On Sin

Greetings Friend.

Much time has passed since I last wrote. I hope things are well with you. This life is difficult.

Our days are so filled with temporary requirements which occupy us. It is as if we are driven by them. We live as servants to things that pass. So shall our days be. But, for the Christian, remember, life is not to be limited to, nor defined by, these things that pass. Life, instead, is found primarily in one’s relationship with God, Who is eternal and everlasting, and more specifically one’s “conscious” relationship with Him. Contrary to the many things which pass, one’s relationship with God endures beyond this earthly experience.

Yet, for many who profess Christ, and thereby union with Christ, this fact is most difficult both to understand and also live by. Because of union, it should be that elements of our God relationship become manifest in and through our relationships with people and in our life events. If we live this way, God is honored and God is manifest through us to others. We, as God’s creation, and His re-creation in Christ, then live as he created us to be.

Adam initially lived from a God-centered understanding of life. He lived out of his relationship to the Creator as the primary or fundamental interpretation for everything. He was part of the creation, yet he looked not to the creation as his end. Adam depended upon God for everything: his internal guidance and understanding, and the outward manifestation of who, before the Creator, he knew himself to be. Adam, thus, initially honored God and revealed God’s glory by living from the basic Creator—created relationship that marked his existence.

Then things changed. Adam became distracted by that which was ungodly and earthly. He heard and listened to a voice that wasn’t God’s. He beheld the same tree as before but contemplated it and his relation to it in new and different ways. Something new stirred motions and desires in his heart that were not known until he, in that moment, lived as if unconscious of God. The distraction by that which was fallen and ungodly, and that which was created and earthly, opened to him a direction before unknown and attracted his eyes from what was heavenly, the Creator, and locked them onto the created. “Want” became known to him.

Adam made different decisions. These decisions, which originated from within his own heart, were now driven by what was of the creation, excluded God, and replaced Him. Adam’s decisions had results. Adam’s eyes, now lowered from beholding the Creator to beholding the creation, could not see the cloud of divine dishonor descending upon his life, his mind, his heart, his choices, their results, the world and his relations. The creation became his horizon, and he was at the center. Dishonor separated him from God, anchored him to the world, and what manifest from his life became that which lived within his now darkened soul.

Adam’s heart became a reservoir of want. His reaching for the creation to satisfy his “false wants” is called his living “from his own heart.” This heart orientation became normal for him. Sin secured this in him. He lived from his own heart as if from this origin life emerged and was determined. And I am afraid, dear friend that “from our own hearts” is too often our norm even as Christians. It is so close to our every breath and movement that we don’t see it. Like Adam, we hear and live toward and by ungodly voices. We behold the creation as if apart from God. Our horizon is too low. Our eyes have dropped. God is absent. We too live as if defined by the creation, of which we ourselves appear the center, because of want, like Adam—from our own hearts. For how frequent can we say we live from God’s heart and not ours to ourselves, in our relationships, and life events?

Sin entered. I imagine a simplified working definition of sin could be: That which proceeds from one’s own heart, reflecting and manifesting the creation and self as central, instead of that which proceeds from one’s life as reflecting and manifesting God as central. When considering sin, consider the starting point.

Reading recently in Thomas Goodwin’s work on “Christ the Mediator” I better understood basic effects of sin: Dishonor to God as God, and Obscuring God’s Glory. When we sin, we do both. We dishonor God as God. We do not manifest God’s glory. Consider your life, and I will consider mine. What do our lives tell us about ourselves and sin?

Christ, in contrast, both consistently honored God as God, and he never obscured God’s glory. In fact, Christ, as God and man, had to, and wanted to, humble himself, thereby willfully obscuring his own glory, so the Father would be glorified. As a result, you and I can now see the Father clearly, and we can identify with Christ who did what we consistently fail to do: Honor God and Manifest—Reflect—His Glory.

Adam was provided a different view to behold after the fall. He beheld God securing and providing a covering, after he, from hiding, heard a godly voice, toward which he moved, and then began to live with. This was the voice of the reconciling God, God as redeemer and savoir. As with Adam, hearing God’s call from earthly, created, coverings demands we forsake all that “want” has rooted so deeply within our hearts and necessitates we move out from dependence on the created to the Creator’s covering—Christ—and through relationship with we can now both honor God and manifest His glory.

You and I, if we are truly in Christ, have the freedom and capacity to now honor God as God and to manifest, not obscure, His glory. God has revealed to us that He has put His love in a Christian’s heart and the Spirit of His Son into the deepest and closest relationship and recesses with this one’s soul. The question seems to be, what do our lives produce? Does my life honor or dishonor God? Does my life manifest or obscure His glory? It is too simple for us to affirm the negative—“I acknowledge my life doesn’t.” Answering thus should be nothing to boast in but something to repent of. There are three things we can always do: confess sin, seek forgiveness, and repent. Each is essential if we are to live honoring God, instead of dishonoring Him, and manifesting, not obscuring, His glory. We must forsake ungodly voices. We must leave coverings of the creation. We must abandon the hunger of fallen want.

Dear friend, if you expect to live eternity with God, does your life now exhibit any passion for Him? Do you want to be with Him? What in your life serves as evidence to you that you love Him? What in your life shows undeniably that you don’t? Do you live from that which proceeds from your own heart as chief or from the heart of God? Now in Christ, and because of Christ, honor God as God and reveal Him to others. You will reassure yourself in your future with Him and declare Him along the way. You will also come to understand what it means to know Him as you walk through time toward eternality where you will be with Him fully.

May your heart be encouraged as you live each day among that which is temporary and passing, because of Him who is eternal and always with you.

Carl

Living Christ’s Atonement

Greetings Friend.

Many Christians, throughout Church history and in our age, readily admit they believe Christ atoned for their sin and has reconciled them to the Father. They are forgiven. And, for many, that is the extent of their experience of Christ’s atonement and “the all of” their Christian faith. There is nothing more. No intimate fellowship with God. No participation in Christ’s peace, or His joy. No confidence in God. No manifestation of the fruits of God’s Spirit. Functionally, these people have not the life of Christ present in their daily experience. But they believe! They profess Christ. Yet, they live as if alone.

To ensure you and I both understand and continue in the reality of Christ’s atonement, instead of just stating that we believe in Christ’s atonement, I thought it good to briefly present the following ideas. First, Christ’s atonement involves both his sacrificial death and his resurrection life. The two are joined. In like fashion, our identification with and participation in Christ’s atonement involves our death and newness of life. If we profess union with Christ in His death, then union with His life should also be our confession. But the confession stems not merely, nor primarily, from the mouth, but from the life. For the life is new. The mouth conveys and gives testimony to what the life already exhibits.

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, makes three explicit references to Christ’s crucifixion that, to me, address the notion of living Christ’s atonement:

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” 2:20

“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” 5:24

“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.” 6:14-16

I have not the time or physical ability to write all that is in my mind and heart regarding these passages, so I trust you will pursue their truths with God directly. I do desire to make the following observations to set some framework. The three verses speak to three relational orientations: the individual with God; the individual with self; the individual with the world. Christ’s crucifixion, His death and life, address each relational direction which defines every person’s existence: upward (with God); inward (with self); outward (with the world). As a Christian, one’s identity is established in Christ. Not by sin, not from self, and not through the world. Being in Christ, sin, self, and the world lose their voice—any defining role—to me. Christ is now life.

