◄ ►

A Larger Measure Of Christ

Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. (Hebrews 12:26 ESV)

Everything is going to be shaken in earth and in heaven, with a view to finding out just how much there is of Christ living in it. These Jewish believers were going to see the temple and the whole temple system wrecked, and then they would discover just how much they had got of Christ, or how much of their life was bound up with earthly things. They would see what was left when that was all gone. God is not only going to shake Judaism, but this heavenly thing. He will shake heaven and earth, and we shall find out by that shaking what we have left when the earthly system passes, when even the representation of heavenly things in Christianity is tested (for Christianity has developed a representation of heavenly things, just as Judaism has). Men have made an earthly representation of the New Testament revelation of the church, and ministry, and priesthood. It is all going to be tested. For many it is now in the melting pot. The issue is the shaking of heaven and earth. What have we got left? The issue is Christ.

Whether you like all that we have said, or agree with it or not, does not worry me; but I am concerned that we have come to Christ, to show that Christ in heaven is our Life, Christ in heaven is our All, and appointed to be so by God, and nothing here can take the place of Christ. God will bring everything to an end that takes the place of Christ. He has determined from eternity that in all things Christ should have the preeminence, and have the fullness, and that nothing shall glory before Him or take His place. The Lord bring us into a larger measure of Christ, and a larger measure of Christ into us.

Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. § “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.'” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. § And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. § Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. § Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. § This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

James 4:7;  Isa. 59:19;  Matt. 4:10,11;  Eph. 6:10,11;   Eph. 5:11;  2 Cor. 2:11;  1 Peter 5:8,9;  1 John 5:4;  Rom. 8:33

Oh, that I knew where I might find Him.

Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his God.

You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. § Seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. § But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ … For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. § If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

I am with you always. § I will never leave you nor forsake you. § Another Helper … dwells with you and will be in you.

Job 23:3;  Isa. 50:10;  Jer. 29:13;  Luke 11:9,10;  1 John 1:3;  Eph. 2:13,18;  1 John 1:6;  Matt. 28:20;  Heb. 13:5;  John 14:16,17

Unity Of Design

So now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death" (Phil. 1:20).

If we look to other Christians as examples to follow, we will soon be discouraged by the prevailing low standard. If we look to Christ as our example, we will be utterly discouraged because of His infinitely high standard. Hence it is essential that we understand that the Lord Jesus Christ is our life; He is not a legal example to emulate, but the source of life from which we grow.

"It is not in any conventional standard of frames and feelings that the disciple is to find the measure of attainment required of him. It is not by any painful reproducing of another's spiritual history that he is to acquire the true comfort of spirit which he longs for. Outward imitation, though it be of the perfect Example Himself, has little place in the order of spiritual growth - little place because little possibility. Without Me (i.e., apart from Me, in separation from Me) ye can do nothing.' To abide in Christ is the only secret of Christlikeness; for only thus is obtained the likeness of unity, which is perfect and enduring, instead of the likeness of conformity, which is only partial and transient." -A.J.G.

"In the pathway of discipline and trial we learn by bitter experience the truth of Paul's confession, In me. . . in my flesh dwelleth no good thing.' Coupled with that is the lesson that God waits with infinite patience, like the potter, to work out a design and beauty with such frail material." -M.H.F.

"And He is the head of the body, the church; who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in all things He might have the preeminence" (Col. 1:18)

God, My Courage (Study In God - All I Need-11)

His Righteousness – My Glorious Garment