The awakened Christian
The Enemy spurs the failing one to self-effort by holding the impossible standard of perfection over the very imperfect believer’s head. He agitates continually for immediate and complete rectification of the failing condition. But the patient Holy Spirit, on the other hand, allows time for development, graciously reminding of the ever-available and finished work of the shed blood for our cleansing from all unrighteousness throughout the process of growth. He gently leads the faltering believer from self-centeredness and darkness to Christ-centeredness and light. To bring this about, the Spirit of truth presents [in the Word of Truth on the concept of] positional truth: “If [since] ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1). “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3, ASV).
THE above is where we left off in the previous comment, and where we take up today. Again, we see the juxtaposition of these two contrasting positions: self-centeredness and darkness to Christ-centeredness and light. The reality of the later, this “time to development”, “process of growth”, is an ever-present reality that never ceases; calling us again to the Holy Spirit’s work to produce in us longsuffering and self control (Gal 5:22-25). Paul wrote that he never attained that full realization of all he owned in Christ saying, but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I [keep-on pressing] toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:12-14). This is our quest while in the flesh, the putting on of Christ daily as we continue to pursue our new identity and purpose, being conformed to Christ (Eph. 4:22-24 cp. Rom 8:29).
IT is again necessary to remind ourselves that when we speak of this “Position in Christ” it is but another way of understand our “Union with Christ” and all its wondrous aspects. One phrase that I find more and more precious to my understanding is that “the way up is down.” Pride [self] loves to climb up, not as Zaccheus, to see Christ–but so that others may see himself! -W. Gurnall. But the way up is down. This moment-by-moment taking on and relying on our position – our identity to Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. The “not I but Christ,” is learned and applied from the light of God’s word as we “behold Christ” and study to show ourselves approved unto God (2Tim. 2:15) in every aspect of our life. This is where we take up the topic today, Sin & Light -Part 3.
IN the joy of the Lord,
Joe
Neh. 8:10, Isa. 30:15 & Job 2:10
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Chapter 27—Sins and Light – Part 3
Position
The awakened Christian who is not resting in his position becomes discouraged by his condition. Therefore, confession of his sins is sporadic and he has little or no assurance of being cleansed from all unrighteousness. He is out of fellowship with the Father and the Son, and finds himself convicted by the Holy Spirit whom he is grieving. He is also under the domination of sin and self, as well as the condemnation of the devil. He is utterly wretched, with his sins accumulated as a cloud obscuring the light of his position of freedom and fellowship in his risen Lord.
But it is the history of Satan always to overstep himself. His most apparent victories all contain the seed of his own defeat. The very need generated by the believer’s failure is the Spirit’s preparation for his seeing and abiding in his blessed position of light. His faith is to be focused upon the fact that God has already given him a position in His presence; what is more, He has already established him in that position! “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee” (Isa. 44:22).
The honest but still self-centered believer is oppressed and hindered by the darkness of his sinful condition. Nevertheless, in the midst of his downward trend, the Holy Spirit is presenting the truth so as to overwhelm him by the light of his righteous position. “And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Not only is he free from the penalty of sin, but also from its power to bring forth sins. The believer is bound until, in spite of his sins, he rests in the truth concerning those sins.
What, then, is the specific truth concerning our sins? In our condition, we are totally unacceptable for the Father’s presence and fellowship. But position is what counts with God, and it must come first with us! “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet [suitable] to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:12–14, italics mine). “…The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us (continually) from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
Every believer, regardless of his present condition, is in the very presence of the Father; we are in Christ, at the right hand of the Majesty on high. The source of our Christian life is in the light above, in Christ risen. It is there we are to abide, it is that completed standing which alone will affect the growth of our daily state. “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight” (Col. 1:20–22).
We are not to be influenced by our feelings and our condition, but rather by His written Word.
…….to be continued