If one professes Christ, that one belongs to Christ. Jesus Christ defines reality. Self does not define reality any longer. It follows, then, that the inward desires, cravings of the flesh, no longer define me nor do they direct my energy or efforts. I should no longer strive to satisfy the hunger from that which is of my flesh because I’m satisfied with feeding on The Bread of Life. (See all of John 6.)

Similarly, the world, with it unique, consistent and manifold ability to define people based on distinctions, should no longer have any voice to me. In Christ, I live as dead to the world, and in reverse fashion the world would be as dead to me. As Christians, our basis for identity is contrary to the world. One is heavenly. One is earthly. They are mutually exclusive. The apostle emphasizes this when he states what really matters is “the new creation.” Not what the old order tries to define one by. (See also Gal 4:26f.)

The apostle concludes by writing, “as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.” The nature of Christ’s atonement, as belief and as life, leads to the experience of peace and mercy. This experience is both for the individual Christian and the body of Christ in general. Mere belief in Christ’s atonement, without understanding its reach into and for your life, leaves you short of the life from Christ’s atonement and, functionally, leaves you only with yourself and the world.

Spend time prayerfully considering your condition, my friend. Move in this direction with me. Let us not come short of the life for which the Father has redeemed us through the atoning work of His Son.

Carl

The Witness From Peace

“What matters is not the size or numbers claimed by churches, but rather the quality of witness demonstrated by Christians in their particular circumstances.”

“…then I became in his eyes as one who found peace.”


Greetings Friend.

My last letter to you was three months ago. Time continues on, and, as it does, we move closer to that day when we will both enter the grave and God’s presence. How we spend our time till then matters. I hope your heart has been well, and I hope God’s heavenly and temporal blessings have been abundant. If we have Christ, then we are rich beyond all the world’s treasure and our future is secure.


The two quotes above may appear an odd combination. The first comes from a church history book I recently read call The Lost History of Christianity by Philip Jenkins (2008). It covers certain historical elements of the Eastern Church, in Africa and Asia, and what lead to its decline and death. Islam was a key component, but not the only component. The author highlights a critical truth that you and I must, I think, always keep in mind: that we ourselves play a central role in the preservation and promotion of our faith during our time in history; our personal faith and that of the unified Christian voice in our society, country and world. If the quality of our faith witness is poor, then the quality of the unified voice is diminished. I’m concerned that we as individuals do not fully appreciate this responsibility or the consequences.


The other quote is from Song of Solomon 8:10. I used just part of the verse. If this verse reveals a truth, then can I, and do I, truly experience it? Can God see me as one who has truly found peace? Can I believe that? What would the nature of such peace have to be? What would my life have to exhibit? Given all I know about myself, how could I ever claim such a thing as this? It seems pure fantasy, yet scripture affirms it. And you my friend, could you now, or in some imagined future, acknowledge such a thing yourself? Perhaps we need different eyes for seeing, perhaps a different object to behold, or maybe a different understanding of God and peace. I have become fully convinced that this position regarding peace is truly obtainable and living it is God’s desire. God longs to see us as those—in His eyes—who have found and know peace. I want to develop this line of thought more fully in another letter.


Also, these two quotes struck me as actually addressing the same thing: the quality of my witness of God and Christ to the world (regardless of the Church’s size and influence) hinges on and stems from my relation to and with God. And, while this statement sounds common place, what lifts it above a common standing is the notion of the witness being grounded in a relation with God where I know He knows that “I truly am” one who has found peace. “I know that He knows that I have found peace.” Witness originating from this place, dear friend, will be what God wants others to hear and will be a preservative for the church throughout time.


I hope to write more on this soon. God’s best to you.

Christ’s Witness To You

Friend, there are times during the Christian’s journey when God seems to suddenly and without explanation leave us or the grandeur of Christ-centered awareness or revelation suddenly ends. What do you do at such times? Or, what have you done at such times? Why would God present Himself to you in a way that discloses something rich to your mind and heart, something that feels life enriching to you (the way your relation with God should be), and then “that” type of experience end?

Scripture is full of examples of this occurring, but consider the following two.

“The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” And at this point His disciples came . . . “ (Jn 4:25-27)

“Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.” (Lk 24:30-31)

The reason for any particular “break” or “apparent discontinuance” of a time when one is aware of God disclosing Himself can be debated, but in these two examples we can be certain of “a” reason by seeing what occurred after the break. In each case, Christ presented Himself to the parties. As he presented Himself, He revealed Himself to them in a way that was life altering and God-ward. The Samaritan woman and the two disciples conducted themselves, as seen by their behaviors, differently. Yet, there is similarity. Their behavior not only stemmed from their fresh encounter with Christ, but furthered testimony about Christ to others: The Samaritan woman testified of Christ to other Samaritan’s; the disciples testified of Christ to those who where already followers of Christ. Both, if I may categorize it such, “the lost” and “the brethren” were beneficiaries of lives that had been enriched by Christ’s witness.

Examine your life. Do you on occasion have awareness of Christ working at the core of your life or awareness of Christ testifying about Himself to you? If so, what follows? If not, why not?

The Samaritan woman and the two disciples were at different places in their spiritual lives. Both groups were confronted by Christ in respect to their relation to God, Christ, and themselves. The Samaritan woman was honest about a life issue. Christ met her there. Reader, do you have a life issue standing in the way? Hear Christ’s counsel to her that God is seeking those who will worship Him “in spirit and truth.” Is it time for you to be honest with God and yourself on something that defines you? The two disciples did not adequately understand who Christ was and what He was about. Their disappointment was based on worldly interpretations of what is a Heavenly life and purpose. Of course they would be disappointed! Christ’s revelation to them changed their framework for understanding Him and life. Are you living from a Chist-centered or Heavenly framework? Does something fundamental need to change?

Finally, both the Samaritan woman and the two disciples immediately testified about Christ and their lives to others. Once enlightened and changed, they spread Christ’s testimony and that of their lives to others; for the sake of glorifying God and furthering Christ’s witness. And, this sharing was natural.

Friend, examine your life. How would you describe your life with God in Christ Jesus? Dead? Why? Not what you expected? Why? Testifying of Christ and God’s work? The only way the Samaritan woman and the two disciples understood their lives after encountering Christ was from a Christ perspective. He defined life for them. If you and I define life for ourselves, or by worldly standards, our lives with Christ will “feel” as dead. That life may be “so dead” that you don’t see it at all. If this condition describes you, move toward God in simple prayer and confession (in spirit and truth) and talk to others about what you are experiencing. Share your life with Christ. Glorify God and further His witness and work. Your life will become both alive and rich in divine treasure.


“My God, permit me not to be a stranger to myself and thee;
Amid a thousand thoughts I rove, forgetful of my highest love.

Why should my passions mix with earth, and thus debase my heavenly birth?
Why should I cleave to things below, and let my God, my Saviour, go?

Call me away from flesh and sense; one sovereign word can draw me thence;
I would obey the voice divine, and all inferior joys resign.

Be earth, with all her scenes, withdrawn; let noise and vanity be gone:
In secret silence of the mind my heaven, and there my God, I find.”

(Isaac Watts)

The Spirit of His Son – cont.

