MORE and more I am made to feel that Christ does not have His proper place among the children of God. He is not the object. It is either a doctrine, a dogma, a party, my experience: something beside Christ. We seem possessed with very much the same spirit that actuated Peter on the mount, when he said: “Let us make here three tabernacles." The Father would remedy this. While he yet spake, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold a voice out of the cloud which said: “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him." And when the disciples heard it they fell on their faces, and were sore afraid; and Jesus came and touched them, and said, " Arise, and be not afraid;" and when they had lifted up their eyes they saw no man save Jesus only. Matt. 17:1-8.
Have you ever been in the shadow of the ".cloud"? Have you ever heard the “voice?” Have you been on your "face?" Have you felt the “touch 7" Then have you heard another voice, “Arise?” Do your eyes see “no man save Jesus only?" Many, perhaps, have reached the top of the mount; but few, very few, have been under the “cloud," have heard the "voice," have been on their “faces," have been raised to see “Jesus only."
" Christ is all" (Col. 3:11). Do we make Him this? Is it a question of our sonship? As many as received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God (John 1:12). Is it a question of experience? For to me to live is Christ (Phil. 1:21). Is it a question of service? I can do all things through Him which strengtheneth me (Phil. 4:13). Is it a question of my path? I am the way (John 14:6). Is it a question of heaven the place to which my path leads? He would define it as where I am (John 14:3). O let us know more of that rich blessedness which comes of making " Christ all," of seeing " Jesus only." Our cry should be—" O, to know him" (Phil. 3:10). In our selfishness we cry and beg for blessings. It is the Blesser we need, HIMSELF. He is the joy of our Father's heart. Let us taste with Him the delight He takes in His Son. Christ is infinitely higher than doctrine or experience. Experience we will have if we have Him, but only with Him can our hearts be ravished and raptured.
Why is it we are not changed more from " glory to glory?" The wail has been rent; the blood has been sprinkled; the SPIRIT is given. The reason is we are occupied with ourselves and the work of the Spirit in us, rather than with Christ alone. This is the weakness in the wide-spread holiness work so much of which is superficial. Let us look more into that unveiled face from which streams the light of the knowledge of the glory of God. (2 Cor. 3;4) All else will pale, and fade if we will but linger here.
A word here. The Spirit never occupies me with His work in me. And if I am thus occupied I am out of the mind of the Spirit. The word is, "He shall not speak of Himself," nor yet concerning Himself. " He shall glorify ME." (See John 16:5-15.) To go further. The work of Christ, wonderfully blessed as it is, was never intended to be an object for my heart. It gives my conscience peace, but only His person can satisfy the heart. And O, how His person does it-ten thousand hallelujahs to Him!
The Father would direct us to Him (Matt. 17:5). The Holy Ghost would occupy us with Him (Acts 7:55-56). The word of God would speak of Him (John 5:39). He is the object of faith; He is the object of love; He is the object of hope; and the faith, or love, or hope, that does not make Him the object is spurious and unreal. He is all for my path; He is all for my service; He is all for my worship; blessed, blessed be His name! He is not on the Cross; He is not in the grave; He is on the throne. Wondrous fact, a Christ in the glory of God, and that Christ my Savior; my Bridegroom; my Priest; my Advocate; the One who died for me; The One who lives for me; The One who is coming for me. It is not surprising that Peter should say, "Unto you, therefore, which believe He is precious." Both the worldly world and the religious world seem bent upon shutting Him out. The former is " reserved unto fire," the latter He will vomit out of His mouth. See 2 Peter 3; Rev. 3 Keep clear from them both, dear brother. If not clear, “Go forth unto Him" (Heb. 13:13). He is enough,-glory to the Lamb,-and it pleases His heart for us to make all of Him.
May it be with us Christ; our aim to know Him. You will not get a greater portion or place, than He got. Your portion here will be “food and raiment" your place " outside." There your portion is “all spiritual blessings," your place " In Him." And now, dear brother, let every affection, every desire, every thought be gathered in, and centered upon Him.
“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world."