THE MIGHT OF HIS GLORY AND THE RICHES OF HIS GLORY

^[p. 67] THE MIGHT OF HIS GLORY AND THE RICHES OF HIS GLORY

(Colossians 1: 11; Ephesians 3: 16)

————— asked me last evening the difference between Colossians 1: 11 and Ephesians 3: 16. The former is in reference to things here, it is to effect “patience”; the latter is for the greatest things in heaven. The energy of the Spirit is greater for the first than for the second. Empowered with power according to the might of his glory (for patience) is Colossians. According to the riches of his glory, strengthened with power, etc., is Ephesians. I do not attempt to explain the difference, though I see there is a difference; but it is significant that there is a greater energy of the Spirit to enable us to endure here than to raise us up to the things in heaven. I might illustrate it by Rebecca’s journey to Isaac; it requires a greater energy to maintain her in continuance in the journey than to present her to Isaac.

... Patience or endurance is a wonderful quality. I am convinced that the sense of the Lord’s support under a pressure not only attaches us to Him in a peculiar way, but nothing so weans us from this place.

Relief makes this place more agreeable, but support detaches us from everything here, and He is increasingly endeared to us.

I have been dwelling much on the mystery — the church. As far as I see, no one is ever sure of his position who has not conscious knowledge of the church as it is in God’s mind. See Ephesians 4: 14, 15. I have not seen any one who has really been divinely taught on the subject (I do not mean head knowledge of it) turned aside.