“. . . because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts crying out ‘Abba Father!’” (Gal 4:6)


Reading this and living the reality it describes remain distinct. Many will read. Few seem to participate in, or experience, the life. The initial and ongoing general manifestation of Christ’s Spirit resident in the soul is an orientation toward the Father. If you are a son, you have Christ’s Spirit. If you have Christ’s Spirit, you (as Christ did) recognize within you the cry “Father, Father!”

This seems to beg the question, “As a Christian, if my heart is not crying out for the Father, then is it crying out for something else?” That is, “Are our hearts fashioned to cry out for something?” Or, “Can one’s heart truly be dead and have no voice, no cry, at all?”

Likewise, “If I have a heart cry, can my own cry escape my notice?” “Might I be blind to myself?” Many could answer yes in theory, but then fail to follow the path of self-awareness and actually find their cry and the reasons for “that” cry, whatever it might in truth actually be.

Ask yourself, “If Christ’s Spirit had to be given to me, then what nature was the spirit I had crying out in me if it was not Christ’s crying “Father, Father!” Is that spirit back in place as the one guiding and motivating your heart now, if you discern not Christ’s Spirit guiding and motivating your heart toward the Father?

Consider the word SIN. S can stand for Satan (and all he is), Sin itself, one’s Self, and Slavery. I can represent Individuality. N can stand for Nature. The Apostle Paul in Galatians 3:22 states that “the Scripture has confined all under sin.” Chapters 3 and 4 address grounds for identity that were common if one was not “in Christ.” Chapters 3 and 4 also reveal a possible living as unto nature. [Other supporting verses abound.] Thus, a case can be made that if one is not oriented to the Father, then one is oriented and living as if “not in Christ,” and thus as to sin (or the flesh, as Paul later calls it).

Christ was oriented to His Father. We, as believers, those in Christ, have been given Christ’s Spirit in our hearts by God Himself. Thus, we should now naturally live and give out what we’ve inwardly received: Godly Affection that transcends or bypasses what is earthly.

Christ, if we were to study His Spirit, loved the Father. Christ understood the Father. He submitted to His Father’s will. Christ had as a primary affection His Father. Not Sin, Self or Satan. Not some grand Self-centeredness. Nor did Christ anchor His life to Nature. Christ’s understanding, His will, and His affections (in total, His heart), were oriented by and toward His Father. These were oriented and unified.

Friend, do our hearts resemble Christ’s? We supposedly have His Spirit. Do the things which motivate us and manifest from within our lives to the world, do these things resemble what motivated Christ and came from within the inner world of His heart to the external world of history?

The call for the Father moves outward from deep within. This is a different motivation than, say, the Law, which is an external pressure upon a life. It is also a different influence than, say, nature (either internal to the self or external from the self) that motivates reason, will, and affection. It is not sin. Motivation from Christ’s Spirit is a pure, loving desire to be with and please God, recognizing Him for who He is and being delighted and at home in His presence.

Reflect on and consider what you know of Christ’s life, His understanding, His decisions, His affections. Now consider your life, your understanding, your decisions, and your affections. If you do not see traces of Christ’s Spirit in your heart, and God’s word is true, then either you have not because you are not, or you are (and you have) but you want not, therefore you will not.

You may believe some things, as did the Galatians, but you may not understand as is required. The Galatians believed in some way the gospel, but their lives, their affections, their motives, their actions, led the Apostle Paul to have severe doubts about them. They failed to understand their son-ship, thus their lives were not anchored an animated by Christ’s Spirit within their hearts. This was an error and it opened them up making them susceptible to further error. Let it not be so with us.

The Christian life is driven by a relational affection, not by mere belief acknowledgements that permit someone to hide true fleshly, earthly, motivations behind the wall of ongoing self-rationalizations. This dynamic is not life. It is a false substitute for what some call life, because it seems natural (and, in the flesh, it is natural).

What Christ understood about His Father defined every moment of His life. Because He understood (in truth) the Father, Christ’s chief affection (what stemmed from the core of His heart) was always love for the Father. Because Christ always loved the Father, He both longed to be with and please the Father. His understanding, affections, and will were oriented and unified. May this be so with us.

Let what God has placed in your heart, if you be in Christ, rule you. Sin is not to be your master. You are not your own. Nature is no god. These are all earthly orientations. Christ’s Spirit in you is a heavenly and divine deposit that lives to release you from these former sources of apparent life to the source of true life, the Father Himself. That is where your heart should be aimed! He is to be the object of your deepest affections! “Father, Father!” is to be the cry of your heart! If it is not, then prayerfully seek the truth as to why.

The Spirit of His Son

“. . . because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts crying out ‘Abba Father!’” (Gal 4:6)


If what the Apostle Paul discloses here is fact, and you are a Christian, then you have received the Spirit of God’s Son into your heart.

If you have received the Spirit of God’s Son into your heart, then your life (from your heart or core) should be animated and/or motivated by that which moved Christ.

Friend, you and I must look at ourselves and ask if we are aware of Christ’s Spirit in our hearts, at the core of our lives. You must ask if what motivates you and what manifests from your heart resembles Christ’s life, His Spirit. These questions are critical. Our answers will direct us further, and that path we need to travel.

Do you believe what God has revealed to us through the Apostle Paul? Do you acknowledge receipt of the Spirit of God’s Son into your heart?

Ask God to keep on your mind and heart the truth that “If a Christian, Then God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into My heart.”

An Easter Thought

Greetings Friend.

May you find this Easter to contain a time when you can put away all the busy-ness that will distract you from being alone with Christ, and may you desire this to the point of actually securing such a time. Christ gave His life for you to be with Him, His Father and the Spirit. Honor that by giving some of yours to be with Them. Let your faith, whatever measure you have, lead you to spend time with God.

“Even Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. This is the noble advantage of faith; it can look on the means and end together. This is the great reason of our impatience, and censuring of God, because we gaze on the evil itself, but fix not our thoughts on what is beyond it. They that saw Christ only on the cross, or in the grave, do shake their heads, and think him lost; but God saw him dying, buried, rising, glorified, and all this at one view. Faith will in this imitate God, so far as it hath the glass of a promise to help it. . . Could we but clearly see heaven, as the end of all God’s dealings with us, surely none of his dealings could be grievous.”

Richard Baxter, The Saints Everlasting Rest.

Carl

Stress And Slippage

Worldly Stress and the Erosion of Faith from Slippage.

Friend, the growth, or maturity, or manifestation of Christian graces in your life (if you have been reconciled to God through Christ) and the longevity of these graces during your life are not automatic nor a given. What is a given—something which continually presses against and stresses the Christian’s life and the working of God’s graces in your heart—is the presence and influence of the world and those of the world. These worldly influences and their affects most readily and frequently come through people you deal with in all forms of contact. They are constant pressures which can naturally erode faith, if not recognized and counteracted continually.

The Apostle Paul counsels Timothy to be aware of the attitudes and actions of others which, if not understood and counteracted, could lead to the erosion of his faith. Similar to Timothy, you and I (if we have been reconciled to God through Christ) must always pay attention to what and who we relate to, their affects on us, and constantly view our lives as primarily being lived or defined by our relationship with God instead of the world and those of the world. The stress, or pressure, of our worldly interactions pushes against all that is of God in our lives. It is as if darkness is seeking to once again overcome that which is now light. In Christ, we have been transferred from darkness to light, but we live in a world of darkness where we must live preserved from darkness as true light. If we do not remain vigilant against this worldly stress, we are subject to being overcome by it and our lives (practically) could become “faithless.”

