There is a pressing to this matter that is better not left unattended. It is in relationship, even if anyone reads this, or not, or has cared to go “this far”. It is of a debt owed from writer to reader for the or “a” reader’s reading. I cannot over stress how much comes to me, and has come, in this exercise. And no doubt I am subject to rebuke for every bit of it, for God is not deterred by any attempted defense by declaring “good intentions” (as if any man could claim them of himself before God…ha ha ha!)
But I do mean this, without the persuasion that some and/or many also hold an interest in Christ, that surely I am not alone (even if shown all wrong about every other thing) this prompting to reach out…and in reaching out be exercised to consider certain wonderful matters that cause me to be in debt…Hallelujah! It is but a debt gladly acknowledged.
For without believing “you” are there what impetus have I to write…and even in writing…make discovery? And if at all, my attitude has shown itself not unlike Elijah’s in some claim of thinking himself the last one left, may you also find the grace and kindness to believe I am as real as you…and may that kindness lead you to rebuke of me.
Elijah had to bear being told (in so many words) “Hey bud, I have kept 7,000, so before you go thinking you’re anything even to the extreme as in being the only…get yer mind right.”
“I have reserved to myself”…(this is my work…not yours.) “And you are kept (if you are kept) only because of me, and not according to how you esteem yourself or might even like to.” But we are all, are we not (at least a bit), shouters of Eureka at revelation(s) as though things we have never seen before…have never been seen before. And this is not wrong…to be so captivated, elevated, captured in wonder and even disbelief for joy that our astounding and gratitude overflow to God’s glory.
And God forbid I even mention a tempering as though such should be “balanced”. But man! how we must learn only God knows how treat each as if (to that person) he was having all attention and love dumped upon him as an “only” child…that this is all and only….even in all its exquisiteness, due to the grace of the first born from the dead…our always elder brother! Jesus, the Christ. Only God’s mercy keeps us from seeking to be usurpers. It is so much more glory to learn to “be” with Him, than be left in seeking to replace Him. And we dare not be deceived, it is only the love of God through Christ to us, that keeps us from this. (More about this later)
It is a curious place, no? How to occupy and answer. Is God enough that even if none other be found companion…one knows it is right to continue in Him. But how to keep this from turning to boast of “self” and pride appears a matter only the Spirit of God can rightly minister to a man. And so I am indeed debtor, believing you are “there”, for it is a comfort, encouragement, and necessary reproval of any notion that writer and reader are not on precisely the same ground of faith ministered by Christ. I can reach no farther (if there be any ministry) than I am made able to eagerly covet what the Lord has also ministered to you.
The “need” of brothers and sisters was once a nice and quaint, but mostly, and practically, a theoretical matter. Perhaps even easily said. But God has a way to make things true to a man. To even make others…as real to a man as the man is to himself. Yes, it is a work of God. Till then we may not know our need of as many touches as necessary (but God does) if still seeing others as “trees walking”. Yet we are to learn how “real” we are to one another as even before God we are accounted. We are members one of another in a debt of love. And all are appointed to fullness, yet not alone…but “Till we all come to the unity…”.
Maybe that’s what Paul meant when he said he was debtor. His hope to reach (and no less grow) was an impetus to him to seek deeper, understand more clearly, and proclaim more boldly of those things found prompted by that impetus. And I am more persuaded now than ever that the instruction to “preach the gospel” is not given because the man understands it so well, or “already”…but so that in the going the gift of understanding may be made his by the grace of God. It was once convenience to imagine “others” were more in need than I am, of the Christ of God. And so we are told “go” with God having many wonderful surprises in store for us.
The instruction (even delightful command!) to “love one another as I have loved you” is not really too difficult to parse. It requires, does it not, for the man to first see “as I have loved you” for the right sharing of that love. What man…even if seeking to love…could ever be disappointed by being directed to investigate just how much the Lord has loved him? I think of all my obvious and plain falling short in that matter love, and yet finding forgiveness for it…yes…even for such an ugly thing as spite…what choice do I have when seeing? Thanks be to God! Again, thanks be to God! For allowing such a wretch…to see such love and mercy still abounding! Dare we deny the reality of mercy?
