"You are complete in Him, who is Head of all principality and power; in whom you are also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ" Col. 2:10. 11.
Circumcision was a outward sign given to the Jews by God to establish His promise that He would always be with them. The new circumcision we receive in no longer outward it is inward, it is Spiritual; it puts away our body of flesh [the natural Adam man] from God's sight. Fleshly circumcision was a sign of pride for the Jew, a self righteousness of law keeping displayed on their bodies. A modern day equivalent for the Christian might be a Cross tattooed on their arm or even a Cross hung on the wall, a world displayed Christian symbol, a potentially pride producing icon, even Church attendance might qualify. Living ones life in the flesh and not the Spirit.
All outward displays of our faith, including Church buildings, Christian universities and cathedrals etc. are really reminders of the old way. They all eventually become mere wordily organizations. The structures themselves have always certainly failed to carry any unseen Spiritual reality of the called out ones of Jesus Christ: just as our outward body in all its efforts at spirituality fails. Outside adornment will never convert the world. Then what will? Is it even necessary to show ourselves to the world?
When the standard for the Christian life is low, the responsibility for growth is placed upon the believer. His icons and adornments and personal efforts, including those intellectual, all offer a false comfort. The things we surround ourselves with, somehow often become the place where our pride of the Christian life is most displayed. We look at our great Christian library's and say look how I have encompassed myself with godly information. I will grow to be more like Him; I just have to remember the words. Even fellowship, belonging to a group, can give a potentiality for a prideful self certainty.
But when it is God's standard for us which is known, all expectations for growth and maturity may be placed on Him. "For it is God which works in us both to will and do His good pleasure" Phil. 2:13. It is by His work for His glory, the very reason for the production of the likeness of Jesus Christ in us, He has placed the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. To manifest Him. God is reproducing Himself in us as His dwelling place upon the earth. Higher than all the buildings, greater than all the books or conferences and louder than all the bold proclamations we make is the Fathers desire and completed vision for His sons and daughters: Christ-likeness nothing less. How do we look then too God?
Exhortations to pray more, study more and witness more do show a certain dedication to the Lord in outward activity and add a certain shiny veneer. A dedication to Christian principals. But is this a likeness to the Lord? Are is likeness a inward spiritual, quiet restful continuance of waiting, even in pain and suffering, upon the reality of Spirit to manifest itself in our inward man by a renewed faith. Showing patience and long suffering. Informing ourselves by His word while we wait that the world has been crucified to us. Discovering the simple normal inward life of Christ as a identity. Might this be the real constant dynamic of being conformed to the Lord. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus" Eph. 2:10.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Thursday, February 26, 2015
DEATH IS LIFE
When I first came to believe I was in a desperate shape. I had seen death and I recognized myself and my condition in it. I was frightened to say the least. I called upon the name of Jesus. He came to me, I believed. Then He gave me a gift, a faith to maintain my belief.
Many have a similar story, but I suspect most simply grow into the Church life either through community or family. There is a natural progression a certainty of acceptance, Christianity becomes normal life. Faith and belief is nurtured by the Church always with good intent. I suspect there are hardships enough for all along the way to confirm what they have grow into as true, as they come more to rely upon their gift of faith.
It is what happens along the way that tells the story however. It is in the details. In the beginning it is faith that justifies. Then we are conformed by the bible studies we engage in, the examples of others and in learning that there is a plan and we are indeed included. What few realize is that the plan as applied to us in totality ultimately is only realized by the gift of a ever expanding faith and a challenge to the natural man. Which features include a entirely new life, that is only realized in a expanding faith; otherwise it's not readily visible, at least to God. The Church life does not prove it. Few know that the very existence of who they were [dead and valueless] or have been [entirely evil] and now are [positioned and identified and seen by God only in Christ] is completely made new and full in a larger faith experience, with the acquisition of a greater faith gift, announced by great need.
The result of being uninformed by faith of our newness of life as a perception, a defining of our very conscience being, is we try to train the old nature, the very one Christ Jesus came to die unto. We try to become to be a better fellow. Its only natural in the organizational process we all seem to finely succumb too. The Church has a vision given by God true, but often interpreted by the natural mans mind.
We have a vision to train up, enlighten, process the saints in the way they should go. To be the Church. Its normal and even understandable that the individual saint would wish it also to be so. The retraining, the remaking of the old nature, its quite a good feeling, it responds well.. We learn to study, attended meetings, cry out His name, yes even pray. All still most often relying on the retrained improved old man. And we do a pretty good job of it. Works abound, souls are saved, happy faces shine, trained ones are sent forth. Its not a bad thing.
What is the problem then ? Many Christians while earnest in their faith, knowing acceptance, then set forth to work for Christ in a diligent manner hardly noticing a much, much larger truth, "the just shall live by faith ". You see once we are comfortable in our programs we simply rest in the first blush of justification, the old man is still nurtured there. Our need is not great enough to count entirely on faith for a larger view. We are comfortable after all. This is the reason so many of today's churches, evangelical organizations, and denominations, are so degraded.
