True Faith's Commitment
What does it mean to be committed to Christ? Is it not principally a commitment of faith, of trust, and thus, of abandonment to Him? And is not the great reason for such a commitment the worthiness of Christ? Who, other than Him, is faithful, true, loving, and perfectly just, never failing but always true.
The Imperative Of Power
Essential to the new birth is the intervening power of God. John wrote, "...to them gave He power to become the sons of God." (Jn. 1:12) This is the same power, from the same source, which enables the Christian to live by faith, and appropriate Christ as his life. Pentecost was a declaration to mankind, that God gives His power to the one who will truly humbly seek Him.
The Fulness Of God
What is the fulness of God, and how is it expressed in the life? Christ's fulness in the life is when He is present, and working in and through the life, to reveal His love and truth to others. Essential to such love is the power of God, as revealed at Pentecost. Man's capacity to love God, and to love others, on that day, expanded exponentially, for Christ came by the Spirit to dwell in the heart of the believer. To the one who will abide in Him, derive all from Him by faith, will this love be revealed towards God and towards others.
Of War And Peace
In Scripture the source of war is revealed. It is in the depths of the sinful heart of man. The conflict between Cain and Abel began there, with the war which raged in jealousy in Cain's heart, resulting in the killing of Abel. But there is a solution to war, and it is Christ, our peace. If there is peace with God, the grace is given to the believer to be at peace with others, for love covers a multitude of sins.
Lessons From Babylon
What are the lessons that must be learned if the believer, in whatever circumstances God puts him, must abide by? Christ teaches the believer by His Holy Spirit, revealing to him not only the immutable truth of God, but also the means by which he can know the God of the truth. He fails not.
Aloneness With God
The greatest calling of man is to commune with God. The whole of the Gospel message concerning the coming of Christ, His sacrificial work on Calvary, has its goal in this, that man be enabled to know God in truth, and to commune with Him. Man was created to know, love, and commune with God. All service and worship is to be the expression of such a fellowship by the Spirit.
Wise Walkiing
It was written of the Lord Jesus, "...Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently..." These words were applicable to the Lord Jesus as a man, and as the Son of God. Isaiah goes on to write: "He shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high." Here is a picture of Christ, very prudent in his humility, very wise in the context of His elevated postion as the Son of God, and yet, as the Servant of God. He lived a life of wisdom, wise to the ways of His Father, both in knowledge and in the application of them.
The Secret Lock Box Of The Heart
God alone knows the heart. Even man himself does not know all that is in the heart. This is why the Psalmist speaks of "hidden sins." Jeremiah even writes that it is not in man to direct his steps. So, what about the heart? God gives faith to come to Him, and commit the whole heart to Him, all that one knows and does not know. Central to all that is in the heart is that point of devotion to God, according to which He will work wonderfully in and through the life. By the grace of God the heart can be entirely surrendered in faith.
The Promise Of Provision
Paul wrote that, "...He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him freely give us all things?" Was he just referring to that blessed moment in the presence of God, when we stand complete in the Lord Jesus in the presence of the Father? This is certainly true, but there is another limited application. God provides for us now what we need to glorify Him. This is often in answer to prayer, certainly in response to faith.
The Intervention Of God In The Heart
True Christianity is a miracle, and this because it is beyond the capacity of man to know in and of himself the saving work of Christ. There are many who deny Christ, refusing to believe that He existed, and is the Son of God. But these have never known the miracle of the Spirit's working in the heart, that work of conviction of sin, and then grace to turn to Christ alone for forgiveness and cleansing. Just this fact of cleansing is not a method, or a man-conceived formula for dealing with guilt. It is the Eternal God giving power to know, and to believe, that Christ has born all the sins of man, even tasting death for every man. Release from guilt before God is a miracle.