Likeness to Christ (continued)
Now, what is the fruit? it is Christ in His outward manifestation.
"I in you ... I in him" (John 15:4-5).
Those words are so simple that you and I could read them over many times and yet never sound the depths of their meaning. We could perhaps turn to this chapter and say, "I do not need to read those words, for I know them." So simple, yet the whole of Christian living is in these three words: "I in you." But if you were to underline one of these words, which would it be, the "you" or the "I"? The trouble is, we mark the "you," and the "you" is nothing and the "I" is everything. Only when that "you" becomes a zero, literally a zero, until only the "I" is seen, can we call ourselves real Christians according to the standard set in John 15, "I in you." You are nothing, but a house of which the Lord Jesus Christ has taken possession, control, and use.
Christ Himself is our sanctification.
"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us ... sanctification" (1 Co. 1:30).
Christ Himself is our life.
"When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory" (Col. 3:4).
The Christian life is not merely a converted life, it is not merely a consecrated life, it is not a Christian life at all unless it is a Christ life.
It could not be more plainly illustrated than by my little wristwatch. You see it is a very tiny thing and a very simple watch. It is not studded with jewels; that is not necessary for a watch. There is only one thing that a watch is really for. A watch is not an ornament; a watch is to keep time. That little watch would not be a bit of use to me if it did not keep time, for I have to catch trains and boats and attend meetings. The one thing I require in a watch is that it keeps time. And what makes it keep time? Its size? What it is made of, gold or silver? Not at all. It is the works that are inside.
What is a Christian for? Is he a ornament? A Christian has only one value in this world: to reveal Jesus Christ, to manifest Jesus Christ in this dark, sinful world where men do not know Him and do not read the Bible to find Him there. A Christian is an absolutely worthless Christian unless he is revealing Jesus Christ. What enables him to reveal Christ? Anything in himself? Nothing but the One that lives within him, the Lord Jesus Christ -" I in you". It is all that He asks of you and me, to let Him do the living and revealing.
He not only taught likeness through oneness, He prayed for it. Do you recall the last three words of His high-priestly prayer? "I in them." The last words He wanted that little group, composed mostly of unlettered fishermen, to hear, so they would ring on in their ears and in their hearts and be unforgettable, were "I in them." And, when He offered that petition, I believe He breathed out the deepest desire of His heart for every Christian all own through the ages. "I in them."
Has that prayer been answered in your life and mine so that as we move in and out among people we are not seen, but only that living, glorious Christ is seen in us?
Now, we say that is too high a standard. Yes, it is a high standard, and do you know what we are constantly doing? We are appealing to Christ to look on our circumstances, our environment, to look at our weakness and our infirmity, and to bring His standard down to the level of our experience. Friends, He will never do it. He has brought us here for the one purpose of bringing our experience up to the level of His standard. Are we going to let Him do it?
The other day I was talking with a man who said to me, "I am not a religious man, i am a pagan." Then he went on to speak of some divinity students he knew who went out to preach in the morning, and then came back and played poker and drank whiskey in the afternoon. He said, "It does not seem quite right to me; a Christian ought to be Christ-like."
That man said of himself that he was a pagan, but he had a standard for the Christian that those Christians did not have for themselves. The world looks on at you and me, my friends, and if we profess to be a Christian, it says, "She ought to be Christ-like," and she ought to be or else make no profession of being a Christian, for the honor of His Name.
~Ruth Paxson~
(continued with # 10)
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint. (Proverbs 29:18 NIV)
No one who knows anything about the present conditions will disagree with the statement that the Church is in tragic need of men with a message, but our point is that what is needed is the knowledge of what the message is for the time. That message must come from God to men chosen for the purpose. This is not a ministry which can be taken up. Usually for such ministry there is a long and deep history with God, a history full of mystery and suffering. Many phases are passed through, all in the permissive will of God, or in His directive will, inasmuch as they are intended to educate and give experience, but the course is never that of the established and settled kind, and so big changes may be called for, each of which comes by a new spiritual crisis. No one can do anything in the making of such vessels, however much they may be concerned for them. This is God's work alone, and they have to be left in His hands....
