Thursday, October 25, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Determining the Source of our Righteousness
by Steve Bray
Self-produced righteousness has its
source in the pride of life. It can therefore be offended. This is why people
who live in self-produced righteousness inevitably stumble into sin when they
are opposed. Something other than perfect love comes out of the mouth because
there is still something other than perfect love in their heart. “For a tree is
known by its fruit… For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
(Matt. 12: 33-34)
It is possible to live by many of God’s
laws in a self-produced form of righteousness, without having a pure nature of
love that can endure “all things” with meekness, humility, and longsuffering
patience. It is in this sense that we need to determine if our righteousness has
its source in God or if it is something we have developed through our own
efforts.
Love
{the love that has its source in God – *see again pages 15-16} suffers long and
is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up…does
not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil…bears all things…endures all
things. Love never fails… (1 Cor. 13: 4-5, 7-8)
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy
and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
bearing with one another…But above all these things put on love, which is the
bond of perfection. {In other words, put on Christ’s life of righteousness.}
(Col. 3: 12-14)
For to
this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that you should follow His steps…who, when He
was reviled, did not revile in return…but committed Himself to Him who judges
righteously. (1 Pet. 2: 21, 23)
But I
say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who
hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that
you may be sons of your Father in heaven… (Matt. 5:
44-45)
Those who are filled with Christ’s
Spirit naturally reveal the fruit of His Spirit. His love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control
will continue to flow out of their heart like “rivers” of Living Water. (Gal. 5:
22-23) This steady flow of life from heaven makes it possible to consistently
manifest His nature of holy love—the righteousness that comes from God by faith.
“For the fruit of the Spirit is in ALL goodness, righteousness, and
truth.” (Eph. 5: 9)
Jesus said we will find hypocrisy in
those who produce their own righteousness. It is exposed by the way they judge
others with a critical spirit concerning certain pet beliefs while they neglect
“the weightier matters of the law” such as “love and mercy.” (Matt. 23: 23) Yes,
they can be very adamant about certain laws, but their basic nature is contrary
to perfect love. And we are afraid there is going to be a day when these people
discover, to their own horror, how their lack of mercy, along with their
critical and overbearing spirit, have put out some flickering wicks in weak
Christians. They have actually turned them away from the true Christian faith.
“Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come
{in a fallen world}, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!”
According to Jesus, these legalistic offenders would have been better off tying
a millstone around their neck and jumping into the ocean before they caused one
of His little ones to stumble. (Matt. 18: 6-7)
James has clearly described the wisdom
that comes down from heaven. (Jam.
Self-produced righteousness, which has
its source in the pride of life, will inevitably result in partiality,
contentions and divisions. This form of life is nothing more than human
politics. After various individuals and groups determine what they consider to
be the right way to live, they then try to press their opinions onto others. It
naturally results in the divisions and favoritism we now find in churches and
nations. It is how “mere men” naturally act. “For where there are envy, strife,
and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?”
(1 Cor. 3: 3)
Those who receive the righteousness
that comes from God by faith will no longer behave like “mere men.” Having lost
their self-life, they are lifted by the power of God into His heavenly life
where they become “perfect in one” with each other. (John 17: 22-23) These
children of the Father bear His image of holy love in everything they do. They
are “peaceable,” “gentle,” “willing to yield” and “full of mercy.” Their whole
purpose in life is to lead others into the heavenly Kingdom-life that comes down
from above. And they know it has nothing to do with self-produced
righteousness.
Those who die to their own
righteousness are in a place to live by the Spirit alone. It is by living
through the Son, and sharing with Him in His eternal life of love, that we can
all remain in harmony with God and each other. It makes it possible to “be
perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1 Cor.
1:10) And while our knowledge will tend to differ depending on our spiritual
growth, when we all die to our own righteousness and opinions, we can then be
led by the Spirit into the same truth.
