1 THESSALONIANS 4 (NOTES OF A READING)
[p. 3] 1 THESSALONIANS 4 (NOTES OF A READING)
CAC If saints walked rightly it would not be very difficult to help them in the truth. Our difficulties are more practical than doctrinal; a consistent walk so that we live on the principle of what pleases God would settle a thousand questions. What will come out at the coming of the Lord is what already exists, I suppose; it makes the present time very important. We may have the consciousness of pleasing God. If a saint does something solely to please God it is a very happy moment.
This would show that they had taken up Romans 6. The members are yielded in righteousness to God as under grace — to the blessed God as instruments of righteousness (the hand, foot, etc.). Then there is the fruit unto holiness. There is the sense of obligation founded on ownership; it is the effect of being under grace. The young convert can take it up the first day of his life. There is no bondage in it, but great delight to one turned to God. It is then walking in the light of One raised by the glory of the Father — that is newness of life. It is to put its mark on the walk of the saint. Old Testament saints had not that, but they will be seen in the life of Christ in that day; all will be made alive in Christ.
Rem “What then shall we say?” (Romans 6: 1). It demands an answer, a practical one, to the baptism. It comes first, morally like Him as regards life, but awaiting the glorified body.
CAC It speaks here of possessing our own vessel; the body is viewed as taken possession of by me to be held for God. We are entrusted by God with a vessel. Each one of us possesses a vessel irrespective of our stage of growth. It is a vessel inasmuch as it is held for God, and yet that is the place of the youngest believer.
Rem Walking precedes talking.
CAC [p. 4] Yes, that is rather good.
Rem This is taken up as a trust.
CAC The question of the body is a most vital matter.
“In your mortal body”, it says (Romans 6: 12); it is a very great triumph for God.
Rem If the eye is single the whole body is full of light.
CAC Sanctification — you see it absolutely in Christ, “who from God is made to us ... sanctification” (1 Corinthians 1: 30, Authorised Version).
Rem We need to view things at the level at which God holds them. What helps us is always to have before us what God has before Him.
CAC And the Holy Spirit would not deviate from that.
Rem The rights of the brother are the test (verse 6).
CAC The consciousness of his own works being evil puts him on the line of hating his brother. If there is a talk of love, there is generally some practical defect behind it. “For ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. For also ye do this towards all the brethren in the whole of Macedonia”. It indicates that we have a sphere that comes within our range — not exactly local and not to all saints. It would preserve us from being parochial in our sympathies. It shows the kind of people ready for the truth of the rapture.
Rem It would prepare us for that truth in our minds and hearts.
CAC Yes, I thought so. Thinking of His coming back would influence the present.
Rem Divine Persons treasure every expression of Christ down here. He is bringing it all back with Christ (cf. Luke 10).
CAC It is a wonderful interval of which very little is told us. Very little is given as to it, and it has been left to be expanded in the hearts of the saints, and has been in hundreds of hymns.
Ques Why should it be “in the clouds”, not heaven?
CAC Well, I suppose the saints will disappear from [p. 5] view.
Rem It speaks of the Son of man coming on the clouds (Matthew 24: 30).
CAC There is no scripture that suggests the thought of a long interval, is there? It is open to us to be in the grace of His coming now.