WE completed Chapter 53—Results of Reckoning in our study of The Realization of Spiritual Growth, taking up now the next and last chapter, The Foundation of Reckoning. As such we have come full circle in our study of The Complete Green Letters by Miles Stanford. Reminding us once again of this central theme, our Union with Christ – its implications and application, this last chapter opens by stating:
Reckoning upon our life-union with the Lord Jesus Christ establishes us in the full assurance of salvation. On this foundation we are able to reckon upon our eternal, unconditional security in Him. Until we are grounded in the truths of substitution and union, we are not prepared for the more demanding reckoning of our identification with Him in His death and resurrection—and on to ascension. (paragraph 1)
PAUL writes in 1Cor. 1:30-31:
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God – and righteousness and sanctification and redemption – that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”
IT is in Christ that we possess all and lack nothing, yet without the full assurance and confidence of this fact the foundation for progress will be feeble and unsure. By definition, wisdom is “the right use of knowledge” unto understanding, discernment and prudence. We are to bring every thought captive to Christ (2Cor 10:5), who abounds toward us in all wisdom and understanding (Eph. 1:8).
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. (Prov. 4:7)
AS we begin our review of this final chapter, I am tempted to alter the wording in a few places, like the phrase Eternal Security where Perseverance might be a better choice. But I’m going to refrain from such editing. Let us approach the following prayerfully for the instruction it contains. The reading below will commence at the second paragraph of this chapter, rather than repeating the opening paragraph above.
In the inexorable riches of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10; Isa 30:15; Job 2:10; Jas. 1:2; Prov. 21:30
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Chapter 54 – Foundation of Reckoning
Reckoning upon our life-union with the Lord Jesus Christ establishes us in the full assurance of salvation. On this foundation we are able to reckon upon our eternal, unconditional security in Him. Until we are grounded in the truths of substitution and union, we are not prepared for the more demanding reckoning of our identification with Him in His death and resurrection—and on to ascension.
The believer who does not realize that he is eternally secure in Christ—a birth truth for babes—is certainly not going to be able to trust Him for emancipation from sin and maturity of growth. Those who begin weakly, and are not instructed concerning their position in the Lord Jesus, are apt to remain weaklings. They move mainly up, down, and backward, with rarely any forward spiritual progress and abiding growth. For the most part, they subsist on experiences and so-called blessings; they seem to go from one crisis to another, never really settling down to reckon upon Christ risen as the source of their life here and now.
It has been felt necessary to include the following selected material on Eternal Security, (author unknown). These truths may be of help to any believers who are attempting to enter upon the reckoning of identification before they are settled in that of justification.
“If you recognize in the Word of Truth that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Saviour because He is God the Son who became the Son of Man, and as such bore in His body the sins of the world;
“And if you rest in Him in self-surrender for fellowship, relying with confidence on Him alone for deliverance from the guilt and penalty of your sins and from the power of indwelling sin:
“Then there are twelve proofs that you can never be lost:
1. Because in the eternal, sure purpose of God, you are a ‘vessel of mercy’ and will finally be ‘conformed to the image of His Son.’ ‘That He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore prepared unto glory.’ ‘For whom He did foreknow He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son’ (Rom. 9:23; 8:29).
2. Because God’s infinite power is no longer hindered by your sins, but can wholly keep you safe, for the Blood of Christ still removes your guilt. ‘He is the propitiation for our sins’ (I John 2:2). ……To be continued
