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that takes the place of "wine wherein is excess", we should seek to know what it is. Once
again the parallel epistle Colossians supplies the needed information:--
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Teach and admonish one another in all
wisdom, singing in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with grace in your hearts to the
Lord" (Col. 3: 16).
This parallel is so complete that we cannot avoid the inference that "to be filled with
the Spirit" will be to be filled by the Spirit with the word of Christ. The Spirit
everywhere takes of the things of Christ and applies them to the heart of the believer.
That constitutes the inspiration of his renewed conversation, "speaking to yourselves",
and will prevent any corrupt communication from proceeding out of his mouth, for out of
the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh, and a heart filled by the Spirit with the
word of Christ will speak accordingly. The melody of hearts finds its Amen in:--
"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ" (Eph. 5: 20).
The lowliness and meekness that adorns this doctrine is expressed by:--
"Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God" (Eph. 5: 21).
"Fear", phobos, and "reverence", phobeomai (see Eph. 5: 33) explain one another.
Our reverence for Christ places us all in our true relationship one with another. This
relationship is threefold and practically covers the whole of human society.
Our next paper must be devoted to the application of truth to the domestic and social
side of life, a side as important if not more so than that of the ecclesiastical and public.
Truth like charity begins at home. The Bishop must be able to manage his own house
before he can think of ruling the house of God. The Spirit of God has sealed us. The
Spirit of God may fill us. Let us walk accurately, for His Word is still a lamp unto our
feet and a light unto our path.