June 28th, 2014. LOSING EVERYTHING But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Philippians 3:7 The single most important factor in the subjective application of the cross is vision. The question in all our trials is, What do we see? When you are tempted to talk back to someone in a way that would give vent to your flesh, what do you see in those moments? When you would like to strike out at someone- to either vindicate yourself or to say something in a cutting way-- what do you see? What is your vision then? If our vision is on an earthly level, we will exchange words with others and live out the self. There will be no application of the cross to interrupt what we feel, to not carry out what begins to boil within us. So without vision we are a person who does not execute the cross from our spirit over our self in that kind of situation. Many of our problems are solved very simply if we have vision, if we see that the meaning of everything is Christ, this Person gained by us subjectively. And the way we gain Him is by losing everything-- losing our opinion, losing our heated reaction. Not gaining it, but losing it. We lose our reaction by dropping it, by interrupting it. We are not suffering through it, but we are letting it be terminated. Just terminate it, gaining Christ in that moment. This must be our vision. If we are under this vision, everything is clear. You are clear about your marriage. You are clear about your job. You are clear about your problems. Because the Lord Himself had this vision before Him, He endured the cross. We have the same vision set before us, so in like manner we apply the cross in every situation. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ [Phil. 3:7]. What things was gain to me. He says that those things were gain to him, for ignorance of Christ is the sole reason why we are puffed up with a vain confidence. Hence, where we see a false estimate of ones own excellence, where we see arrogance, where we see pride, there let us be assured that Christ is not known. On the other hand, so soon as Christ shines forth all those things that formerly dazzled our eyes with a false splendour instantly vanish, or at least are disesteemed. Those things, accordingly, which had been gain to Paul when he was as yet blind, or rather had imposed upon him under an appearance of gain, he acknowledges to have been loss to him, when he has been enlightened. Why loss? Because they were hindrances in the way of his coming to Christ. What is more hurtful than anything that keeps us back from drawing near to Christ? Now he speaks chiefly of his own righteousness, for we are not received by Christ, except as naked and emptied of our own righteousness. Paul, accordingly, acknowledges that nothing was so injurious to him as his own righteousness, inasmuch as he was by means of it shut out from Christ. June 28 MORNING I know [that] my redeemer liveth. If, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.-- This [man], because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Because I live, ye shall live also.-- If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept. The Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.-- We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.-- Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. JOB 19:25. Ro 5:10.-- Heb 7:24, 25. Jn 14:19-- 1 Co 15:19, 20.-- Isa 59:20.-- Ep 1:7-- 1 Pe 1:18, 19. June 28 EVENING The Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits. Take heed therefore how ye hear.-- Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.-- Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.-- How sweet are thy words unto my taste! [yea, sweeter] than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.-- I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies [are] my meditation. Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.-- But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 1 TIM 4:1. Lu 8:18.-- Col 3:16.-- Ep 6:16. Ps 119:165, 103, 104, 105, 99. 2 Co 11:14.-- Ga 1:8.
Posted on: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 19:21:38 +0000
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