Consider the following passages from 2 Timothy:


“BUT UNDERSTAND this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear].” (3:1, Amplified Bible)

“For men will be lovers of themselves . . .” (3:2, NKJV)

“. . . lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.” (3:4-5)

“. . . these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith” (3:8)

“. . . evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (3:13)


Friend, the way the Apostle Paul counseled Timothy indicates to me that Timothy himself was dealing with these very stresses during his life and ministry. Context supports a view that Timothy’s relational stresses stemmed from those of the world but also within the visible Church. These strains seem to be the same stresses you and I contend with constantly (especially if we are sensitive to the Spirit’s work in our own lives and the workings of evil in the world).

We may differ from Timothy with respect to our vocation and ministry, but we share with him the same onslaught of pressures from the world and the same need to watch over and preserve our faith. To set perspective and direct Timothy, the Apostle Paul contrasts Timothy’s life as a Christian with those stressing him and who are worldly:


“But you [Timothy] have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance . . .” (3:10)

“But you [Timothy] must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. “(3:14-15)

“But you [Timothy] be watchful in all things” (4:5)


Paul’s counsel to Timothy for the preservation of his faith and effectiveness in ministry is, on one level, quite simple: Be Watchful In All Things. Don’t Forget Your Christian Life and Remember The Lives of Other Christians Who Have Struggled Severely For The Same Faith. Do Not Neglect God’s Word. It Gives You The Right Perspective.

Paul seems to guide Timothy with respect to the items above because here is where the pressures or stresses of the world primarily take their aim: Be Distracted With All The Pressures And Stress In The World. Your Christian Experience Is False, Or Else Your Life Would Not Be So Troubled (You Are Alone!). Why Spend Time In God’s Word? What Good Has It Done You? Stare At And Remain Overwhelmed With Me—The World—And All That Is Going On In The World! That Is All There Is And You’re Helpless!

Reader, we too easily submit to the world’s voice, pressures, and we too readily receive the stresses which lead to the erosion of our faith. This eroded condition need not be a description of your or my life though, and there is a remedy if you have experienced erosion of your faith from slippage. Movement from light to darkness often occurs incrementally and without our notice. We suddenly awaken (by God’s grace) and realize how far from a stable and passionate living faith we’ve moved. But the remedy, repentance, unlike the cause, is immediate. Employ Paul’s counsel to Timothy. Rely on God and get in the Word of God! Understand what is going on and remain diligent, watchful and engaged in the life with God in Christ Jesus that you were called to, and every moment of every day be on guard for the stress of the world and the erosion and slippage of your faith!

May the graces of God through Christ Jesus be manifest in your life and be a witness to those in darkness.

Carl


“O Love divine, how sweet thou art!
When shall I find my willing heart
All taken up by thee?
I thirst, I faint, I die to prove
The greatness of redeeming love—
The love of Christ to me.

Stronger his love then death or hell:
No mortal can its riches tell,
Nor first-born sons of light:
In vain they long its depths to see;
They cannot reach the mystery—
The length, the breadth, the height.

God only knows the love of God;
Oh that it now were shed abroad
In this poor, stony heart!
For love I sigh, for love I pine;
This only portion, Lord be mine—
Be mine this better part.

Oh that I could sit
In transport at my Saviour’s feet!
Be this my happy choice;
My only care, delight, and bliss,
My joy, my heaven on earth, be this,
To hear my Saviour’s voice.”

(Charles Wesley, d. 1788)

Forgiveness

Forgiveness:

What do you know about it?
What does it do to you?
What do others know of it through you?



“When this passing world is done—
When has sunk yon glorious sun;
When we stand with Christ in glory,
Looking o’er life’s finished story;
Then, Lord, shall I fully know—
Not till then—how much I owe!”

“When I stand before the throne,
Clothed in beauty not my own;
When I see thee as thou art,
Love thee with unsinninng heart;
Then, Lord, shall I fully know—
Not till then—how much I owe!”

(Rev. Robert M’Cheyn, d. 1843)



Greetings Friend.

M’Cheyn’s words express his heart’s desire to acknowledge before God that he knows the graces of God that he participates in, and that he cannot, this side of heaven, fully grasp nor fully acknowledge what he owes God concerning them. He knows there is this limit, and his confessions serve the purpose of placing him in a humble position before God. M’Cheyn understands to a degree and confesses that. He knows he’ll understand all later, and he anticipates that! He is grateful to God for what God has bestowed upon him.

How about you? What role does that which you understand now play in your confessions to God and in fueling your anticipations toward being with God? Any? Do you believe you understand what Christianity is, but for some reason your life (to yourself and those who observe you) communicates something essential is apparently lacking?

Grace begets grace. As God’s graces work their way through your heart (not just your head), you live differently because grace through the heart transforms one’s entire life. The bible implies this clearly with the phrase being “born again.” A Christian should be a new person, and at a minimum experience as ongoing life principles and expressions those graces that brought about his or her transformation from sinner to saint. That set of transformational graces should remain and grow, manifesting throughout the person’s life and creating grace fruits for others to experience and benefit from. Grace “in the head only” can cause one to “believe” they are something other than what their life testifies about them. Grace believed but not received can prevent one from participating in the life God’s graces intend.

To summarize: If you know you have been a recipient of God’s graces are you yourself gracious? This is how grace begets grace. It touches you, transforms you, and then touches others through you. This can be seen as manifestation of both God’s will and God’s kingdom. The same holds with love begetting love or mercy begetting mercy. If one has truly experienced God’s love and God’s mercy, then that person is transformed and in turn extends love and mercy to others.

Consider the following passages on God’s forgiveness, how the concepts fit together, how your life has been touched by God’s forgiveness, and how you, having been touched and transformed by God’s forgiveness, forgive others. What do the passages below confirm to you about your heart (not your head), your life, and how does your heart direct confession of such truths to God?


“He [Jesus] said to them, "This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.’” (Matt 6:8-15)

“…the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants . . .Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed . . .This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." (Matt 18:21-35)

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.” (Col 2:13-14)

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Col 3:12-14)

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Eph 4:32)


Friend, observations from the above passages abound. Let me share a few.

God’s forgiveness is transformative.

Forgiveness is a condition that is to be acknowledged regularly by a Christian as a necessary dynamic for living life with and before God. A Christian, as one who has experienced God’s forgiveness personally, should possess a continued awareness of one’s own need for forgiveness from God (and seek it).

Forgiveness, as an ongoing and essential part of life (as is daily bread), is part of the fulfillment of the prayer for God’s will to be done on earth as in Heaven, and is part of the fulfillment of the prayer for God’s kingdom to come. Both of these expressive realities (God’s will and God’s kingdom) are somewhat manifest through the believer’s life when that person lives from and by forgiveness.

The prayer continues and also emphasizes the centrality of temptation and evil in life, which are as real to the Christian’s daily experience as are physical sustenance (bread) and spiritual sustenance (forgiveness). The believer, as a forgiven one, is always aware of these facts and in humility confesses them to God. Daily nourishment is necessary and ongoing. Evil and temptation are ongoing. Forgiveness, because of the continued presence of evil and temptation, is as essential to life as daily bread and should be received, in humility, from God and extended to others.