Men of vision and courage! Yes, and more courage will be required here than in any other realm of which we know. A specific revelation will – to begin with – set a distance between such as have it and such as have not that specific revelation. This will give rise to many possibilities. Even the best servants of God who have not so seen will probably stand back. It will mean loneliness, and going on alone perhaps for quite a time. It will mean ostracism, misunderstanding, misrepresentation, suspicion, closed doors (so far as man can close them). Then, no revelation from God is ever just verbal truth, it always involves practical issues. These practical issues will appear like the crystallizing of the truth, so that those who obey it will become marked people. This raises a new set of opposing elements. If God has given a revelation concerning His purpose in Christ which is of such vital importance as to have called for all this special history an d preparation, we must realize that it is of very great moment to Satan's interests, and he will leave nothing unused to make its course impossible.... If the greatest need of the hour is that of men of vision, along with it will go the need for willingness to pay the price. But there is another side, and that is God's side, and the compensations are great. It is a great thing to be in possession of an open heaven and of a mandate from God.
By T. Austin-Sparks
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Called Unto Holiness # 8
Likeness To Christ
The essential thing for holiness of life is to have a standard and then to live without deviation by that standard. The Lord Jesus Christ has set that standard for us.
"I am the vine, ye are the branches He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5).
There is a threefold thing that He shows us here: oneness in Christ, likeness to Christ, the fullness of Christ. We thought together in the last chapter of oneness in Christ through our positional sanctification.
The sinner is living in the wicked, infernal trinity: satan, the world, and the flesh. The Christian has passed by way of the Cross through faith in the atoning blood of the Saviour into a totally new position, a totally new sphere, a totally new trinity. He is in Christ, in the Church, and in the Spirit, and thence he is called a saint by God. He has been made one with Jesus Christ through the baptism of the Holy Spirit by which he was brought into the Body of Christ.
We said earlier that the most important question that can ever be put to a human being is this: Where are you? You are either in the dark, infernal trinity over which satan presides, or you are in that glory-lighted trinity over which Christ rules.
If you are still in satan's trinity, are you going to remain there? Oh, that this day there might be someone - if there is a single one who is not in Christ Jesus - who would put faith in the blood of the Saviour, for that is all that is necessary. And the moment you do it, you become a part of Him, and He becomes a part of you - oneness in Christ through positional sanctification.
Where we are determines what we are. So that is the question with which we come today: What are you, now that you are in Christ?
Likeness to Christ Through Progressive Sanctification
This thought takes us again to John 15, with which we are all so familiar. Oneness in Christ demands likeness to Christ; the branch that is in the vine must bear fruit. The branch that bears no fruit is worthless and is taken away.
"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away" (John 15:2).
What a solemn thought that is for every one of us who is a branch.
The second thought is that no branch can bear fruit of itself. There is absolutely nothing in the branch itself that is productive of fruit; nothing that the branch is, nothing that the branch can do, can make it produce fruit; only the sap of the vine produces fruit. so the branch has nothing to do but to abide in the vine.
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me" (John 15:4).
Third, fruit-bearing is progressive. These verses speak of the branch that bears "not fruit," the branch that bears fruit, the branch that bears more fruit, and the branch that bears much fruit."
"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit" (John 15:2).
"Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples" (John 15:8).
There is nothing static in spiritual experience; every real Christian is a growing Christian. The purpose of fruit-bearing is to glorify Christ. The branch does not bear fruit to glorify itself; it bears fruit to glorify the vine. But only the "much fruit" glorifies the Father. Anything short of that, although it may bring Him joy and please Him, fails to glorify the Father fully.
Now, what is fruit? It is Christ in His outward manifestation.
"I in you ... I in him" (John 15:4-5)
~Ruth Paxson~
(continued with # 9)
The essential thing for holiness of life is to have a standard and then to live without deviation by that standard. The Lord Jesus Christ has set that standard for us.
"I am the vine, ye are the branches He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5).
There is a threefold thing that He shows us here: oneness in Christ, likeness to Christ, the fullness of Christ. We thought together in the last chapter of oneness in Christ through our positional sanctification.
