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doctrine of election, neither can we discuss the true translation of the word katabole,
translated in Eph. 1: 4 "foundation" for the present purpose. It amounts to much the
same thing whether we read that this intention on the part of God, that the Church should
be "holy and without blemish" dates from before the `foundation' of the world, or from
its `overthrow' as recorded in Gen. 1: 2. In either case, the choice took place long ages
before man was created, consequently human merit plays no part in it. Here we are on
the ground of sheer grace.
In Colossians, the subject shifts forward into time, and deals with the object of
sanctification as one who had become an `alien' and an `enemy' by wicked works. Here
election is unmentioned, it is redemption that is the only ground upon which we stand.
"In the body of His flesh through death" places sanctification squarely upon the basis
of the One offering, where by the very nature of things, all human merit or co-operation
is impossible.
In the third phase, sanctification is likened to "washing", and the washing is brought
about by "the Word" which is likened to "water". While the passage ends, as do the
others with the words "holy and without blemish", this condition is here interpreted as
being without "spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing". This is the practical, the progressive,
the day-to-day sanctification, the growth in grace that arises from and is entirely
dependent on the elective and redemptive phases already considered. Finally, in two
places, the word "present" is used.
"In the body of His flesh through death to present you" (Col. 1: 22).
"That He might present it to Himself a glorious church" (Eph. 5: 27).
It will be remembered that in Jude also we read "to present you faultless", but it must
be noted, that while Jude 24 uses the word histemi, "to set, place or station", Ephesians
and Colossians use paristemi, "to set, place or station ALONGSIDE", so near, so high,
so wonderful is the high calling of God made known in the dispensation of the Mystery.
This word occurs 12 times in the Gospels, 13 times in the Acts and 14 times in Paul's
epistles, and the fourteen passages in Paul's epistles contain enough teaching to justify a
separate study. This we commend to the reader who would be fully apprized of the
wonder of His calling in grace.