TRAITS OF THE HEAVENLY MAN

TRAITS OF THE HEAVENLY MAN

One trait of the heavenly man is that he is entirely occupied with Christ’s interests. They are now his paramount interest. The first trait I make out is the simple acceptance and sense that he belongs to heaven. As a nobleman would feel as to the House of Lords, he would know that he belonged to the House of Lords and not to the House of Commons. The second is, that he does not belong to the man here, he repudiates it, because he belongs to Christ. The third — Christ’s mind is his, the unity of the Spirit in all His members, not merely having Christ’s mind for his own guidance and help, but in every member of Christ’s body here, and that is the unity of the Spirit. Fourth, all his practical life exceeds that of a saint in the wilderness, even to a slave. See Ephesians 6. Fifth, the opposition is of a most subtle character; it is not now the roaring lion so much as an unceasing effort to spoil the desire of his heart, which is to set forth Christ in heaven. That is Satan’s effort, to induce you to deny the testimony. Sixth, you must be in Christ’s power practically to be able to stand. You cannot excuse yourself under the plea that you are doing a right thing, though doing it in a wrong way. Satan would soon expose you, and show that the heavenly man is not maintained in your ways, even as to your temper. The feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace must characterise your walk. Seventh, your portion and place is with Christ in heaven, while you wait for Him here.