The sinner is living in the wicked, infernal trinity: satan, the world, and the flesh. The Christian has passed by way of the Cross through faith in the atoning blood of the Saviour into a totally new position, a totally new sphere, a totally new trinity. He is in Christ, in the Church, and in the Spirit, and thence he is called a saint by God. He has been made one with Jesus Christ through the baptism of the Holy Spirit by which he was brought into the Body of Christ.
We said earlier that the most important question that can ever be put to a human being is this: Where are you? You are either in the dark, infernal trinity over which satan presides, or you are in that glory-lighted trinity over which Christ rules.
If you are still in satan's trinity, are you going to remain there? Oh, that this day there might be someone - if there is a single one who is not in Christ Jesus - who would put faith in the blood of the Saviour, for that is all that is necessary. And the moment you do it, you become a part of Him, and He becomes a part of you - oneness in Christ through positional sanctification.
Where we are determines what we are. So that is the question with which we come today: What are you, now that you are in Christ?
Likeness to Christ Through Progressive Sanctification
This thought takes us again to John 15, with which we are all so familiar. Oneness in Christ demands likeness to Christ; the branch that is in the vine must bear fruit. The branch that bears no fruit is worthless and is taken away.
"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away" (John 15:2).
What a solemn thought that is for every one of us who is a branch.
The second thought is that no branch can bear fruit of itself. There is absolutely nothing in the branch itself that is productive of fruit; nothing that the branch is, nothing that the branch can do, can make it produce fruit; only the sap of the vine produces fruit. so the branch has nothing to do but to abide in the vine.
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me" (John 15:4).
Third, fruit-bearing is progressive. These verses speak of the branch that bears "not fruit," the branch that bears fruit, the branch that bears more fruit, and the branch that bears much fruit."
"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit" (John 15:2).
"Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples" (John 15:8).
There is nothing static in spiritual experience; every real Christian is a growing Christian. The purpose of fruit-bearing is to glorify Christ. The branch does not bear fruit to glorify itself; it bears fruit to glorify the vine. But only the "much fruit" glorifies the Father. Anything short of that, although it may bring Him joy and please Him, fails to glorify the Father fully.
Now, what is fruit? It is Christ in His outward manifestation.
"I in you ... I in him" (John 15:4-5)
~Ruth Paxson~
(continued with # 9)
Who Is Greater Than My God?
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty, 2 Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain. 3 He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks on the wings of the wind, 4 Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire. 5 You who laid the foundations of the earth, So that it should not be moved forever, 6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment; The waters stood above the mountains. 7 At Your rebuke they fled; At the voice of Your thunder they hastened away. 8 They went up over the mountains; They went down into the valleys, To the place which You founded for them. 9 You have set a boundary that they may not pass over, That they may not return to cover the earth. 19 He appointed the moon for seasons; The sun knows its going down. 20 You make darkness, and it is night, In which all the beasts of the forest creep about. 24 O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions—Psalm 104:1-9, 19-20, 24
Take a moment and read these verses. Take even more time and read the entire Psalm 104. Sometimes we need to be reminded of God’s awesome power and greatness. This Psalm captures the beauty of the Lord in poetic imagery. We can read the verses and almost visualize God’s majesty. He is God and there is none other. He is worthy of all praise and worship.
Who covers Himself with light? God is light. Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain and lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters? God. The same God moves upon the clouds as though they were His chariots and walks on the wings of the wind, because He made them. Who placed the waters in their place and put a border around them? God. The same God put the moon and the sun in their places, for seasons and for days, for light and for darkness. There is but one true God. Creator God. Sovereign Lord. Lord of heaven and earth.
And as if all of this is not enough, He created us in His image. He has a plan for each of us. He loves us beyond our understanding. And He wants to spend eternity with us. He has even prepared the place in heaven that awaits us. What do we have to do in return? Believe in His Son Jesus Christ, and receive the free gift of salvation. Take time today and praise the Lord, not just for all that He has done, but for just who He is.