Therefore let us, as many as are mature
{spiritually}, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will
reveal even this to you {when you are dead to your own opinions and give Him
sufficient time}. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained {to
God’s life of heavenly love}, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the
same mind. (Phil. 3: 15-16 NIV)
Thursday, October 11, 2012
True Godliness - Gerhard Tersteegen
True
Godliness
[Part 1 of
2]
From the
writings of Gerhard Tersteegen –
(1697-1769)
It
is a very lamentable thing, that in these our last, dark, and corrupted times,
godliness, piety, or the true service of God…is become so rare and so little
known upon earth. Even amongst Christians…true piety or godliness is so little
known… If they talk of godliness, they do not even now of what they are
speaking. Where others form an idea of it, it is soon perceived, on close
examination in the light of God, that their conceptions
of it are far from being in accordance with the nature of the thing itself.
Notwithstanding all the external appearance and form of godliness, its power is
universally unknown, and is even rejected as mere imagination and
error…
In
order to form to ourselves an idea of the nature, quality, and essence of true
godliness, or describe a really godly man, it is only reasonable that we do not
direct our thoughts, first, to such things which the hypocrite and the ungodly
can have in common with those that are really godly… Hence, when we refrain
from gross vices, when we do not curse, nor are drunken, nor steal, nor quarrel,
etc., but lead an externally sober, just decorous, quiet, and social life, it is
not sufficient proof that we are godly…
We
may diligently attend to outward ceremonies and to pious duties, which are good
in themselves. We may be baptized, and go to church… We may read, learn, and
meditate upon that which is good, make external prayers, fast and give alms. We
may commend and in some measure love piety, and the godly. We may associate with
them, possess much literal knowledge of the truth, know how to converse in a
pious strain, and with all this, be in reality not yet
godly…
Secondly,
I say, that true godliness cannot consist in anything which some godly men may
possess, or have possessed, but which all have not. Under this head may be
included ecstasies, revelations, the gifts of prophecy, a wonder-working faith,
extraordinary light in divine mysteries, brilliant gifts, and outwardly
manifested zeal, and every other extraordinary gift of God’s grace. Godliness
does not consist in any of these.
Hence
we must not particularly desire any such like high things, and by no means be
envious, when we see or hear of them in others. Self-love often thinks, “Ah, if
thou hadst such gifts, such light and zeal, as this or
that individual, thou wouldst then be truly godly and able to edify others.”
Self-love may induce us to imitate something or other, to which we are not
called, and without the grace of God. All this arises from a principle of
self-conceit and self-love, and is a very dangerous temptation of Satan, against
which we must arm ourselves by prayer and humility, and only labor to attain the
substance of godliness, rejoicing meanwhile in the gifts which God has bestowed
upon others.
He
that possesses such things, has no cause to presume
upon them, or to exalt himself above others. He must take heed that he does not
cleave to them, and rest in them, or take a selfish pleasure in them…since they
are only gifts…in possessing which, the individual stands in greater danger than
others who do not possess them…
The
godly…often experience spiritual and divine consolations, peace, sensible
delights, sweetness, occasional assurances, and various other divine
communications and gifts of grace. I say they experience such things frequently,
but not at all times or without variation, from whence follows, that the
substance of true godliness cannot consist in these
things…
Hence
it is, that many a well meaning person, who reads or hears such sentiments
advanced, and has not yet enjoyed the like sensible gifts of grace, may fall
into…doubt about his state. He may be hindered in the path of self-denial and
the cross, by frequently striving from selfish motives after joy and
consolation, and seeking on all sides for signs and assurances of his [full]
salvation more than for the marks and properties of true
godliness…
True
godliness (eusebeia) is that inward state or
disposition, which is wrought by the Holy Spirit, and the occupation of the
soul, which springs from it, by which she again renders that homage and worship
to the triune God which is due to Him… For
since He is a Spirit, it necessarily follows, that He must be worshipped not in
a mere external, ceremonial, and hypocritical manner, but inwardly, heartily, in
spirit and in truth, if it is to be done in a manner worthy of Him, as our
divine Teacher Himself demonstrates. “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him
must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)
This
immediately produces in the soul an unspeakably profound veneration… This
glorious Being appears to her to be alone great and good… God is exalted and
magnified by her, whilst she herself is abased in the deepest humility… She
cannot bear to see herself honored or esteemed by others…
It
appears horrible and inhuman wickedness to her to offend such a God. This
veneration of God…also produces a real faith and confidence towards God in
Christ Jesus, to Whom she yields, resigns, and commits herself wholly…that He
may do with Her, and in her, and make of her, whatever He pleases in time and in
eternity. She hopes and trusts that He…overrule
everything for her good and His glory.