They do not know deeply enough that the life of faith is always a life dependent upon nurturing grace. Requiring great need of watering. They do not wait. They will not rest. They flee to the mirage of the diversion of the worlds pleasures or administrative goals, to avoid suffering. Little grace is needed in the good performance and comfort of the old man. But when one finely knows the old nature is entirely evil until the end, even when doing good; a different need arises. We are cast down, we see death. A new life becomes entirely necessary. At least if one wishes to carry on God's life on earth, to be His completion. Pray to see death, pray for a new life's desire.
The savor and eternal result of the faith when we first believed is not changed. We were then what we are now in God's eye's. A new creature, a new man, replaced by His Son, having God's life forever; heavenly saints, in a heavenly Church. However this new life heaven residency is spiritual and requires a daily unceasing duty of spiritual discipline, provided only by the Holy Spirit, to believe that is true. True of us now in this flesh on this earth! Not by behavior but by faith which flows effortlessly through grace.
What lacks and what the Church with all its good intentions cannot train us to be; is to live our life in the death of The Son of God. His death as ours. Having appropriated their likeness with Him in death. Then there is a transfer by Spirit of our entire being to His side. His identity becomes our life, not our own. This is a individual private acquisition. We must, to accomplish knowing this, come daily empty and helpless and pick up the first savior given at the new birth, presenting our body/minds as instruments unto God. Receive His life anew, make it ours in faith. Never doubting never looking back. Thus depending wholly upon His grace which will then bring forth the fruit of righteousness to the glory of God. "So now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death" Phil 1:20. Let us cry out in desperation for His life to be ours. "Oh Lord Jesus".
Many have a similar story, but I suspect most simply grow into the Church life either through community or family. There is a natural progression a certainty of acceptance, Christianity becomes normal life. Faith and belief is nurtured by the Church always with good intent. I suspect there are hardships enough for all along the way to confirm what they have grow into as true, as they come more to rely upon their gift of faith.
It is what happens along the way that tells the story however. It is in the details. In the beginning it is faith that justifies. Then we are conformed by the bible studies we engage in, the examples of others and in learning that there is a plan and we are indeed included. What few realize is that the plan as applied to us in totality ultimately is only realized by the gift of a ever expanding faith and a challenge to the natural man. Which features include a entirely new life, that is only realized in a expanding faith; otherwise it's not readily visible, at least to God. The Church life does not prove it. Few know that the very existence of who they were [dead and valueless] or have been [entirely evil] and now are [positioned and identified and seen by God only in Christ] is completely made new and full in a larger faith experience, with the acquisition of a greater faith gift, announced by great need.
The result of being uninformed by faith of our newness of life as a perception, a defining of our very conscience being, is we try to train the old nature, the very one Christ Jesus came to die unto. We try to become to be a better fellow. Its only natural in the organizational process we all seem to finely succumb too. The Church has a vision given by God true, but often interpreted by the natural mans mind.
We have a vision to train up, enlighten, process the saints in the way they should go. To be the Church. Its normal and even understandable that the individual saint would wish it also to be so. The retraining, the remaking of the old nature, its quite a good feeling, it responds well.. We learn to study, attended meetings, cry out His name, yes even pray. All still most often relying on the retrained improved old man. And we do a pretty good job of it. Works abound, souls are saved, happy faces shine, trained ones are sent forth. Its not a bad thing.
What is the problem then ? Many Christians while earnest in their faith, knowing acceptance, then set forth to work for Christ in a diligent manner hardly noticing a much, much larger truth, "the just shall live by faith ". You see once we are comfortable in our programs we simply rest in the first blush of justification, the old man is still nurtured there. Our need is not great enough to count entirely on faith for a larger view. We are comfortable after all. This is the reason so many of today's churches, evangelical organizations, and denominations, are so degraded.
They do not know deeply enough that the life of faith is always a life dependent upon nurturing grace. Requiring great need of watering. They do not wait. They will not rest. They flee to the mirage of the diversion of the worlds pleasures or administrative goals, to avoid suffering. Little grace is needed in the good performance and comfort of the old man. But when one finely knows the old nature is entirely evil until the end, even when doing good; a different need arises. We are cast down, we see death. A new life becomes entirely necessary. At least if one wishes to carry on God's life on earth, to be His completion. Pray to see death, pray for a new life's desire.
The savor and eternal result of the faith when we first believed is not changed. We were then what we are now in God's eye's. A new creature, a new man, replaced by His Son, having God's life forever; heavenly saints, in a heavenly Church. However this new life heaven residency is spiritual and requires a daily unceasing duty of spiritual discipline, provided only by the Holy Spirit, to believe that is true. True of us now in this flesh on this earth! Not by behavior but by faith which flows effortlessly through grace.
What lacks and what the Church with all its good intentions cannot train us to be; is to live our life in the death of The Son of God. His death as ours. Having appropriated their likeness with Him in death. Then there is a transfer by Spirit of our entire being to His side. His identity becomes our life, not our own. This is a individual private acquisition. We must, to accomplish knowing this, come daily empty and helpless and pick up the first savior given at the new birth, presenting our body/minds as instruments unto God. Receive His life anew, make it ours in faith. Never doubting never looking back. Thus depending wholly upon His grace which will then bring forth the fruit of righteousness to the glory of God. "So now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death" Phil 1:20. Let us cry out in desperation for His life to be ours. "Oh Lord Jesus".