~Daily Disciples Devotional~
Monday, August 19, 2013
Called Unto Holiness # 7
Oneness with Christ
In closing, will you pardon a personal testimony to the all-sufficiency of Christ? I would give a good deal not to give it, but I dare not refuse to give it for this reason. Many times I have had people say, "It is very easy for you to be good for you have nothing to do but study your Bible and lead meetings." I often have the feeling when holding up any such standard of life as I have been this afternoon,that some people are thinking, "That is all right for her to say, but she is not in my situation, she does not have to live in my home with that cantankerous person with whom I live. She looks perfectly well and strong and does not have to endure the physical infirmity which I have. I know what she says is out of God's Word, but I do not believe it works in daily practical life."
May I testify to the unfailing sufficiency of the Lord Jesus Christ in severe affliction and great trial? Will you please do me the kindness of forgetting what I have to say of myself and remember only hat is said of the all-sufficiency of Christ? For that purpose only is the testimony given.
I have been very ill for six weeks and have been out of bed only an hour or two a day until last Thursday, when for the first time I was up and dressed for a whole day. When the invitation came from Mr. Aldis several months ago to take these meetings, the Lord gave absolute assurance that the invitation came from Him and that it was His will to accept.
Then came a terrible attack of asthma which took me quickly to the lowest depths of physical suffering and weakness which, humanly speaking, made this ministry seem quite impossible. But to me and to several close, praying friends, it seemed clearly an attack of satan to thwart God in this ministry. satan never wants a message given that reveals who he is and that magnifies the blood of the Saviour. But the temptation of satan always has another side; it is the testing of God. When we realize that, we can go right through, for our Lord Jesus is all-sufficient.
Last Thursday I hardly had breath enough to answer a question. For weeks it had been that way. But I said, "I will take Christ as my breath." I did, and He sufficed. My very life seemed ebbing away, and I thought, Christ is my life. And He was. Then my strength went down to the place where it seemed as though I had not enough strength to breathe another breath or even to offer a prayer. But I remembered the Word said that He is our strength. I took Him at His Word and he was my strength. But the most wicked work of satan was attempting to rob me of a singing heart. You know the verse in Ephesians, "Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." What is the use of having breath or life or strength if one has not a singing heart? So I said, "I will take Christ as my song," and He sufficed for the darkest hour.
Again and again in the night as I fairly fought for breath, the words came back to me, "Christ is all and in all," and, when He is that to one, He is all-sufficient. And I knew that if He were that to me, He would let me give this message to you.
Will you just take this testimony born out of trial and temptation?" Will you believe that Christ is all-sufficient? If there is someone here who is struggling against some great trial in your physical life, your home circumstances, or your spiritual experience, will you believe that Christ is enough and equal to it all? Will you let Him become all and in all to you?
Just this last word. It will mean a stripping of all that is not Christ. Are you willing for that in order that Christ may be preeminent in all things in your life and that you may be holy even as He is holy? Unto such a life have you and I been called.
~Ruth Paxson~
(continued with # 8 - "Likeness to Christ")
In closing, will you pardon a personal testimony to the all-sufficiency of Christ? I would give a good deal not to give it, but I dare not refuse to give it for this reason. Many times I have had people say, "It is very easy for you to be good for you have nothing to do but study your Bible and lead meetings." I often have the feeling when holding up any such standard of life as I have been this afternoon,that some people are thinking, "That is all right for her to say, but she is not in my situation, she does not have to live in my home with that cantankerous person with whom I live. She looks perfectly well and strong and does not have to endure the physical infirmity which I have. I know what she says is out of God's Word, but I do not believe it works in daily practical life."
May I testify to the unfailing sufficiency of the Lord Jesus Christ in severe affliction and great trial? Will you please do me the kindness of forgetting what I have to say of myself and remember only hat is said of the all-sufficiency of Christ? For that purpose only is the testimony given.
I have been very ill for six weeks and have been out of bed only an hour or two a day until last Thursday, when for the first time I was up and dressed for a whole day. When the invitation came from Mr. Aldis several months ago to take these meetings, the Lord gave absolute assurance that the invitation came from Him and that it was His will to accept.
