It is quite possible for the Word to reach the heart, and even to interest one very much, as the seed which fell on the rock (Luke 85A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. (Luke 8:5)), and yet for no real power to be there. The Spirit of God is careful on this subject to show the difference between receiving the Word humanly and divinely. "Our gospel came not unto you in word [or sense] only, but also in power [the power of action], and in the Holy Ghost" (1 Thess. 1:55For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. (1 Thessalonians 1:5)). The latter was wanting to the soils — numbers 15And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur. (Numbers 1:5), 2, and 3. Number 4 — the good ground — only had it. I believe one's practice is the measure of the truth one has received in the Holy Ghost. You are an exponent of that by which you are controlled, and you like to be so. "Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you" (John 15:1414Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. (John 15:14)). The expression in action is the grand result — the life of Jesus manifested in the body, which is "full of light, having no part dark" (Luke 11:3636If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. (Luke 11:36)). It is thus that the Father is glorified. It is not only what is in my heart, but what is the effect in my body. The works James compares to the spirit of the natural body (James 2:2626For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26)).
We are to exhibit in our bodies the color and beauty of the truth committed to us. The act indicates the power. The external in everything indicates the internal. Let a man ape as much as he likes, or study to represent himself in a light not genuine, only give him time, and he is sure to betray himself. The effort to express any quality in action can be an effort that shows that the quality does not exist. The quality ought to be expressed, but it cannot be expressed unless possessed; and the attempt at expression without possession is affectation. It is an effort to exhibit a right thing without the power.
Hence we should seek not so much to do, as to be. You may remark in your prayers whether you are praying to be, or praying to do. You may say, “But it is right to do.” I admit it; but the question is — How do I get strength to do? I reply, “By first being.” As I depend on Christ, as I draw from Him, as I feed on Him, I am enabled to act Him. It is a great thing to do, but I cannot do until I am first qualified.
A child attempts to be a man, and the desire is right; but he must go through many an exercise and many a lesson before he can act as a man. The effect of over-education in the present day, both in the Church and in the world, is to lead the young into the idea that they are qualified to do anything that their seniors do; and it is simply burlesque. I do not at all want to weaken the desire to do. The "friends" of Christ do (John 15:1414Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. (John 15:14)); but I say, if I am only seeking to do, I am occupied with my doings, and I am like a tree over-weighted with leaves and wood, and no fruit. If Christ is living in me, I cannot but express Him; but I am making no effort to do so. The deeper anything is in our hearts, the less we care to let others see it; but because of its depth and power it tells of itself, as it is said, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."
I believe, if I am studying to be true to what I am as of Christ, I shall do with ease and cheerfulness what is pleasing to Him, without any of the effort which the one trying to do constantly evinces. Everyone can see what is natural and easy to a person and what is not; and we all know that that which is done with ease is generally done with skill. This is a doing day in one sense, that is, there is a great deal of activity toward others. But there is very little of the life of Jesus manifested in the body, which is an action that expresses Him with regard to everyone, as He walked here, and it imparts a color and a tone to every duty and occupation of life.