AGAIN, I’ll ask the question does all this seem tedious? … One of my M&M verses (“must memorize’) is Isa 28: 13: “But the word of the LORD was to them, ‘Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little… .’” It is somewhat taken out of context, but the point is that the gaining of wisdom – like all healthy gardens – just does not happen. (Psa. 1; Prov. 1)
I RECALL an ACSI Conference (Association of Christian Schools International), when I attended a session on classroom discipline and rules tilted, “What rules did the ‘teacher’ teach” (meaning Jesus). The instructor opened the session by polling the room full of “educators” asking what “rules” they used in their classroom? Then he asked the question – “So what rules did our Lord use in his?” ….Crickets!!! Such moments of silence are always awkward, but then someone timidly spoke up: “You should love one another?” … Yes! … From there the leader proceeded to walk us through a very interesting and enlightening discussion of the First Commandment, it’s summary, the Second with subsequent application. But, what interested me most was that his entire presentation was Scripture, line upon line. As the instructor unfolded his premise and argument, he did so line by line, challenging us by the very word of God. How refreshing!
WE are looking at Chapter 42—Knowledge of Reckoning, last time reviewing the Foundation and Growth aspect; and will now conclude this chapter with the three pillars of knowledge. Again, precept upon precept, line upon line.
In the inexorable riches of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10, Isa 30:15, Jas 1:2; Prov. 21:30
*********
Chapter 42—Knowledge of Reckoning – Part 3, conclusion
The same problem exists in many of our early attempts to reckon upon the identification truths. We seek to reckon ourselves dead unto sin without being established in the knowledge of the cross. The failure is further compounded by our seeking to reckon ourselves alive unto God in Christ without first being established in the knowledge of Him as our risen Life. We must be established in the knowledge of our foundation and source, if we are to become established in our reckoning and growth.
There are three pillars of knowledge having to do with position upon which the Christian life is to be secured and matured.
The First Pillar
The knowledge of our birth, acceptance, and security in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first pillar.
The Second Pillar
The knowledge of His cross as our cross is the central pillar. The cross of Calvary is not only the central fact of the universe, but also of the life of the believer. As we see our identification with Christ in His death unto sin, we know His cross to be our cross. We know self to have been crucified there; we know ourselves to have been cut off from Adam and freed from the power of sin. Only from this pillar of knowledge can we reckon ourselves dead unto sin in our daily walk.
The Third Pillar
The knowledge that we are alive, and complete, in our risen Lord places us securely upon the third pillar. Now our reckoning can be fully established, as we count ourselves to be alive unto God in Christ. Now His life can be manifested in us by the growing fruit of the Spirit. This is the practical fulfillment of the very purpose of God for us: that we be conformed to the image of His Son.