Then came a terrible attack of asthma which took me quickly to the lowest depths of physical suffering and weakness which, humanly speaking, made this ministry seem quite impossible. But to me and to several close, praying friends, it seemed clearly an attack of satan to thwart God in this ministry. satan never wants a message given that reveals who he is and that magnifies the blood of the Saviour. But the temptation of satan always has another side; it is the testing of God. When we realize that, we can go right through, for our Lord Jesus is all-sufficient.
Last Thursday I hardly had breath enough to answer a question. For weeks it had been that way. But I said, "I will take Christ as my breath." I did, and He sufficed. My very life seemed ebbing away, and I thought, Christ is my life. And He was. Then my strength went down to the place where it seemed as though I had not enough strength to breathe another breath or even to offer a prayer. But I remembered the Word said that He is our strength. I took Him at His Word and he was my strength. But the most wicked work of satan was attempting to rob me of a singing heart. You know the verse in Ephesians, "Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." What is the use of having breath or life or strength if one has not a singing heart? So I said, "I will take Christ as my song," and He sufficed for the darkest hour.
Again and again in the night as I fairly fought for breath, the words came back to me, "Christ is all and in all," and, when He is that to one, He is all-sufficient. And I knew that if He were that to me, He would let me give this message to you.
Will you just take this testimony born out of trial and temptation?" Will you believe that Christ is all-sufficient? If there is someone here who is struggling against some great trial in your physical life, your home circumstances, or your spiritual experience, will you believe that Christ is enough and equal to it all? Will you let Him become all and in all to you?
Just this last word. It will mean a stripping of all that is not Christ. Are you willing for that in order that Christ may be preeminent in all things in your life and that you may be holy even as He is holy? Unto such a life have you and I been called.
~Ruth Paxson~
(continued with # 8 - "Likeness to Christ")
Relationship Over Religion
Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. - Romans 7:18-19
Religion says that we must follow rules and laws. Relationship says something different. We are “to be” not “to do.”Jesus just wants us to be with Him. You ask, "How can I be with someone I cannot see or touch?" Have you ever talked with someone over the phone and felt as though you were right there with them? And even with emails or letters, we can express and share love and support without touching or seeing the person on the other side. Why? Because we have a relationship with that person. We know them. We love them. We know they love us. Whatever the case may be, we have a personal connection. A true friendship does not require rules and guidelines but requires time, attention, forgiveness, communication, openness, unselfishness, honesty and most of all, love. Jesus wants more than just a relationship with us; He wants our friendship. Why is this relationship so important?
When Adam and Eve sinned, all of mankind was doomed to death. One sin brought down every human being who would ever be born. From that moment on, we would all be born of sin, and death would be our destination. One sin is all it took to separate us from God. When Jesus died for us, His one act of sacrifice on the cross was all it took to restore us back to God. Through one man, death entered; through one Man, life was restored. We had no choice in being born. And we had no choice in the condemnation of sin that is within each one of us. But we have a merciful God who by His grace has given us a choice today. We have a choice to believe in His Son. We have a choice to accept His free gift of eternal life. We have a choice for total and complete restoration back to our heavenly Father. We cannot change what happened through Adam, but Jesus changed the outcome that awaits each of us. And not only has Jesus given us life eternal, but also He has given us His peace. There is no need to work or to try to earn His favor. His grace promises us unmerited favor and mercies that are new each morning, not through religion but through a relationship with Him.
Spend some time today just being with Jesus. Talk to Him. Walk with Him. Sit at His feet. He will meet you no matter where you are. Stop working, stressing, trying, and striving. Think of Jesus as you would your best friend. He will help you get to know Him better. Pray to have the relationship with Jesus that He wants to have with you.
~Daily Disciples Devotional~
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Called Unto Holiness # 6
Oneness With Christ
The Baptism With The Spirit
There are three ways we can look upon Christ. We can say, "Yes, He is my Saviour; I could not get along without Christ. I would be unable to live, and I surely would be afraid to die without Christ. I must have Christ, but I want Christ and...". Then after that word "and" we write in something out of that old trinity that we still desire to keep and consider essential to our happiness. Christ is not enough. Christ does not satisfy altogether, so we go outside to get satisfaction in some worldly friendship or pleasure, or in some fleshly appetite or activity. Christ and... Is that where some of us are in relationship to our Saviour? If it is, let us acknowledge it frankly.
