“In contrast to the popular exhortation to “keep looking up” (from ourselves to Christ), we are to “keep looking down” (from our position in Him) upon our circumstances here on earth.”
“Think of the faithfulness of the Holy Spirit, as He works patiently and thoroughly in the life of the growing Christian. He ministers the Cross, and He ministers Christ. It is the finished work of the Cross for the old nature, and the abundant life of the Lord Jesus for the new nature.”
“Of the Holy Spirit’s ministry in the life of the believer the Lord Jesus said, “He will honor and glorify Me, because He will take of (receive, draw upon) what is Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you” (John 16:14, Amp.). He not only reveals the scriptural truths concerning Christ and the Cross to our faith, but also transmits their reality to us.”
THE above is how Miles Stanford opens this important chapter under consideration. From here he proceeds to explore motivations to our Christian walk, starting with the Love Motive. He shows the error of this motivation; though a natural outgrowth of gratitude flowing from our initial conversion, we soon find that we are seeking to live and serve on the basis of our own strength and ability, not yet understanding that even though I’m born again, there still remains “in me (that is, in my flesh), … no good thing” (Rom. 7:18). Eventually there comes the reality that the growing Christian must to be centered in Christ rather than in self—“not I, but Christ.”
NEXT, Stanford shows us the Hate Motive– “When the Christian begins to take God’s side against himself (really like that phrase!), he is ready to contemplate the Lord Jesus from God’s standpoint, and not from that of self. (Great sentence!) …Then the Holy Spirit is free to carry out the second part of His ministry in the hungry heart, that of conforming him to Christ’s image.” From here we begin to see Christ afresh, our all in all, from beginning to end in the Faith Motive where we left off last week.
BEFORE we proceed, it is needful to share what I consider a central and pivotal verse that helps bring this into perspective, Colossians 2:6.
“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him…”
THIS is such a precious verse because is spells out so rightly and to the point an important basic principle of the Christ life. Read it again and think on what it is saying. To understand what it being said here, ask yourself, “How did you receive Jesus Christ?” There are so many Scriptures we could point to here, but the simple fact is we received Him on the basis of faith upon hearing and taking to heart the objective truth, the Gospel. Here’s where our doctrinal understanding becomes even more important and critical, because we know the even our faith was not of ourselves, but a gift of grace as well (Eph. 2:8-9). So now, what does this verse say about our “walk in Him?” … “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord [by faith], so walk in Him [by faith].” Our on-going, step-by-step, Christian walk is no different then that initial step taken at the commencement of our journey. It is now by continuous faith the in objective “truths” received, learned, and applied to heart and mind by the Holy Spirit as we continue to grow in grace and knowledge. See how Paul connects Colossians 2:6 with Colossians 2:7-10:
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
NOTICE what Paul says here, established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving …with a declarative statement, you are complete in Him. Peter tell us that we already possess all things that pertain to life and godliness (2Pet. 1:2) which coincides precisely with Paul’s affirmation that we possess now every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ! (Eph. 1:3)
PAUL says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (GAL. 2:20) How are we to understand “I am crucified in Christ” principle, and receive its empowerment? Answer: By faith.
WHEN Paul likewise says, that we are to “put off the old man …. and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, … that you put on the new man”….(Eph 4:21-24), how are we to understand and apply that? Answer again, “By faith!”
OUR author is going to take us to the Death and Life Motives next saying,
“Even the new life, the Lamb-life, is taken into death in the growing Christian’s daily walk. This ‘newness of life’ is a sacrificial life, in contrast to the old life of self-preservation. Sacrifice is the very nature of his new life. As he grows, that life is manifested to the Father’s glory, and for the sake of others. ‘So then death worketh in us, but life in you” (2 Cor. 4:12).’”
SO again, how are we to understand and apply that? … By faith, saying if necessary, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mk 9:4) – knowing he will supply the faith required, as Augustine proclaimed, Lord, “…grant what you command and command what you will.”
I’m going to stop. We will pick up next week where we previously left off in Keep Looking Down.
In the inexorable blessings of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10, Isa 30:15, Jas 1:2
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