Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

by H. J. Vine.

What is the Power of Gathering?

Answer to Correspondence—“Two tracts, which I have read, make me in my ignorance send you this question. One tract by the late J.N.D., entitled, ‘Grace the Power of Unity and of Gathering,’ and the other tract by the late C.H.M., entitled ‘The Assembly of God,’ where, on page 32, it reads, ‘As Jesus is the only centre, so the Holy Ghost is the only gathering power.’ I do not suggest that there is any disagreement in these two statements, but would be glad of a little help in Scripture Truth.”

The death of our Lord Jesus Christ having closed the door upon the old state in which the believer once was, removing at the same time his sins and the judgment they called for, a new thing has been brought to pass upon the earth by divine grace; for Christ, having ascended to God’s right hand, has sent the Spirit to form us into one body, Christ Himself being the glorified Head. This must be grasped to rightly understand the true gathering power today.

The national gathering of God’s people, Israel, was brought about by the law system, given after their redemption from Egypt, and was maintained by a mediator, king, high priest, and ordinances. The new order established on the ground of an eternal redemption is not international, but un-national. It is called, The new man. Christ “has broken down the middle wall of enclosure (around Israel), having annulled the enmity in His flesh, the law of commandments in ordinances, that He might form the two in Himself into one new man” (Ephesians 2:14, New Translation); reconciling “both in one body to God by the cross.” It is therefore added, “Through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” The principle of grace, and not law, has effected this, and the power of the Spirit has formed the unity. “In the power of one Spirit we have all been baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond men or free, and have all been given to drink of one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13 New Translation).

Having spoken of the characteristic truth which has to do with the gathering together of saints today, we will turn now to some well-known scriptures which present various aspects of gathering.

1. Matthew 18:20, “Where two or three are gathered together unto My Name, there am I in the midst of them” (New Translation). This states an abiding fact, covering the whole period of Christ’s bodily absence. The gathering is to His name, in His interests. That is the object, and He is the centre. Grace has made this provision even for two or three. There is no mention of the Spirit here, though the fuller revelation of which we have spoken would give character to it till the assembly is caught up at Christ’s coming again.

2. John 20:19 relates an historic fact. The risen Lord was visibly and bodily present in the midst of His gathered disciples. A “therefore” (New Translation) connects the gathering with the message of grace in the verses before brought to them by Mary. That was the immediate cause of this gathering of which Christ was centre, making their hearts “glad when they saw the Lord.”

3. Luke 24:49-63; Acts 14:15; 2:1; 4:2 show us the disciples gathered together in various ways. They are seen “praising, blessing God”; waiting upon God in prayer, expecting the baptism of the Holy Spirit as promised; and after He had come, constituting them one vital organism, one body, we are told, “They persevered in the teaching and fellowship of the apostles, in breaking of bread and prayers.”

4. 1 Corinthians 11:17 to 14:40 treats of assembling together, as the section begins by stating—“Prescribing to you on this which I now enter on when ye come together in assembly” (New Translation). The immediate object is to remember the Lord Jesus (chap. 11); then the truth of the one body is brought in to regulate the local gathering (chap. 12); the “way of more surpassing excellence,” divine love, is shown in chapter 13; finally, the order for edifying ministry in chapter 14. The Lord as the object, the Spirit as the power, and God as operating all in all, are distinctly brought before us in these verses. It must, however, be pointed out, that Christ as the Head of the body in glory is not brought in here as in Ephesians; and they are said to be “body of Christ”—the article being omitted; in Romans 12, it is “one body in Christ”: nevertheless the truth of one body and one Spirit is clearly taught in these verses.

5. 1 and 2 Timothy. Gathering together is not spoken of in these Epistles. The assembly is viewed as the house of God, rather than the one body. When, however, iniquity has come in, those who name the Lord’s Name are instructed to withdraw from it; and, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart, to pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace. This would involve their gathering together in accord with the revealed mind of God.

6. Hebrews 10:25 tells us that gathering together is to mark the real as the Lord’s return draws nigh, and that specially in view of encouraging one another, as we read, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the custom is with some; but encouraging one another, and by so much the more as ye see the day drawing near” (New Translation). No principle, power or centre is mentioned here. We learn these elsewhere.

7. Jude 20-21. Apostasy and dissoluteness are recognized as abounding in this Epistle. Guidance, however, is clearly given for “the called ones beloved in God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ.” The faith as it was once delivered to the saints is to be before them, as we read, “But ye, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, awaiting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Here we have “the faith” which is made known to us in other scriptures; “the Holy Spirit” of whom we have spoken; “the love of God” which produces the way of more surpassing excellence; and the Lord’s return our bright and immediate hope.

In bringing these remarks to a close just one other verse must be referred to. It is 2 THESSALONIANS 2:1. Here we are besought, by “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,” to be steadfast. This will serve to emphasize the truth we have already indicated. When He comes again we shall be assembled “TO HIM.” He will be our object and centre. The HOLY SPIRIT will be the power that will “quicken our mortal bodies”—raising or changing them, and putting us in glory around our blessed Lord. Sovereign GRACE will glorify itself in so doing. Grace has effected the present unity and gathering of the saints. The Spirit is the power—“There is one body and one Spirit.” To Christ, both grace and the Spirit draw all true believers, as their one Object, Centre and Head.

“When He Comes Home”

There is something singularly sweet in these words of the Lord. They find an answering echo in most hearts, and that in a special way just now; but in none more so than in the heart of him who knows the love of Christ.

We heard an anxious wife, who had received an official report that her husband was missing on the battle front in France, use these words concerning him the other day: she had turned to the Lord in her anxiety and had found Him as her own personal Saviour. Two of her children also trusted Christ; and they together joined in their mother’s words, and said: “Yes, when father comes home, we’ll always bring him with us to hear of Jesus.” But, we wondered, will he ever come home again?

