I OPENED this chapter study by quoting the following found towards the end of our author’s commentary. It finally surfaced in the previous posting.
Life-out-of-death reckoning results in our becoming a “living sacrifice.” Such a one is always delivered unto death—but, out of that daily death, new life is constantly manifested.
SO, we come now to the final reading in this chapter, Results of Reckoning. The only comment I’m going to make before we commence this final read, is to point to this vital principle of life out of death, and as I do to note that over my shoulder, as the morning sun rises, the reality of spring showing itself in recurring seasonal change, noting that when winter’s death settles upon my backyard of fruit trees and flowering plants, soon thereafter I will take pruning shear and hook in hand to trim away old growth to make way for new growth in the spring. This annual cycle involves reshaping and untangling plants and vines as they slumber in the lengthening nights of fall and winter, to be refreshed and restore foundational growth out of sight beneath the soil – therein waiting once again for the return of renewing length of days and welcoming spring warmth.
SUCH are the Lessons From the Garden, an appropriate metaphor to our author words below:
“….to rest in any “grave” He has prepared for us, rejoicing in His victory that emerges from our daily deliverance unto death. We abide in the Lord Jesus, that He may bring us through all the processing required for fruitful life and service, ‘not somehow, but triumphantly.’”
WITH that in mind, let us now prayerfully close this instructive, final chapter reading.
In the inexorable riches of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10; Isa 30:15; Job 2:10; Jas. 1:2; Prov. 21:30
********
Chapter 53—Results of Reckoning – Conclusion
Some of the “graves” out of which His sacrificial life arises are the ministry, the mission field, the home, the school, the hospital, and the place of employment. Are these not the very places in which His resurrection life must be manifested, where His poured-out life needs to be shared and received? It is as we reckon upon our heavenly position that we are able to rest in any “grave” He has prepared for us, rejoicing in His victory that emerges from our daily deliverance unto death. We abide in the Lord Jesus, that He may bring us through all the processing required for fruitful life and service, “not somehow, but triumphantly.”
Hereby we learn that “all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man [new man] is renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:15, 16). “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Rom. 8:28, 29).
Take heart, reckoning pilgrim! The continuity of life out of death leads to the Crown. “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him” (2 Tim. 2:11, 12). “When Christ who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (Col. 3:4). Maranatha!
