believer nor the completeness of his acceptance. Nevertheless, before the chapter is finished we have found Paul

`warning' and `teaching', that he may `present every man perfect in Christ Jesus', and also at the close of the epistle

we find Epaphras praying for the selfsame thing (Col. 4:12). The accompanying chart illustrates this point. As it is

evident that neither Paul nor Epaphras has any doubt that what has already been written of the saints, as to standing,

in Colossians 1:12,13 and 22 remains unalterably true, it becomes necessary to distinguish between the common

`inheritance of the saints in light' for which all believers have been made meet, and `the reward' attaching to that

inheritance, which was associated with individual faithfulness, in other words the prize attached to the high calling

which, as in Philippians 3 is associated with `perfecting' (Col. 1:28; 4:12).

We must distinguish between that `holy, and unblameable, and unreproveable' position which is ours `in the

body of His flesh through death' and the possibility of being blamed and reproved for the things done in service. If

we `try the things that differ', we shall see that `hope' is on a basis of pure, unalloyed grace, which excludes all

possibility of either gain or loss, running or serving; and that the `prize' is on a basis of reward, given only to those

who strive lawfully. Knowing these distinctions we shall be saved a multitude of vexations, and moreover not be

found false witnesses of God, for without doubt, He

Chart No. 3