The affectionate parents whose only son is facing the dangers of the pitiless battlefield often think of the time when he shall come home again. And the widow of whom we heard today who has lost three sons in the great conflict is longing to see her youngest and only remaining boy safe at home again. The wife is longing for her husband and the mother for her boy; the father for his son and the children for their father; the girl or boy for the brother, the master for his faithful servant, the man for his friend and the lady for her lover; each one longs for the home-coming “when he comes home!” The heart’s longing has been turned into popular song, but it is the sad uncertainty of it all which brings a softening to the hardest heart—a strange tenderness and sympathy.

The one who has learned of the Spirit the true teaching of the words which we quote will be touched by them in a deeper, because a divine, way, for he knows that they speak so eloquently to him of his Saviour, Shepherd and Lord; of His home-coming from the far battlefield; of His return with the prize of His toil and suffering: when He comes home from the scene of conflict and blood-shedding, from Calvary, where He went in the love of His heart to save us from everlasting misery and woe. Truly, He comes home rejoicing and victorious. There is no uncertainty in this case. Nevertheless, the heart is deeply touched, as the eye of faith beholds the eternal Lover of our souls returning home from His toilsome task, bringing the saved one with Him:

“He lays it on His shoulders rejoicing. And when He comes home, He calls together His friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with Me; for I have found My sheep which was lost” (Luke 15:5-6).

His home-coming is ours! Well may our hearts rejoice! When He comes home, He brings us with Him! As sure as He came from that home to save us, so surely He brings all those that He saves to that home from which He came!

“Oh, what a home! But such His love

That He must bring us there,

To fill that home, to be with Him,

And all His glory share.”

“Home”

The redeeming blood of Christ has secured it for us. His finished work, His present service, and His future power, all combine to the same end. The work of the Holy Spirit, too, is also in view of the same blessed result. And the Father, as we see in the third part of Luke 15, runs to meet the returning one, and receives him into the home with joy and gladness; and the merry-making, the music, the feasting, and the dancing of that home of the Father’s love begin. The Son rejoices! The Holy Spirit rejoices! The Father rejoices! There is joy in heaven! There is joy in the presence of the angels of God! Well may we rejoice also! It is meet that we should make merry and be glad. The lost one is found. The dead is alive again. He is received home again. He is safe and sound.

We are told in the parable, When the Lord Jesus comes to the house, He Himself calleth for rejoicing. What a different view this gives us of the house of God to that which is common in Christendom. The sad, the sorrowful, and the solemn obtain there, the mournful and the funereal is prevalent; whereas rejoicing and feasting, merry-making and dancing, music and praise characterize that holy home of the Father’s love. It is true that the beautifully drawn picture of Luke 15—probably the most beautiful of any writing extant—is illustrative of that which is spiritual; of that which is only known by those who have the Spirit of God. But, then, that only emphasizes the fact that the reality surpasses the figure, however lovely that figure may be.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for them that love Him. But God has revealed them unto us by His Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Yes, that home is infinitely more bright and blessed than the best picture of it. And it is to such a home that the saved sinner is brought by his precious Saviour—“when He comes home.” There is a time when its joys and its feastings begin for us, but they will never end; there is a moment when we first know its merry-making and its dancing, but it will go on for ever; there is a time when its music and praise first reach our ears, but its rich and varied melodies are eternal. Words fail to express the deep and everlasting love of that home. As we think of it, how sweet are those words—“When He comes Home.” The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son, knew the love of that home well. He was the well-beloved Object of it. He ever dwelt in its divine fullness and blessedness. It was the love wherewith He was loved before the foundation of the world, and He came from the Father to redeem us, and bring us into that same wonderful love. Therefore He can say to the Father concerning us, THOU HAST LOVED THEM AS THOU HAST LOVED ME (John 17:23). Oh, what a dwelling-place!

Oh, the love that fills it! Oh, the love that sought and saved us, to bring us in where He Himself dwells.

“Thou abidest in the bosom of the Father’s love:

In that love for ever living, love—all thought above:

And we know that Thou would’st have us ever dwell with Thee,

In that holy, heavenly dwelling, home of liberty.”

Nearer Home

If it is ours to enjoy the love of that home now, and to enter in faith and in the power of the Spirit into its joy and rejoicing, what will it be when in changed and glorified bodies, fashioned like unto Christ’s own body of glory, we are actually there with Him where He is? Even as He said—that where I am there ye may be also. Truly that will be a blessed home-coming!

And we are nearer, dearly beloved brethren, to that moment than we ever were. Another year gone—and such a year of strife and sorrow and suffering as regards the world, finds us closer to the portals of that desired place. Each month, each week, each day, each hour, each moment brings us nearer home. Some have had a long and rough journey, but the Lord has kept them safely and securely. Trials and testings have been the lot of us all, but His love has never failed. Uphill and difficult the road has often been, but fresh grace and strength have been ministered. Sorrow and joy, storm and sunshine, tribulation and peace have been experienced by us, but He has never left us. An old saint meant much when she said, “I have proved Him in winter and summer.” When Israel journeyed through the wilderness to Canaan, their companion was the tabernacle, and the Lord’s presence was there. They travelled through the wilderness of testing to the place of their rest. There remaineth a rest for the people of God; and each step we take brings us closer to its welcome threshold.

“What will it be when dangers all are past,

We reach our home—the Father’s house, at last.”

We rejoice in hope of the glory; but our Lord Jesus Christ rejoices even more than we do, as He looks on to our home-bringing. He is there, and we must be there. His home-coming secured ours. He would not be there without us. And though, on the way, all things work together for our good, yet the predestination, and the purpose of God also, involves our being fully conformed to the image of His Son in the glory, that “HE MIGHT BE THE FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BRETHREN” (Romans 8:29) in that place of ineffable delight. The Father’s foreknowledge took everything into account, our poor, feeble, sinful selves, and all the circumstances of the way; and He made full and perfect provision in Christ. Blessed be His holy name.

The Lord Jesus shall shine pre-eminent as the centre of the glory. All things shall be centred up in Him. And who can tell the deep joy that shall fill His heart, as He sees around Him the fruit of all His travail and toil; as He sees those He loves with an infinite love around Him in that home of gladness and glory. Our hearts praise Him, and shall continue to praise Him for ever and ever. He is worthy—infinitely worthy! His finished work and His present work prove both His love and His worthiness. Oh, what a Saviour is ours! Well may songs of praise fill our hearts, and our mouths also.

