Jump to content
IGNORED

“Follow After Love”


WordSword

Recommended Posts


  • Group:  Diamond Member
  • Followers:  10
  • Topic Count:  163
  • Topics Per Day:  0.03
  • Content Count:  1,152
  • Content Per Day:  0.24
  • Reputation:   639
  • Days Won:  0
  • Joined:  12/07/2010
  • Status:  Offline

It’s not in redemption that one “changes . . . from glory to glory,” for once applied it fully saves; which will show in our permanent lifestyle. It’s our earthly walk that manifests in escalating glories all that we already are (1Jo 4:17), and all that we already have (2Pe 1:3) in Christ! The present “divine nature” indwelt by the believer will not be any newer than it is now. Therefore the primary differences in the resurrected saint’s essence will be the absence of “the old man,” and the newness of the finally “redeemed body” (Rom 8:23).

NC

 

 

 

 

 

“Follow After Love”

 

“I have espoused you to one Husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2 Cor 11:2). Paul’s song accounts for all that is in Solomon’s Song. The Father looks upon the believer as altogether lovely. A sinner in himself, he has, by faith, taken on him the beauty of the Lord Jesus. He is “in Him.” He is “accepted in the Beloved.” Faith alone gives him all this comeliness. He has been baptized into the Lord Jesus, and put Him on. This is the beauty of the believer; and he is lovely in the Lord Jesus’ eye. Indeed in this form of beauty there can be no spot. The very “best robe” in the Father’s house is on Him. For it is the Lord Jesus Himself that the believer is arrayed with. Such harmonies are there between the Son of Solomon, the Gospels and the Pauline Epistles.

We are naturally prone (due to the indwelling old man—NC) to be suspicious of any offer to make us happy in our Father. Because our moral sense—our natural conscience, tells us of our having lost all right, even to His ordinary blessings. Yet, in the revelation of God, faith reads our abundant title to be near Him and happy with Him, though our natural conscience and our sense of the fitness of things would have it otherwise. Faith feeds where the moral sensibilities of the natural mind would count it presuming to tread.

The Song of Solomon opens with strong and fervent desire toward Himself; reaching forth to apprehend Him in some more intimate manner that had been preciously understood. It is as though the saint has been conscious of being in a lower condition than would now satisfy. For at times the soul rests itself simply on the firm ground of doctrines, such as “the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth from all sin.” It is the simple and sure power of such truth that alone answers, at times, the need of the soul. But again, at times, the ground under our feet, as believers, is understood and rested on and it is the Lord Jesus Himself that the heart desires.

She had been keeping the vineyards (Son of Solomon 1:6)—attending to things abroad—but now was learning that her own vineyard had been neglected; and the deeper things of personal fellowship are longed for. The saint is leaving Martha’s and taking Mary’s place, hungering to feed under His own eye and from His own hand, not another’s. Now it is conscious of being more at home, more about its own vineyard; as though it had left the Martha place, “busy about with many things” (Luk 10:40—still unnecessarily preoccupied with much of this life—NC) and assuming the Mary place at the feet of the Lord Jesus in personal fellowship.

There is a great influence upon the soul to be occupied with such affections (Christ’s fellowship—NC). It strengthens and sanctifies—for all question of our standing is anticipated, and our energy in meeting temptation is increased, and thus the liberty of our soul is secured. For how can the thought of condemnation or the temptation to defilement be entertained, when the believer is seeking to reach more into the light and joy of such communion and fellowship as this? Does it not lead him into more than a mere escape from the spirit of bondage, or from practical sin (sin commissions—NC)? Is it not the divine method of making him more than conqueror? “For we all with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (The Scriptures are “as a mirror” of Christ, which shows us what we are to look like – Jam 1:22, 23. Thus the more we look into it, the more we will remember how we are supposed to look. 2Cor 3:18).

 

- J G Bellett (1795–1864)

Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Group:  Diamond Member
  • Followers:  2
  • Topic Count:  92
  • Topics Per Day:  0.03
  • Content Count:  2,054
  • Content Per Day:  0.60
  • Reputation:   1,753
  • Days Won:  4
  • Joined:  12/09/2014
  • Status:  Offline

It seems to be that Spiritual salvation is instantaneous, Miraculous and life changing.  

2nd Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself 

We are made new when we come to Christ.  And that is the beginning.  We are saved, we do not have to work for it, we do not have to earn it, it is ours.

But there is that pesky business of renewing the mind, which is a life long effort

Romans 12: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your ]reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

We have a lot of work to rewire our mind will and emotions. And it is THAT redemption that consumes as as Christians

Philippians 2: 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

  • Praise God! 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Group:  Diamond Member
  • Followers:  10
  • Topic Count:  163
  • Topics Per Day:  0.03
  • Content Count:  1,152
  • Content Per Day:  0.24
  • Reputation:   639
  • Days Won:  0
  • Joined:  12/07/2010
  • Status:  Offline

14 hours ago, Riverwalker said:

It seems to be that Spiritual salvation is instantaneous, Miraculous and life changing.  

2nd Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 

Hi, and appreciate your comment, which I strongly agree with! But I believe the truth of faith in Christ results in being redeemed can be use only in a limited capacity when not mixed with the primary growth-truth, that faith and salvation are permanent, which is a major interference in our growth in Christ. I say "interference" and not hindrance because it is always a matter of time before it is learned by all reborn.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Group:  Diamond Member
  • Followers:  2
  • Topic Count:  92
  • Topics Per Day:  0.03
  • Content Count:  2,054
  • Content Per Day:  0.60
  • Reputation:   1,753
  • Days Won:  4
  • Joined:  12/09/2014
  • Status:  Offline

2 hours ago, WordSword said:

Hi, and appreciate your comment, which I strongly agree with! But I believe the truth of faith in Christ results in being redeemed can be use only in a limited capacity when not mixed with the primary growth-truth, that faith and salvation are permanent, which is a major interference in our growth in Christ. I say "interference" and not hindrance because it is always a matter of time before it is learned by all reborn.

I agree completely. Our growth as Christians is limited or enabled by the amount of dedication we have. Those who casually approach Christs never plant deep roots and are blown about troubles and false doctrines.  To live the abundant Christian life, we must sell out to God.

  • This is Worthy 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Group:  Diamond Member
  • Followers:  10
  • Topic Count:  163
  • Topics Per Day:  0.03
  • Content Count:  1,152
  • Content Per Day:  0.24
  • Reputation:   639
  • Days Won:  0
  • Joined:  12/07/2010
  • Status:  Offline

2 hours ago, Riverwalker said:

I agree completely. Our growth as Christians is limited or enabled by the amount of dedication we have. Those who casually approach Christs never plant deep roots and are blown about troubles and false doctrines.  To live the abundant Christian life, we must sell out to God.

Thanks for the comment!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...