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Vision and Vocation

The gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:11,12 NIV)

I wonder what Paul would think... were he to come back today and look over the literature of the past many centuries upon his letters, the systems of truth, of doctrine, the wonderful organizations men have made of the things which he said in a moment of inspiration and need I wonder what he would say. I think he would look at it with blank amazement, and say, "Well, that ever they could have made that out of what I said! That ever that could have resulted!" I am not sure that he would recognize his own teaching. I am quite sure that he would be very doubtful as to whether it was the right outworking of what he said. I simply raise that as a question, and yet include it as something upon which to reflect. Does not a systematizing of truth result in limitation, in a setness which breathes death? The New Testament themes are far, far too big for our molds. You cannot systematize the Cross of the Lord Jesus, you can only go on your knees and worship, conscious that you see something really far beyond your power to compass. But immediately you have boxed it in a system of truth, you have reduced it from its divine and eternal dimensions, and robbed it of its power, and brought it into a realm of death in that measure. The Person of Christ, the resurrection of Christ take any one of the great themes of the New Testament when you have so wonderfully brought together all the fragments and organized them, and put them into a manual, a textbook, you have killed the thing....

When the Lord Jesus came, and in Himself gave some interpretation to the law, some light upon the law, which did not fall within the compass of their system, there was no room for Him, there was no room for God in His own law. There must be room left for God!

If you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, … and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed.

Rom. 8:13;  Gal. 5:19,  Gal. 5:21;  Gal. 5:22;  Gal. 5:24;  Gal. 5:25;  Gal. 5:23; Titus 2:11,12  Titus 2:13,14

Then the princes of the Philistines said,“What are these Hebrews doing here?”

If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.

Do not let your good be spoken of as evil. § [Have] your conduct honorable among the Gentiles.

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? … You are the temple of the living God … Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean.”

You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

1 Sam. 29:3;  1 Peter 4:14,15;  Rom. 14:16;  1 Peter 2:12;  2 Cor. 6:14;   2 Cor. 6:16,17;  1 Peter 2:9

Only Jesus

Thus saith the Lord, Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm" (Jer. 17:5).

Sooner or later the believer goes through a period of disillusionment and bitterness because of what he encounters in the lives of other Christians - leaders included. The Holy Spirit uses this revelation, along with what He exposes in his own heart, to teach him to abide in the Lord Jesus; safe from the sin of others, as well as his own.

"It is a part of our spiritual education to discover the fallibility of those in whom we trust. The experience can be a very painful one, but it is most necessary for us to find out that everyone else but the Lord Jesus is a failure. Sometimes He seems to take pains to bring them to notice. He never hid the failures of his disciples from the people, for he wants it clearly understood that we must place our trust in Him alone. Some Christians get offended with Him when they find that others on whom they relied are not, after all, perfect." -H.F.

"Our Father will allow us to prove the vanity and folly of all creature-confidences, human hopes, and earthly expectations. And on the other hand, He will prove to us, in the most touching and forcible manner, the truth and blessedness of His own Word: They shall not be ashamed that wait for Me.'" -C.H.M.

"You will never be transformed by continually looking at your own shortcomings, never! Nor will you ever be transformed by looking at the weaknesses of your fellow Christians. You will only be conformed by continually looking upon the glory of the Lord Jesus; for they who live looking and beholding, though they know it not, are being changed from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord.'" -E.I.

"To give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 4:6).

Living By Faith

Our Share In Christ