Saturday, February 21, 2015
THE BATTLE IS ON
The other day I received a email from a Christian describing a great spiritual battle and how it was relieved by attending a movie featuring a character who gallantly overcame life's adversity's, a triumph of the will. This is perhaps well and good for ones ego and certainly can bring fruit in this world for success over daily troubles. But never the less I just cannot get this kind of so very un- biblical thinking which currently is so popular and pervades in so many Christians today from my mind. A truly heartbreaking condition we have fallen victim to. We now place our emotions and self first, by substituting a worldly portrait for the Holy Spirit. Assigning entertainment as a stimulative to God's Spirit, when we have the actual Word of God so readily available, but mostly gathering dust.
Yes we are in a spiritual battle, the bible says that it is "in the heavenly". We [all Christians] are being accused there of being weak worldly sinners, by Satan. This is a battle for our minds. It is a deception. The victory is indeed already ours, Christ has crushed this enemy. But just as we are left here with Adam's curse, our old mans personality or sin nature in our bodies, "sin is in the flesh"; we are left also with the necessary need to overcome the enemies accusations by renewing our own minds. It is not done for us by God automatically when we first believe. We must do it by allowing it to be done by His Spirit, "being conformed to His image". How then will we conduct this true spiritual battle?
First we simply must come to know the difference between the self life of emotions and the spiritual life of Christ. We have two natures, the first is the natural or first Adam, who lives in and as our natural man on earth. The second is the spiritual or Last Adam, Christ in heaven, who represents us there and lives out His life in our spirit and is our Christian life; discovered by His Word and lived only by faith imparted by the Holy Spirit.
This is by God's plan. Our daily self or first Adam life is filled with normal ups and downs and some downright horrible circumstances; that we might remain weak in the flesh and in need of Him. But also in God's plan this is not the life we need concerns ourselves with, we have a greater hope, as this is the life Christ died unto on the Cross. It is a dead life for any eternal purpose, it will not remain , cannot be passed on, and is not even considered of any value by the Father. Which is all that matters!
The true overcoming is gaining a spiritual/mental knowledge of just who we are in the second Man who is alive forever and in whom we exist forever. I fear many Christians spend the greater of their efforts on the first because the perfect existence we have in Jesus Christ requires a daily putting to death of the old man in a conscious effort, by a life of active daily renewed faith in the New. Which is the spiritual/mental battle to overcome what we actually are in the flesh. And then allow the replacement of that old vision or self introspection with a all new one who is Jesus Christ the New Man as our new identity.
This requires a constant reminder, by a faith that encompasses Jesus Christ as our complete identity. To know by the Word that all things in us for eternal purpose are fashioned in a view of Him [Jesus Christ] in God's mind. However many will not fight the committed battle they must to receive it. Their eye's are too much on Satan's world and themselves.
This second Man we have, who is alive forever, is available for life now. He has for our eternal purposes overcome the life of the first by Spiritually positioning us in Himself, identifying us in Himself. But for present circumstances dealings we must step up to the plate. We must develop a mental/spiritual soul penetrating faith which opens a experiential Christ life. This is done by the Word of God, which then imparts that kind of faith by the Holy Spirit..
From this point a obedience is required, not to laws and rules or a certain morality of life style. But obedience to a faith in a living heavenly spiritual reality that has fulfilled the law and God's perfect demand of righteousness. "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" He is our life by faith, requiring knowledge of it by His Word.
We must study the scriptures daily. No man could expect to become a scientist without study and research. So even more important the Word. All else must be set aside as priority. How else then can we expect to overcome the accusations of the devil without a deep thorough knowledge of God's Word. On our own in the quietness of our room we can by the Holy Spirit receive a direct revelation from the Creator of all things. Knowing Him must become our greatest desire. Few will go there I know, for the world calls; the old Adam listens. Satan's illusionist victory holds sway. "Even so come quickly Lord Jesus".
Yes we are in a spiritual battle, the bible says that it is "in the heavenly". We [all Christians] are being accused there of being weak worldly sinners, by Satan. This is a battle for our minds. It is a deception. The victory is indeed already ours, Christ has crushed this enemy. But just as we are left here with Adam's curse, our old mans personality or sin nature in our bodies, "sin is in the flesh"; we are left also with the necessary need to overcome the enemies accusations by renewing our own minds. It is not done for us by God automatically when we first believe. We must do it by allowing it to be done by His Spirit, "being conformed to His image". How then will we conduct this true spiritual battle?
First we simply must come to know the difference between the self life of emotions and the spiritual life of Christ. We have two natures, the first is the natural or first Adam, who lives in and as our natural man on earth. The second is the spiritual or Last Adam, Christ in heaven, who represents us there and lives out His life in our spirit and is our Christian life; discovered by His Word and lived only by faith imparted by the Holy Spirit.
This is by God's plan. Our daily self or first Adam life is filled with normal ups and downs and some downright horrible circumstances; that we might remain weak in the flesh and in need of Him. But also in God's plan this is not the life we need concerns ourselves with, we have a greater hope, as this is the life Christ died unto on the Cross. It is a dead life for any eternal purpose, it will not remain , cannot be passed on, and is not even considered of any value by the Father. Which is all that matters!
