FROM the end of last week’s consideration, we read:
Now we have seen a third element involved in our appropriation. After we have seen our possessions in Christ and become aware of our need, then we must give Him the necessary time to work the appropriation into our everyday walk. If we are looking for our needs to be met in the next interview, the next devotional book, the next series of special meetings, the next hoped for “revival,” then reality will never come.
In this matter of Christian development there is no shortcut, no quick and easy way.
LOOKING at what comes after this that closes out this chapter titled APPROPRIATION, so many thoughts are swirling in my mind. As I counsel others, I often repeat that there are no shortcuts, no quick and easy ways in the matter of Christian development. After all these years I have come to see how many are the aspects and elements that go into the process to bring us not only to Christ, but into that ultimate goal of conformity to Christ. It never really stops and can never really be finished as Paul points out in Phil. 3:12-14. There he says he never fully apprehended (appropriated) all that was possible in Christ. But the one thing he did do was to press on, persevere to the end, going far as was possible with the time allotted, wisely redeeming the precious time (Eph. 5:15-16). If someone were to ask me the one thing necessary to ensure success in their Christian walk, I would have to say perseverance …. persistent, insistent, and endurance in all things pertaining to Christ and his word (Jas 1:2-4). That may not be what they wanted to hear, but think of anything in this life of value that does not come through dedicated hard work and perseverance. And the more wondrous the thing may be, the more multifaceted it will be, be it a precious gem, a symphony, a work of fine art, or an artful skill or accomplishment. It is said that all great accomplishments are 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. Yet, in the Christian’s life we know that even in the doing God will supply where we lack if we but ask and seek Him out for the grace to help in our time of need. Need I quote scripture here to prove this point?
NO, there is no short cut, no Christian ATM machine. It is a matter of seeing our possessions in Christ and becoming aware of our need, and then giving Him the necessary time to work the appropriation into our everyday walk. Herein lie the principle of appropriation unto assimilation (1Cor. 3:18). The problem to overcoming is studying the word to find out our possessions in Christ, honestly examining our heart and actions in the light of that word, and making these things our own in the true perseverance unto our Lord. Which brings us to today’s consideration and final thoughts in this chapter. Read prayerfully and carefully.
With highest regards in Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10; Isa. 30:15; Jas. 1:2
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Chapter 7—Appropriation …conclusion
In this matter of Christian development there is no shortcut, no quick and easy way. The Husbandman builds into the believer that which He intends to minister through him to others. In order to minister Life to others, what one does and says must flow from what he is. “For it pleased the Father that in him [Christ Jesus] should all fullness dwell” (Col. 1:19); “For we are made partakers of Christ” (Heb. 3:14); “That ye might be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:19); “Your life is hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3); “That the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh” (II Cor. 4:11). How often we simply admire and talk about truths the Holy Spirit reveals to us in the Word, whereas His primary purpose in giving them to us is that we might stand on them in faith, waiting confidently for Him to make them an integral part of our life. It has been said that, “A prophet is one who has a history, one who has been dealt with by God, one who has experienced the formative work of the Spirit. We are sometimes asked by would-be preachers how many days should be spent in preparation of a sermon. The answer is: At least ten years, and probably nearer twenty! For the preacher matters to God at least as much as the thing preached. God chooses as His prophets those in whom He has already worked what He intends to use as His message for today.” This is no less true of each one of the Lord’s disciples; “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear”. (1Pet. 3:15
