EXTRACTS

I believe the very circumstances through which a Christian is called to pass, and the relationships in which he is set, are all parts of God’s discipline to make him practically pleasing to Himself. I am not sent here to be prosperous in the world. It is all a question of the will of God. I am here for that, and I recognise it. I would not care to lift my finger to gain a worldly advantage, simply because I know I am here for God’s will. I would not employ a patron to gain an advantage for me, because I am here for God’s will, and in the circumstances most suitable for it. I am here to yield my body an instrument for God’s service, that in my body His will may be expressed. I bring His will into everything. I would not push my business. I am there, and I fulfil it diligently; I bring God’s will into it, and I am happy, and my spirit is quiet and at rest because I am conscious of being in the place of God’s will. People fret against their circumstances sometimes, and wish to change them, and they do not better them. They do not find themselves in a better position for themselves or God’s people. I do not think people ought to be in a hurry to change their circumstances, or to change their location. I am here, not to have any part in the lawlessness all around, but to bring the heavenly principle into every detail of life down here. Whether ye eat or drink, or “whatsoever ye do, ... do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him”. The question with me is not—Is there any harm in this or that? I am here in this world for the will of God; I take up even the relative duties of life in the same way. I bring the heavenly colour into all the details of life down here; but the one thing that enables me to do it is the consciousness by the Spirit of God that I am heavenly by the work of God. I realise that, in faith, and bring the colour of it into the things down here. I do the same things an unconverted man would do. He has his natural ties, so have I; he has his business; I have my business; but he acts on human principles of prudence; I bring the heavenly principle into the lowest details. I believe

that is the antidote to what I may call the dreadful principle of lawlessness that is rampant in the world.

F. E. Raven (Vol. 13, pp.113,114)

This is a most important chapter. I know of no chapter more so, in view of the condition of things around us. That we have to do with demons is a very solemn consideration, so that we must prove the spirits. Even though we may have the fullest confidence in a person we must prove what he says—it is the greatest mistake to swallow down everything a man says. The Bereans were commended for searching the Scriptures to see if the things said by Paul were so (Acts 17). By doing this you show that you value what is of God, and He commends this. In Isaiah 8: 20 we have, “To the law and to the testimony—if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them”. We must test everything by the word, and discern thus whether the thing is right or wrong. Ministry which is of God should be received heartily for it is “worthy of all acceptation”, 1 Timothy 1: 15. According to this chapter we have the means of knowing what is of God—“Hereby ye know the Spirit of God—every spirit which confesses Jesus Christ come in flesh is of God; and every spirit which does not confess Jesus Christ come in flesh is not of God—and this is that power of the antichrist”.

Ques. What is it to confess Jesus Christ come in flesh?

JT It involves that He is a real Man, but above all a divine Person. He was not merely a super-man, as many say today. He existed before as God, but He “became flesh”. It says that He is come—it was His own personal doing. No mere man however exalted, could do that.

J. Taylor (Vol. 31, p.260)

Edited and Published by J. Strachan, 59 Frederick Street, Dundee, DD3 9DE, Scotland

Printed by Crystal Stationery, 22 Western Road, Billericay, Essex CM12 9DZ, (T) (01277) 650661