This sensitivity and discernment with respect to forgiveness is ongoing. As Christians, we are sinners who have been made saints. Christians should confess their sins and seek forgiveness. This ongoing forgiveness does not make us saints, it is because we have been made saints that we want to seek God’s forgiveness and maintain closeness, or intimacy, with God. All people sin. Others need forgiveness. We live in a world of sin. God can be known and experienced as we solicit and receive forgiveness from Him, and as we (when sinned against) forgive as God has us. If forgiveness is absent in life (either the believer with God or the believer with others), then one fails to acknowledge and honor God and one fails to disclose God to others.

Having known God’s forgiveness, but being determined to remain hardened and not forgive others, leads to one’s self-imprisonment and detrimentally affects the lives of others. God will hold accountable those who have benefited from His forgiveness, refuse to be transformed by it, and who alternately live unforgivingly toward others. [See all of Matthew 18:21-35.] It’s as if the forgiven one, by acting unforgivingly, wants to be King, or God. This is clearly evidence of the sinful nature, the flesh, unChristian, and could be seen as evil and demonic.

It seems, though, given the Apostle Paul’s admonitions in Colossians, Ephesians, and elsewhere, that living from the heart God’s forgiveness toward others is severely difficult and almost unnatural. And that’s precisely the point! It is unnatural. It’s supernatural, of God, not of the world or flesh! This is what M’Cheyn acknowledges and confesses to God. This is what the praying person in Matthew 6 confesses, and humbly asks God for the strength to live! You, dear friend, and I cannot live by our own strength the Christian life, life by the principles of God’s graces, nor can we extend forgiveness to another from a closed and hardened heart. You and I must constantly live in humility before God—He is God, not me. Then we can live from humility toward others.

May the graces of God and life of Christ be fully manifest in your heart and given to the world.

Carl



“Chosen not for good in me,
Wakened up from wrath to flee,
Hidden in the Saviour’s side,
By the Spirit sanctified—
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show,
By my love, how much I owe.”

“When in flowery paths I tread,
Oft by sin I’m captive led;
Oft I fall, but still arise—
Jesus comes—the tempter flies:
Blessed Jesus! bid me show
Weary sinners all I owe.”

(Rev. Robert M’Cheyn, d. 1843)

Remaining Needy

“Alas, what hourly dangers rise!
What snares beset my way!
To heaven, oh, let me lift mine eyes,
And hourly watch and pray.

How oft my mournful thoughts complain,
And melt in flowing tears!
My weak resistance, ah, how vain!
How strong my foes and fears!

O gracious God! in whom I live,
My feeble efforts aid;
Help me to watch, and pray, and strive,
Though trembling and afraid.

Increase my faith, increase my hope,
When foes and fears prevail;
And bear my fainting spirit up,
Or soon my strength will fail.

Whene’er temptations fright my heart,
Or lure my feet aside,
My God, thy powerful aid impart,
My Guardian and my Guide.

Oh, keep me in thy heavenly way,
And bid the tempter flee!
And let me never, never stray
From happiness and thee.

(Anne Steele, d. 1778)


Friend, do the heart pleadings and petitions in the above hymn, to any degree, describe your own toward God? Do you desire those words to be your words to God? Before such words are able to flow naturally from your heart heavenward, you must possess a heavenward heart. Christ is both in heaven and, if a Christian, in your heart. You have all you need to pursue Christ where He is. If you are not pursuing Christ, it is because you either have Him not in your heart, or you have lost sight of your need and where He is in Heaven.

Consider Hebrews 4 and 12:

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

“…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.”

Reader, do you see Christ? Do you have Christ? Are you holding your confession? Do you approach Christ? Do you obtain mercy, grace and help?

What causes you to be and remain weary and discouraged? Your struggles cannot match Christ’s, although they maybe similar in kind. You have needs, this is true, and Christ is always there for you.

Do you know your need? Do you see Christ, see self, or see the world? Only Christ has the provision for your need. Seek Him.


“Our hearts, O Lord, with grief are rent,
O’er vows made all in vain;
In anguish daily we repent,
Each day offend again.

Now we arise from death to life,
Then sink from good to ill;
Here we begin, there leave our strife,
And work but half thy will.

Oh, help us, Lord, amid all pain,
As warriors true, to stand
Faithful and firm, and thus to gain
Thine own, the better land.

Thy land—its gates how bright they shine!
And let no evil in;
Thy boundless land, and all divine,
That hath no room for sin.

Thy holy land, where none shall stop
Our souls upon the road,
And win our weak desires to drop
From glory and from God.

Oh, rich and priceless is the grace
That we shall there receive!
Nor once thine image shall deface,
Nor once thy spirit grieve.

(author unknown)

Baxter On The Saint's Rest

“Long have I sat beneath the sound
Of thy salvation, Lord;
Yet still how weak my faith is found,
And knowledge of thy word!

How cold and feeble is my love!
How negligent my fear!
How low my hope of joys above!
How few affections there!

Great God! thy sovereign power impart,
To give thy word success;
Write thy salvation in my heart,
And make me learn thy grace.

Show my forgetful feet the way
That leads to joys on high;
Where knowledge grows without decay,
And love shall never die.”

(Isaac Watts, d. 1748)


Greetings Friend.

What follows stems from Richard Baxter’s great work “The Saint’s Everlasting Rest.” After my last bog entry on Jesus and the Christian’s Rest, I began rereading Baxter’s work. The below seemed to further the subject and foster self-evaluation. May God bless your reading as you consider Baxter’s thoughts.


“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 to us through His Spirit.” (I Cor 2:9-10)

“For the eye of flesh is not capable of seeing them, nor this ear of hearing them, nor this heart of understanding them: but there [in the state of God’s rest] the eye, and ear, and heart are made capable; else how do they enjoy them? The more perfect the sight is, the more delightful the beautiful object. The more perfect the appetite, the sweeter the food. The more musical the ear, the more pleasant the melody. The more perfect the soul, the more joyous those joys, and the more glorious to us is that glory.” (p. 23)

“When I know so little of God, I cannot much know what it is to enjoy him.” (23)

“. . . grace cannot be clearly known without grace; how much less could he [a worlding] conceive it [spiritual joys], should I tell him of this glory?” (24)

“If grace makes a Christian differ so much from what he was, as to say, I am not the man I was; how much more will glory make us differ!” (26)

“He that in love wept over the old Jerusalem when near its ruin, with what love will he rejoice over the new Jerusalem in her glory? Christian, believe this, and think on it: thou shalt be eternally embraced in the arms of that love, which was from everlasting, and will extend to everlasting; of that love which brought the Son of God’s love from heaven to earth, from earth to the cross, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to glory: that love, which was weary, hungry, tempted, scorned, scourged, buffeted, spit upon, crucified, pierced; which did fast, pray, teach, heal, weep, sweat, bleed, die; that love will eternally embrace thee. When perfect created love, and the most perfect uncreated love, meet together” (31) . . .

. . . Now, you, Reader, complete Baxter’s thought of that uncreated, perfect, Divine love joined to His perfect created love in you. Can you, will you, think on this and comprehend the fact!?

Friend, as Baxter later asks:

Are you aware of that divine mercy that leads to the saint’s joy? Are you experiencing God’s ongoing work in your life that is preparing you for the fullness of His love and joy?

If not, why?

“He prepared the kingdom for us, then prepared us for the kingdom.” (44)

Spend some time and honestly evaluate your life with God. Do you see, hear, and understand with greater clarity day by day those things that God has prepared for you? Do you love Him?