The true overcoming is gaining a spiritual/mental knowledge of just who we are in the second Man who is alive forever and in whom we exist forever. I fear many Christians spend the greater of their efforts on the first because the perfect existence we have in Jesus Christ requires a daily putting to death of the old man in a conscious effort, by a life of active daily renewed faith in the New. Which is the spiritual/mental battle to overcome what we actually are in the flesh. And then allow the replacement of that old vision or self introspection with a all new one who is Jesus Christ the New Man as our new identity.
This requires a constant reminder, by a faith that encompasses Jesus Christ as our complete identity. To know by the Word that all things in us for eternal purpose are fashioned in a view of Him [Jesus Christ] in God's mind. However many will not fight the committed battle they must to receive it. Their eye's are too much on Satan's world and themselves.
This second Man we have, who is alive forever, is available for life now. He has for our eternal purposes overcome the life of the first by Spiritually positioning us in Himself, identifying us in Himself. But for present circumstances dealings we must step up to the plate. We must develop a mental/spiritual soul penetrating faith which opens a experiential Christ life. This is done by the Word of God, which then imparts that kind of faith by the Holy Spirit..
From this point a obedience is required, not to laws and rules or a certain morality of life style. But obedience to a faith in a living heavenly spiritual reality that has fulfilled the law and God's perfect demand of righteousness. "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" He is our life by faith, requiring knowledge of it by His Word.
We must study the scriptures daily. No man could expect to become a scientist without study and research. So even more important the Word. All else must be set aside as priority. How else then can we expect to overcome the accusations of the devil without a deep thorough knowledge of God's Word. On our own in the quietness of our room we can by the Holy Spirit receive a direct revelation from the Creator of all things. Knowing Him must become our greatest desire. Few will go there I know, for the world calls; the old Adam listens. Satan's illusionist victory holds sway. "Even so come quickly Lord Jesus".
Monday, February 16, 2015
IN THE SPIRIT
"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" Gal. 5:25
There is much encouragement in the Church to know or sense the Spirit. We are told to be bold in our profession, a enthusiastic proclamation to manifest the Spirit in us. This is all well and good, but is this really the manifestation of the Spirit of God in us?
The great secret of the Christian life; which is in fact the Holy Spirits purposeful manifestation, is found in ceasing from self. A abnegation [rejection, abandonment] of our self life. How may we do this and will it help in the Spirit's manifestation in us?
For our Saviour Jesus Christ to receive His Resurrected life in glory He had to die, then His gift of the Holy Spirit could be imparted to us. So we in our receiving of His Spirit of life as experience must liken ourselves or associate to His death in weakness, just as He. How is this done?
First the Cross then the Spirit. He came to kill a old life " the self" and impart a new one, His; by Spirit. This is the old man and the flesh which He has died too. The very self who holds sway with much power in our lives for sin and self centeredness. It will only be in the understanding of a death to self [the old man] accomplished for us, by Him upon the Cross, that we will find the life in the Holy Spirit as a experience and a true manifestation. We in fact as natural men have been abnegated in God's sight.
The Spirit life is really a simple matter, but very hard to realize. It begins by a resting in faith that what was accomplished upon the Cross is applied to us. Not in a feeling, a action, or rousing proclamation, but in a resting by faith of its truth. By that Cross we received a new life along with Him in Glory, not in the flesh, not in the body, but in spirit, as a "new creation in Christ Jesus". We by Spirit positioned in Him. This is a mystery but is a truth. We must become willing to be willing that His life has replaced ours.
This truth is a position we have in Spirit before the Father. It is not by visualizing it or even verbalizing it, but is a fact to actualize in our mind by faith. It is our residency in spirit from eternity past. We have always been purposed to be placed in the Son. As we gain faith in this positional truth we will learn not to depend upon any sense or feeling. But that our position and presences in Christ both here in the Body and in Glory are based on a faith in facts of a positional reality presented to us in grace by His Spirit. This is the "partaking of the divine nature".
We are placed in a position of commonality, oneness with the Father. We contain in our spirit a human-divine newness of life from our re-birth. We are there in heaven fully accepted in His beloved son "hidden in Christ". Our only responsibility now is to sit quietly in His presence and wait upon His calling and direction. The earth is not our home "we have been raised up together". As we occupy that place fully, humbly and in quiet composure we will experience a normal Christian life. Resulting in fellowship with the Father, being prepared to accomplish His will on earth. That of the corporate Body united in His purpose. We only need continue, wait and rest! He will supply.
Without a knowledge and a heart felt dedication of our identification of our death in the Lord Jesus Christ from sin, and a new life in God we cannot know our position or experience the privilege that we by faith reside there with Christ in His heaven. And know His Spirit to be in our hearts here. We have been freed from the old man by death and made a new man in a New Man.
The very basis upon which the Holy Spirit takes action in us, His subjective work, is the objective truth of our eternal completeness in the Lord Jesus Christ realized by faith: co-crucified, buried, risen and ascended. Positional facts to be lived and enjoyed by faith; not possible to realize their potential in any other way.
If you my brothers and sisters are moved by this and wish to avoid many years of struggle to live the normal Christian life please go directly to the Internet and order The Complete Green Letters by Miles Stanford. The Bibles simplicity of life was opened to me by this great saint and much of what you read in my blogs are because the Lord blessed the world with his message and ministry.
There is much encouragement in the Church to know or sense the Spirit. We are told to be bold in our profession, a enthusiastic proclamation to manifest the Spirit in us. This is all well and good, but is this really the manifestation of the Spirit of God in us?