“Sing of His dying love; sing of His rising power;

Sing how He intercedes above for those whose sins He bore.

Sing on your heavenly road, ye sons of glory sing;

To Him our Saviour, Shepherd, Lord—your cheerful praises bring,

Soon we shall hear Him say, ‘Ye ransomed pilgrims, come!’

Soon He will take us hence away to our eternal home.”

Wisdom and Grace; or, Within and Without

Wisdom and grace are choice companions, and their friendship should be constantly cultivated by the believer. They are both of God, for He is “the only wise,” and “the God of all grace,” who has not only called us to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, but has also told us to be imitators of Him, as beloved children (Ephesians 5:1).

Wisdom and grace are to be the companions of the believer, especially when he walks without. In their company he will not only be cheered, elevated, and made glad himself, but he will most surely benefit others who may be honoured to meet him in such superior society; and the benefit so ministered may not simply be passing; it may be eternal.

Because of this, God has instructed us how to walk and talk when we move about in the world without; as we read, “Walk in wisdom towards those without, redeeming opportunities. Let your word be always with grace, seasoned with salt, so as to know how ye ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:5-6, New Translation). Wisdom and grace thus shed their refreshment and fragrance upon our ways and words; and the seasoning of salt will preserve us from the corruption of the world, and give a lasting character to all our testimony.

There is no legality in this, for it is grace. Nevertheless, those who are instructed by the Holy Spirit, to show demeanour, bearing these divine characteristics towards “those without,” are themselves first taught to appreciate their holy privileges, in intimate fellowship and love, along with those within; for it would be impossible to rightly carry ourselves without, if that which is ours within were not first understood.

Let us see what is said as to those within in the former part of the Colossian Letter, before they are told how to walk without.

In chapter 1 they have been delivered from the authority of darkness. It has no more authority over them. They have been translated into another kingdom, where the authority is in the hands of our Lord Jesus Christ, so blessedly called here “the Son of the Father’s love” (Verses 13-14). Those who have been thus “delivered” and “translated,” were once “enemies in mind by wicked works,” yet now reconciled to the fullness dwelling in the Son, “in the body of His flesh through death” (Verses 19-22).

In chapter 2 there is expressed the deeply-felt desire that those whom the Father has brought into the circle of grace within should be united together in love, having their hearts encouraged and cheered, “unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the full knowledge of the mystery of God;” for in that mystery, which was hidden from the past ages and generations but is now made known, “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Verses 1-3). The divine treasury of these riches is in this mystery. In other circles outside, such as creation, and Israel, and the nations, very, wonderful riches are to be seen as the works of God; but it is here pre-eminently that the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are to be found; yea, “all” of them. The riches of the glory of this mystery, which is CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory, are so vast, that there is no need to go outside for anything; it is said, “Ye are complete in Him” (Verse 10).

In chapter 3 believers are risen with Christ. In verse 20 of chapter 2 they are instructed that they “have died with Christ” from the elements of the world without. Had that been all, they would have been left in a negative position only; but with Christ they have also been RAISED, and now the things which are above, where He is, are to engage their minds (Verses 1-2). For their “life is hid with Christ in God.” How completely they are identified “with Christ”—in death, in resurrection, in hidden life now—as belonging to the circle of those within. But it must be remembered that this circle embraces all those who have “received Christ Jesus the Lord” (2:6), although it must be admitted that all of them do not rightly understand it. And this is to their present loss. Those who are zealous for sects, or parties or schools of opinion, would do well to heed the word: “Walk in HIM, rooted and built up in HIM, and assured, in THE FAITH, even as ye have been taught, abounding in it WITH THANKSGIVING” (2:6-7). When our Lord Jesus Christ comes in glory not one of this circle will be missing. For if they are dead with Him, as we have seen, and are risen with Him, and their life is now hid with Him, when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall they also “appear with Him in glory” (3:4).

Much energy and exercise is still necessary on the part of those who belong to this circle, where “CHRIST is everything, and in all” (Verse 11). For even to such it has to be said: “Do not lie one to another, having put off the old man with his deeds, and having put on the new” (Verse 9). “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, long-suffering,” etc., Rich and rare graces are thus to abound among those who are Christ’s.

“Brought to rest within the circle,

Where love’s treasures are displayed,

There we drink the living waters,

Taste the joys that never fade.”

Finally, the home and business spheres, in which they have to move, feel the benefit of this grace. Wives, husbands, and children; servants and masters (3:18; 4:1), are all to show the heavenly colour in these relationshiPsalm The excellencies of Him who called them out of darkness into His wonderful light are thus set forth; not themselves, but Himself. They are thus free from self-occupation. A beautiful type of this is given in Numbers 15:37-41: The ribband or lace of blue—the heavenly colour—was to be the flower-like fringe of their garments where they touched the ground, throughout all the generations. This was to bring to their remembrance the commandments of the Lord their God, who had redeemed them. The blue was to be always with them, even in those walks of life where they touched earthly things.

Having pointed out in verses 2 and 3 the great importance of persevering prayer, the Holy Spirit then brings us. to consider our walk toward “those without.”

The abundant blessing which is ours within is not intended to make us “at ease in Zion.” We are to consider others for whom nothing is prepared. Again, we are reminded of the Old Testament types: Israel, when blessed with abundance themselves in the land, were to leave the corners of their rich harvest fields and the gleanings of their fruits, and even a sheaf of corn when forgotten. The poor and the stranger were to have these. When this divine wisdom and unselfish grace marked God’s people, He blessed them greatly in all the work of their hands (Leviticus 16:12; 19:9; Deuteronomy 24:19); for they did but express His own gracious and considerate heart in so doing? He has told us that He “desires that all men should be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth.” He “so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” We are therefore to redeem opportunities, as we walk without, in the unfailing companionship of Wisdom and Grace. We are to be like Him, imitators of God as dear children.