What do you know of God and the Saint’s Rest?

If you’ve received God’s grace, do you experience movement toward those things of grace? Are you being transformed by God’s grace? Or, is God’s grace alien to you?

Can you discern His perfect love and His love in you meeting? If not, and you profess Christ, why?

Everlasting life is intended to rule as the main life principle in the saint’s heart. If it isn’t, then the flesh and the world are the main principles. This later condition ought not be. You will not be prepared for the fullness of His presence if you live not in His presence now.

Describe your life with God to yourself and let your own words reveal the truth about your relationship with God. Then, may you both know the right direction to move and actually move.


"Could my heart so hard remain,
Prayer a task and burden prove,
Every trifle give me pain,
If I knew a Saviour's love?

When I turn my eyes within,
All is dark, and vain, and wild;
Filled with unbelief and sin,
Can I deem myself a child?

Yet I mourn my stubborn will,
Find my sin a grief and thrall;
Should I grieve for what I feel,
If I did not love at all?

Lord, decide the doubtful case;
Thou who art thy people's Sun,
Shine upon thy work of grace,
If it be indeed begun.

Let me love thee more and more,
If I love at all, I pray;
If I have not loved before,
Help me to begin to-day."

(Rev. John Newton, d. 1807)

Jesus . . . Rest

Greetings Friend.

What follows are some thoughts on Christ and the Christian’s Rest. I’ve compiled a few items on the theme. The main biblical passages are Matthew 11:28-29 and Hebrews 3 and 4. You may be very familiar with Matthew 11:28-29. If you can recite the text, are you as familiar with the reality it describes? Have you responded to Jesus’ call and have you entered that rest? Having entered, do you live from that rest? What about your life confirms this to you?

Or, does your life, at its deepest recesses, evidence the complete opposite of rest—unrest: …”chaos” …”turmoil”…”fear”…and “always scurrying about needing something but never seeming to be satisfied and quieted?” Do you seek something you see as rest from your own resources, from other people, or from the world? What describes you?

Today, some may need to hear a call to rest for the first time. Others of us may need to hear a call to rest as a reminder. Do you need to hear a call to receive rest for your life? Does it seem as if the help you sense you really need cannot be obtained, so you just assume your experience is life and is all you’ll ever possibly know? Have you given up? If there were a peace or rest available that promised you a new view of life, enjoyment, and separation from the world’s woes and your own, what cost would you be willing to pay? Would the offer even interest you?

As you read what follows, consider the rest described, the source, and the cost. Consider what people did who were contemporaries with Jesus. Will you do the same? If Jesus were to call you specifically, would your ears hear?

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from Him comes to me.” (Jn 6:44-45)

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Mt 11:28-29)

“Since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.” (Heb 4:1)

“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest.” (Heb 4:9-11)

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” (Mt 9:12)


“Come unto me, all ye who mourn, with guilt and fear oppressed;
Resign to me the willing heart, and I will give you rest.

Take up my yoke, and learn from me, a meek and lowly mind;
And thus your weary, troubled souls repose and peace shall find.

For light and gentle is my yoke: the burden I impose
Shall ease the heart which groaned before beneath the load of woes.”

(Author Unknown)


“Oh! Wonderful, wonderful! That the one who has help to give is the one who says, Come hither! What love is this! There is love in the act of a man who is able to help and does help him who begs for help. But for one to offer help! and to offer it to all! Yes, and precisely to all such as can do nothing to help in return! To offer it—no, to shout it out, as if the Helper were the one who needed help, as if in fact He who is able and willing to help all was Himself in a sense a needy one, in that He feels an urge, and consequently need to help, need of the suffer in order to help him!” “As for the danger that too many might come, He had no fear of it.” *

“All His willingness to help would perhaps be no help at all if He did not utter this word and thereby take the first step. For in His summons, ‘Come unto me,’ it is He in fact that comes to them … He who utters this saving word, ‘Come hither,’ was not deceived in Himself when He uttered the word, neither will He deceive thee when thou comest to Him to find rest by casting thy burden upon Him. He follows the prompting of His heart in uttering it, and His heart accompanies [follows] the word—follow then thou the word and it will accompany [follow] thee back to His heart.” **

Friend, when considering Matthew 11:28-29, backup and read first chapter 10. Then, after reading into Matthew 11, continue on into chapter 12. Doing so, you will notice the theme of “rest” as it pertains to Christ, captured and conveyed many different ways, all crowned by His call in 11:28.

Matthew 10 reveals Jesus, the Jesus message proclaimed, and reactions to that message. Matthew 11 reveals aspects of John the Baptist’s message (people “came to” him), differing reactions to the Baptist’s message, the Baptist’s own sense of looking to Christ and rest, but then the Spirit has us look beyond the Baptist to see Christ Himself (…as the one to whom all people should come to, and Jesus as “The Caller”). Then, with the Caller, the Call, and the reality of Rest revealed, the first part of Matthew 12 positions Jesus as Lord over the Sabbath (Law, etc.).

As a result of Jesus being proclaimed and believed in, the record shows people experienced physical rest, relational rest, spiritual rest, etc., both immediately and anticipated during future events. These examples of what I (correctly or incorrectly) see as “rest or peace in the life of a person separated to Christ and, thus, in opposition with the world,” extend from a person being yoked to Christ. Once yoked, a person lives in concert with Christ as the fundamental relationship in life, following His lead through life. One who has answered Christ’s call then lives from a position of rest (barring the disruption of that rest due to unbelief or hardness of heart). See John 10:4, 9; Psalm 121:7-8; Psalm 23.

Matthew 11 also connects the concept of rest to final judgment. There were those during Jesus’ life (as now) who rejected Christ, believing they were safe resting in “their” estimation and judgment of Christ and proclamations regarding Him. Yet they were blind as to their true condition and true need, so they could not foresee the time when their apparent rest would vanish and horror become their enduring condition. Thus, there is a sense of rest, or false rest, (actually, it may be termed “being self-reliant”) that exists as a normal attitude associated with people’s view of Christ.

“Come to Me.” The call is Christ’s. It is His own unique pronouncement and narrow invitation to be with Him and forever partake in the Divine relationship of everlasting life. His pronouncement offering rest to all follows, in the text, and flows from His confession to the Father of Divine wisdom doing things just the way His Father purposed. There is no mistake in Christ’s offering of rest. Do not be fooled! You cannot self-generate, nor can the world generate, the type of rest Jesus here emphasizes and offers, and that you and I need.

Following Christ’s call is chapter 12. The first eight verses show Christ as rest from the Law (from self-righteousness and religiosity). In Christ, one is free from the Law, both its demands and judgments. Christ fulfilling the Law means those who came to Christ could rest. The Law could lead to Christ, but only Christ could return rest. Law has this neither by design nor capacity. But, still, many prefer life under and by Law because this way of life seems fashioned for the flesh and fallen human nature. It demands and self-justifies, which, strangely, appears right and safe to some. But it does not provide the needed rest. It does not stem from mercy. It demands.

The entire set of chapters, Matthew 10-12, display for us Christ and reactions to Christ, be those reactions rejection or receipt of His person, message, or rest.

