HOW WE TAKE ON HEAVENLY CHARACTER

J. Spinks

John 12: 31–33; 17: 13–16; Acts 1: 12–14

What our brother has brought before us is very attractive but very searching, dear brethren.

We are a heavenly people; called out of darkness into His wonderful light, in order to set forth the excellencies of Christ. But then we find that all our natural propensities and tendencies are earthly, and that has to be overcome. How can that be done? How do we become a heavenly people practically, when all that we are by nature would gravitate towards the earth? I believe that this first scripture we read shows us the way to it. As we know, this is the third time the Lord refers to being lifted up in John’s gospel, and this time He gives the added touch, “I, if I be lifted up out of the earth, will draw all to me”. As lifted up out of the earth He becomes the point of attraction for His own, and the point of severance from this scene where He has been cast out and rejected. I do not think we shall ever set out these heavenly features our brother has been speaking about, or have these tassels of blue on the corners of our garments, unless we are attracted and held by Christ. I believe that is the secret of it. We certainly cannot do it by seeking to maintain a code of ethics or certain commandments that we know to be right and of God, because we shall fail, as the people who were under the law failed.

As I speak I feel inwardly searched as to what Christ

really means to me. John’s gospel was possibly the last book written and has a peculiar bearing on our day; it depicts what Christendom has become in unreality and heartlessness as to Christ, it is in this gospel we get the reference to those who stood by the cross of Jesus. I have often thought that you do not get mere professors there; it is only the lovers of Jesus who are prepared to stand by His cross, it brings out those who are real. How much does the Lord really mean to us, dear brethren? These readings we have been having in the Song of Songs I have found very searching. How well do I know Him? What could I say about His personal glories and attractiveness? I believe occupation with Christ is the only way to get free from earthly-mindedness and the many things that tend to hold us here.

I read in John 17 because I think it follows on from there. These dear believers had, in principle, been drawn away from the whole course of things here. The Lord is presenting them to the Father and saying these wonderful things about them, “They are not of the world, as I am not of the world”; what wonderful words! We sang of our blessed hope, and I trust it is burning in every heart, but then we are left here. What is it for? It is for our education; that we may learn God, and be in the testimony in accordance with His will. Further down the chapter the Lord speaks of them being sanctified and sent into the world. I think that is the principle of it; we are drawn out of the world and sent back as sanctified persons to render a heavenly testimony. John’s gospel envisages a work of God in persons that would answer to the presentation of the person of Christ. In Luke the Lord comes to where persons are; in Luke 10 the Samaritan came to where the man was, that is divine grace, but in John persons are drawn to Christ as the centre of God’s moral universe.

I follow through to the Acts because I think it gives us the sphere into which we are drawn. It is wonderful to think of these brethren in the upper room; I believe it refers to moral elevation. The assembly is not of the world, neither are the personnel, and here we see them in a place of moral elevation. I love to think of this company, what a wealth of experience and knowledge was assembled there, knowledge of God and of the Lord Jesus. Think of all that the disciples had observed as they accompanied the Lord during His three and a half years of public service. Then the special reference to Mary, the mother of Jesus, indicates, I believe, that in a certain sense, even the knowledge of the secret life of Christ is brought into this area. There is mystery attached to what relates to the precious life of Jesus, even what is not recorded in the Scriptures, that is treasured in the assembly. Mary represents that side of things. Much has entered into the history of the assembly; on the public side, much grievous failure, but what an accumulation of wealth has been gathered up for the pleasure of God.

I feel the challenge of what has come in, but I feel the attractiveness of it. We are not of the world. Let us hold fast to these great truths; let us see that there is power to maintain the heavenly character of the testimony. The Christian circle is the area where these things are experienced and enjoyed. Think of what is represented in this room. How good to look around and take account of the work of God; the knowledge of God that has been acquired through His ways with each one of us. It is a very precious thing, and it all contributes to assembly formation. So I trust we may all be encouraged. May the Lord help us to display His features more, as we set ourselves to know Him in a greater and fuller way, for His name’s sake.

Word in meeting for ministry, Grangemouth
7 January 1997