The great secret of the Christian life; which is in fact the Holy Spirits purposeful manifestation, is found in ceasing from self. A abnegation [rejection, abandonment] of our self life. How may we do this and will it help in the Spirit's manifestation in us?
For our Saviour Jesus Christ to receive His Resurrected life in glory He had to die, then His gift of the Holy Spirit could be imparted to us. So we in our receiving of His Spirit of life as experience must liken ourselves or associate to His death in weakness, just as He. How is this done?
First the Cross then the Spirit. He came to kill a old life " the self" and impart a new one, His; by Spirit. This is the old man and the flesh which He has died too. The very self who holds sway with much power in our lives for sin and self centeredness. It will only be in the understanding of a death to self [the old man] accomplished for us, by Him upon the Cross, that we will find the life in the Holy Spirit as a experience and a true manifestation. We in fact as natural men have been abnegated in God's sight.
The Spirit life is really a simple matter, but very hard to realize. It begins by a resting in faith that what was accomplished upon the Cross is applied to us. Not in a feeling, a action, or rousing proclamation, but in a resting by faith of its truth. By that Cross we received a new life along with Him in Glory, not in the flesh, not in the body, but in spirit, as a "new creation in Christ Jesus". We by Spirit positioned in Him. This is a mystery but is a truth. We must become willing to be willing that His life has replaced ours.
This truth is a position we have in Spirit before the Father. It is not by visualizing it or even verbalizing it, but is a fact to actualize in our mind by faith. It is our residency in spirit from eternity past. We have always been purposed to be placed in the Son. As we gain faith in this positional truth we will learn not to depend upon any sense or feeling. But that our position and presences in Christ both here in the Body and in Glory are based on a faith in facts of a positional reality presented to us in grace by His Spirit. This is the "partaking of the divine nature".
We are placed in a position of commonality, oneness with the Father. We contain in our spirit a human-divine newness of life from our re-birth. We are there in heaven fully accepted in His beloved son "hidden in Christ". Our only responsibility now is to sit quietly in His presence and wait upon His calling and direction. The earth is not our home "we have been raised up together". As we occupy that place fully, humbly and in quiet composure we will experience a normal Christian life. Resulting in fellowship with the Father, being prepared to accomplish His will on earth. That of the corporate Body united in His purpose. We only need continue, wait and rest! He will supply.
Without a knowledge and a heart felt dedication of our identification of our death in the Lord Jesus Christ from sin, and a new life in God we cannot know our position or experience the privilege that we by faith reside there with Christ in His heaven. And know His Spirit to be in our hearts here. We have been freed from the old man by death and made a new man in a New Man.
The very basis upon which the Holy Spirit takes action in us, His subjective work, is the objective truth of our eternal completeness in the Lord Jesus Christ realized by faith: co-crucified, buried, risen and ascended. Positional facts to be lived and enjoyed by faith; not possible to realize their potential in any other way.
If you my brothers and sisters are moved by this and wish to avoid many years of struggle to live the normal Christian life please go directly to the Internet and order The Complete Green Letters by Miles Stanford. The Bibles simplicity of life was opened to me by this great saint and much of what you read in my blogs are because the Lord blessed the world with his message and ministry.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
KNOWING HIM
"Now He which establishes us with you in Christ....is God" 2 Cor. 1:21
The economy of God which is operative in this age is the dispensation of grace. Many of us forget that in our hurry to establish ourselves as servants of the Most High. Paul's desperate call was simply; "that I may know Him" Phil. 3:10.
We must recognize this above all other things. Grace through knowledge of Him is the all-governing proposition for us to have instilled in our spirits. It is the greatest of all our needs. It is the secret strength and steadfastness, the forerunner of any service we might offer to our Lord.
This need "to know Him" explains all our life needs; suffering, perplexities and pressures. These momentary daily events are but God's grace being applied. The refining of our spirits. The expulsion of the dross. The purpose is that we may know the One object. That we may know the Lord. Therefore we must need Him.
Our minds are often occupied with our secular thoughts which we have surrendered ourselves to by choice. We are told what we need by the world and we apply for its comfort and gifts, we acquire. Often we attempt to compensate for this diversion, make up for our lack of growth in knowing Him, by service. Now we have two barricades to a life in Him.
Bible study and scriptural knowledge are important matters. And it is well and good that we should apply ourselves to them. Many have a great devotion and intimate familiarity with doctrines and stand for important aspects of the faith. They may even have a great desire toward the salvation of others; but have limited intimate knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself as their lover and as His bride. "To know Him".
Let us ask ourselves brothers and sisters; what will remain after this world or we pass away? Will it be the conferences we attended, the feelings of happiness in fellowship we have so enjoyed? The books and authors we so admire? Will it be our earthy acquisitions and retirement portfolios? Are will it be our real internal service which is based upon the intimate knowledge of the Lord in our inner man? Will Jesus Christ be our only Lover? All true lasting love affairs spring from a devotion and a inner personal knowledge of the Object of that love. There is no substitute!
So many Christians have their lives almost primarily in that which is external to themselves and not the Spirit's heart calling. They are occupied by secular activities the worlds affairs or personal doctrinal and intellectual study and church work. Personal, inward reflection and spiritual inner awareness is easily and often overlooked in the fray. "Have this mind [Christ's] in you". This mind [His] could only be acquired by His Holy Spirit and its knowledge of Himself imparted to us by His Spirit. For that to take place we must be fully available.