Now, with Jesus’ call from Matthew fresh in mind, proceed to Hebrews chapters 1 through 4. Chapters 3 and 4 emphasis the unique rest related to Christ. The message of the writer is that this rest can be missed. The writer, in similar fashion to Matthew 10 and 11, presents Christ (Hebrews 1-2): His person and position. The writer then provides an example of those who earlier in Divine history rejected, thus missed, God’s offered rest. Interpretations may differ, but I take this example, primarily, as a physical rest conditionally offered to the Israelites. Christ, the substance of Old Testament shadows and history, is the true and promised rest of God that remains for some to enter.

As with Israel then, people today hear Christ presented, but they have not faith. These fail to enter into God’s offered rest (primarily spiritual, relational). Faith moves one toward the reality of what is revealed about Christ as Christ is presented. Faith is a believing response to the call and movement toward Christ. The rest that both Matthew and the writer of Hebrews call people to be sure they participate in is enduring rest: it is being reconciled to God through Christ, then living from that ultimate relationship.

This particular rest bears its own reality and validation to the believer:

“He who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.” God rested. He enjoyed the new reality He created! He pronounced His work both Good and Very Good. Friend, if a Christian, do you enjoy—as a primary description—your life? Are you resting in God? Frequent admonitions and warnings fill Hebrews 3 and 4 that one can miss out on the life God wants that person to experience. As in Matthew 11, so the Hebrews author encourages us to get and stay close to Christ:

Matthew: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Hebrews: “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Reader, “rest” is what you and I need. Jesus offers it. We can not create or find the necessary rest apart from Christ. We are the needy ones. We don’t have the basis or source within ourselves to generate it. Neither does the world. There are numerous varieties of false rest to mislead us from coming to and staying with Christ. Jesus is true rest and He invites us to both live in a condition of rest and from a condition (state) of rest. Both Matthew 11:28-29 and Hebrews 3-4 reveal Christ as true rest and stress the importance of one knowing he or she has entered into that rest. What would our lives look like if we lived from a state of Divine rest? Let that thought or vision take hold in your imagination and instruct you.

May you let your life tell you whether you have entered in and live from this rest. If you doubt, revisit Christ’s call. Then, without further delay, enter into His rest today.

God’s best to you.


“With tearful eyes I look around;
Life seems a dark and stormy sea;
Yet, mid the gloom, I hear a sound,
A heavenly whisper, ‘Come to me.’

It tells me of a place of rest;
It tells me where my soul may flee:
Oh, to the weary, faint, oppressed,
How sweet the bidding, ‘Come to me!’

When the poor heart with anguish learns
That earthly props resigned must be,
And from each broken cistern turns,
It hears the accents, “Come to me.”

When against sin I strive in vain,
And cannot from its yoke get free,
Sinking beneath the heavy chain,
The words arrest me, “Come to me.”

‘Come, for all else must fail and die;
Earth is no resting-place for thee;
To heaven direct they weeping eye,
I am thy portion; come to me.’

O voice of mercy! Voice of love!
In conflict, grief, and agony,
Support me, cheer me from above!
And gently whisper, ‘Come to me.’”

(Charlotte Elliott, d. 1871)

(Soren Kierkegaard, Training in Christianity, *p 6 and 9, **p 16; ISBN 0375725644)

Imagination

Greetings Friend.

My suggestion is to meditate through the below in an atmosphere of quietness.

Regarding your Imagination: Does your imagination serve your godly passions and desires or do you often (it may seem) awaken to yourself and find that you’ve been on a road of imaginative thoughts which, in and of themselves, could be identified as unholy, earthly, of the flesh, or even demonic? Friend, you and I need not be subject to an ungodly imagination, but we often remain so for long periods of time. Recognize this and change. Force your imagination to serve you, to lift you into God’s presence, to behold the glories and graces of God, to manifest to your mind—by the Spirit—the inheritance of the saints. Do not live as a slave to your corrupt imagination, whereby the bulk of your idle time consists in nurturing unholy contemplations, when you’ve been made a child of the King!

Consider the following hymn and how godly imagination works for you and presents to you the objects described.


“Now let our souls, on wings sublime, rise from the vanities of time,
Draw back the parting vail, and see the glories of eternity.

Born by a new, celestial birth, why should we grovel here on earth?
Why grasp at vain and fleeting toys, so near to heaven’s eternal joys?

Shall aught beguile us on the road while we are walking back to God?
For strangers into life we come, and dying is but going home.

Welcome, sweet hour of full discharge, that sets our longing souls at large,
Unbinds our chains, breaks up our cell, and gives us with our God to dwell.

To dwell with God, to feel his love, is the full heaven enjoyed above;
And the sweet expectation now is the young dawn of heaven below.”

(Rev. Dr. Thomas Gibbons, d. 1785)


Imagination can work for you and present to you. Perhaps while reading the above hymn one verse or another attracted your thoughts above the others. The first? Maybe the second? Perhaps imagination lifted up to you an idea instead, such as the difference between “vanities of time” and “heaven’s eternal joys,” or “walking back to God” or “dying is but going home.” Friend, permit me to ask, do you have times during each day where your mind and heart employ imagination’s craft for a journey into “the expectation of entering” into God’s full presence when your life here is done? Consider the below and let imagination serve you.


“COURAGE IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT”

“Have we not often imagined that redeemed souls must have a strange meeting at the judgment, when the secrets of hearts shall be revealed? Is the prospect of it altogether welcome to us? It has been said that, if in this world every man’s heart could be open to the gaze of every other man, no two could ever again be friends, for no two could look each other in the eye. How, then, will our self-respect bear the last ordeal? The beloved apostle gives us the answer. ‘God dwelleth in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. We know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is so are we.’ If we indeed know this, why should we not be bold?

In that day, we shall revere in others the clear image of God, wrought by God’s own hand. They will revere the same in us. We shall meet each other without a blush. Some of our departed kindred have been glorified so long before us, that we are apt to think of them as vastly our superiors. Their distance from us, which years are lengthening, disheartens us. But we shall overtake them, and that will be no crestfallen meeting. We shall receive their welcome without confusion. We shall not fear their secret contempt when they take us by the hand. Their greetings will have no hollow sound. The salutations of angels will not abash us. The morning stars, which exult in a sinless history of thousands of years, will not look chillingly upon us. Gabriel, Michael, the seven spirits before the throne, will not recognize us haughtily. Even the eye of the Infinite One will not close itself in disgust at our appearing. It shall search us,—He that formed the eye, shall not he see?—it shall search us indeed, but as light searches a prism. It shall find only itself reflected at every angle, and in a radiance of beauty which nothing but itself could evoke.

(Austin Phelps, The New Birth: or, The Work of the Holy Spirit, 1867, p. 227-229)


Does what you just read prompt you to consider (Imagine) any possibilities for your first moments in God’s presence after your earthly life ends, when you depart this world and join the heavenly community, when you become fully aware of yourself in the way God knows you, when you cannot escape the realization of all God has been to you? Give room for your imagination to roam above earth’s dusty ways to spheres where all is filled with nothing less than divine praise! Do you ever go there? Would going there even briefly each day make any difference for your life now—the anticipation of joining the heavenly throng?

Imagination can work for you and present to you. But, imagination can also make the godly expressions of saints from times past yours in times present. Imagination can help you see differences for your life now and lift you into the life to come. Imagination can let you see and share in what another has seen. The hymn below can be yours. As you read it, read it from your perspective, not the author’s. Be the subject. Use your imagination to see what another has seen and go where it leads.