It
produces in the soul, a departure from herself, and
from all that is not God, and an ardent hunger…nay, a real entering and
transition into Christ with Whom she inwardly unites herself. By a continual and
believing attachment, retiring into, and abiding in Him, she receives grace for
grace, essential, spiritual, vital power and strength, by which she is wholly
penetrated and animated. By degrees, all inward and outward acts, words,
thoughts, and inclinations are produced and inspired by this new principle of
life. On which account, she most willingly ascribes all the good that is found
in her, or may proceed from her…to this divine source—the vivifying Spirit of
the Lord Jesus in her.
The
soul can then say with truth in the words of St. Paul
An
ungodly (asebes) person is one who is
detached from God, and cleaves to himself and the creature. A godly (euseges) man is
one who is detached from himself and the creature, and adheres to God with
all affection… He embraces this lovely Being with
all the powers of his love, and seeks pleasure, joy, consolation, and delight in
Him alone… He immerses himself in Him, until at length, after every intervention
and partition of sin and self-love is cleared away, by the exercise of great
fidelity and patient endurance, and through the powerful operation of the grace
of God, he becomes entirely one with God, or one spirit with Him. (1 Cor. 6:17)
And
the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that
they may be one, even as we are one {in life and nature}: I in them, and thou in
me, that they may be made perfect in one…that the love wherewith thou hast loved
me may be in them, and I in them. (John 17:22-23, 26)
Herein
is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day
of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (1 John
4:17)
This,
taken together, is otherwise called in Scripture, “Walk before God” or “in His
presence.” It is in reality nothing else than true godliness, the true service
of God, or real religion…
Monday, October 08, 2012
God’s Spirit of Love - William Law
The kingdom of God kingdom of
God
For the
kingdom of
God
Oh, sir {or madam}, would you like to
know the blessing of all blessings? It is God coming to share His Spirit with
you. God wants to bless you with His life so that you may be a vessel of His
divine love and be a blessing to others. “I will bless you… And you shall be a
blessing.” (Gen. 12:2)
The Son is now prepared to fill you
with His Spirit and satisfy your soul. He wants to set you free from the old
self-centered nature that has caused you so much trouble. It will deliver you
from all the inward strife that comes from not getting your way. Life is no
longer a burden when His satisfying Presence is dwelling within you and He is
directing all your steps. While difficulties will continue to come, His is able
to keep your heart filled to overflowing with an everlasting supply of His love
and peace and joy.
But whoever
drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall
give him {life from the Spirit} will become in him a fountain of water springing
up into everlasting life. (John 4:14)
The Son of God has come as the Messiah
to establish His kingdom-life of “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy
Spirit” within your heart. He wants to give you a new divine nature so you may
display His life of holy love in everything you do. Because divine love does by
nature what is right in relationship to both God and others, this sharing with
the Son in His life of love will enable you to fulfill the righteous
requirements of the law. “Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Rom.
13:10) His Spirit of Love, as He fills your heart and purges away your old
selfish and self-seeking nature, moves you to live for
the good of others without the need of being rewarded, or honored, or
esteemed.
The Son, through His Spirit, comes to
give you an abundantly full measure of His life. (John 10:10) This divine life,
being sufficient in itself, lives for the one purpose
of propagating itself. It meets wrath, evil, hatred and opposition as light
meets darkness, only to overcome it with its own blessings. For the wrath of an
enemy, the treachery of a friend, or any other form of evil, only helps the
Spirit of Love to more clearly reveal God’s true glory. This love, as it was
expressed by Jesus on the Cross, is always prepared to lay down its rights and
to seek the good of others in order to lead them into the same heavenly
life.
