Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

by H. J. Vine.

The World’s Maker, Israel’s King and God’s Children

The One who made the world came into it as a Man, but the world did not know Him. He was the rightful King of Israel, but His own nation did not receive Him. There were those who did, however, and there are those today who believe on His Name of divine and royal worth. He Himself gives to such the right, without question, to take the place of God’s children, for their faith shows they are born of God. The Spirit of God guided John to write thus concerning Jesus, the Christ, the True Light,—“He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power (right) to become the children of God, even to them that believe on His Name” (John 1:9-12).

“THE WORLD WAS MADE BY HIM.” When such an One gives a right to any, who could question that right? He is the eternal Word, who was with God, and was God. All things received being through Him. Nothing came forth without Him. But He Himself came into the world. He became flesh; and His personal glory was (we are told by those who saw Him), “as of an only-begotten with a father” (John 1:14, New Translation). There was a measure of light granted before, but His coming into the world brought “the true Light” for all; not for favoured Israel only. He could not be less than “the Light of the world” when He came. To have Him is to have “the true Light” (1:9). Men seek hither and thither for “new light,” “more light,” or “fresh light.” Elsewhere we read once of “the true light” as that which “already shines” (1 John 2:8). To be lured by false light is to be led into darkness. John the Baptist bore witness of the true Light, who,—though He came “after” John in time, was preferred before him in honour, for He was “before” John (John 1:15). Yes, through Him the world was made, therefore He was necessarily “before” John, yet coming in grace He was born six months “after” John. And as to honour, who else could have the pre-eminence in this world, save the world’s Maker, should He graciously come into it? Colossians 1 shows that the Son is pre-eminent in creation because by Him all things were created, and He is “before all.”

“HE CAME TO HIS OWN” (neuter), and “His own (masc.) received Him not.” But there were those who did, and He Himself gave the right to such to be children of God. They believed on His Name, having received in faith the truth of who and what the world’s Maker and Israel’s King is. They were “born of God” (John 1:13). A new family thus appears. The Lord had brought Israel out of the fierce furnace of Egyptian bondage. But when tested under law, they proved themselves a perverse generation, rebellious children, and when their rightful Ruler came to His own rights, He was refused them. Then He uses His divine and royal prerogative, to grant to those who receive Him in faith, the unquestionable “RIGHT” to take the place of God’s children. Today these have the witness of the Spirit, and the love of the Father assuring them of that relationship, being born of God, yet “the right” granted sovereignly by the Son adds boldness to our divinely assured faith. How vastly important and encouraging is this Word. The MAKER OF THE WORLD, ISRAEL’S KING, JESUS, the Son of God, unknown by the world, and refused His own crown and kingdom by Israel, has given to those who receive Him, the right to take this honoured place of relationship and blessedness,—THE PLACE OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD. How great and glorious is the One who grants this right! How rich is the right granted to those who believe on such an One! What holy confidence is thus imparted! Everlasting praise be His. The world was made through Him! Israel’s throne belongs to Him! God’s children are abidingly blessed by Him.

He is the Word, who was with God, and was God, through Whom all things came forth. He says, “I was set up (anointed) from eternity, from the beginning, before the earth was” (Proverbs 8:23). Again we read, “By the Word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. He gathered the waters of the sea together … Let all the earth fear the Lord” (Psalm 33:6, 8). “This is hidden from men through their own wilfulness” (2 Peter 3:5). “By the Word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth.” But by faith “we apprehend that the worlds were framed by the Word of God” (Hebrews 11:3). And God has spoken to us fully and finally in the Son (or Sonwise), “by Whom He made the worlds” (1:1-2). And the apostle wrote of Him as our “one Lord, Jesus Christ, by Whom are all things, and we by Him” (1 Corinthians 8:6). This is the One on whose holy Name we have believed, who gives us divinely the right which is ours.

