”Having Done All—Stand”

[netchaplain]

What is lacking in the newly-reborn in Christ? In our possessions—nothing; but in our walk—much! In the outset of our faith we are given “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2Pe 1:3; Rom 8:32; 1Co 3:21), but during this babe-in-Christ stage (which all progress from) there is great lack in the believer’s walk in these blessings, for no new-born saint is readily matured with the ability to “walk, even as He walked” (1Jo 2:6).

No, we must be at the feet of the Lord’s Word (Luk 10:42), continually learning and receiving from Him the manner of His life and walk which was upon the earth. Our relationship with the Father depends on this maturity (conformity by the Spirit) because the more you mature in Christ’s image, the closer “He will draw nigh to you” because in the maturing, you “draw neigh to God” (Jam Jas 4:8).

In redemption there is a twofold involvement: union and fellowship. Union admits not in degrees, unlike fellowship, which ever grows. Though we can have no greater desire than close fellowship with God, we know that only progressing in application and practicality of His Word (by the Spirit of course, as are all things) will conform us in His fellowship.

Doctrine within the Pauline Epistles is mostly where the Spirit of God teaches concerning our new birth, who also is the Creator of it in the Lord Jesus’ Life (Jhn 3:5, 6, 8; Col 3:4). Considering these possessions which abide within those reborn, what could there ever be within—or without, that is “able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord?” Not self, because the Cross of Christ restrains the “old man” from “ruling” and “dominating” the believer (Rom 6:6, 12, 14); the Spirit opposes it (Gal 5:17); and the Father guards us against it by instilling within the believer’s mind and heart, “to will and to do of His good pleasure (Phl 2:13).

In the light of Scripture, the only possible answer for not abiding in Christ is attributed to the nonoccurrence of rebirth, and the most outward confirmation to others concerning “Christ in you” (to self, the Spirit is confirmation - Rom 8:16) is the permanent continuance of the “walk in the Spirit”; which “walk” is hypocritical otherwise, because only those reborn will “endure unto the end.”
NC

 

[Edward]

You said a mouthful here, Brother. Very timely also in these days. This post here is deserving of some meditation and further study by going through all of those scripture passages.

I'm not sure why but it seems like many Christian Brothers and Sisters somehow get the idea that this walk with the Lord is mostly just waiting on Him, and it is not! It very much so is a twofold arrangement and we have a big part to play. Your scripture, James 4:8 speaks clearly of it also! That is telling us that we are to cleanse our hands and purify our hearts...! This is not something that takes place in the sweet bye and bye that Jesus pours upon us, it is here and now, and we are instructed to do it! And of course we will fail, but clinging to the Lord in our failure and being strengthened by Him to be able to do these things ourselves, so to speak at least. Our eternity has already begun! ...on earth as it is in Heaven....

Good post Brother!

 

[netchaplain]

You said a mouthful here, Brother. Very timely also in these days. This post here is deserving of some meditation and further study by going through all of those scripture passages.

I'm not sure why but it seems like many Christian Brothers and Sisters somehow get the idea that this walk with the Lord is mostly just waiting on Him, and it is not! It very much so is a twofold arrangement and we have a big part to play. Your scripture, James 4:8 speaks clearly of it also! That is telling us that we are to cleanse our hands and purify our hearts...! This is not something that takes place in the sweet bye and bye that Jesus pours upon us, it is here and now, and we are instructed to do it! And of course we will fail, but clinging to the Lord in our failure and being strengthened by Him to be able to do these things ourselves, so to speak at least. Our eternity has already begun! ...on earth as it is in Heaven....

Good post Brother!

Hi Ed, and thanks for your reply, comments and compliment Brother! I think you might be interested on this comment here. Look under "cleanse [your] hands, ye sinners, and purify [your] hearts, ye double minded":

James 4 Bible Commentary - John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible

Study James 4 using John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible to better understand Scripture with full outline and verse meaning.

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