The Ground of Rest

[WordSword]

The moment we begin to rest our peace on anything in ourselves, we lose it. This is why so many believers have not settled peace. How can you have settled peace? Only by having it in the Father’s own way. By not resting on anything, even the Spirit’s work within (not on the fruit of our faith but on the Source of our faith—NC), but on what the Lord Jesus has done entirely outside you.

Then you will know peace—also conscious unworthiness, but yet peace. The more you see the extent and nature of the evil that is within, as well as that without and around, the more you will find that what the Lord Jesus is and did, is the only ground at all on which you can rest.

As knowing the Lord Jesus to be precious to our souls, our eyes and hearts being occupied with Him, will we be effectually kept from being taken up with the vanity and sin around, and this too will be our strength against the sin and corruption within. Whatever I see in myself that is not in Him, is sin (the presence of sin is not the issue but rather the identification of it is—NC).

But then it is not in thinking upon my own sins, and being occupied with my own vileness, that will humble me; but thinking of the Lord Jesus and dwelling upon the excellence (1 Cor 2:1; 2 Cor 5:7; Phl 3:8—NC) in Him. It is well to be done with ourselves and to be taken up with the Lord Jesus.

We are entitled to forget ourselves—we are entitled to confess and forget our sins—we are entitled to forget all but the Lord Jesus. It is by looking unto Him that we can give up anything, and can walk as obedient children. Were it simply a command, we could have no power to obey.

“God hath chosen you from the beginning to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (2 Thess 2:13). It is then the belief of the truth; it is not the belief of the fruits. The Holy Spirit cannot present to me the fruit He has produced in me as the object of my faith. He speaks to me of my faults and of my sins, but never of the good works that may be in me.

"He produces them in me, but He hides them from me; for if we think on them, it is but a more subtle self-righteousness. It is like the manna which, being kept, produced worms. All is spoiled—it is no more faith in action. The Holy Spirit must always present to me the Lord Jesus, that I may have peace.

— J N Darby

 

 

Excerpt from MJS devotional for July 11:

“If and when the trial comes, you will find Him waiting there.” MJS

“We should always be prepared for circumstances that will arise, and for blessings that are to come, without foreseeing what these circumstances and blessings will be. This preparation consists in attention to present responsibility, and acceptance of present discipline.

“If day by day we first seek divine direction, and then follow it, we shall be ready, when new circumstances arise, for the new blessings which will be offered. Today should be preparation for tomorrow. The only proof that we shall be equal to tomorrow’s test is that we are meeting today’s test believingly and courageously. The only evidence that we shall be willing for God’s will tomorrow is that we are subject to His will today.” -W.G.S.http://www.abideabove.com/hungry-heart/

[WordSword]

1 hour ago, Yowm said:

Yes. 'outside of you' the work has been done by Jesus, rest in Him. How little we hear this today when everything and most advice is pointing in to you...inward...

It has been said through the work at the cross we have peace WITH God (Rom 5:1) and through casting our cares upon Him we 'experience' the peace OF God (Phil 4:6-7). The former we take by faith, the latter we experience.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom 5:1)

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Php 4:6-7)

Hi Yowm, and thanks for your input! It's a matter of differentiating between "manifest" and "produce," and I think this is where much misunderstanding exists. Obedience manifests salvation, not produces nor maintains it!

[Debp]

Some very good thoughts and insights by both of you, thanks!

[Neighbor]

On 7/11/2018 at 6:02 PM, WordSword said:

Hi Yowm, and thanks for your input! It's a matter of differentiating between "manifest" and "produce," and I think this is where much misunderstanding exists. Obedience manifests salvation, not produces nor maintains it!

 Obedience uncovers salvation.

Obedience makes apparent salvation.

Encyclopedias - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Manifest; Manifestation

MANIFEST; MANIFESTATION

man'-i-fest, man-i-fes-ta'-shun (phaneroo, phaneros):

"To manifest" is generally the translation of phaneroo, "to make apparent" (Mark 4:22; John 17:6; Romans 3:21; 1 Timothy 3:16, "God was manifest in the flesh," the Revised Version (British and American) "manifested"; 1John 1:2 twice, etc.); also of phaneros, "manifest" (Acts 4:16; Romans 1:19; 1 Corinthians 3:13; 1 John 3:10, etc.); "to make manifest" (phaneroo) (John 1:31; Romans 16:26); of emphanizo, "to make fully manifest" (John 14:21); of emphanes, "fully manifest" (Romans 10:20); of delos, "evident," translated "manifest" (1 Corinthians 15:27, the Revised Version (British and American) "evident"); of ekdelos, "very evident" (2 Timothy 3:9, the Revised Version (British and American) "evident"); of prodelos, "evident beforehand" (1 Timothy 5:25, the Revised Version (British and American) "evident"); of aphanes, is "not manifest" (Hebrews 4:13, "There is no creature that is not manifest in his sight"); "manifest," occurs once in the Old Testament as the translation of barar, "to clear," "to purify" (Ecclesiastes 3:18, the Revised Version (British and American) "prove"); of phaneros (2 Macc 3:28, the Revised Version (British and American) "manifestly").

Manifestation is the translation of apokalupsis, "uncovering" (Romans 8:19, "the manifestation of the sons of God," the Revised Version (British and American) "revealing"); of phanerosis, "manifestation" (1 Corinthians 12:7; 2 Corinthians 4:2).

The Revised Version (British and American) has "manifest" for "shew" (John 7:4); "was manifested" for "appeared" (Mark 16:12,14); "was manifested to the," for "shewed himself to his" (John 21:14); "be made manifest" for "appear" (2 Corinthians 5:10; 7:12; Revelation 3:18); "became manifest" for "was made known" (Acts 7:13); "gave him to be made manifest" for "shewed him openly" (Acts 10:40); "He who was manifested" for "God was manifest" (1 Timothy 3:16) (margin "The word "God," in place of "He who," rests on no sufficient ancient evidence. Some ancient authorities read which"); "is not yet made manifest" for "doth not yet appear" (1John 3:2); "by the manifestation" for "with the brightness" (2 Thessalonians 2:8) "be manifested" for "appear" (Colossians 3:4 twice; 1 Peter 5:4); "if he shall be manifested" for "when he shall appear" ( 1 John 2:28; 3:2), etc.

W. L. Walker