The sun was beginning to shed its gladdening rays over the land one Lord’s Day morning as a preacher of the gospel started to the place of his day’s labour for the Lord. Along the road he met a very, dejected-looking man. The preacher spoke a gracious word to him, and added, “It’s a good morning, Sir!” There was no reply; but as that man slowly wended his way home, after his night’s debauchery, and turned into bed to try to obtain sleep, he kept thinking: Yes, it’s a good morning for him;—a very good morning! He is away to preach the Word of God, and to help others; here am I, and it is a miserable morning enough for me! “At last,” he said, when telling the story, “I came to this: I will have a good morning too! And that night I went to hear the gospel, and trusted the Saviour! It has been a good morning with me ever since! Redeem opportunities. Let your word be always with grace. A Word fitly spoken, how good it is. Who shall tell the present and eternal results? He that winneth souls is wise.

The better we know these two worthies—Wisdom and Grace—the more highly we shall esteem them; and their most excellent counsel will be increasingly prized and valued by us. No material wealth or knowledge approximates to their worth. The gold and the silver; the treasures of the earth, the rubies and sapphires are not to be compared with them. Nor can the sciences, exact or otherwise, be placed beside them. Materialism, at its very best, does not give us the true knowledge of the blessed God; wisdom and grace do; and they enable us to make Him known to others.

In the sacred Scriptures the Holy Spirit has told us a great deal about them. “Wisdom,” we are told, “is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom” (Proverbs 4:7). “She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee” (Verse 9). “Grace,” we know, “came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17), and truth both subsist through Him. Therefore it can be said of those who have received Christ Jesus the Lord, “Of His fulness we all have received, and grace upon grace” (Verse 16).

Wisdom must not be mistaken for knowledge; nor must it be confounded with understanding. Those who have knowledge, important as this is, are not always wise. It is desirable also to have understanding, along with that which we know; so that the right relation of one thing with another may intelligently be seen. But wisdom shows itself in the right use and application of the truth; also in the right way and occasion. The Holy Spirit desires for us, the full knowledge of God’s will, “in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Colossians 1:9).

Grace is usually spoken of in contrast to law; and this is right in so far as the justifying of the believing sinner is concerned. Law condemns him; grace justifies him. And then it is said, “Ye are not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14). Rising higher than this, however, we learn that “grace reigns;” grace is enthroned. It is sometimes called unmerited favour; but the wonderful thing about it is, it is favour for those who merited the opposite. It gives character to the glad tidings now; for before “the gospel of the kingdom” is preached, and “the everlasting gospel,” we, now have “the gospel of the grace of God.”

Both Wisdom and grace are seen to be full of divine activities in the Scriptures of Truth. We read, “Wisdom has builded her house”; also, “Doth not Wisdom cry?” “Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of men. O ye simple, understand wisdom.” Of grace we read, “By grace are ye saved.” “Being justified freely by His grace.” “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Unlike the boasted wisdom of philosophy, divine wisdom is personified. I said to a follower of Taoism, “Even if the wisdom of these old sages were true wisdom, could you point me to a person in whom it is expressed?” He could not. I continued, “That is just where the glory of divine wisdom is displayed. It is seen expressed in a perfect Man, God’s Son, our Lord Jesus Christ He was murdered when a little over thirty; about the age when men are only beginning to be wise. Your teachers were old men with long experience, and yet their doctrines are full of flaws. Christ’s words, works, and ways were all perfect. Nothing but the truth that be was the Word become flesh could account for all this in One so young in years.” We learn divine wisdom in Him in perfection. “Christ Jesus has been made unto us wisdom from God” (1 Corinthians 1:30). He is truly that “hidden Wisdom which God had predetermined before the ages for our glory which none of the princes of this age knew, for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (chap. 2:7-8); The Lord possessed Him in the beginning of His ways before His works of old, He was set up from everlasting. Whoso findeth Him, findeth life. When here upon the earth, He spake of the wisdom of Solomon, but He said, “A greater then Solomon is here.” Men refused Him, but God has set Him at His right hand. Believers are in Him; not as Israel, who found their national head in failing Solomon on earth; they are in Him, who is their living and unfailing Head in heaven. He is their wisdom, made so from God.

“In Him from everlasting, the wonderful I AM,

Found pleasures never wasting, and WISDOM IS HIS NAME.”

Grace has also found its perfect expression in Him. How different are these blessed truths to the cold calculations of mere human philosophy; seen as they are personified in a Man who lived and loved, suffered and triumphed. Tried and trusted by those who knew Him, sinners and saints, ignorant and instructed, sick and strong, fathers, mothers, and children all tasted practically and experimentally the grace that came by Jesus Christ. It did not live as an ideal among the books of the retired study, to be expressed in terms only from a philosopher’s chair, or a well-supported pulpit. It was seen and heard amongst men and women and children, in the everyday circumstances and needs of life.

“He was the image in man’s lowly guise,

Of the invisible to mortal eyes

Come to attract the wretched and the weak,

His joy the wand’rers and the lost to seek.”

The Father, God in grace, has thus been made known by our Lord Jesus Christ. No man had seen God at any time; but the Son, who is ever in the Father’s bosom, He has declared Him. We need not therefore go outside to find Him. Jesus could say, “He that has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9); and again, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father, but by Me.”

The more deeply we dwell on these truths, the more profoundly intimate we shall become with our two divinely provided companions, wisdom and grace. Doubtless all believers know them, but we are to know them better; and that will mean we shall value them more and more. To know God is to know them in the truest sense. The world, in the arms of Satan, is opposed to Him, and these things cannot be found there. “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord” (Proverbs 21:30) Therefore in liberty, and free from self-occupation, we need but to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, to be found answering to His Word, and thus to be agreeable to Him, walking in wisdom towards those without, redeeming opportunities, and our word always with grace, seasoned with salt, so as to know how to answer each one. There is a great and generous abundance provided by God for those within; we are to scatter wisely and freely to those without.

Wisdom and Life

“He expounded to them in all the Scriptures things concerning Himself” (Luke 24).

