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At the point of rebirth we are given “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2Pe 1:3); and from then on the Spirit ensures that we will learn “the things that have been freely given to us by God” (1Co 2:12). This will “not be in the words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches” (v 13). The precious Holy Spirit, being the Author of the written Word of God (2Tim 3:16; 2Pe 1:21) and the Creator of our rebirth (Jhn 3:5, 6, 8), uses His Word to “teach you concerning all things” (1Jo 2:27). With the Father “working in you” (Phl 2:13), the Son being our “Advocate” (1Jo 2:1) and the Spirit ever opposing our “old man” (flesh – Gal 5:17) the genuine believer will “endure unto the end” (Mat 10:22; 24:13; Mar 13:13; 1Co 1:8; Heb 3:6, 14)—and all along safe and secure in the hands of God (Jhn 10:29)!
NC
Open Heart Surgery
The place of the believer is in perfect acceptance before the Father, with every question of sin completely settled. Just as with Israel, they were delivered from the place they were in; God’s judgment met by the blood upon the doorpost, and themselves brought through the Red Sea to Himself. “I bear you on eagle’s wings to Myself.” That is where the believer is: the veil rent; and we are now before our Father without any at all, though it may be on our hearts through ignorance (possibly unaware due to immaturity—NC)
But if I know and go in faith, I go through the rent veil—His flesh (Heb 10:20)—into the Holiest of All with boldness, because He Who accomplished the work is there; I find Him there when I go in. I press this, because you are not on the full true ground of liberty before the Father until the thought of imputation of sin, when you stand in the presence of your Father, has completely disappeared. What then comes of our present walk? The first thing to get quite clear is, that my place before the Father is the Lord Jesus’ place every instant. “No condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.” How can you condemn one who is in Him? The very thought is absurd.
Still, I am here, a poor weak creature, exposed to all sorts of snares and temptations; and we have the Word of God (the surest and quickest spiritual growth can result from rereading the NT by marking where you left off so you will not have to decide where to read when returning—NC), “sharper than any two-edged sword,” which comes and judges; it runs right through and says, “What is in your heart?” Is that in accordance with the light? No buts, nor ifs; there is no excuse. You are standing in the light! It shows me things that I never suspected before—“all things naked and opened (Heb 4:13).” The Word is God’s eye, prying into my heart, and showing me what suits the blessed Eye, judging not merely acts but “the thoughts and intents of the heart” (v 12).
But supposing all the thoughts and intents of my heart were as perfect as possible, still I am a poor weak creature. There are snares all around—the world, the Christian friends who are not spiritually-minded (i.e. not yet spiritually mature because none reborn are carnally-minded - Rom 8:6, 7—NC); and I have to go through all that—all the difficulty and trial that comes from those who do not wish the Cross to be quite what it is (one example is enduring hardness - 2Ti 2:3—NC).
We are in danger (physical but not spiritual—NC) in passing through the world; and so I have the Lord Jesus, who has met every difficulty and temptation, and understands it all, not only in the divine, but also in the experiential way (Heb 4:15). For the evil movements of my heart, I want the Cross; for the difficulties, trials, etc., I get the throne of grace, yea, God Himself, and a sufficient supply of all grace to overcome (2Co 12:9).
We never can excuse ourselves when we fail (though forgiven and taught from it—NC). There may be unwatchfulness, negligence in prayer or in using the means that our Father has given; but I never can excuse myself (maybe meaning when considering where we could be in our maturity - Eph 4:15—NC). Have your heart open before your Father. Do not leave any chambers locked up before Him, or you will not have joy and liberty (even though being redeemed—NC). You may walk outwardly apart from offending anybody; but if you have anything in your heart not open to your Father (esp. not presenting it to Him for resolution—NC), you have lost fellowship with Him (but not union—NC), and that is what inevitably weakens your whole path.
—J N Darby (1800-1882)
NC
Open Heart Surgery
The place of the believer is in perfect acceptance before the Father, with every question of sin completely settled. Just as with Israel, they were delivered from the place they were in; God’s judgment met by the blood upon the doorpost, and themselves brought through the Red Sea to Himself. “I bear you on eagle’s wings to Myself.” That is where the believer is: the veil rent; and we are now before our Father without any at all, though it may be on our hearts through ignorance (possibly unaware due to immaturity—NC)
But if I know and go in faith, I go through the rent veil—His flesh (Heb 10:20)—into the Holiest of All with boldness, because He Who accomplished the work is there; I find Him there when I go in. I press this, because you are not on the full true ground of liberty before the Father until the thought of imputation of sin, when you stand in the presence of your Father, has completely disappeared. What then comes of our present walk? The first thing to get quite clear is, that my place before the Father is the Lord Jesus’ place every instant. “No condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.” How can you condemn one who is in Him? The very thought is absurd.
Still, I am here, a poor weak creature, exposed to all sorts of snares and temptations; and we have the Word of God (the surest and quickest spiritual growth can result from rereading the NT by marking where you left off so you will not have to decide where to read when returning—NC), “sharper than any two-edged sword,” which comes and judges; it runs right through and says, “What is in your heart?” Is that in accordance with the light? No buts, nor ifs; there is no excuse. You are standing in the light! It shows me things that I never suspected before—“all things naked and opened (Heb 4:13).” The Word is God’s eye, prying into my heart, and showing me what suits the blessed Eye, judging not merely acts but “the thoughts and intents of the heart” (v 12).
But supposing all the thoughts and intents of my heart were as perfect as possible, still I am a poor weak creature. There are snares all around—the world, the Christian friends who are not spiritually-minded (i.e. not yet spiritually mature because none reborn are carnally-minded - Rom 8:6, 7—NC); and I have to go through all that—all the difficulty and trial that comes from those who do not wish the Cross to be quite what it is (one example is enduring hardness - 2Ti 2:3—NC).
We are in danger (physical but not spiritual—NC) in passing through the world; and so I have the Lord Jesus, who has met every difficulty and temptation, and understands it all, not only in the divine, but also in the experiential way (Heb 4:15). For the evil movements of my heart, I want the Cross; for the difficulties, trials, etc., I get the throne of grace, yea, God Himself, and a sufficient supply of all grace to overcome (2Co 12:9).
We never can excuse ourselves when we fail (though forgiven and taught from it—NC). There may be unwatchfulness, negligence in prayer or in using the means that our Father has given; but I never can excuse myself (maybe meaning when considering where we could be in our maturity - Eph 4:15—NC). Have your heart open before your Father. Do not leave any chambers locked up before Him, or you will not have joy and liberty (even though being redeemed—NC). You may walk outwardly apart from offending anybody; but if you have anything in your heart not open to your Father (esp. not presenting it to Him for resolution—NC), you have lost fellowship with Him (but not union—NC), and that is what inevitably weakens your whole path.
—J N Darby (1800-1882)
