Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
My placing of those words above along with anything to be said in regards to them, causes me to remove my shoes. But that action, or even mention of it, must mean nothing to you if I am found unable or presumptuous in any conveyance of its reality. No saint is ill equipped…again…no saint is ill equipped to some sensing of God’s holiness of estate, nor such holiness of His intent. And likewise and no less, no less is any saint ill equipped to taste and discern fraud.
And in this particular matter one of our elders has both spoken and written, and quite in particular to the particulars of it, and unashamed.
And, I am persuaded, it is (or was, if one prefers) as high a statement to him in speaking as any man might perceive when hearing. But we are a peculiar people being won to a peculiar conviction, that only the seeming too high is, or can be, true. Anything less than the impossible for man is not made fit for us. And though any might find it convenient to reduce this to a more common nostrum “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp” from Browning’s poem, even if unaware of the next line “or what’s a heaven for?”, it is not so intended for reduction. May we find it more in conjunction with our faith to understand “God’s reach far exceeds man’s grasp” at every turn. For no man’s will can bring about ascension that is only in the hands of He who condescended. As even so, faith speaks.
And if any further so called groundwork or foundation for understanding need be lain, let it be this in these matters. And by grace may it be settled to us who believe. No vaunted prophet, nor wisest rabbi, nor most exquisitely trained scribe, or most scrupulous and pious practitioner (as Paul once described himself in regard to the law) avails here. He understood beyond our most common ken:
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Only the new creature can, and is made to, eat of that holiest bread given for us. This is both birthright and, no less importantly, all and any that is of life to us. This in no way deprecates any, who esteemed, have gone before. We can no longer read, nor understand, nor even esteem according to shadow(s) given in anything, for the very substance of all substance is made ours by inheritance through Christ. And even more so, we are convinced those esteemed have received same, not living as paupers amongst a more esteemed company. For the promises that were once afar off to them have no less been fulfilled to them in, and by, Christ.
But God forbid we read and understand according to their prior estate (which was once their portion, even as it once was ours) but with our hearts elevated by Christ to the heavenlies. And unless or until we are persuaded of that, that our scribing brothers in the faith of Jesus the Christ’s resurrection write as men of heaven, and with a more perfect view, we shall be lost in contending over comparisons, and in comparatives. But we must be persuaded of this, that only Christ’s knowing and the knowing of God’s Christ is as greater than Moses (to us who believe) as described here:
For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
When the distinction is seen, comparisons become moot. For there is no comparison.
Why this belaboring of distinction? God forbid it be seen to reduce any in esteem, but rather that by such (distinction) even those esteemed be rightly esteemed in the light of Christ. Neither idolized nor torn down, but each fitting perfectly to their work. And if we have any esteem of brother Paul, may it be so as rightly regarded, as a brother who speaks truth to his brothers, not as one lording over nor speaking down to. He was well convinced (I am persuaded) that his apprehension of matters heavenly were not merely for broadcast (though rightly they are) but made to be bread for all. To this end (again, I am persuaded) he went through many breakings so that even the most novice would find morsels of life given to nourish and sustain till meat be eaten. He experienced even being brought to being so “dissolved” in himself to Christ’s purity that he was unashamed to clasp any to his own bosom for milk.
But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children. (Paul…the “wet nurse”)
And may it be seen, and may it be appreciated, that as surely as he declared no foundation can be laid than that which has already been laid, even Jesus Christ, that his declaration of pinnacle is no different in all or any essence than foundation:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ
Yes, we may often add our nodding or find some agreement amongst ourselves in regard to foundation, (and it would be unwise to not accept) but that height? “Unto a perfect man”? All? (“till we all come”?)
Even this? “unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ“? (Italics mine)
O! but this is very high…even seemingly far too high to say, much less consider. How could any be so bold…even too bold…to say? Who could bear such knowing if this saying is to be shown true? Who? Perhaps we might see none but the Christ of God. That living and active word…ever working…even in vessels of mud, of elements and water mixed…but now with something beyond.
“For we hold this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us”
That presence of the Ever Present One is all and only able to bear, and bear out that which He by grace has placed and found within, that particular mystery of Christ in you, the hope of glory.
So that as unasmedly as He would say when He Himself is found in fashion as a man walking in clay would be echoed through another vessel prepared as he continued His walk in a vessel of clay (even Paul)
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Unto a perfect man.
Who gets away with saying such? Can bear such knowing for the showing of it as true?
Unless it be too high for man, can it be…true?
And if one forget, or be tempted to speak in any way as better than, or in any fashion as superior to any of the company to which he is himself called now as member…there are shoes he may take off as reminder of connection to all else that is yet of clay. And still touching the earth.
Something must be morselized. Even to such extent as to a dissolving to one’s self. But who would allow Himself so broken? Made so small as to enter a heart of stone buttressed against all that is true and there do His great work of calling forth He who is from the beginning? To show himself real and true…even in a heart of flesh?
Who?
The earthy is, but the Heavenly was, and is, and is to come. And in that, something must give way in the earthy that declares itself as “is-ing”. In the breaking of the heart of flesh contained, the heart of stone must give way.
Consider Him who had no heart of stone to break, nor give way, and yet how heartbroken He is unashamed to show Himself to His own. And how victorious.
Jesus wept. And Jesus rejoiced greatly in spirit. Who alone is able to do all and even…at once? And all things well? Members are rejoicing while yet others are found weeping. May each recognize the (only) seeming other.
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
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