THE SPHERE OF LIFE NO. 7

THE SPHERE OF LIFE NO. 7

Have you seen a copy of an indictment against us circulated among the Swiss meetings? We are accused first of denying ‘the personality of eternal life’. Secondly, that we ^[p. 52] deny that faith accompanies new birth. As to the first, the personality of eternal life is an entirely unscriptural expression. Life is not a person, though I cannot know the Person if I am not in His life. Secondly, as to faith and new birth, who begins? If God begins, then faith comes after God’s beginning. It matters not how soon after, but God must begin.

It is a great relief to turn from these discussions, and enjoy in some little measure Him who is our life. I believe the first great defect is that, while Christ’s service is enjoyed, the love in which He rendered it is not known, like Joseph’s brethren in Genesis 50: 15, who had been for years the objects of his care and nourishing and yet had never known his heart. If intimacy with the Lord is known, His perfect love in washing our feet and restoring us to communion with Himself where He is would be deeply valued; we should then taste of His life, and Himself would be increasingly known to us.

‘And thus Thy deep perfections
Much better should I know;
And with adoring fervour,
In this Thy nature grow.’ (51:5)