◄ ►

Filled With God's Fullness

The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. (1 Corinthians 2:15 ESV)

We have to continually ask the question: "Is Christ everything in this matter, or am I wanting my own way? Am I allowing my own feelings, desires and likes to dominate or is Christ everything? Is Christ in all here, so far as it is within my power, in the energy of the Holy Spirit, for it to be so?" That has to be reduced to the minutia of daily life. We have to get away when we are upset, annoyed, provoked, irritated, and fight that battle out and say: "Lord, You have to be everything in this matter: it does not matter how my interests are affected." And from those details of everyday life and experience out to the wider ranges, and up to the place where we may be the Lord responsible servant, the Word and the Spirit have to govern; and the Word and the Spirit have one object: Christ everything and in all.

Recognizing that, we see that this further thing is necessary, that we are a truly spiritual people. It is very often difficult to define what is meant by spirituality, or a spiritual people. It is one of those things better experienced than explained. But for the moment it can be put quite simply and quite safely and soundly in this way, that a spiritual people is a people who are governed by the Word and the Holy Spirit to this end: that in everything within and without, Christ is All and in all. That is true spirituality.

I am the Lord your God: Walk in My statutes, keep My judgments, and do them.

As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. § He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked… If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. § Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. § Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. § Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes.

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. § The God of peace … make[s] you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ.

Ezek. 20:19;  1 Peter 1:15;  1 John 2:6, 29;  1 Cor. 7:19;  James 2:10;  2 Cor. 3:5;  Ps. 119:33;  Phil. 2:12,13;  Heb. 13:20,21

I have exalted one chosen from the people.

For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren. § On the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. § The Son of Man who is in heaven. § Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.

[He] made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. § Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.

Ps. 89:19;  Heb. 2:16,17;  Ezek. 1:26;  John 3:13;  Luke 24:39;  Phil. 2:7,8  Phil 2:9,10;  Rev. 3:2

Frustrated Enemy

Then saith Jesus unto him, Begone, Satan" (Matt. 4:10).

There is a great difference between a foe, and; defeated foe. A conquered enemy can be put to valuable use in the hands of the victor, and that is exactly what God is doing with that old serpent. Satan is allowed to sift, and try the believer; he is used of God as a winnowing machine to clear away the chaff in us.

"No power in present things allowed to Satan annuls the will of the invisible God." -W.K.

"The story of Job shows clearly that it is God who sets the limit to the extent of the devil's activities and power. From the human viewpoint the Cross looks like a colossal failure. In it the victory of the power of evil seemed complete. But the weakness of God is stronger than men' or the enemy, and by the power of weakness having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it' (Col. 2:15)." -C.J.M.

"It is inevitable that in a world like this the faith of Christians must be tried. For we are in an enemy's land, and he resents our presence. And we have an enemy within our gates - the old man - that opposes us too. But take heart fellow believer, the trials of your faith will be found unto praise, honor and glory at the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:7). The happy outcome is a foregone conclusion. Trials work patience, experience, hope - and these are abiding qualities. Satan, as it were, is God's scavenger, and all he can do is to remove out of your life those things that mar your joy, your growth, and your service."

"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy [undo] the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8).

Lord Jesus Christ - Man’s Nature and Destiny (9)

The Lord Jesus Christ