representing his Church as mourning an absent Lord. He is much more fully with believers now thau when his feet walked the earth. II. A DLESSED EXPERIENCE as the outcome of the coming of the Son of God. This is declared. in the text to be fourfeld. 1. We owe to Jesus Christ the gift of a spiritual understan,1ing (5ui.vo,av, sensum; cf. 1 Cor. ii. 14; Eph. i. 18 (Greek, T.R.); Matt. v. 8; xiii. 14; vi. 22, 23). As is the heart, so is the eye. When Christ by his Spirit renews the oue, there is new power of sight in the other. More is included, however, than a clear perce1,tion. The word also bears the meaning of a power of sound reasoning. Sin vitiates the reasoning powers by warping the will which directs them (Eph. iv. 17, 18, 23). When men a.re born again, their powers of reasoning become rectified and sanctified, being governed by the Spirit of God. 2. Having this new understanding, we know, through Chdst, him that is true, i.e. the Father. Christ being himself the "Effulgence of" the Father's "glory, and the very Image of his substance," in knowing him we know the Father. As by his incarnation he discloses the Object, a.nd by imparting a new understanding enables us to see the Object, there comes to be through Christ the meeting of subject and Object, which constitutes knowledge. 3. The Lord Jesus ha.s also brought us into a. living and a.biding union with himself. "We are in his Son Jesus Christ.~ The knowledge we gain is not that of One who is f&r off from us, a.nd from whom we remain far off. It is.attended with a vital union with him. We are "in him." How? (1) In him as our Life; from him we draw our own. (2) In him a.s the Sphere of our communion and abiding fellowship. (3) In him as Our Mediator; in whom the Father sees us. (4) In him as" the Lord our Righteousness" and Str~ngth. (5) In him as our Refuge frorn the storm. (6) In him as our eternal Joy. No less expressive phrase than this," in him," will suffice to tell how closely Christ and his own are locked in each other's embrace. 4. Being brought into this vital union with the Son, we are in living and loving union with the Father. "We are in Lim that is true," through being" in his Son Jesus Christ" (cf. eh. iv. 15, 16, 12). We are" bom of God."" begotten of him." fil lN TRIB BLESSED EXPERIENCE IS THE ACHIEVED SOLUTION OJ!' LIFE'S V ABTEST PROBLEMS. "'l'his is the true God, and Eternal Life." There are two problems which men have been for ages attempting to solve--one concerning the Supreme Being; another concerning the meaning and destiny of human life. 'l'he one the greatest objective, the other the greatest subjective problem. Both find their solution in Christ, and only in him. For: 1. In Christ, or through him (whichever view of the text be taken), we come to know the true God. 'fhe word thrice translated "true" is not the one which means true in distinction from the false; it means "true" in distinction from the inferior, partial. defective, and incomplete. "True" as fulfilling completely the highest ideal, as "in contrast with all imaginary and imperfect objects of worship," and as fully satisfying" the idea of Godhead in the mind of man." This perfect ideal of the great Supreme, and this Being who answers to that perfect ideal, we know through Christ. 2. In Christ, eternal life, too, is revealed as existing in him, as imparted by him to those who believe on his Name. Note: Obviow,ly we have here, and here alone, the absolutely univer;al religion, not only for all the world, but for all the worlds. It is so, not simply because it is too exclusive to tolerate any other, but because in it, and in it alone, are secured all to which any religion anywhere can aspire-even a knowledge of the very God, and such a union with him as ensures a life of eternal and ever-growing blessedness. What more can any religion show us? The whole ground of possible yearning is covered. And is there any other in the world t.hat profeueB to secure all this, and that verifies its claims by giving now, in a living e.x1,e- tl'l'. v, 1-21.] THE FIIlST EPISTLE GENERAL OF ,JOHN. 157
ricnco, the RctnRI foretRste of the life to come? Verily in and through Christ alone have wo "the very God, and the eternal life."