After He had raised Lazarus from death and corruption, many of the Jews believed on Him; and “on the morrow a great crowd” took branches of palms, and cried, “Hosanna, BLESSED IS THE KING OF ISRAEL that comes in the Name of the Lord” (John 12:13); and fulfilling the Scripture long before written of Him, He “found a young ass, and sat thereon”: as it is said, “Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, THY KING comes, sitting on an ass’s colt” (John 12:15). Come of chosen David’s royal line legally through Joseph and Solomon (Matthew 1), and Mary by the Holy Spirit through Nathan (Luke 3), He came “out of Bethlehem” as was foretold. And they said, “This is the Heir; come, let us kill Him.” Indeed, they proposed in their council to “put Lazarus also to death. Because that by reason of Him many of the Jews went away and believed on Jesus” (John 10). Pilate enquired of Him in the judgment hall, “Art Thou a King then?” Jesus answered, “Thou sayest that I am a King. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth My voice” (John 18:37). When, however, the Roman governor sought to release Him, the Jews cried out, “If thou let this Man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king, speaketh against Caesar.” And they cried aloud, “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him.” And the chief priest answered Pilate, when he asked, “Shall I crucify your King?” “We have no king but Caesar.” But when He was crucified, over the cross “Pilate wrote a title”—“JESUS, THE NAZAREAN, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” That was true; and God has raised Him from the grave; He sits enthroned on high now, at His right hand. The day is hastening, when repentant Israel will be converted, saved, and ruled over by Him as their rightful King and Lord. Isaiah has foretold this: “The government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called WONDERFUL, COUNSELLOR, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE … upon the throne of His father David” (9:6-7). And this is the divinely royal One who has given us “the right to take the place of the children of God!” Do we cherish that right with intelligence and affection? Do we loyally value the right now, as those who are born of God, before Israel’s day of repentance and restoration comes?

“Israel’s race shall soon behold Him,

Full of grace and majesty;

Though they set at nought and sold Him,

Pierced and nailed Him to the tree;

Now in glory

Shall their great Messiah see.”

Nearer still is the day when He will come to the air, and call up in power those He has called out in grace; raising the sleeping, changing the living, to bring us all to His Father’s house before He shines forth in glorious splendour.

Truly, all “thrones” are His, not only Israel’s. Yea, all “dominions principalities and powers” too. All were “created by Him and for Him”—all things were created by the Son, as we are told, “the visible and invisible” (Colossians 1:16). Moreover, this glorious “SON” is “BEFORE ALL THINGS,” and on the ground of the peace made by “the blood of His cross” (Verse 20), all positions of honour and glory will be righteously reconciled to the fullness which dwells in Him, “the Son of the Father’s love,” the Christ, the risen and exalted Head of His body, the assembly. How great and glorious is our Saviour, Lord and Head! Eternal praise and blessing be His.

God’s children have His own sovereign prerogative for happily taking the place He gives us. Not carelessly, but with joy and reverent thankfulness, we may well do so. Not lightly, but with deep appreciation of the glory and love of the One who has thus favoured us; and gratitude to God who has brought us to faith in His glorious Name; for, as we have seen, He died not for Israel only, but that He might “gather together into one the children of God who are scattered. abroad.” Great are our precious Saviour’s glory and love truly! And He is ten thousand times more worthy of united thanksgivings and praise and worship than we have ever yet given Him!

“There is One Body and One Spirit”

Ephesians 4:4

There is one living organism, so constituted by the Holy Spirit of God, who indwells the members of that vital system. It is the one body which is inclusive of every true believer in Christ, the living Head of the assembly. It is not a mere organization: it is a vital organism. Reputable or disreputable religionists may be held together by strong organizers, or by an agreed upon organization: that, however, of which we speak is a vital system, an organism of living indefectible members, moved by one Spirit; and the glorious Head is Christ Himself, “from whom the whole body, fitted together, and connected by every joint of supply, according to the working in its measure of each one part, works for itself the increase of the body to its self-building up in love” (Ephesians 4:16, New Translation). How encouraging and assuring is this unalterable truth to the true heart which holds fast to the one Head of the assembly. What a travesty of the truth—nay, what offensive unfaithfulness is seen in the petty parties, or larger religious organizations, formed by men at variance with the revealed mind of God.

To Know Him

Answer to Correspondence—Why is it so often urged upon believers that they should know the Lord? Do not all true believers know Him?

All true believers know our Lord Jesus Christ as their own personal Saviour most surely; but it is, nevertheless, of the utmost importance that we should all go on to know Him better. Our spiritual prosperity will be ensured thereby. Indeed, we are exhorted, as those who are beloved of God, to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” It is as we thus increase in the knowledge of Him, that grace and peace are multiplied to us (2 Peter 1:2). Grace has justified and saved us; peace is ours; but an abundant multiplication of grace and peace is open to us in the knowledge of Him.