God forbid I either seek to take advantage of you by any cleverness or even taking for granted…that you are there (here)…and real. God forbid I think less! God forbid I assign you or any as “faceless masses” (or even one faceless person!) a “reader”.
And if at times I write with any sense of rebuke…let it only be testimony of how much I have myself needed and been ministered such. And, no doubt, continue to. I can love no more than that which I have seen of the love of Christ ministered to me, surely; and if in all I am only example of God’s uttermost patience toward a wretch, I hope any who need such encouragement and comfort, can see it. A curious place of presentation, no? I can only present myself as wrongest of all, yet having a hope that the merest sliver of sight (believing I too have glimpsed) of the Rightest of all, is all and enough to reach even to such as me for salvation. Paul himself came to a strange place (but really…is it?) of saying…even in all his writing, in all his revelation(s), even through all his instruction(s) and experiences: “and I too believe I have the Spirit of God”.
We are to be bold, but we also learn boldness can also lend itself to God’s purposes of correcting us. Even rebuking us from His kindness. For if we are rather non committal or casual we may not be fit to plainly hear “you missed with that”, for unless we know we have “taken a shot” we cannot know. And God knows how little I know of difference between boldness and presumption, I must be taught. But then as need be, the rebuke is clear. And then, if we have been made able to bear the rebuke, we might hear “aim a bit higher”. I am persuaded no saint has ever regretted finding he has measured a bit low in his sights and aiming.
“Christ is higher still? How wonderful to learn!”
“I am even made glad I was so wrong!”
So again, if all I am useful to, or as, is an example to any that they “aim higher” than this man writing (and who shouldn’t?) GLORY TO GOD! Look higher! Look higher! And if I am only of use for another to learn how to “rightly rebuke” me…then in that too, a good purpose has been served for my being. I can be no other. By the grace of God, I am what I am.
And, you are, too.
Hear if you can. And if you do, wonderful! For the promise remains “To him who has, more shall be given…” But do not ever be deterred there, God forbid. Christ knows His own! For even if this sounds too terrible to consider in its utterance as that verse continues “…but to him who has not, even that which he thinks he has shall be taken from him”, it surely isn’t.
How can this be? Doesn’t it sound…terrible? Yet Christ never deters nor needs to, precisely because “He knows His own”. He knows each by name and calls us by it. Knowing Himself, He also knows how His word, that is even He, himself is working and works in each. This seems another paradox, doesn’t it? What comfort can be found in “but to him who has not, even that which he thinks he has shall be taken from him.”? Yes, it does sound terrible, I do not disagree.
But that is precisely the point. If it sounds terrible, it is working! For it couldn’t sound terrible unless there is some measure of faith to believe it and know…even if in some deep recess not yet plain…”Yes, Christ has the power to do that!” and therefore it is terrible…even terror inspiring! Do you see? Do you hear? Do you understand?
But do not be vexed if you do not. Better to write it off (for me, surely, and no less) as my inability to expound than to ever think “But Christ would not do that”. If nothing else, let this be assured to you, there is not one word coming from the Lord, no, not one, that is not for the believer’s edification and building up….even if, or when, they may appear the most grievous caution of His ability to tear down. The hardest, and even most harsh sounding of words remain life to us who believe. This is the Lord establishing Himself in us as just that...Lord. All things are in His power… “All authority in heaven and earth…” must be established in and to us…even, and well beyond our preferences in either “how” to hear, or what to hear. And we will each hear according to the measure of His grace ministered to us for that.
O! But it is so much health to us to come to that place of simple confession “I do not understand” or, even “I don’t think I am hearing well”! See how much love is to be there in response, for the love of God, see. Consider this, and consider what difference is found.
The disciples came to Jesus and asked Him to explain the parable. Their admission of not understanding did absolutely nothing to deter Him from saying…”To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom…” even while maintaining this was precisely why He spoke in parables to those “others”…
“Though seeing they might not see, though hearing they might not understand…”
What then is the difference? Didn’t the disciples just admit their lack of understanding by asking Him for explanation of the parable?