Who is it that says, “Blessed is the man that heareth Me, watching daily at My gates, waiting at the posts of My doors. For whoso findeth Me findeth life,” in Proverbs 8:35? The same One who in the New Testament says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that beareth My words and believes on Him that sent Me, has everlasting life” (John 5:24), and again, “He that believes on the Son has life” (John 3), and again, “In Him (the Word) was life” (John 1). It is Wisdom, the Son, the Word. As to creation we are told, “The Lord by wisdom has founded the earth.” Wisdom and the Word are identical, for all things were made by Him, the Word (John 1), and the Word is the Son of the Father’s love, for “all things were created by Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16). In Jehovah’s challenge to Job, He asks, “Where wast thou when I founded the earth, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38:7)? We are taught that, in all things in creation, reconciliation and in every other sphere, the Son of the Father’s love must have the pre-eminence—the first place. Surely there would be no exception in the joy of “the sons of God” when the earth was founded! God’s sons shouted for joy then! Surely THE SON, by Whom and for Whom all was created, the Causer of that joy, was there! As to that we are not left in doubt, for we read, “Then was I by Him … daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him” (Proverbs 8:30)—the loved Object of Jehovah’s pleasure,—His glorious Companion, in that scene of creation wonders and divine joys.

Sin and sorrow, rebellion and enmity, have stricken the world since then; and redemption and reconciliation were needed! Salvation from coming wrath was needed! Jesus, “GOD’S SON,” is the trustworthy Surety of this,—“our Deliverer from the coming wrath” (1 Thessalonians 1:10, New Translation). Not one of His own—blood-redeemed and Spirit-sealed—will the Son leave behind for that day of wrath! He is surely coming again! He is coming quickly! The day draws nigh! He will shout then! His shout will be a shout of command from the Throne from which He will arise, and His loved ones will be caught up to meet Him in the air (4:17). If the founding of the earth called forth shouts of joy, what rich bursts of praise shall His own delivering shout call forth, when the redeemed shall see the radiant face of their Redeemer actually for the first time! Creation caused shouts of joy! Redemption and reconciliation bring still richer shouts of joyful praise! And the Son of the Father’s love has the pre-eminence in all.

Wisdom is sometimes spoken of in the plural. Wisdoms’ (plu.) administrations are various. Her voice cries without, and her house is builded within. By Wisdom (sing.) “kings reign, and rulers make just decrees”; by her “princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth” (Proverbs 8:16). A wise nation may have wide influence. She may have varied administrations. Her sovereign head, however, is over all. “The assembly of the firstborn” in redemption is also “the bride, the Lamb’s wife” in administration (see Revelation 21:9-27). Bringing creation and administration together through redemption, Ephesians 3:9 says, “To enlighten all (with the knowledge of) what is the administration of the mystery hidden throughout the ages in God, who has created all things in order that now to the principalities and authorities in the heavenlies might be made known through the assembly the ALL-VARIOUS WISDOM OF GOD” (New Translation) and the assembly which the body of Christ, has as its Head, the Son of the Father’s love (Colossians 1).

In what has been called the gem chapter of Job, chapter 28, the question is asked, “Where is wisdom to be found, and where is the place of understanding?” The answer comes from destruction and death, “We have heard its report with our ears.” Death and hades have their gates, but there is no administration of life and blessing from them, but by their sinister authority men are enslaved and held in bondage by the fear of death; but the anointed Possessor of Wisdom’s gates ministers peace and favour and life from them. And Wisdom is aggressive; right out into the broadways Her voice cries unto men, “Turn ye at My reproof: behold, I will pour forth My Spirit unto you, I will make known My Words unto you” (Proverbs 1:23). This clearly pointed forward to Pentecost, when Peter said of his ascended and glorified Lord, “Have received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He has shed forth this that ye see and hear; and about three thousand gladly received the word.”

Wisdom’s administrations still maintain the public proclamation of the Word of God without. Nothing can stop it! Faith recognizes and rejoices in it! “Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound!” How full and free for men is the final invitation in the inspired volume—“Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17)!

Nor can hades’ gates prevail against what the exalted Son of Man is building within. Upon His Father’s revelation of Himself as the Christ, the Son of the living God, He is building His assembly. The One who “was anointed from eternity” speaks of “the post of My doors” as well as “My gates”! The fame of Wisdom had reached the ears of “destruction and death!” When, however, the Lord of glory came, the princes of this age ignorantly and wickedly crucified Him; but God “made foolish the wisdom of this world.” It was God’s Wisdom in a mystery, that hidden Wisdom which God had predetermined before the ages” (1 Corinthians 2:7), that through death secured the defeat of the schemes of hades, and the living, risen, triumphant Victor is now gloriously seated in His Father’s throne on high. His own building meanwhile goes on! Nothing can stop it! “Till we all arrive at the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God,” and are translated from earth to be with and like Him above. Then, “when Christ who is our life shall appear” we shall also appear with Him in glory.

Words of Spirit and Life

“It is the Spirit which quickens, the flesh profits nothing: the words which I have spoken unto you are spirit and are life” (John 6:63, New Translation).

Multitudes followed our Lord Jesus Christ, not because of Himself, the blessed Son of the living God, but because they had seen the miracle of the multiplied loaves and desired to be fed continuously by Him. His wonderful works in their midst were signs, showing the glory of Him who did them, but it was not for Himself but because they did eat of the loaves and were filled that they sought Him.

He knew this, and said to them, “Labour not for the meat which perishes.” There is food to be had which abides unto eternal life. The Father now gives that food—the Living Bread out of heaven. Those who ate the manna in the wilderness died; but if any one shall have eaten of this Bread he shall live for ever. A wonderful proposal—“He shall LIVE FOR EVER!”

Surely such vital words as these, words of spirit and life, would produce a profound impression upon the hearers, and be eagerly welcomed by them. But such is not the case, either then or now. Some may say, in a sort of selfish ignorance, “Lord, ever give to us this Bread”; not understanding what is involved; but when tested, the natural mind murmurs at these words, and reasons them away (Verse 42). The Lord announced the fact that His death was a necessity before this eternal life could be received by any—that though He Himself is the Bread of Life, nevertheless His flesh must be given for the life of the world, for this life could not be confined to the Jews; but against this the religious mind contends; saying in unbelief, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” (Verse 52). The unregenerate man whether religious or otherwise will not accept this as the only way of life. He will appropriate the outward benefits granted by a merciful Creator; or if religious will welcome, it may be, the questionable advantages of carnal religion; but will not appropriate the flesh and blood of the Son of Man in faith, as the only way of life eternal. It is not a question here of the bread and wine at the Lord’s Supper. John gives neither the supper nor baptism. It is entirely a matter of the appropriation of faith, of receiving the truth into our hearts, as made known by our Lord’s words of spirit and life.