The Apostle Paul was a devoted servant of our Lord Jesus Christ. He had known Him as his Lord and Saviour for many years when he wrote to the believers at Philippi. Of his own present purpose he says to them (chap. 3:10), “That I may know Him.” Before he trusted Christ there were many things connected with him—as Saul the scholar, Saul of Tarsus, Saul the Pharisee—of which most men would boast; things which bring fame to men. He counted them all loss on account of Christ. “Yea, doubtless,” he says, “I count all things but loss for THE EXCELLENCY OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST JESUS MY LORD” (Verse 8). Having believed on Him, Christ Jesus became the governing Object of his heart and mind. He knew Him in whom he had believed, and still he diligently pursued the precious knowledge of Him, with which there was no knowledge to compare. Choosing one of the choicest of expressions, he calls it, “the excellency of the knowledge.”

A friend says to you, “Do you know So-and-so?” “Yes,” you reply; “but only slightly.” “Ah” says your friend, “If you knew him intimately, you would say there is none to compare with him.” Much more is this true as to our Lord Jesus Christ; infinitely more so. As we increase in the excellency of the knowledge of Himself (not simply to know about Him, but to know Him), we shall sing:

“Fairer than all the earth-born race,

Perfect in comeliness Thou art.”

Why the Ascended Christ Gave the Gifts

Having triumphed over Satan, our Lord Jesus Christ went up on high, and gave gifts to men; that, being brought to God, they might come to the knowledge of Himself, the Son of God. He that ascended first descended into the lower parts of the earth. He is the same who has ascended up above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.

The true exercise of gift, therefore, is to lead saints on to know Him. But the mere urging of this upon souls is not what is meant. It is one thing to press that this is necessary; it is another thing to really minister Christ to souls. For this we must grow ourselves. As He is precious and excellent to our own hearts, others will be benefited by the overflow.

Christ gave apostles and prophets for the foundations of the faith (Ephesians 2:20). He also gave the evangelist, and the double gift of shepherd and teacher, that the work of the ministry might be carried on (Ephesians 4:11-12); until the end in view is reached: “until we all arrive at the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God.” Then is seen the full-grown man, the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ. No organization of men can produce this. No special school of teaching can bring it about. As long as we are spiritual babes, we are liable to be affected by systematized error, whether calling itself “new light,” or “advanced teaching”; but as we hold the truth in love, we shall grow up to Him in all things, who is the Head, the Christ, and holding in faith and affection every member of His body, as dear to Him, we shall seek in every right way the benefit of all.

Our Saviour

As we have said, each one begins with the knowledge of Christ as a personal Saviour. And it is a most blessed moment, when we first come to know Him thus. This secures all else. Without this, eternal woe is sure. Salvation is in Him alone. Through faith in Him, forgiveness, justification, and a heavenly inheritance are ours. We shall not come into judgment, for He has borne the judgment which we deserved on account of our sins. He came not to judge, but to save. He has put away sin by His sacrifice. He died to save us; and now, raised from among the dead, He is in the glory of God. The darkness of the cross has passed away for ever; and He is in the unclouded sunshine of God’s favour. He is our righteousness. His place is ours. By grace we are saved.

We have been reconciled to God by His death; and He now lives to save us daily, from all that would hinder our joy in the blessed God, who provided such a Saviour.

And more. He is coming for us as Saviour from Heaven. We look for Him thus. In the twinkling of an eye; by the same great power which he has to subdue all things He will change our bodies of humiliation, and transform them, so that they shall be like His own body of glory. Our blessed Lord will do this. He will do it too, before “the wrath to come” sweeps over this world. Before the hour strikes for that awful time He will take us hence. He is our Deliverer from the coming wrath. Being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved by Him from wrath (Romans 5:9).

We praise the grace which “has saved us”; we trust the living One who “is able to save us”; we look for Him who will save us. But whether past, present, or future, all our “salvation is in Christ Jesus.”

“Praise the Saviour, ye who know Him,

Who can tell how much we owe Him?”

Our Advocate

Having received Christ, the Spirit of God’s Son is given to us, and the cry “Abba, Father,” rises to God from our hearts. “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called the children of God.” This perfect love and this unchanging relationship are ours now to rejoice in. “Behold, now are we the children of God” (1 John 3:2).