God is love, and
he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
Love has been perfected among us in this…because as He is {as the Son revealed
this divine love}, so are we {to be} in this world. (1 John
4:16-17)
Many of those who are born of the
Spirit of God have discovered in their own Bibles the wonderful teachings about
becoming like Jesus in love. They try their best to respond to His teachings
because they want to become like Him. But in time, after continuing to find a
contrary spirit in their heart, they begin to doubt and question the possibility
of such a state. In a world that has so much strife and division and misery, it
will appear to be a doctrine that is too refined and imaginary to be reached.
But this objection will begin to fall away once it is seen from the right
perspective.
As you have perceived, we are speaking
of a form of love that is beyond the capacity of natural man to produce. It is
not something that can be worked up or developed through human efforts. It is a
supernatural life that God has promised to supply to His children when they
present themselves to Him to be used as vessels of His life and works. We must
come to Him with a dependent and yielded faith that expects Him to reveal His
divine life of love through our mortal bodies.
For this reason I
bow my knees {in prayer} to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…that He would
grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might
through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts
through faith… {that you may} know the love of Christ
which passes knowledge; that you may
be filled with all the fullness of God. (Eph. 3:14-19)
But we have this
treasure in earthen vessels {weak mortal bodies}, that the excellence of the power may be of God
and not of us…that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (2
Cor. 4:7, 10)
You may indeed do many works of love
and find enjoyment in doing them when they are convenient for you, or when they
are not contrary to your current feelings. But this does not mean you are
revealing God’s Spirit of Love. There is a form of love that even carnal people
are willing to express as long as it receives its reward and contributes to
their self-esteem. But we are now speaking of being filled with God’s Spirit so
that His divine love can be naturally, universally and freely poured out even in
unfavorable circumstances. Yes, this is a love that truly surpasses human
understanding. And yet, it can be revealed within your inner being as a new
divine nature by the Spirit of God.
God wants His Spirit of Love to become
your life. His life of love knows no difference, regardless of time or place or
persons involved. It naturally gives and forgives,
bears and forbears. For the Spirit of Love, wherever it is, is its own blessing
and happiness. In truth, it is the reality of God in the soul. Since this
divine love is not something you are required to work up, but flows directly
from God, it can be revealed everywhere and on every occasion. It becomes the
natural fruit of a Spirit-filled life. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love…”
Since every Christian does not
consistently reveal this overflowing life of the Spirit, we can know there is
something that each individual must do. God requires His children to surrender
their whole being to the life that was in Jesus. You put on the life of Christ
by offering your body to Him to be used by Him for the display of His life and
works. Those who will learn of Him and surrender their whole being to the light
of truth that was displayed through Him, will be taken
into the life of promise where they are enabled to partake of every spiritual
blessing found in His heavenly life.
I beseech you therefore,
brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies {each and every
moment of the day}, a living sacrifice,
holy {set apart for God’s exclusive use},
acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (Rom.
12:1)
Blessed be the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual
blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as he chose us in Him {to live
through Him} before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and
without blame before Him in love. (Eph. 1:3-4)
We can now begin to see what it truly
means to believe in Christ and to receive Him into our life. Jesus did not come
to merely forgive our sins. He came to share His life of holy love with us. And
while we enter into a reconciled state by trusting in His shed blood, we also
need to look to Him in faith to manifest His divine life within our inner being.
This is the much more of salvation that makes us like Him in His nature of love
and enables us to reveal God’s glory in everything we do.
In this the love
of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into
the world, that we might live through Him. (1 John 4:9)
For if when we
were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall
be saved by His {indwelling}
life. (Rom 5:10)
If indeed you
have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus…put on the
new man {the Second Adam} which was created according
to God, in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph. 4:21,
24)
Therefore, as the
elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility,
meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another…
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection {yield
to the life and nature of Jesus}. (Col. 3:12-14)
But as many as
received Him {by choosing to receive His life and nature into their heart}, to
them He gave the right to become children of God {bearing His image}, to those
who believe in His name. (John 1:12
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