Living the grace life means steadfastness in troubled times. It is not necessary to struggle to be something. Not necessary to know many books, to even study over-zealously the scriptures. No the grace life is patience, confidence and rest in His spiritual and life provision, all furnished effortlessly by grace, announced by the Word. Those who know Him in a quiet strength that is patient and confident, will bear fruit. In the Lord Jesus Christ "are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden". The fathers will for us is to simply abide in a graceful reception and a ever growing realization; a personal appreciation and acceptance of Him in Whom all fullness dwells.
This was a anthology inspiration: thank you Lord for the wise and devoted men of the past who so grace my mornings.
The economy of God which is operative in this age is the dispensation of grace. Many of us forget that in our hurry to establish ourselves as servants of the Most High. Paul's desperate call was simply; "that I may know Him" Phil. 3:10.
We must recognize this above all other things. Grace through knowledge of Him is the all-governing proposition for us to have instilled in our spirits. It is the greatest of all our needs. It is the secret strength and steadfastness, the forerunner of any service we might offer to our Lord.
This need "to know Him" explains all our life needs; suffering, perplexities and pressures. These momentary daily events are but God's grace being applied. The refining of our spirits. The expulsion of the dross. The purpose is that we may know the One object. That we may know the Lord. Therefore we must need Him.
Our minds are often occupied with our secular thoughts which we have surrendered ourselves to by choice. We are told what we need by the world and we apply for its comfort and gifts, we acquire. Often we attempt to compensate for this diversion, make up for our lack of growth in knowing Him, by service. Now we have two barricades to a life in Him.
Bible study and scriptural knowledge are important matters. And it is well and good that we should apply ourselves to them. Many have a great devotion and intimate familiarity with doctrines and stand for important aspects of the faith. They may even have a great desire toward the salvation of others; but have limited intimate knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself as their lover and as His bride. "To know Him".
Let us ask ourselves brothers and sisters; what will remain after this world or we pass away? Will it be the conferences we attended, the feelings of happiness in fellowship we have so enjoyed? The books and authors we so admire? Will it be our earthy acquisitions and retirement portfolios? Are will it be our real internal service which is based upon the intimate knowledge of the Lord in our inner man? Will Jesus Christ be our only Lover? All true lasting love affairs spring from a devotion and a inner personal knowledge of the Object of that love. There is no substitute!
So many Christians have their lives almost primarily in that which is external to themselves and not the Spirit's heart calling. They are occupied by secular activities the worlds affairs or personal doctrinal and intellectual study and church work. Personal, inward reflection and spiritual inner awareness is easily and often overlooked in the fray. "Have this mind [Christ's] in you". This mind [His] could only be acquired by His Holy Spirit and its knowledge of Himself imparted to us by His Spirit. For that to take place we must be fully available.
Living the grace life means steadfastness in troubled times. It is not necessary to struggle to be something. Not necessary to know many books, to even study over-zealously the scriptures. No the grace life is patience, confidence and rest in His spiritual and life provision, all furnished effortlessly by grace, announced by the Word. Those who know Him in a quiet strength that is patient and confident, will bear fruit. In the Lord Jesus Christ "are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden". The fathers will for us is to simply abide in a graceful reception and a ever growing realization; a personal appreciation and acceptance of Him in Whom all fullness dwells.
This was a anthology inspiration: thank you Lord for the wise and devoted men of the past who so grace my mornings.
Saturday, February 7, 2015
GREAT DEPENDENCE
Upon our first entering in Christ we have a great joyful experience, a wonderful freedom. This is no doubt a heavenly experience. Nothing here could provide such joy.
Immature saints do not know of the great doctrines; the most important to apprehend and to live the heavenly Church life being the doctrine of position or positional sanctification. The bible says we are heavenly "hid in Christ" this is of course a positional standing. After all we are here. It is grace through knowledge that introduces the heavenly experience of position in our intellect/mind, thought, contemplation and joy and most importantly spirit. We are positioned there [in heaven with Jesus] by faith that it is true and the word makes it so. No experience in the flesh will come close. And by trying to accomplish it in the flesh we will fail.
The joyful Church life is acquired by grace. It separates us from what is natural; we become true to a new heavenly standing [positioned in Christ] of which we entirely belong. This is liberty in Christ. The great paradox of this most rightful experience is that the more we apprehend it the more we notice we are in the wilderness. Surround by the world and the natural man we carry always inside.
Well things now seem spoiled, we were happy by the measure of the heights of Christ we have so enjoyed, but now realize how weak and troubled our environment is. We are subjected to the captivity of the world. We are here. Why is that so? It is not in God's plan to raise us up in grace to a great moral height and hold us there always in comfort, as the result would be we would suffer less need for dependence upon Him if maintained in a heavenly experiential position as a emotional experience.
The great teaching of the wilderness is dependence upon the Father. The heavenly man must forever be maintained in a needful position, the fellowship of Christ's suffering. When we mature and learn our heavenly position, [Rom. 6, 7, and 8 will show the way] in truth, by faith in His Word and if we walk in it conscientiously, we will encounter many trials and new circumstances keeping us dependent; in other words the truest heavenly man will be a active wilderness man and will have a greater suffering. Because He knows the way, has seen the light, but must contend with the world and himself in comparison.
