EXTRACTS

JT I would like to read again the verse which confirms that—“For I say, through the grace which has been given to me”. Take note, the apostle is not speaking here in an arbitrary way; it is, “through the grace which has been given to me”. He is speaking on that ground.

“For I say, through the grace which has been given to me, to every one that is among you, not to have high thoughts above what he should think; but to think so as to be wise, as God has dealt to each a measure of faith”. I think we should note that expression. Each one is to think of himself so as to be wise. He does not say he is a cipher, but as it were, God has taken me up, and suited me for some thing. He has an estimate of himself according to God. As you say, he has a place in the structure and he thinks of himself “so as to be wise, as God has dealt to each a measure of faith”. For the reason that it is all to be living, and we are really only living according to the measure of our faith.

BTF The more you see yourself connected with the structure by the Spirit of God the more lowly it would make one.

JT One cannot be more, and one cannot be less, than what God has made one. God has made each of us something; but it is according to the measure of our faith.

CAM According to this verse there would be a danger of one thinking too much of oneself.

JT Yes, but there is a danger of being too humble minded, in a legal sense, so that the company of the saints is deprived of what God has given to you. Why should there be such long pauses when together? There is often such timidity which is really the outcome of false humility, that it tends to clericalism and as a result things are thrown into the hands of one or two. The idea here is, that each one has a measure of faith (if he has not, he is not a Christian at all, and should not be in fellowship), and belongs to the one body in Christ, and so is to contribute to it. Verses 4–7 show how it is worked out; it is in the body, and it is “as God has dealt to each a measure of faith”.

CAM Do you not think it a difficult thing to arrive at—the measure of faith?

JT I do. But to form a true estimate of oneself is of great importance. Not to assume you are more than you are, nor pretend to be less. It is what God has made you, and involves the giving up of all fleshly sentiment amongst the people of God. We are then simple, free, and transparent with each other, and in our relations one with the other.

J. Taylor (Vol. 77, pp.146–148)

JD There has been quite a bit of reference made to what God is doing. What do you judge God to be doing today?

JT Forming the church in bridal affections, pending the return of Christ; the Supper having been in a most remarkable way brought in in recent years as the centre, as you might say, of all that the Holy Spirit has been ministering. It is to bring about, as I understand it, church affection.

J. Taylor (Vol. 69, p.141)

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