Yet, that is all the difference! They came to Jesus and asked, not going away and perhaps even assuming they understood. Or whatever thing of some understanding that was in operation in the disciples that prompted their coming to Jesus for understanding is/was not in those that either do not, or refuse to, come and ask. Yes, that is all the difference! The disciples knew (and even now know) they need and needed to come to Jesus to understand anything of which He speaks. He is the key to all…even His own words.
This is no small matter. I have spoken before of my not knowing the difference between a right boldness and presumption, and how (of all) I am most in need of instruction. The only cause for this knowing has been the Lord’s grace toward me in all my presumption, all those places of my assuming I understood and then speaking (or doing) presumptuously gotten some taste of being in that place of “to him who has not…”. Oh, yes, it is both terrible…and not “theoretical”. And yes, there’s a paralysis that overcomes there as you are made powerless to resist the Lord’s stripping of you. Even of all you once presumptuously thought “was yours” or yours to do with as you wish.
And a right question might now be, even as from you to me, “How do you now know, even in this writing exercise, that you are not being presumptuous?”
I don’t. I don’t know.
Oh, I might like to think (presumption?), or even seek to propose that in some way “I have learned my lesson well enough”. Ha! That is simply an ample doorway to more presumption! Or that in some way I am now immune to it because of some taste (like a vaccine) ministered of its consequence. That would be lie, also.
My only confession is of a faithful Father who ministers all right rebuke, chastening…even terror as need be, through the work of the Son of His love, Jesus Christ. And there is nothing of myself…to even assure myself, or offer to another except that there is someone very carefully watching over the name of Jesus the Christ who alone knows His perfect ministry of comforts and rebuke. And He is not slack concerning any promises made.
“How then”, one might ask “can any stand?” Even in this “not knowing”? I am and can only be reminded of the Lord’s own words, even applicable here “With man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” A man can assure himself…of nothing. He may be found complicit in deceiving himself, but he cannot assure himself. And you might even then rightly ask “But how then can a man even be assured he has true God as Father?”
And I have hope you either know, as having been taught the answer, or know the only place one can go with that question.
No one can short circuit that answer. Just as no man can prevent that question. And perhaps, even of all questions (am I being presumptuous? God knows!) that could even be, if there is such, the very best of questions. Where can I go…to know…anything? Where (or whom) is the only unshakable in knowledge and understanding. And, does He share? Yes, a man has to be convinced, a man has to be persuaded. Even as through many trials of tears as need be.
God knows all those in whom He has planted…need to know. And we come to discover even…that all questions we once assumed originated in us, even saw as “from us” as sole origin, are not as they once appeared. Someone has even given us the “right” question(s) to ask…and all is of God through Christ. Disciples are formed to “ask, seek, knock” precisely because those words of instruction spoken by the Christ had made (even before time), and in His forming of them, a home in them. They will “catch” all and every that God knows as His own. Let us not forget:
“The foundation of God stands sure having this seal, the Lord knows those who are His”
Nor let us forget this appointing, though coming to us “in time” has come from that which is not of time. Time holds changes, and is even appointed so to the purpose of God who is unchanging in nature. And there is much in that to consider, how that even time, once a fierce constraint to us in our perceptions of it as running out, is now made gift to us for the working of God’s appointed work both in us, and through us. We can now, as God’s grace allows and supplies use time…even as tool to an end of His appointment…where once we were knowing ourselves as only subject to it.
Can we hear this apostle’s words? Do we hear them as if streaming now…even in very present, though spoken/written what seems long ago?
Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.
“Things present, or things to come, all are yours…”
Yes, time does not inhibit nor constrain God a whit, nor can it; nor even those who are His, for like Him and by Christ’s work, they are moved out of it, even above it that even things past, present or even to come, are theirs. And I trust to not use “past” presumptuously though the apostle did not particularly cite it. But we have testimony of those who, even at first only knowing Christ in time, came to see Him as a lamb slain from the foundation of the world. They surveyed much through the gift of sight given them by Christ. They saw…as from above. Even above time.