If we maintained a perfect form of the heavenly position and calling we would become puffed up then we would be allowed by God's grace to suffer a open failure. Taking comfort in our place might feel good, but it is the sure path to pride and a judgmental attitude. The constant small reminder of the natural mans propensity to failure keeps us from a greater fall. So by this we may see: the more we advance into the greatness of the glory in Christ Jesus, the more we are really happy there; the more we are subjected to trials here to keep us in great dependence. This my friends is the condition and position we all should aspire to as God's will for us, and accept in maturity as children of God.
Much of what I write is inspired and gleaned from my anthology studies, from the works of men like Darby, Stoney, Kelly written in the mid 1800's. Also I take great advantage of the writings and daily devotional written by Miles Stanford.
Immature saints do not know of the great doctrines; the most important to apprehend and to live the heavenly Church life being the doctrine of position or positional sanctification. The bible says we are heavenly "hid in Christ" this is of course a positional standing. After all we are here. It is grace through knowledge that introduces the heavenly experience of position in our intellect/mind, thought, contemplation and joy and most importantly spirit. We are positioned there [in heaven with Jesus] by faith that it is true and the word makes it so. No experience in the flesh will come close. And by trying to accomplish it in the flesh we will fail.
The joyful Church life is acquired by grace. It separates us from what is natural; we become true to a new heavenly standing [positioned in Christ] of which we entirely belong. This is liberty in Christ. The great paradox of this most rightful experience is that the more we apprehend it the more we notice we are in the wilderness. Surround by the world and the natural man we carry always inside.
Well things now seem spoiled, we were happy by the measure of the heights of Christ we have so enjoyed, but now realize how weak and troubled our environment is. We are subjected to the captivity of the world. We are here. Why is that so? It is not in God's plan to raise us up in grace to a great moral height and hold us there always in comfort, as the result would be we would suffer less need for dependence upon Him if maintained in a heavenly experiential position as a emotional experience.
The great teaching of the wilderness is dependence upon the Father. The heavenly man must forever be maintained in a needful position, the fellowship of Christ's suffering. When we mature and learn our heavenly position, [Rom. 6, 7, and 8 will show the way] in truth, by faith in His Word and if we walk in it conscientiously, we will encounter many trials and new circumstances keeping us dependent; in other words the truest heavenly man will be a active wilderness man and will have a greater suffering. Because He knows the way, has seen the light, but must contend with the world and himself in comparison.
If we maintained a perfect form of the heavenly position and calling we would become puffed up then we would be allowed by God's grace to suffer a open failure. Taking comfort in our place might feel good, but it is the sure path to pride and a judgmental attitude. The constant small reminder of the natural mans propensity to failure keeps us from a greater fall. So by this we may see: the more we advance into the greatness of the glory in Christ Jesus, the more we are really happy there; the more we are subjected to trials here to keep us in great dependence. This my friends is the condition and position we all should aspire to as God's will for us, and accept in maturity as children of God.
Much of what I write is inspired and gleaned from my anthology studies, from the works of men like Darby, Stoney, Kelly written in the mid 1800's. Also I take great advantage of the writings and daily devotional written by Miles Stanford.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
JUDICIAL POSITION
All of us know that our sins could only be forgiven on account of the blood of Christ "Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins".
We also know that not one atom of sin can enter into the Fathers presence. But we want to feel spiritual despite our sin. So we in the Church have adopted many ways to eliminate or get rid of our sin problem. We have the clear desire to be something other than we are. "Sin is in the flesh"
Every one of us wish for a untroubled conscious. We admit we sin and so are often kept from a feeling of freedom both to enjoy ourselves and God..
There is a simple reason we have this plight. We do not see [apprehend] how the Cross removed the old flesh man and Adam's sin nature forever from God's view or even consideration. Hence we resort to methods such as asking forgiveness for our own sake, a submission to feelings. Even a need for penance, as in we will read more bible, work more in the Church, attend a conference or class etc.... If we base our relationship with the Father on what we are in the flesh or how we feel at the moment we display a condition of unbelief of our complete forgiveness and the sufficiency of the Cross.
We expect through the work of the Spirit to be improved. Converting what is bad [the Adam man] to what is good calling the result sanctification. Perhaps we even have a moment of glorious feelings of freedom; only to experience the breakout of the flesh once again. Where now is the sanctification we had found in our experience and surrender?
Yes sin is the root. But we hold a new position. We have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in us. We can easily learn from the word, that according to the will of God, all of what we are/were in the flesh is done away with judicially and only judicially in Christ's own death on the Cross. We are ended in God's sight as a natural man.....and thus "the believer is not in the flesh but in the Spirit" which is a Judicial position or how God views us, period! If we reckon that as true by faith in His Word, in the very condition we are occupying now, in the flesh, the Lord Jesus may become the exclusive delight and object of our heart by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
A man is sent to prison for murder, given a life sentence. One day after many years he is sent before the Judge who proclaims you have served your sentence to my satisfaction and are free to join society. The man is still a murder but now has a new position granted by the judge, one of freedom. He may live like all other citizens by a Judicial decree. Enjoying life. We are like the murder except our sentence has been served by Jesus Christ and now we are free to live in God's life by a Judicial act. As with the criminal our enjoyment of that new life depends upon our attitude. Ours however should be apprehended by the power for freedom we have in Christ based on a Judicial act that we accept in faith, and of its application to us which we hold by that faith; that of the position we were given in Him pronounced in our favor by the Father by His act. A Judicial position.
