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individual member be. It that church be a new man, each member should put on the new
man. If Christ dwells in the temple built by the Spirit (Eph. 2: 20-22), then "Because of
this" (Eph. 3: 1 and 14) each individual member should desire to manifest that truth in
miniature, and is taught to pray "that Christ may dwell in the heart by faith". Thus
doctrine, dispensation and practice meet together in "the truth in Jesus".
(3).
The Image.
Eph. 4: 24 says that the new man is "according to God". Col. 2: 10 says it is
"according to His image". It is evident that Gen. 1: 26, 27 is in view. The introduction
of the lie into the garden of Eden rendered the purpose of the image in Adam abortive,
but only temporarily, for in Christ, the last Adam, the goal is reached. It is the purpose
of God that every one of the true seed shall be conformed to the image of His Son
(Rom. 8: 29). The church of the one body, a new creation in that image, is a firstfruits,
the greatest and richest earnest of the glorious future.
The goal of Col. 3: 11 that "Christ is all and in all", foreshadows the goal of the ages
"that God may be all in all". Christ has been given as Head over all things now to the
church, another anticipation of the day when all things shall be placed under His feet.
(4).
Knowledge.
Eph. 4: 24 speaks of righteousness and holiness of truth. Col. 3: 10 speaks of
renewal unto a full knowledge of God, the Creator. Is there a difference here? What
connection is there between righteousness, holiness and knowledge of the Creator? Have
we so soon forgotten the context of Eph. 4: 24? Have we not seen the utter
UNrighteousness and UNcleanness of ignorance? Have we not seen the degradation that
comes from vanity of mind, darkened understanding and ignorance? If there is to be a
change, ignorance must give place to knowledge, darkness to light, uncleanness to
holiness, wicked works to righteousness. In other words, the complete truth is expressed
by the two passage; either Eph. 4: or Col. 3: taken separately implies and necessitates
the other. Having touched upon this teaching concerning knowledge we shall realize the
condition of things expressed in Rom. 1: the more vividly:--
"Because that when they KNEW God . . . . . they became vain in their imaginations,
and their foolish heart was DARKENED . . . . . they did not like to retain God in their
KNOWLEDGE, they were given over to a reprobate mind" (Rom. 1: 21-23).
We shall also understand the meaning of II Cor. 4: 3-6 the better:--
"But if our gospel be veiled (see 3: 14, 15) by those things which are destroyed (see
3: 7, 11, 13, 14) it is veiled by which the god of this age hath blinded the minds of them
that believe not, lest the light of the glory of the gospel of Christ, Who is the Image of
God (see Col. 3: 10), should shine upon them . . . . . the light of the knowledge of the
glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (II Cor. 4: 3-6).
Here we see the gospel and knowledge used practically as synonymous. The outcome
of this teaching is expressed in Eph. 4: 25:--