PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THE FOLLOWING. I realize it is a bit long but I believe you will not be disappointed: TRY IT! (Just keep in mind that we have His word and also the gift of faith only through the divine merits of Christ's blood which was shed for us on Calvary's cross). tanx
Christ imparts Himself to us through His spoken Word. His commandment, "Abide in Me and I in you," if it is allowed to have free course in us, is the impartation of His Spirit, ensuring that we abide in Him and He in us! His command is the impartation of His life, for "His commandment is life everlasting." John 12:50.
"The Words--commands--that I speak unto you," Jesus said, "they are Spirit and they are life." John 6:63,68. In other words, the creative energy that called the worlds into existence is in His Word. EVERY COMMAND IS A PROMISE. That Word imparts power, it begets life. Accepted by the will, received into the soul, it brings with it the very life of the Infinite One! See Prov.4:20-22 and Education, p.126.
The Psalmist understood this when he exclaimed: "Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your commandments for by them you have given me life." Ps.119:93,50.
In the beginning Christ said, "Let there be light! And there was light." Gen.1:3. There was nothing to oppose that Word. It had free course and it worked effectually to cause light to appear, at once!
The Holy Spirit, through the apostle Peter says, "This is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you." 1 Peter 1:25.
The Word of the Gospel is: "Let the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ shine in the darkened void of your heart." 2 Cor.4:6; 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 1:19; Acts 26:18; Eph.5:8.
And the Holy Spirit, the light of His glory, the Light of His life, shine in us, at once, if we do not resist His will, as it is expressed in His commandment, for "He speaks and it is done. He commands and it stands fast." Ps.33:9. Only the heart of man can make God's Word of none effect, through unbelief! Therefore, it is written, "Beware lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief." Heb.3:12.
Is not His Word the same yesterday, today, and forever? He speaks His commandments to us that His joy may be imparted to us and that our joy may be full. John 15:11. "I found Your Words and I ate them and they were the rejoicing of my heart." Jer.15:16; Ps.119:111.
"Oh that you had hearkened unto My commandments: then your peace would have been as a river and your righteousness as the waves of the sea." Isaiah 48:18. "Abide in Me and I in you." "Abide in My love." "Go and bear much fruit." "Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." John 15:4,9,16; 2 Peter 3:18.
And how is this to be accomplished? By choosing to let the Word have free course in us, allowing His Word to "effectually work in us," because it is self-fulfilling. 1 Thess.2:13. Such is the Word of God! "When you receive the Word which you heard from us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth the Word of God which effectually works in you that believe." 1 Thess.2:13.
His power, His very life, dwells in His Word. Receive the Word in faith and it will give you power to obey! See M.B.150.
"Abide in Me and I in you." We abide in Him and He abides in us according to the commandment, if we believe, that is, if we do not interpose His Word with unbelief. Heb.3:12. "Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your heart." Heb.3:7, 18,19; 4:1-3.
It is the same with all His commandments. They are "exceeding great and precious promises" by which Christ Jesus imparts His Spirit to us. 2 Peter 1:4. And His Spirit is life, even life everlasting, fulfilling every jot and tittle of what that Word says!
Therefore, let us exalt God alone and His Word, saying: Lord, "Thy commandments are my delights." "Your commandments are the rejoicing of my heart." "I love them exceedingly." "I opened my mouth and panted; for I long for Your commandments." Ps.119:143,111,167,131.
He says, "Be converted." "The commandment of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." Ps.19:7. The commandments of the Lord are "more to be desired than gold, yea than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and the honeycomb." Ps.19:7-10.
The Lord says, "Repent," and the word produces repentance in the believing heart, repentance which is not to be repented of, which is according to the will of God!
Therefore, the reception of the Word (not merely written but spoken; 6 T 393), the bread that comes down from Heaven, is the reception of Christ Himself. See 5 RH 227. And "The Lord is that Spirit." 2 Cor.3:17.
"My Word shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Isaiah 55:11. Let it be done unto us according to all Thy commandments O Lord!
The human agent is to be kept out of sight and God alone and His Word are to be exalted! See T.M.112. Praise His Word! Ps.56:4,10.
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His will is: "Love God supremely and your neighbour impartially." John 15:9.
And the Word diffuses the love of God through the whole being if we do not interpose the Word with unbelief. And this love is a vitalizing power. Every vital part, the heart, the brain, the nerves, it touches with healing. It frees the soul from the guilt and sorrow, the anxiety and care that crush the life forces. By it the highest energies of the being are roused into activity. With it come serenity and composure. It implants in the soul a joy that nothing earthly can destroy, joy in the Holy Spirit, health-giving, life-giving joy! See M.H.115.
"His commandments are life to all who find them and health to all their flesh." Prov.4:20-22.
[This message has been edited by adventbeliever (edited April 24, 2001).]
