April 17

"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him." — Colossians 2:6.

THERE can be no true religion without experience; and where the power of truth has been felt within, its practical influence will appear without. Note

A REPRESENTATION OF THE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER. It is the reception of Christ.

In what capacity is he received? Not only in a belief of his word, and a profession of his name, but an actual union to his person, and participation in his benefits. As "Christ," the anointed Prophet to remove our ignorance; "Jesus," the atoning Priest to expiate our guilt; "the Lord," the Almighty King, to subdue our corruptions.

In what manner is he to be received? Personally, for he cannot be received by proxy; freely, as God's unspeakable gift; fully, as a complete Saviour, with a renunciation of every other hope; willingly, and not by constraint, except that of love. In conversion, the will is sweetly subdued, and made to fall in with the arrangements of mercy.

A RULE FOR CHRISTIAN CONDUCT. It is to walk in Christ — and this course is to be

Consistent in its character. "So walk ye," that is, let there be a correspondence between principle and practice; what you profess to be, and what you really are.

Progressive in its tendency. The Christian life is a holy, honorable, difficult, pleasant, and safe walk; we are not to stand still, but to urge on our way to the place of our high destination.

Spiritual in its nature: "walk ye in him;" that is, in a nearness to, and communion with him — there must be faith in his merits, dependence on his strength, and conformity to his example. Such a course will be associated with the cultivation of spiritual and holy dispositions and tempers, and crowned with the Divine favor and regard. May such a course be mine; that it may be said of me when I am no more on earth, "He walked with God — and God took him."

"Christ is our life, our joy, our hope, Nor can we sink with such a prop."