J.B.S.'S MESSAGE TO YOUNG BRETHREN
J.B.S.’S MESSAGE TO YOUNG BRETHREN
Four simple points of importance: -| 1. The blood. | These are on God’s side. |
| 2. The possession of the Spirit. | |
| 3. Growth, by beholding His glory. | |
| 4. Feet washing, being kept in His presence - association. |
There are two opposing forces here: the world and the Holy Spirit; as one might say, the wind and the tide. But the wind is against the tide, and if you are going with the world you are going contrary to the Holy Spirit.
[p. 442] I find it is not at all easy to lead brethren to see the difference between the past and the present. Many can speak nicely on the past instead of dwelling on the Lord in the assembly. Almost every speaker speaks of what has been done, not of what Christ is doing - what Christ’s present interests are; the present transforming power of the glory is almost overlooked. I see all the grace that came out from Abel to Christ was only types and figures of what was to come, but any grace that anyone has now is grace that has come - the grace of Christ.
There is a difference between knowing Christ risen, and beholding Him in glory. In the one case it is all new ground to you; you know Him on new ground; but in the other, you are so absorbed with Himself that it is not the newness of your position that occupies you, but the greatness of your acquisition.
It is when we know His power that we are equal for difficulties, because, as we realise the height which is His and ours in Him, we are enabled to face the difficulties. We look up, to rise over, or rather to be able to face them. I have a feeling that every place is a moral swamp, except the opened heavens and the blessed One there.
There is a voice from heaven. One man is cleared away in judgment, another man has introduced something perfectly new. That is salvation and you cannot make it too simple.
The sense of God’s favour is better than life itself. Be assured that the highest and brightest desire of your heart will be more than fulfilled, but it will be in the wilderness that He will “speak comfortably” (Hosea 2: 14) to you, and then He will be more to you than your heart could ever have desired.
When we fully surrender ourselves to the position the Lord has ordered for us, serving Him therein, He makes the desert land (the place of discipline) to brighten up, and provides rest and solace in that on which we entered in sorrow and desolation of heart.
How simple and wonderful for a man to be led into the mind and resources of God, meeting every contingency in divine grace and strength; treating the servant with as much consideration and attention as the king; attaching as much importance to the loss of the borrowed axe head as to a city compassed about by armies; thus proving that the circle of God’s power and grace embraces the smallest as well as the greatest contingency!