I have a very dear Christian friend who is thoroughly orthodox. She honors the whole Word of God and would loyally defend it against any attack. Christ is much to her but He is not yet everything. It is Christ and the world, the movies. Is it not a pity? We shall not have movies in heaven, thank God. We shall have to get along without them and many other things that seem tremendously necessary to us down here. Is the joy of heaven to be lessened for you because we will be compelled to leave the things of the world behind? But listen to what He says to us about the world here and now:
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15).
Then there are others who say, "Yes, I must have Christ but - He is my Saviour and I know He has perfectly cared for my past. But somehow, He does not seem able to meet my present need. He is not sufficient for my circumstances, for my environment, for my sufferings and trials." Christ is not equal to my need. Christ does not suffice.
When I was in the United States not long ago I talked with a business woman who formerly had a good position and a fair bank account, and Christ as Her Saviour. She got along very comfortably with the three. Then she lost her position and her bank account. She came to me in great distress and depression. I said to her, "But you still have Christ, and He is equal to this difficulty and trial in your life." She said, "Yes. I have Christ but ..." and lapsed back into her depression. For half an hour we talked, yet she did not get beyond "Christ but". He was not equal to er difficulty, He did not suffice for her need. Oh! How wounded that all-sufficient One must have been!
But there is another way in which we may look upon our Lord. Christ only; Christ enough to satisfy the affection and aspiration of the human heart. Christ only; Christ equal to every need of spirit, soul, and body; to every demand of my circumstances and environment. Christ suffices for every trial and affliction and loss. Christ only, my all and in all. Can we say it? Is He that to you?
~Ruth Paxson~
(continued with # 7)
The Baptism With The Spirit
There are three ways we can look upon Christ. We can say, "Yes, He is my Saviour; I could not get along without Christ. I would be unable to live, and I surely would be afraid to die without Christ. I must have Christ, but I want Christ and...". Then after that word "and" we write in something out of that old trinity that we still desire to keep and consider essential to our happiness. Christ is not enough. Christ does not satisfy altogether, so we go outside to get satisfaction in some worldly friendship or pleasure, or in some fleshly appetite or activity. Christ and... Is that where some of us are in relationship to our Saviour? If it is, let us acknowledge it frankly.
I have a very dear Christian friend who is thoroughly orthodox. She honors the whole Word of God and would loyally defend it against any attack. Christ is much to her but He is not yet everything. It is Christ and the world, the movies. Is it not a pity? We shall not have movies in heaven, thank God. We shall have to get along without them and many other things that seem tremendously necessary to us down here. Is the joy of heaven to be lessened for you because we will be compelled to leave the things of the world behind? But listen to what He says to us about the world here and now:
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15).
Then there are others who say, "Yes, I must have Christ but - He is my Saviour and I know He has perfectly cared for my past. But somehow, He does not seem able to meet my present need. He is not sufficient for my circumstances, for my environment, for my sufferings and trials." Christ is not equal to my need. Christ does not suffice.
When I was in the United States not long ago I talked with a business woman who formerly had a good position and a fair bank account, and Christ as Her Saviour. She got along very comfortably with the three. Then she lost her position and her bank account. She came to me in great distress and depression. I said to her, "But you still have Christ, and He is equal to this difficulty and trial in your life." She said, "Yes. I have Christ but ..." and lapsed back into her depression. For half an hour we talked, yet she did not get beyond "Christ but". He was not equal to er difficulty, He did not suffice for her need. Oh! How wounded that all-sufficient One must have been!
But there is another way in which we may look upon our Lord. Christ only; Christ enough to satisfy the affection and aspiration of the human heart. Christ only; Christ equal to every need of spirit, soul, and body; to every demand of my circumstances and environment. Christ suffices for every trial and affliction and loss. Christ only, my all and in all. Can we say it? Is He that to you?
~Ruth Paxson~
(continued with # 7)
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