Those who have learned from God, and have consequently been made to feel their need, knowing that death has passed upon all men, and upon themselves, for they like others have sinned; these appreciate and thankfully appropriate the blessed truth made known in the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. They recognize that life (and righteousness along with it), can only be theirs through the death of which these vital words speak. Death entered the world by sin, and life can only be ours through a death which put sin away. Life is not to be obtained through carnal religion, whether it be called Judaism, Christianity, or anything else; it can only be ours through the death of the One of whom the true believer delights to sing:

“Our Lord, our Life, our Rest, our Shield,

Our Rock, our Food, our Light,

Each thought of Thee doth constant yield

Unchanging, fresh delight.”

When such as these are tested, though others turn back, they say like Peter in verses 68-69, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the Living God.” It is a living, loving Person who is before their believing hearts; not a dead religious system. Christ becomes everything to them. The Gospel of John was written that life might be the portion of those who thus believe on Him, as we read, “That ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name” (20:31).

Life through Death

We are told that if there had been a law able to give life, then righteousness would be on the principle of law (Galatians 3:21). Life and righteousness necessarily go together. Paul’s letter to the saints at Rome shows how righteousness reaches us; John 6, the way in which life is ours. Since there was no law which could quicken dead souls into life, some other way must be found, that life and righteousness might be ours. The upright soul under law finds that when the law speaks in power to him, it condemns him as in the flesh. “The commandment having come,” he says, “sin revived, but I died, and the commandment, which was for life, was found, as to me, itself to be unto death” (Romans 7:10, New Translation). Only through the death of One upon whom sin and death had no claim could life be ours. By one man sin entered into the world and death by sin; by another Man, a sinless, holy, obedient Man, righteousness and life have been obtained for us through His death. A death, not necessary for Himself personally, but absolutely necessary if we were to have the justification of life, the abundance of God’s free favour, and the free gift of righteousness, so that we might eventually reign in life by our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be honour and glory and power for ever and ever. All this is ours through His death; and even now in the over-abounding of divine grace, because of that death, grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life in all its fullness; even as previously sin had reigned in all its lawlessness unto death (Romans 5:21).

Before sin came in, “out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also” (Genesis 2:9). This tree of life in the midst of the garden was not forbidden to man; the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was. After man had fallen, lest in that fallen and sinful condition he should “put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever; therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden” (Genesis 3. 22-23). The Cherubim and the flaming sword were then placed at the east of the garden to keep the way of the tree of life (Verse 24). In grace our Lord Jesus Christ came into man’s place of condemnation and death, and by the sacrifice of Himself put away the sin which had brought this about and opened for us the way of life. But if in the earliest chapters of the Bible we find man excluded from the tree of life in the midst of a paradise of innocence, in the closing chapters we find him redeemed through Christ’s precious blood, and in the paradise of God—the paradise of holiness, eating of the Tree of Life, in a higher sphere and condition than before; in a realm of life and love and holiness, where sin can never come; in a scene of immortality, incorruptibility and unfading glory.

The death of our blessed Lord has opened up this way of life for us. His flesh has been given that we might have life. His blood has been shed to cleanse us from every sin. Every righteous claim that could be raised has been met; and life for the sinner has been secured. The one who knows his need appropriates by faith this way of life. And there is no other way; as verse 53 plainly states, “Unless YE SHALL HAVE EATEN the flesh of the Son of Man, and DRUNK His blood, ye have no life in yourselves” (New Translation).

There is a moment in the history of the soul when it receives in faith the story of Christ’s redeeming love; when for the first time with personal interest it believes on Him, and can say, The Son of God loved ME and gave Himself for ME. Eternal life is consequently the present portion of such a one. For he that has the Son has life. He does not at once understand all that this means: possession and understanding are not the same. Now if verse 53 refers to that which we have done in the past to obtain life, verse 54 speaks of that which we do in the present; of that which is continuous, and characteristic of those who have eternal life. “He that EATS My flesh and DRINKS My blood has life eternal.” The world is felt to be a wilderness wide by those who have eternal life. The springs of that life are outside of it, for Christ is the fountain of that life for us. But though there is nothing in the world to minister to our new life, yet, whilst in the world, that life which we have is abundantly sustained, in energy and freshness, as we feed upon the death of Him who is apart from it; and we thus prove experimentally the verity of His blessed words of spirit and life, “My flesh is truly food and My blood is truly drink” (Verse 55, New Translation).

The glitter and glamour of the world has no charm for this new life of which we speak; though the believer has sin still in him; and if allowed to act it will lead him worldwards; like Lot, who, when leaving Abraham, pitched his tent towards Sodom. Like him too, the true believer would soon find his soul grieved, when drawn into the world; for it is made up of lust and pride (1 John 2:16). The new life can find no true joy or peace there. Christendom has largely sunk into the world. It has been said that in Popery the church sought to rule the world, but in Protestantism the world rules the church, and when the Lord comes, it seems evident that even Protestantism will be treated as the world by Him. For He comes as a thief to it: not as a bridegroom (Revelation 3:3). As a whole, the worldly religious systems will become Babylon; and when John was to see this false woman in all her gorgeous deckings, he was carried into a wilderness to behold her (Revelation 17:3). The true church was seen by him afterwards from a great and high mountain (Revelation 21:10); far above the mists and delusions of the world.

