STEPS IN REACHING THE COMPANY OF CHRIST

STEPS IN REACHING THE COMPANY OF CHRIST

I have been enjoying the first and the second steps. The first is when you prefer Christ to Adam — a grand step. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Galatians 2: 20). I am personally attached to Him, and can echo the close of Romans 8. I love Him, I know He loves me. This is the first step as to separation. “Henceforth know we no man after the flesh” (2 Corinthians 5: 16), though we are still in flesh. Now the second step is that not only do I prefer Christ to the most beautiful traits of Adam, but that I am so dependent on the company of Christ, who is not here, that I am drawn away from this place to Him who daily is more indispensable to me. I am weaned from the things here (not only from the man here), not because I have received other things, but because I am in company with a Person — with Him who is not here. I am drawn away from this place to Him. In His company I receive, not only sympathy in my infirmities — an immense favour — but I am so borne above them that I am led by Him into the holiest. This I call the second step. There are many more.