THERE are a few books on a shelf that I keep near my desk, close at hand, and return to frequently. These are old friends that have nurtured me along the way and continue to refresh and keep me centered in my Christian walk. The books on that shelf have grown in number and place of importance over the years, and that’s a good thing.
ONE that is particularly valued is a little book titled The Green Letters. It could go hand in hand with another classic, Union and Communion with Christ by Maurice Roberts. The Green Letters however, goes much deeper in dealing with the foundations and principles for growth in Christ. Another and more recent book that has found a place on “the shelf” near The Green Letters is How People Change by Timothy Lane & Paul David Trip. It covers the same ground, but from a different approach, and has great insights on this vital topic.
AS this blog is about spiritual growth, it is time to explore The Green Letters, sharing serial excerpts with commentary starting with Part 2 – Foundations for Spiritual Growth. This section of the book was originally title Principle of Position as a standalone book that is now out of print. It is my prayerful hope that review of The Green Letters will be a blessing to you as it has been to me these many years.
THE author is Miles Stanford, whose None But the Hungry Heart devotions I have occasionally referenced in previous comments. I should say at the outset that there are some places where I may disagree with his comments, but this should not distract from his basic premise and valuable instruction. We need to remember that the Lord has provided many to build up His church (1Cor 3:5ff), and it is always needful to exercise discernment with any author. We need to be as those in the Berean church who discerned what our final authority always must be, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:10-11)
I WILL in time explain why I opt to start with Part 2 rather then from the book’s beginning. But for now, here is the first installment from The Green Letters, chapter 19, Position Defined and Illustrated. I trust you will find it helpful in your desire to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior (2Pet. 3:18).
In the wondrous blessings of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10, Isa 30:15 & Job 2:10
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Chapter 19—Position Defined and Illustrated
The Principle of Position
All spiritual life and growth is based upon the principle of position. It can be summed up in one word: source.
Through physical birth we entered our human family position, from which source we derive certain characteristics. We are the product of our position. Just so in our spiritual birth. When we are born again, the risen Lord Jesus is the source of our Christian life; in Him we are positioned before our Father, in whom “we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28), “for we are His workmanship created [born anew] in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:10). Our Father, in redeeming and recreating us, “raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:6, ASV).
Our position, the source of our Christian life, is perfect. It is eternally established in the Father’s presence. When we received the Lord Jesus as our personal Savior, the Holy Spirit caused us to be born into Him. He created us in the position that was established through His work at Calvary. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature [creation]” (2 Cor. 5:17). This is the eternal position in which every believer has been placed, whether he is aware of it or not. The Christian who comes to see his position in the Lord Jesus begins to experience the benefit of all that he is in Him. His daily state is developed from the source of his eternal standing.
Our condition is what we are in our Christian walk, in which we develop from infancy to maturity. Although our position remains immutable, our condition is variable. Through the exercise of faith, our eternal position (source) affects our daily condition, but in no way does our condition affect that heavenly position. “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). “Be strong in the Lord—be empowered through your union with Him; draw your strength from Him” (Eph. 6:10, Amp.).
When we concentrate upon our condition, we are not living by faith but by feelings and appearances. The inevitable result is that we become increasingly self-conscious and self-centered. Our prime responsibility is to pay attention to the Lord Jesus, to rest (abided) in Him as our position. There will then be growth, and He will be more and more manifested in our condition. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18).
If the believer does not know of his position in the Lord Jesus. and how to abide in Him as his very life, there will be but one result. He will struggle in his un-Christlike condition rather than rest in his Christ-centered position. …to be continued