We have been taken out of the darkness of this world. We have been brought to God’s marvellous light. The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin; and we can now walk happily in the light as God is in the light. But if we presumptuously say we are without sin, that would only prove the truth is not in us; for that very truth would give us to recognize and hate the sin that is there; and enable us to walk in self-judgment. The precious truth is made known to us in order that we may not sin, and to maintain us walking in the enjoyment of the love of the Father, and in the nearness which belongs to the blessed relationship which is ours; a relationship, thank God, which can never be broken.

We may, however, lose the joy of it all through sin. It is just here that our Advocate prevails on our behalf. The advocacy of our Lord Jesus Christ with the Father is provided for this very thing. “If any one sin we have an Advocate [“Patron,” or “Comforter,” as in John 14:16, etc.) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). The tender sensibilities which are ours as the children of God, in whom the Holy Spirit dwells, give us a painful sense of the demerit of sin, and causes us to seek the Father’s presence in confession. How comforting to know at such a distressful time that the righteous One, our Saviour, is our Advocate with the Father.

We confess; the Father forgives. He is faithful and righteous in so doing. Our present Advocate is also the One who is the propitiation for our sins. So, not only does the Father restore us to the fullness of joy before Him, which He would always have to be our portion; but He undertakes, as we thus come to Him, to “cleanse us from all [or every] unrighteousness.”

The grace and love and tenderness belonging to the family of the Father; the communion and joy of that relationship, with its deep divine intimacy, might easily be spoiled for us as we pass through a cold, quarrelling, sinful world like this, had we not a prevailing Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. It is because of Him that we are kept in any true sense of the Father’s love at all. Blessed be His holy name for ever.

Our High Priest

We have spoken of Him as our Saviour in glory; as our Advocate with the Father; He is also our High Priest before God. Time and space would fail us now to speak of Him as our Lord, our Head, our Shepherd. To tell of His glory as the Son of David, the Son of Man, the Son of God, is beyond our present purpose. So great is our Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal Word, the Creator Son, over all God blessed for ever, the One who loves us and came near to us to bless us, that the Father alone can fully comprehend the infinite perfection of our adorable Saviour. The Holy Spirit would teach the delivered saint much—yea, very much—concerning His glory; but in the impenetrable depths of His divine being, “No man knows the Son but the Father.” We rejoice that this is so; our Saviour is so great.

But His greatness is not such that it puts Him away far beyond us altogether. Nay, it does but enhance the love which brought him near to us in our need. When sinful and guilty He became our Saviour; and when erring as the children of God, our Advocate; when weak and weary through infirmity, our High Priest. All this endears Him to the believing heart. We have not an High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our infirmities, for when He was a man upon earth He was in like manner tempted in all things—sin apart; and now, having gone into heaven, He is still a Man; Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever, able to help those who are tempted.

“With joy we meditate the grace

Of our High Priest above;

His heart is filled with tenderness,

His very name is Love.”

Oh, that we may indeed be led on to know Him better, to grow in the knowledge of Himself! Then our happy hearts shall be kept in the freshness of first love. How He values this we see in His tender pleadings through Jeremiah, with His people of old. Some may call it sentiment. Well, it is truly divine sentiment. They may have forgotten, but He says, “I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after ME” (Jeremiah 2:2). Then, sorrowfully, it is said, “It is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God” (Verse 19). To the highly favoured assembly at Ephesus it is said, “Thou hast left thy first love” (Revelation 2:4).

Where love is active, the heart grows in appreciation of its object. May this be so with us, through God’s rich grace. “’Tis eternal life to know Him.”

“Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glories glory in this, that he understandeth and knows me” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

To those that Fear the Lord

Lack of confidence and distrust may be all about us; dearth and death may mark the profession of religion; but let those who fear the Lord get together, and commune much upon HIS NAME, upon what He is; remembering that all fullness dwells in the Head of the assembly, the Firstborn from among the dead; and, that, in contrast to what is around, we are “light in the Lord”; also that not only is the fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom, but it “is wisdom” (Job 28:28); likewise “in the fear of the Lord is strong confidence” (Proverbs 14:26); also it is “a fountain of life to depart from the snares of death” (Verse 27). How good and wholesome then is the word of Proverbs 23:17, “Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.”

This ends our reading for this session. Until next time, have a great day, and God bless.