GRACE AND PRACTICE

^[p. 312] GRACE AND PRACTICE

I hope —— is well, and daily entering more into the things that are ours, because of our alliance with “a greater than Solomon”. The queen of Sheba was only a spectator; she had no right because of relationship to anything she saw. The church is in the closest alliance to Christ.

Progress is only advancing in the knowledge, the spiritual knowledge, of what we really possess at the outset. It is like ascending a ladder. The ladder is grace. The first step is, we believe that Jesus was sent of God; second, that in the fulness of His work we are justified; third, we make His acquaintance; fourth, we come to see Him in heaven; we know our association with Him there, and His power here, where He is not; fifth, we learn the mystery, the great things we are entitled to because of being His body; sixth, that we are seated in heavenly places in Christ; seventh, lost in wonder and in praise in the knowledge of Himself.

There is practice accordingly. The ladder of practice begins at the third step in the ladder of grace. Devotedness is the practice consequent on acquaintance. The next is testimony. Next, renunciation of the tradition and the rudiments of the world. Next, the entering into the nature of the body and the house, as each is in God’s sight. Lastly, coming down in power to act a heavenly man here in every circle.