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The Mystery of Life's Great Battle

Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great. (1 Timothy 3:16 NIV)

Very often it may seem but poor comfort to us in times of suffering, times of trial, times of adversity, times when Satan is pressing hard, to be told that, while we can see nothing of the meaning of all this, God is instructing angels, and that principalities and powers are deriving the benefit of it all. We do not draw a great deal of comfort from that, but if we understood I think we would realize that, while we may not at such times be fulfilling a very big ministry on the earth, there is a big ministry going on towards principalities and powers through our instrumentality. Do not think that running about taking meetings, and doing work for the Lord, is the only kind of ministry that members of the Church can fulfill. Ministry may be equally being fulfilled when these things have been brought to a standstill, and all earthly activities for the Lord stopped, and we are in one of these painful periods of inaction.

Do not conclude that because of such inaction no ministry is being rendered, or that everything of that kind is cut off at such a time. Here is the word: "...that NOW unto the principalities and the powers in heavenly places might be made known through the Church the manifold wisdom of God" not in the coming age, but now. They are learning from the Lord, by reason of those very difficult and trying experiences through which the Lord is taking us, what He is doing in the Church.

The Lord has said to you, “You shall not return that way again.”

Truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country … By faith Moses … [chose] rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt. § “The just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. § No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. § Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.

He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Deut. 17:16;  Heb. 11:15,16,   Heb. 11:24,25;  Heb. 11:26;  Heb. 10:38,39;  Luke 9:62;  Gal. 6:14;  2 Cor. 6:17;  Phil. 1:6

They . . . talk of the grief of those You have wounded.

I was a little angry, and they helped—but with evil intent.

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

He who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. § Comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

Let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. § We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Love … does not rejoice in iniquity. § Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

Ps. 69:26;  Zech. 1:15; Gal. 6:1;  James 5:20;  1 Thess. 5:14;  Rom. 14:13;   Rom. 15:1;  1 Cor. 13:4,6;   1 Cor. 10:12

Freedom's Foundation

I have been crucified with Christ, and I myself no longer live" (Gal. 2:20, Wms.).

Upon conversion, the new believer feels that every opposition to a joyous, fruitful Christian life has been overcome once for all. Later, when the world and self begin to insinuate themselves once again, he thinks that determination and self-effort will keep him free. Finally, after a seemingly endless struggle, the defeated believer is brought back to the Cross. Here is the source of liberation from the power of self and the world.

"Sinners are not saved until they trust the Saviour, and saints are not delivered until they trust the Deliverer. God has made both possible through the Cross of His Son." -L.S.C.

"The believer can never overcome the old man' even by the power of the new' apart from the work of the Cross, and therefore the death of Christ is indispensable, and unless the Cross is made the basis upon which he overcomes the old nature,' he only drops into another form of morality; in other words, he is seeking by self-effort to overcome sin and self, and the struggle is a hopeless one." -C.U.

"Just as the Lord Jesus came into this world where this old humanity was and came into it not to ally Himself with it but to take it into death by the Cross, even so He now by the Holy Spirit, in regeneration, comes into us where there is this old fallen life and not to ally Himself with it, but to hold it in the place of death by the same means - His Cross." -N.D.

"But may it never be mine to boast of anything but the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world!" (Gal. 6:14, Wms.).

Have You Considered How and Why? (JOB-study 14)

I Have Loved YOU