Once you experience the cherished benefits of godly imagination, you’ll not again submit yourself (for long) to the wiles and ways of that which can easily enslave you to corruption. Use your imagination to your advantage and God’s honor.

God’s best to you.


“How bright these glorious spirits shine! Whence all their white array?
How came they to the blissful seats of everlasting day?

Lo! These are they from sufferings great who came to realms of light,
And in the blood of Christ have washed those robes which shine so bright.

Now, with triumphal palms, they stand before the throne on high,
And serve the God they love, amid the glories of the sky.

His presence fills each heart with joy, tunes every voice to sing;
By day, by night, the sacred courts with glad hosannas ring.

The Lamb that dwells amid the throne, shall o’er them still preside,
Feed them with nourishment divine, and all their footsteps guide.

In pastures green he’ll lead his flock, where living streams appear;
And God, the Lord, from every eye, shall wipe off every tear.”

(Isaac Watts, d. 1748)

Acknowledging And Mending The Drift

We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. (Heb 2:1) See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. (Heb 3:12) For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. (Heb 4:2, 14-15)


Drifting. We can drift. God’s word informs us to be on guard for this. Drifting away from God is a fact. The movement would be hardly noticeable; lost in the confusion and business of our daily lives. It would seem to happen without our choice. We would fault business and distraction, anything but ourselves. But, I fear, it is because we make certain choices and because we have not paid careful attention that we actually drift. What does your life tell you? Have you drifted? Do you and I care for and safe guard that which God has bestowed on us, what we have heard from Him? How could we tell? What would you and I use to know? Are you in any way adrift right now?

Unbelieving. If you have drifted, thus no longer believing and living as you once might have (especially regarding foundational aspects of the Christian faith and their influence on your life), perhaps you’ve drifted to the point where there has even been an unfortunate, yet defining, turn away from God Himself. If honest, I trust you would see and confess this. Reader, do you believe you have drifted from God and now evidence aspects of an unbelieving life? To what degree? Have you drifted so far that the shore of God’s presence is no longer even in sight? What does your life say? Are you in any way unbelieving?

Friend, I, like so many others, waiver in my love for God and my love for people, my relation to God’s word, and actually living God’s word. Living by principles other than God’s love (generally, the alternative is self-interest) my heart is not always toward God or His word. Thus, I’m adrift. My mooring is undone. I move across the sea of my emotions, fears, memories, self-interest, finding in every place the world’s affirmation that “this way” of moving through life is valid and justified. Yet, drifting on the world’s currents leads to compounding confusion created by ungodly thoughts and passions, thereby fostering and strengthening my life of unbelief. It is an ugly and completely ungodly place to expect to find one’s self and try to live life from. My heart grows colder this way. I feel further separated from God and others, and I as a natural course take greater refuge in the citadel of my fleshly soul (alone, yet perversely comforted that I’m with me). I’m left to myself and the world’s spirit (which can also, and only, be cold). God does not redeem people to live adrift, to live in unbelief, to live separated to self. This is not why He gave His Son.

You and I are weak, friend, with respect to our paying attention, safeguarding godly beliefs which become godly lives, and living out godly love. We are not careful. We so commonly do not combine what of God we hear with the faith we’ve been granted as a gift, thus we don’t experience true godly life. Neither do others through us. We need to confess this sad condition when we find it. Then again, perhaps I am alone on this. Perhaps it is only me who experiences these unfortunate states. But, I believe otherwise. I believe both you and I are together subject to unbelief, to drifting, to turning away from God. We are casualties of all these conditions, because of our insufficient care and concern for our hearts, we don’t believe God, and we do not live from the principle of God’s love.

But Jesus knows you are tempted to live in ways that cool your godly affections and ignite fleshly fires. You must be aware that Jesus continually knows your condition. He knows you better than you know yourself. And He cares. If you have been reconciled to the Father through Christ, He is not your enemy. When we are faithless, He remains faithful. Thus, you and I should be easily compelled to live constantly on guard, and know when drifting and unbelief have occurred, then seek Christ, confessing to Him what He already knows about us. Again, there are no grounds for fear at this point, unless one is not being truly honest with God or has never encountered His grace.

Father above, where Christ Your Son is stationed at Your side, You love me and those reconciled to You through Your Son. You gave us Your Son and Your word, so we can know You and sufficiently know ourselves and preserve the wonder of life with You throughout our earthly days. You’ve warned me to watch my heart. You’ve told me I’m subject to doubting You. You’ve clearly told me I can drift, become totally turned away from You through my unbelief and sin, my alternate desire then being to live by self-rule or that of the world. But I have a confidence, Father. My confidence is in Your Son, the very one seated to Your right. You see Him, hear Him, and You love Him. Lord Jesus, as my great high priest, as my confidence, as my advocated before Your Father and my Father, You always know my condition. Turn me back toward You. Take me away from that which I have set as god for myself. Restore the notion and reality of Your love to me and let that reality anchor my soul sufficiently to prevent the drift again. Restore Your word as light for my life. May Your word always find union with faith in my heart and may my life thus bear lasting fruit to Thee and benefit others. Forgive me Father for not believing You. May I pay more careful attention and honor all You have provided me through Your Son. Thanks be to You Father, Lord Jesus, and Spirit of God. Amen.


“Jesus, seek thy wandering sheep;
Bring me back, and lead, and keep;
Take on thee my every care,
Bear me, on thy bosom bear;
Let me know my Shepherd’s voice,
More and more in thee rejoice;
More and more of thee receive;
Ever in thy spirit live,--

Live till all thy life I know,
Foll’wing thee, my Lord, below;
Gladly then from earth remove,
Gathered to thy fold above:
Oh, that I at last my stand
With the sheep at they right hand,
Take the crown so freely given,
Enter in by thee to heaven!”

(author believed to be Charles Wesley)

Your Goodness

“How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence you hide them.” (PS 31.19-20)

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.’” (Rev 21.3; see Eph 2:19-22, Jn 14:23)

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (Jn 14.16-17) “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (14.27)

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (Jn 15.11) “I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” (Jn 16.20, 22) "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (33)

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (Jn 17.20-21)


Father, Your word and Your Son speak encouragements to me. The world could never fill my ear nor set my heart with such wonderful words! O Lord, I trust in Your goodness. You are my refuge. Your presence is my peace. You are with me. You assure me. As it was with the apostles, so it is with me. You have graciously and freely given me your Spirit of Truth. The world knows him not. You understand me. The world does not. You are my peace. The world is not. The world rejoices to see you gone, but for me you are ever present and your joy I know and keep. These blessings they cannot know. These they do not want to know. Thank You, O God, for permitting me to know You, to experience Your presence, Your joy, Your peace.

I am encouraged and strengthened. Jesus, you prayed for me when you prayed for your disciples. You had me in mind. I rejoice and am grateful for your love and care, and for your faithfulness to the Father. Because of your life with and in me, you say the world, as blind and evil as it is, can know the Father sent you. Thus my prayer. This is my heart’s desire confessed to you. Without you I am nothing and can do nothing worthy of your name. Father, Lord Jesus, Spirit of God, as I rest in You, and You abide with me, may I realize Your presence and goodness more consistently and fully day after day, and may some from the world come to know, Father, that Jesus is your Son and that he was sent by You into the world as Your revelation to humanity. In gratitude for all You are to me, may my life please bear witness to You in this world. Amen