And no less, also came to know every believer as those ordained to salvation as thus:
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
“…which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”
As we begin to look outside, or even “past” time (as no longer locked in it nor locked up to it) to see Him whose glory is eternal (which gift is ours by the spirit, that is sight of eternal matters) we begin to see things in a very different light. A light that is not darkness. Also to which we were once locked up.
For ye were sometimes (at one time) darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
This light begins to work in us, and for us, to see. To see past, or through, or beyond time by which God has made all of the old creation subject. Even subject to a “passing away” in time. Even that we might know to Christ’s glory that God’s eternal purpose through Christ was never, is never a “Plan B” for any failing for which God has to now add a patch. All failing that is of ourselves only, even of sin (missing the mark in our trying to be as God) is so greatly exceeded by the revelation of Jesus Christ, that it should not be strange to our understanding that:
Where sin abounds grace does much more abound
So that we are no longer measuring Christ as against sin for any comparison(s). Don’t misunderstand, there is an abysmal-ness to sin and its consequence(s). But Christ’s glory so far exceeds, even to an eclipsing of it, even in His complete and utter triumph over it…and that even though it is “right” that a man in Christ not sin, there is something far greater always beckoning. The vision of the (our) Lord’s eternal glory. And that even this very beckoning to see Christ as He is is alone remedy for all that we otherwise tend to believe, ails us. There is no vanity in these verses:
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
“…for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
This is not word play, nor is it any claim of seeing farther nor knowing greater. For none of us came to all fullness apart from any other, and of all, I may be the straggler purposed for God’s grace and patience to be manifest…even if I seem to “hold” the rest back…as though waiting on me for seeing. But we cannot deny the truth of the matter, it is only in God’s gift to us in longing to “see Christ as He is” that this purification by that hope in us implanted, purifies us. Makes us consistent, integrates us…even to His integrity.
No wonder we are instructed to singleness of eye that we be made of singleness of heart. Even fully pure heart. It is almost like a heavenly feedback loop now, this hope in heart informs the eye for looking, and the eye in finding encourages the heart in this; that “hope that maketh not ashamed.” Whatever snares of sin and its consequences…yes…that we might even yet in some way find to a lashing of soul or conscience are only remedied by our seeking after Christ…to know and see Him as He is.
I cannot and will not deny that my own admissions do nothing against the truth of this. In all I am unable to resist, even as if it be God’s purpose for me, that I be shown straggler…or very weakest and infirm of all. God knows of those matters past in which I have watched my soul cringe as before Him. Seeing that even after some enlightening, my own presumptuousness was made plain. I cannot lie about this. I have been so wrong, and of such wrongness that I could fault no man for finding or judging me reprobate. But…even in this (though I dare not say “because” of this) the Lord has shown such grace continuing in His patience toward me, that is all of which I can testify.
I also dare not seek to “hang” upon anyone the necessity of recalling past failings or demand any experience must be “as my own”…yet…if you know it, you also know it. Yes, I have failed in many trials (dare I say all I even know of?) to the end that such persuasion might come to look only to the Christ of God for any vision of what, and how “not failing” appears.
But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
I cannot be ashamed of God’s patient work there to bring even such a wretch to some sobriety. When looking to, or at myself all misery appears, and thanks be to God for that hope implanted that there is, and has always been, another given to “look to”. And that has been only relief, comfort, and encouragement. In these matters may we therefore encourage one another.
All is about Christ. And Jesus the Christ is all about God. Of this we dare not be shaken. But when, or if it even seem so, that is, we experience even some shaking in our conviction there remains:
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
The terribleness of “if we deny him, he will also deny us” can only be remedied by His not denying who He is Himself. He does not indulge either our unbelief nor even any of our drawing back, but all too well He understands it! He did not “laugh” His way through Gethsemane, nor what followed. Nor did He abandon His own when finding them sleeping while He alone (as He is alone, Savior) labored in loud cries and tears. In truth he told them to “take your rest” in full faith that despite the weakness of all flesh (have you seen it?) it is only the Spirit that prevails.
