WE now take up our study in Principles of Spiritual Growth into Chapter 10, titled Self.
“No man can produce great things who is not thoroughly sincere in dealing with himself.”
James Russell Lowell
This entire study has been in this favorite little book of mine titled “The Green Letters,” by Miles Stanford – green standing for growth. The Principles of Spiritual Growth is the title of Part One of this five-part book. So far in this section we have looked at and mused upon the importance and place of Faith, Time, Acceptance, Purpose, Preparation, [being] Complete in Him, Appropriation, Identification, and Consecration (which we just completed). As I look back at all of these points of instruction, and also look at what remains to be considered, I am reminded why this book holds such deep significance for me. It has been a singular aid to me in laying the foundational groundwork in my quest for that peace that surpassing knowledge (Phil 4:7), that quiet confident walk in Christ (Isa. 26:3 and 30:15). I’m also reminded of this fact as I think back upon my annual and necessary pruning of backyard trees and plants; recalling the scene of the seasonal changes upon trees and plants as they go dormant in the shadows of winter, leaves having fallen to reveal bare branches exposing the places where they needed to be cut and removed to make room for another season of spring growth. Eventually with warming days and lingering sunlight comes the mysterious push outward of new life resident within in vibrant colors of green. Herein lies the lesson and metaphor our Lord spoke of regarding the vine and the branch of John 15.
I was also reminded of this precious truth recently when I encountered an old friend who once had deep struggles with patterns of spiritual defeat and sin, yet now…….. But I’ll save that illustration for next time. For now, let’s take what we have observed so far and see what else our author has to teach us in this next chapter in Principles of Spiritual Growth, the problem of Self.
With highest regards in Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10; Isa. 30:15; Jas. 1:2
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Chapter 10—Self
One of the most important factors in Christian growth is the Holy Spirit’s revelation of the self-life to the believer. Self is the fleshly, carnal life of nature, the life of the first Adam—“dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1); thoroughly corrupt before God (see Gal. 5:19–21); the life in which there is no good thing in the sight of God (Rom. 7:18). Nowhere do spiritual principles mean more than here. Plato, with his “Know thyself,” was more right than he knew but still only half right. Paul, with God’s “Not I, but Christ” (Gal. 2:20), was all right!
In order for one to get beyond just knowing about the Lord Jesus and enter into a consistent and growing personal knowledge of, and fellowship with, Him, one must first come to know oneself. Introspection is not involved here—the Holy Spirit uses experiential revelation. First, the believer learns “Not I”; then, “but Christ.” First, “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone”; then, “but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit” (John 12:24). First, “alway delivered unto death”; then, “that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest” (II Cor. 4:11). In service it is first, “death worketh in us”; then, “but life in you” (v. 12). All resurrection life springs out of death or else it would not be resurrection life—His risen life (see Rom. 6:5, 6). We are to yield ourselves to God as those that are alive from the dead (v. 13).
…to be continued
