GOD'S APPROACH TO ME AND MINE TO HIM

GOD’S APPROACH TO ME AND MINE TO HIM

The construction you put on my words is entirely contrary to my mind. The illustration I have used for growth is that of a tree which grows; the first part increasing with every advance. In this way I have used the word displacement, setting forth that there is no progress in the new but in proportion to displacement of the old, and this is growth. This is our side; but on the other hand, I must insist that the Father does come to the prodigal in the full virtue of what Christ has accomplished. His approach is not measured by the measure of the prodigal’s approach. There is nothing to hinder the blessed God from coming to the returning sinner through the rent veil. His approach is never improved, never increases. Mine, as the work of God goes on in me (not merely the knowledge of the grace), does increase from the very first, until I am divested of everything of the old, and in the glory for ever. “All things are ready” on the one side; but on the other, it is “Compel them to come in”. I believe you have a defective gospel if you do not see that God can come from glory and kiss the awakened Saul of Tarsus, and that Saul of Tarsus is before Him in all that suits His glory, while Saul has in deep distress to drop all of himself, and eventually, by the power of God working in him (not by mere information), to reach the light in which God receives him. The blessed God does not improve in His satisfaction about me (a believer), and at best I cannot reach higher than His satisfaction about me; but it is a divine work, and it is not that I see it, I am it. But if my measure defined God’s measure, then I should remain for ever the dwarf in which I died, which is not true; but if I am not ^[p. 150] growing now, I am not an efficient servant in any degree for my absent Lord.

The Lord bless you in His service and in your family. Increase in soul-work, and you will be more correct in grace and truth, though not taken up with points.