WE come now to the 12th chapter in Principles of Spiritual Growth, titled The Cross. When I last reviewed this chapter, I made a note to the effect that I had found it interesting how much this topic was being discussed at that time from my church pulpit both by my pastor and visiting speakers. I have come to appreciate what I have come to term “little providences.” Some might see such things as a mere coincidence, but I not think so. If we would be still and take notice, and are serious about our Christian walk, we will observe “little providential” events and encounters all around us, leading us forward, further in and further up. (Prov. 3:5-6)
WALKING into the pastor’s office one day I noticed a fresh stack of new books, commenting to him, “Of making many books there is no end,” to which he replied, “and much study is wearisome to the flesh” (Eccl 12:12). We both smiled however, knowing the joy of discovery and the value of a well-written book that brings us to a deeper understanding into the things of God. I have been much grateful for the varying approaches and pathways our pastor has been using to take us into the Word, quoting various authors and “outside the box” sources. One verse I particularly like to muse on is a closing remark of Paul’s to the second Corinthian letter where he says, “For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth” (2Cor 18:8), meaning the truth needs no defense; it will stand on its own and will accomplish its intended end against any and all opposition, even mishandling. We need not fear hearing differing voices or viewpoints; you never know what might be learned (1Cor 3:5ff). Someone once said if I deny that God speaks to others, how can I be sure it is God who is speaking to me?
THAT does not however, give us excuse to be lazy or not exercise prayerful discernment. We must always take care that we are eating and sharing good food, avoiding that which may be foul or tainted. However, in examining and seeking truth, if we have been diligent to establish a solid foundation and healthy thought process in bringing every thought captive to Christ (2Cor. 10:5), we will be able to detect error as well as know the joy of discovery into the deeper waters of God’s truth.
WELL, I could speak more to this, and maybe will later. For now, let’s get to this chapter on The Cross and see what our author has to say.
With highest regards in Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10; Isa. 30:15; Jas. 1:2
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Chapter 12—The Cross
Studying these truths is hard work. Right? Although spiritual hunger and need are prime requisites for light and understanding, the Holy Spirit does not release the treasures of the Word quickly nor easily. “Deep calleth unto deep” (Ps. 42:7). We have to be prepared, and even then there is much time and digging and praying and meditation and yearning and experiencing involved. True spiritual reality comes in no other way, but, praise the Lord, it does come in this way!
Understanding and appropriating the facts of the cross proves to be one of the most difficult and trying of all phases for the growing believer. Our Lord holds His most vital and best things in store for those who mean business, for those who hunger and thirst for His very best as it is in our Lord Jesus Christ. The believer’s understanding of the two aspects of Calvary gives the key to both spiritual growth and life-giving service.
“Calvary is the secret of it all. It is what He did there that counts, and what He did becomes a force in the life of a Christian when it is appropriated by faith. This is the starting point from which all Godly living must take its rise. We shall never know the experience of Christ’s victory in our lives until we are prepared to count (reckon) upon His victory at the cross as the secret of our personal victory today.
There is no victory for us which was not first His. What we are to experience He purchased, and what He purchased for us we ought to experience. The beginning of the life of holiness is a faith in the crucified Saviour which sees more than His substitutionary work. It is a faith which sees myself identified with Christ in His death and resurrection.”
Actually, our Father has trained every one of us for clear-cut, explicit faith in this second aspect of Calvary: our individual identification with the Lord Jesus in His death to sin and rising onto resurrection ground. This training taught us thoroughly in the first realm: believing and appropriating the finished work of His dying for our sins justification. Now we are asked just as definitely to believe and appropriate the further aspect: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him” (Rom. 6:6); “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God” (v. 11). …to be continued
