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Only Christ

My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you. (Galatians 4:19 ESV)

The profaning of the Lord's Name, and the taking away of His glory, is the inveterate habit and course of the old creation nature. Should you see any of the old creation getting into the realm of the things of God, what is the result sooner or later? That man takes the glory, and dishonours God. Is not that the tragic, dark story of "the Church"; man in his old creation powers and life pressing into the things of God, and making a name for himself? The Church has been the happy hunting ground of men for reputation, position, influence, and all such things. The flesh always does that. It takes God's glory away, it profanes God's Name. In order that might not be so there must be a new creation, where all things are of God.... I see the appalling state of things today amongst the Lord's people everywhere; death, weakness, limitation, defeat, failure, inability to stand up, to go on; and, without being critical, censorious, or judging, you have to come to the conclusion as you speak with so many, that the measure of Christ is pathetically small. Sometimes when you speak about the Lord to people, who have borne the name of Christian for many years, they gape at you as though you were talking a strange language.

Let us ask the Lord that, so far as we are concerned, there may be an increase of Christ in every way. Let us seek grace for any fiery furnace in the light of the explanation, that it is neither what is of Christ that is be interested in us, nor any good within ourselves, but that what is not Christ should disappear, that it should be Christ, only Christ. At last, this universe will know nothing but Christ. He will fill all things, and that will be a great day! May He be fully formed in us.

The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former . . . and in this place I will give peace.

The house [that is] to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, famous, and glorious throughout all countries. § The glory of the Lord … filled the Lord’s house.

“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” … He was speaking of the temple of His body. §  What was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. § The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. § God . . . has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men! § Prince of Peace. § He Himself is our peace. § The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Hag. 2:9;  1 Chron. 22:5;  2 Chron. 7:2;  John 2:19,21;  2 Cor. 3:10;  John 1:14;  Heb. 1:1,2;  Luke 2:14;  Isa. 9:6;  Eph. 2:14;  Phil. 4:7

Let us put on the armor of light.

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ. § That I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith. § The righteousness of God [is] through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.

He has covered me with the robe of righteousness. § I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.

You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light … Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them … All things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” See then that you walk circumspectly.

Rom. 13:12;  Rom. 13:14;  Phil. 3:8,9;  Rom. 3:22;  Isa. 61:10;  Ps. 71:16;   Eph. 5:8,11,  Eph 5:13;  Eph 5:14  Eph 5:15

Gaze And Grow

Who (Jesus), being the brightness of His (God's) glory, and the express image of His person" (Heb. 1:3).

Basically, the Bible is the Biography of the Beloved. Its primary object is to provide the Object for our contemplation and conformity.

"Many a Christian has not got beyond this: Christ is a shelter for me, and takes care of me. Souls look for their barrel of meal not to waste, and their cruse of oil not to fail. But is that all? Is it that Christ comes and dwells with me and cares for me?

"I make bold to say it is not. Is it shelter only? No! You are mutilating Christianity if you confine it to that. God says: I have saved you by My own Son, and now another factor must come in; you are to live by the One who has saved you; My purpose is that you are to be conformed to His blessed image."

"There comes a moment when the soul knows union with Christ. Has your soul ever got a glimpse, by the Spirit, of Christ risen? Of the mark' of which Paul speaks? It is Christ in heaven; He is my Object!

"Practically it is what souls have lost sight of. They do not look for acquaintance with Christ Risen. The first thing is the education of the Word; the second, Christ Himself must be seen (2 Cor. 3:18). The Word delights the heart, but till the eye of your spirit has rested on the Person of Christ, you have not the model for the Word to take; there is no formation."

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" (Heb. 12:2).

Cycle of Despair or Circle of Hope - Man’s Nature and Destiny (29)

A Closer Walk