0811. The Life and Its Tabernacle
The Life and Its Tabernacle
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us" (2Co_4:7).
In 2Co_4:3 and 2Co_4:4, we have the god of this world hindering the light of the glorious Gospel from shining in, lest men might be converted.
In 2Co_4:6 we have the light of God shining into our hearts, to give "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ."
In 2Co_4:10 we have passed from death unto life, and have the "life of Christ Jesus" made manifest in our mortal bodies.
In 2Co_4:7 we are described as "having this treasure in earthen vessels."
It is all most wonderful to consider. Let us follow the same line of truth in the 1st chapter of John.
In Joh_1:4, we have Christ, and "in Him was life; and the life was the light of man."
In Joh_1:5 : "The light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."
In Joh_1:12 we have "as many as received Him," becoming the sons of God.
In Joh_1:14 we have the incarnate Christ, dwelling in the flesh and we behold His glory "full of grace and truth."
We have time only to notice two things:
1. The fact that there are those who have not Christ dwelling in them. They loved the darkness and spurned the light. They have no life in them. They are physically alive, but they are alienated from the life of God. They have an eternal existence, but they have not eternal life.
These unbelievers and Christ-rejecters are dead in trespasses and in sins, simply because they are not alive in Christ Jesus.
2. The fact that there are those who have the life which is the light of men dwelling in them. And this life, the life full of grace and truth, the all-glorious life of Christ, they have in earthen vessels.
Paul himself often bemoaned the meanness of his earthly frame. He sought the Lord thrice in prayer, but his infirmities remained with him, that "the excellency of the power might be of God."
Let us all humble ourselves in the dust. To think that Christ would dwell in us! That He would deign to put within us the glory of His person!
Hear the words!
"The Spirit of Truth * * dwelleth with you, and shall be in you" (Joh_14:17).
"At that day ye shall know that I am in the Father, and ye in Me, and I in you" (Joh_14:20).
"My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him" (Joh_14:23).
Bow the head, bend the knee, and worship God.
In this mortal flesh, this body broken and bruised, there dwells a life begotten of God; in this same body along with this new life dwells the Holy Spirit, manifesting within the life of both the Father and Son.
How holily we should walk! How watchful we should be to acknowledge the presence of our Heavenly guest! How careful to maintain an unbroken fellowship!
God's abiding is based on our keeping His commandments; Christ's fellowship can be enjoyed only as we walk in the light. It is one thing to have the new life within, to have the Holy Spirit as our abiding guest, but it is another thing to have sweet fellowship and concourse with God; it is another thing to enjoy the fullness of the Spirit.
Let us seek through this tabernacle of clay to shine forth the glory of the face of Jesus Christ.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR