"God who is beyond fullness did not bring creatures into being out of any need of his, but that he might enjoy their proportionate participation in him and that he might delight in his works seeing them delighted and ever insatiably satisfied with the one who is inexhaustable."
In I Timothy 6:11-21 I read to-day this wonderful passage: "But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith.
Grace be with you."
What is it to take hold of eternal life? It is the fullness of the Christian life- to take hold of life, which is life in Christ: the One who brings us life, life wrought by He who gives life to all {what a thrilling thought this is!}. I rather like the word used for "to give life" by the King James: quicken. It's a word that speaks of life, not dull, but living and vibrant, for it comes from God. And this is speaking of all life on earth- which, mind you, is not something to be sneezed at, but rather, a wonderful and mysterious thing. How much greater though is the new life in Christ! It is truly life. Here we find true enjoyment: not as the world gives, of possessions and wealth, but of that pure spiritual enjoyment found in God's presence, when I am absolved of all the other things, of myself, and one with Christ Jesus. It is when I am crucified to myself that life comes. Here is peace and joy and contentment. Here is life, beyond all the contrivances of the world and man's mind. I know because I live in Christ- and dwell in His presence. To come away from the outer world and enter in with God is the supreme bliss of this life. I find that as every day passes, I desire more and more time in the pure presence of God, dwelling in Christ and in the Word and His love. All other things, the things not of God, are but drugs and cheap nasty wine. But He gives us Himself to eat and to drink, and what more may we ask?
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith.
Grace be with you."
What is it to take hold of eternal life? It is the fullness of the Christian life- to take hold of life, which is life in Christ: the One who brings us life, life wrought by He who gives life to all {what a thrilling thought this is!}. I rather like the word used for "to give life" by the King James: quicken. It's a word that speaks of life, not dull, but living and vibrant, for it comes from God. And this is speaking of all life on earth- which, mind you, is not something to be sneezed at, but rather, a wonderful and mysterious thing. How much greater though is the new life in Christ! It is truly life. Here we find true enjoyment: not as the world gives, of possessions and wealth, but of that pure spiritual enjoyment found in God's presence, when I am absolved of all the other things, of myself, and one with Christ Jesus. It is when I am crucified to myself that life comes. Here is peace and joy and contentment. Here is life, beyond all the contrivances of the world and man's mind. I know because I live in Christ- and dwell in His presence. To come away from the outer world and enter in with God is the supreme bliss of this life. I find that as every day passes, I desire more and more time in the pure presence of God, dwelling in Christ and in the Word and His love. All other things, the things not of God, are but drugs and cheap nasty wine. But He gives us Himself to eat and to drink, and what more may we ask?
posted by Jonathan | 4:54 PM
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