BROOKLYN, N.Y., DECEMBER 5TH, 1935
BROOKLYN, N.Y., DECEMBER 5TH, 1935
Mr. A. Geo. Lewis.
Beloved Brother, — I am glad to have your letter of October 17th.
As regards John 1:18, “in the bosom of the Father” is the characteristic place of Christ as Man, denoting the peculiar nearness and mutual affection between the Father and the only-begotten Son. This would cover His whole existence as become flesh. Psalm 22: 9, 10 shows that reciprocated affection was there from the outset. The expression, however, that conveys the Father’s delight in him was at His baptism and on the mount.
As regards John 17:26, the love there is undoubtedly the Father’s love for the Son. It is to be in us. It is the third kind of love that I would speak of as in the assembly, the first being the love of Christ expressed in the loaf in the Lord’s supper; the second being the covenant love of God expressed in the cup, it being the blood of the new covenant; and the third the Father’s love for the Son, which is also in us. The love in verse 26 is, I judge, the same as that in verse 23. Verse 24 seems to be personal to Himself, “Thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world”. The glory referred to in this verse 24 seems also to be personal, whereas he speaks of sharing the glory given to him in verse 22.
I would say, therefore, that verse 24 is personal in a general way, although it would not be wise to say it does not enter into verses 23 and 26.
There is food and special spiritual formation in the soul meditating on these verses and noting the evident distinctions that are to be made.
As said above, I should not like to detach strictly the love of verse 24 from the love of verses 23 and 26, but I am sure we should recognise the distinction I have noted above, and [p. 18] this would imply that verse 24 is love between divine Persons as such in Deity.
As regards question number 3, the simple way is to regard all of the religious societies as just part of the world, and the apostle’s remark in 1 Corinthians 5 would show that in regard of business and the like we are in the world. We are not here to alter or reform the world, and so we go through it in a general way without making distinctions. Thus you can see that a man ought to be free to transact business with persons belonging to these religious organisations without committing himself in any way to the organisations in a religious sense; but we are regarded as children of wisdom in Scripture, and we should be on our guard not to seem to support what is manifestly wrong. The exercised believer is enabled of God to use skill and avoid any appearance of evil.
I think you for your kind interest in the purposed visit of my wife and myself to your parts. We are much encouraged by expressions such as yours from our beloved brethren in New Zealand and Australia.
With love in Christ to you and your house, and to all the brethren with you, I am,
Yours affectionately in Him,
James Taylor.