Those to whom the Lord has given eternal life are not of the world, but our separation from it must not be that of the monk or nun. Nor that of the Pharisees, who claim to be religious and orthodox, and set themselves apart from the general worldly drift, and yet do not enter into the living realities of which we have spoken; for they have not the Unction from Christ, the Holy Spirit. Of all religious professors, these seem to be the most wretched. Our blessed Lord came that we might have life, and have it in overflowing abundance; also that we might enjoy the precious privileges and intimacies of that life. Therefore He said again in verse 56, “He that eats My flesh and drinks My blood dwells in Me and I in him.” Could we have a better dwelling and more exalted company? Could we have greater privilege and intimacy given to us in this world? The divine and heavenly graces of life eternal as we know the blessedness and power of them, will give character to us. It is as we dwell in Him and He in us that love, joy, and peace will mark us; holiness, righteousness, and truth will give colour to us; knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of a spiritual sort, will be ours in richer abundance and energy.

Our dwelling is no longer in the old man which corrupts itself, in its state of lawlessness and death; but in the Living One who died to sin once and now lives to God. We not only have life; but in Him we have left the old state and condition; and we are now blessed in the new. We have life: we have also passed out of death into life. There are three things that are true of every believer on the Son. (1) Life eternal is his. (2) The home of that life is also his, for he dwells in Christ. (3) The company also, which belongs to that life and home, is likewise his; for Christ dwells in him. All this has been secured for us by His death. Blessed be His holy name for ever! It is ours to enjoy in the energy of faith.

When our Lord Jesus Christ was here as a dependent Man, He, the Son, lived on account of the living Father: and now He Himself is the Source of life for us: we live on account of Him; as He said, “Because I live, ye shall live also.” He lived because of the living Father: we live because of Him. It must be remembered that though this new life is ours through His death, yet He Himself is the Same, yesterday, and today, and for ever. Yesterday He was upon earth in humiliation; today He is glorified in heaven. His royal throne shall be for ever and ever: but He is Himself always the Same: His circumstances may be changed, but not Himself: He changes not. He came near to us in grace that we might be able to appropriate Him. He is the living Bread which came down out of heaven. It was there before it came down; but He came in the only way that this living Bread could become ours—as a Man; and He said, “He that eats this Bread shall live for ever” (Verse 58). Yes, mark it well. “LIVE FOR EVER!” We “live” now, and shall continue to “live” eternally. The wicked will not “live” for ever in the sense of this scripture: they exist for ever, in a place and condition called the second “death.” The fathers even “did eat manna” and died: but mark the emphatic contrast which the Lord emphasizes in this verse. The one who eats this living Bread from heaven, unlike the fathers, receives a life therefrom that knows no death. The silver chord may be snapped: the earthen vessel may be broken: the tent may be taken down: the physical system may be dissolved by mortality and corruption, the life, however, which is now ours cannot be dissipated, it survives triumphantly all changes; for Christ Himself is our life; and we live because of Him who is eternally the same.

Before He came out of heaven, His recorded word said, “I am Understanding” (Proverbs 8:14); and we are told, “Understanding is a wellspring of life to him that has it” (Proverbs 16:22). We made our beginning in this when we were brought to the fear of the Lord. All that hate Him love death: but whoso finds Him finds life (Proverbs 8:35). He is now found, thank God, by those who sought Him not, as Isaiah foretold (Romans 10:20). He sought and saved us when we were wandering in the wild wastes of sin and folly. He is now our salvation: He is our life: and He makes us to hear the words of life. Those words, eaten and digested, become a living energy within us; for wisdom and understanding are ours thereby. One of old said, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them.” His words are spirit and life: they flow from Him who is the Fountain of life: the wellspring of true vitality. His fruit too is sweet to our renewed taste: He is the Tree planted by the living streams—the Tree of life. If it is always true, “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,” it can be said in the highest sense of our blessed Lord; for His vital words are used with wisdom. “The tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright” (Proverbs 15:2). May we have grace and faith, in the power of the Spirit, to take in those words; to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, for our spiritual understanding.

The Book of Proverbs, which speaks of our blessed Lord as Wisdom, abounds with that which would direct the spiritual concerning the energies of life; although the book primarily may be said to give guidance for the earthly life. How significant are such words as these: “The law of the wise is a fountain of life to depart from the snares of death” (Proverbs 13:14). Truly the teaching of Christ keeps in healthy and happy vitality, free from the lethal influences of the world. Again, “In the way of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof there is no death” (12:28). As we have seen, righteousness and life go together; the believer is in the path of righteousness, and the living Bread is provided there for him. So it is also said, “Righteousness tends to life” (11:19); also, “the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise” (11:30); for there are results in the blessing of others through this living energy when it is rightly directed. So again we read, “The mouth of the righteous is a well of life” (10:11): life-giving communications flow from him. This was pre-eminently true of the blessed Lord.

We are further told, “He is in the way of life that keeps instruction” (10:17); and we are warned against the world’s way of death; against the subtleties of the strange woman. “Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them” (5:6). Nevertheless, “The ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his goings” (5:21). The goings of the seducer leads to death and to hell. Therefore it may be earnestly said to any soul in danger, Listen not to her words, though they drop like honey, and her lips be smoother than oil! Heed the words of Wisdom! Let the words of life, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, enter into thine ears! Let them sink down into thine heart! For faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. It is the report from God which His words bring to you! “Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them” (4:21). It is with the heart man believes to righteousness; and “out of the heart are THE ISSUES OF LIFE” (4:23).

Therefore “take fast hold of instruction, let her not go: keep her, for she is thy life” (4:13). Christ’s words are spirit and life indeed!

We have said that the living Bread came out of heaven: that it was there necessarily before it came out: that, to bring it within our reach, Christ became Man: also that His death was necessary before this living Bread could be ours. Now, in Christ, we may feed in faith upon it bountifully, thanks to our God. Oh that our appetite for it might be increased! Oh that our appropriation of this food from heaven might be more abundant! Oh that our appreciation of its divine character might be enlarged, so as to produce from our hearts liberal thanksgivings to God for His unspeakable gift! He has bestowed upon us the best of heaven! The fatness of His house, the wealthy provision of it, the exalted preciousness of it, the Bread of God, are now ours! The Corn of heaven, the Bread of the mighty. What royal grace! What marvellous love to such as we!

Eight things are said concerning this new and living Bread which has been so bountifully given:

It is True: My Father gives you the true Bread (John 6:32).

It is Living: Jesus said, I am the living Bread (John 6:51).