We also know that not one atom of sin can enter into the Fathers presence. But we want to feel spiritual despite our sin. So we in the Church have adopted many ways to eliminate or get rid of our sin problem. We have the clear desire to be something other than we are. "Sin is in the flesh"
Every one of us wish for a untroubled conscious. We admit we sin and so are often kept from a feeling of freedom both to enjoy ourselves and God..
There is a simple reason we have this plight. We do not see [apprehend] how the Cross removed the old flesh man and Adam's sin nature forever from God's view or even consideration. Hence we resort to methods such as asking forgiveness for our own sake, a submission to feelings. Even a need for penance, as in we will read more bible, work more in the Church, attend a conference or class etc.... If we base our relationship with the Father on what we are in the flesh or how we feel at the moment we display a condition of unbelief of our complete forgiveness and the sufficiency of the Cross.
We expect through the work of the Spirit to be improved. Converting what is bad [the Adam man] to what is good calling the result sanctification. Perhaps we even have a moment of glorious feelings of freedom; only to experience the breakout of the flesh once again. Where now is the sanctification we had found in our experience and surrender?
Yes sin is the root. But we hold a new position. We have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in us. We can easily learn from the word, that according to the will of God, all of what we are/were in the flesh is done away with judicially and only judicially in Christ's own death on the Cross. We are ended in God's sight as a natural man.....and thus "the believer is not in the flesh but in the Spirit" which is a Judicial position or how God views us, period! If we reckon that as true by faith in His Word, in the very condition we are occupying now, in the flesh, the Lord Jesus may become the exclusive delight and object of our heart by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
A man is sent to prison for murder, given a life sentence. One day after many years he is sent before the Judge who proclaims you have served your sentence to my satisfaction and are free to join society. The man is still a murder but now has a new position granted by the judge, one of freedom. He may live like all other citizens by a Judicial decree. Enjoying life. We are like the murder except our sentence has been served by Jesus Christ and now we are free to live in God's life by a Judicial act. As with the criminal our enjoyment of that new life depends upon our attitude. Ours however should be apprehended by the power for freedom we have in Christ based on a Judicial act that we accept in faith, and of its application to us which we hold by that faith; that of the position we were given in Him pronounced in our favor by the Father by His act. A Judicial position.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
BLESSED NEEDINESS
"Not as though I had already attained....but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus" Phil 3:12.
This has become my most favorite verse as of late.........I can relate to it. It reminds me of the journey I am on and that it is just that a journey.
The Father develops us. We go through stages. We are shown our sin and need...self is exposed. Then the hunger begins. At first we are vexed; what are we to do to overcome this sin that resides in us full time?
It is only later and because of the sin exposed, that we realize it is the pathway to Jesus Christ Himself. Before we can take on the likeness of Jesus Christ we must see ourselves. We must be brought to a place where we discover how little we are conformed to Him. It is only this need apprehended that brings the opportunity to grow into His image.
On the other hand it does no good to only focus upon our failures. We become discouraged, not beholding the beauty of Christ, not apprehending His all sufficiency. Yet if we only see His excellent sufficiency we will not apprehend our defects and lack discernment as to our weakness. If we do not apprehend this we will not reach to appropriate that which He has so abundantly supplied. We must always be reaching.
If we do not see all that must be put off, and that Christ must be put on, acknowledging that it is only by Grace that we receive His life and manifest Him; we become self satisfied and stagnant....we lose our invaluable need.
This was inspired by my morning devotional. I will endeavor to write shorter blogs published more often for consumption and growth. But mostly for my growth into His image. May you my friends also be blessed with Him and grow to the stature of His life. Need shows the way.
This has become my most favorite verse as of late.........I can relate to it. It reminds me of the journey I am on and that it is just that a journey.
The Father develops us. We go through stages. We are shown our sin and need...self is exposed. Then the hunger begins. At first we are vexed; what are we to do to overcome this sin that resides in us full time?
It is only later and because of the sin exposed, that we realize it is the pathway to Jesus Christ Himself. Before we can take on the likeness of Jesus Christ we must see ourselves. We must be brought to a place where we discover how little we are conformed to Him. It is only this need apprehended that brings the opportunity to grow into His image.
On the other hand it does no good to only focus upon our failures. We become discouraged, not beholding the beauty of Christ, not apprehending His all sufficiency. Yet if we only see His excellent sufficiency we will not apprehend our defects and lack discernment as to our weakness. If we do not apprehend this we will not reach to appropriate that which He has so abundantly supplied. We must always be reaching.
If we do not see all that must be put off, and that Christ must be put on, acknowledging that it is only by Grace that we receive His life and manifest Him; we become self satisfied and stagnant....we lose our invaluable need.
This was inspired by my morning devotional. I will endeavor to write shorter blogs published more often for consumption and growth. But mostly for my growth into His image. May you my friends also be blessed with Him and grow to the stature of His life. Need shows the way.
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