GOD'S GRACE FOR US AND THE SPIRIT'S WORK IN US

GOD’S GRACE FOR US AND THE SPIRIT’S WORK IN US

In my opinion the opposition in a great degree arises from ignorance, soul ignorance. What is called “standing” has been clearly and fully set forth as God’s grace, and entirely outside of us. This is blessedly true, and if we were in heaven it would be fully enjoyed, but as we are still here where we have been prodigals, and alienated from God, the work of the Holy Ghost in us is to lead us to count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, and this after we have learned and known that through Christ’s death we are freed from all that was against us, that we have passed from death into life. The ^[p. 97] practical effect of the grace in which we stand is left out and unknown, hence there is no real enjoyment; full deliverance is not realised. There is no power. The interpretation of passages of scripture is not in itself power. Power is that I live Christ, Christ is magnified in my body, while I am still in flesh and blood, and this cannot be apart from the work of the Spirit in me.

Alas! there is no increase of separation, and little or no sense that we are called to be descriptive of the exalted Man here in the scene of His rejection. Our heavenly calling seems to be almost ignored, and this lack of separation is the real difficulty as to the true apprehension of eternal life, which is outside this scene altogether. I am sure that some in this day do not see any more than those who opposed J.N.D. for saying that the blessed Lord gave up the life to which sin attached. If He had not a life to give up, where would the “testament” be? “Of no force at all” (Hebrews 9: 16, 17). I deplore the controversy. Better have prayer meetings.