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The Hidden Potency of Christ

He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him. (2 Corinthians 5:15 NIV)

We can only know Christ after the Spirit, so that Christ for us in this dispensation is spiritual in the sense that all that we know of Him or can have to do with Him can only be in the Spirit. i>Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.(2 Cor. 5:16). He is known after the Spirit. Our resources are spiritual. The weapons of our warfare are spiritual. Everything has got to come to us from above. The one great effort of the enemy, which is again and again successful through this dispensation, has been to bring the things of God down to the attachment with this world, attachment to this earth, to make them something here....

You only need to read John to see how unattached everything is, how everything is lifted clean out of this world, and everything is bound up with the fact that Christ is in heaven, and that the Lord people are here, but not here; here, but not known; in the world, but not of it; a mystery people in this world so far as the world is concerned... unrecognized, unknown. And yet by that very means and for that very reason, the most potent force that this universe knows: the spiritual, hidden, secret people of God in this earth. To take hold of Christianity and mold it, and shape it, and systematize it, and crystallize it, and make it some mighty movement here; with its roots here, with all its associations such as man can see, appreciate and approve; to register itself upon the ordinary consciousness of this world as being something; all of that is contrary to the Word of God and is contrary to spiritual life and spiritual power. Christ is in heaven, and we are lifted out, translated, seated together with Him in the heavenlies. Our present purpose in this world is testimony only, by which others will be taken out of the nations, a people for His name.

Those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. § I will trust and not be afraid; ‘for Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’

I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread. § For the Lord loves justice, and does not forsake His saints; they are preserved forever, but the descendants of all the wicked shall be cut off. § The Lord will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you His people. § Who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us.

Be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

Ps. 9:10; Prov. 18:10; Isa. 12:2;  Ps. 37:25;  Psa.37:28;  1 Sam. 12:22;  2 Cor. 1:10;  Heb. 13:5,6

They are without fault before the throne of God.

The iniquity of Israel shall be sought, but there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, but they shall not be found; for I will pardon those whom I preserve. § Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

He made us accepted in the Beloved. § To present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Saviour, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.

Rev. 14:5;  Jer. 50:20;  Mic. 7:18,19;  Eph. 1:6;  Col. 1:22;  Jude 1:24,25

Unclean! Unclean!

 Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips...for mine eyes have seen the King the Lord of hosts'' (Isa. 6.5).

Paul wrote, In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thess. 5:18). This includes giving thanks for the disclosure of self! At first, we seek to hide our sinfulness and to save our life. Later, by His grace, we yearn to be freed from self, regardless of the cost. And the price is the Cross.

"Many a young Christian, who has not been forewarned of this necessary voyage of discovery upon which the Holy Spirit will certainly embark him (Romans Seven), has been plunged into almost incurable despair at the sight of the sinfulness which is his by nature. He has in the first place rejoiced greatly in the forgiveness of his sins, and his acceptance by God; but sooner or later he begins to realize that all is not well, and that he has failed and fallen from the high standard which he set himself to reach in the first flush of his conversion.

"Little does he know how healthy his condition is, and that this shattering discovery is but the prelude to a magnificent series of further discoveries of things which God has expressly designed for his eternal enrichment. All through life God has to show us our own utter sinfulness and need, in order to more fully lead us on into realms of grace." -J.C.M.

"But the Lord is faithfull, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil" (2 Thess. 3:3).

Finished-Telestai (Easter Reflections - (8)

Be Still My Soul