Yes, we can find comfort in “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” when we are no longer, or disabused totally of, any persuasion of its ability to accomplish. And God reveals His son in us, and we know Him alone as “life giving spirit”. Yes, we must be persuaded. Someone working in and to this persuasion does not grow weary:
This is the work of God, that you believe upon Him whom He has sent.
How much else remains of what must be abandoned in any of us, God knows.
How much else is to be accounted as dung…even matters of once advantage to us, God knows.
The cross (of Christ) is extremely thorough in all its work. This is not said without some fear…even as need be, terror. But even so we have a confidence that its right glorying in, is completely…right. And we can know the joy of the Lord there, even there, as our strength, as is also right, and even to man source of all strength for we are of those who believe it is only right to consider our Lord Jesus
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Any confessions of my fainting have all been consequent to not seeing the joy, and particularly the joy of the Lord as both my strength and that by which He endured…even the cross. But it has only been the love of God in Christ to not leave a man there in darkened thinking. Fearing the shame of man, fearing that scorn easily heaped to what is in all of itself, defenseless against it. Even fearing where “it” might end up as castaway, abandoned, and only fit for mocking while preaching a salvation of peace yet finding itself so often in a soul sickness as even unto death.
Yes, none “want” to appear (or seem) as hypocrite. No, none want to appear (or seem) as hypocrite. Yet Jesus bore the scorn and mocking…”He saved others; himself he cannot save.” No, nor wouldn’t He…save Himself.
Even though, and thanks be to God! He did not deny the truth here:
Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
He had “an out” He could have taken with no reproval, no lessening of Himself, no disapproval from His God and Father…for He confessed His Father would do this if asked.
This is what we are appointed to know. Even that love. Beyond requirement “of us”, beyond our doing or not doing, beyond (and even before) time if one can receive it.
His work is sure and even sealed by that baptism of blood…even that blood which has, and is, cleansing us. What may be “barbarous” to others, (sometimes even to ourselves unless resolved) even that God who is the God who accomplished all His good pleasure there:
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief.
No man can understand this but as parable to him. Even just “nice” but peculiar words on a page, till he ask the Christ of God…”what does this mean?” Even as disciples must.
And this is love that He answers.
And no, it doesn’t work apart from love.
And yes, this is the love of God for us, from before time that He would send in fashion as a man to us His Christ from everlasting, the Son of His love, that we might see. And in seeing, understand. Yes this is love.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
This remains a place of too great a wonder to me, a thing I can neither “wrap my head” around, nor find my soul able to contain. It moves me to distraction whenever considered, shakes all that can be shaken of any of my own understanding or logic. Causes me to be “beside myself”…or even in disbelief for joy as the disciples were when seeing Jesus risen and amongst them.
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
“and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”
“as thou hast loved me.”
How can this be? Yet to doubt, even in all its inexplicable glory that is not attainable by man, nor containable by soul, it is as true as all things of which our Lord testifies.
But it seems, and may God forgive in His understanding, “too good”…to be true.
Loving Jesus, I can understand. Even “some” love of those to whom He is sent, I seem able to understand. But to love even as He loves the son of His love…
Listen if you can. Jesus the Christ no more “began to be loved” when He was sent, than you were when you (and I) first saw the love of God for you/us by having His son revealed in you/us. Oh, yes, that’s when we may have first tasted a deep draft so new to us, even in the confession of that conviction that Jesus Christ is Lord. God no less, and no more “began” to love you or I on an occasion we may mistake as “our doing”. As in “I believed (and or confessed), and from there God “began” to love me”.
As much as we need to, may we hear…again, and again, and again…
“and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”
Dare I? But…dare I not? For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Oh! the terror on the one hand:
But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword
With a “sure” surety on the other:
for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
May we come to some enlightenment in this love of God ministered us through His Christ.
Even such as is delight in the fear of the Lord.
God knows, we might see men persuaded, as we ourselves also are. Being persuaded.
And yes, it doesn’t work apart from love.
And no (if need be) it doesn’t work apart from love.
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