It is Life-giving: Jesus said, It gives life to the world (John 6:33).

It is Life-sustaining: He said, I am the Bread of life (John 6:48).

It is Satisfying: The eater shall never hunger (John 6:35).

It is Enduring: That which endures unto life eternal (John 6:27).

It is Divine: The Bread of God which gives life (John 6:33).

It is Heavenly: The Bread from, or out of, heaven (John 6:41).

As we meditate upon the wealthy and profound import of these blessed words, all finding their measureless meaning in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ: as we thankfully consider the moral and vital opulence of these riches, which still surpass our limited comprehensions, in their divine, heavenly, true, life-giving and life-sustaining reality, we may well relieve our adoring hearts by singing the praises of Him who has made these things ours.

And it is because the Holy Spirit has been given to us, that we are enabled to take in these vital truths in measure. The natural man cannot do so. The flesh profits nothing: it is the Spirit which quickens. As we feed upon Christ, we shall build up a healthy spiritual constitution; and know how to leave alone that which is not of Him: not in a mere captious spirit; for there will be the desire that others should share in the blessedness of eternal life. The Jewish religious spirit wanted bread for themselves alone; but when Christ gave His flesh, it was for nothing less than “the life of the world” (6:51). Therefore out of the believer on the Son is to flow rivers of living water, as we are told in John 7:38. There is vital fruitfulness in the blessing of others, as we abide in Him. And again, we are told in chapter 4, there is not only a fountain of living water in the believer, satisfying his own heart, so that he shall never thirst for ever; but there is the upspringing of life to the divine Source; and worship flows from the heart to the Father in spirit and in truth.

Truly the blessed Lord said, “He that comes to Me shall never hunger, and he that believes on Me shall never thirst at anytime” (6.35 New Translation). Inward satisfaction for our own hearts: outward overflow also for others; and upward worship to the Father: all in living energy by the Spirit, because of our blessed Lord and Saviour, our living Food, to whom be eternal praise.

“He freely gives, ’tis all His own,

The Spirit’s goodly fruit

Praise, issuing forth in life, alone

Our living Lord can suit.”

“Yet Not I, But—”

Romans 7:20

What a harrowing but necessary experience is that which is described in Romans 7! Harrowing because it teaches those who in any measure pass through it the corruption of their own nature, and their helplessness to overcome it; for it surely is an appalling discovery. “In me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing.” Necessary it is if we are to reach light and liberty. In it Paul learned to distinguish himself, as connected with the new desires, from sin which still dwelt in him, but which he hated. The new desires belonged to the new nature which he had received as being born again, the sin belonged to the old nature that he had by natural birth. But he could say, “It is NO MORE I … BUT SIN” (Verse 20). So he learnt to distinguish himself as a man born again from the incubus and insistence of sin within him, and this seems to be the first ray of light in this experience that leads at last to deliverance and thanksgiving (Verse 25).

1 Corinthians 7:12

Paul was an inspired apostle, he was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write the whole of 1 Corinthians, yet in the 7th chapter he distinguishes that which was from himself as an apostle of Christ and that which was given to him directly by the Lord in the words, “To the rest speak I, not the Lord” (Verse 12); but in verse 10, “I command, YET NOT I, BUT THE LORD.” We may benefit greatly by noticing the apostle’s “not I, but the Lord.” The apostles spoke with an authority that the Lord had given them, and those who were loyal to the truth and to God heard them (1 John 4:6), but when the Lord Himself speaks all who hear must heed His word and obey, for He is supreme over all. A “Thus says the Lord” is sufficient for those who are redeemed by His precious blood. Neither questions nor hesitation should have any place in any matter upon which the Lord has spoken.

We need to set an increasing value on the Holy Scriptures in these apostate days when they are being flouted and scorned and treated as legendary or the mere words of uninstructed men. Often have we heard the edge of Scripture turned aside by the remark, “O, it was Paul that said that,” but Paul answers, “Not I, but the Lord.” He may have used Paul, John and Peter, but it is the Lord who speaks. What stability this gives to our faith, and what a straight path for our feet! How privileged are we to have the word of the Lord, but how great is also our responsibility!

1 Corinthians 15:10

There was no apostle like Paul, he abounded in the work of the Lord above all the rest. He said, “I laboured more abundantly than they all; YET NOT I, BUT THE GRACE OF GOD which was with me.” It might appear as though he were boasting in the multitude of his own activities here and elsewhere, but no, he took no praise to himself, “not I,” in that he refused any glory, the “but the grace of God” in that he gave all the glory to God. He boasted in grace and not in himself. This explains why he could speak of his experiences and service with ease and liberty for the glory of the grace of which he was the happy subject, and not for self-exaltation. He glories in it, saying, “By the grace of God I am what I am.”

Galatians 2:20

The law proved to be condemnation and death to Paul, but he found Christ to be liberty and life to him, and Christ was the Son of God who loved him. Through the law which condemned the sinner, he had died to the law that he might live to God. Christ had taken the sinner’s condemnation, therefore Paul could say, “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, YET NOT I, BUT CHRIST lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). NOT PAUL now (who once had such a zeal for the law in his former life), but Christ was the source and the spring and object of his new and living activities. And faith in the risen and ascended Son of God who had loved him and given Himself for him gave character to his life in the flesh. Not the law, but a living Person governed his life! He lived by the faith of Him!

For deliverance, for stability in walk, for energy in service, we need not simply the negative, “No longer I,” or “yet not I.” We need also the “but” of contrast along with the positive to which the other gives place. So if for the first, freedom is found in Christ Jesus, for stability we have, “Thus says the Lord,” and in regard to abounding in His work, there is true liberty when we can happily say, “Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” Abundant labours flow from this. Finally, that which crowns all is found in the word, “I live, yet not I,” or, “No longer I, BUT CHRIST.” All is enshrined here! Leaving that which characterizes self behind, we have Christ Himself! Having died to sin He lives to God, and we have Him for our freedom! He, too, is our Stay, for His words are spirit and life upon which we feed! “Strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus,” we can abound in the work of the Lord. And as we do so in living activities, we can say, “I live, yet not I, but CHRIST LIVES IN ME!”

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