Christ Him Self Our Object

 •  5 min. read  •  grade level: 4
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. 17:1-81And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 4Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 5While 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. 6And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 7And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. 8And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. (Matthew 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. 3:1111Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. (Colossians 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 1:1212But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12)). Is it a question of experience? For to me to live is Christ (Phil. 1:2121For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)). Is it a question of service? I can do all things through Him which strengtheneth me (Phil. 4:1313I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13)). Is it a question of my path? I am the way (John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (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 14:33And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (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. 3:1010That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (Philippians 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 16:5-155But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? 6But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. 15All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. (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. 17:55While 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. (Matthew 17:5)). The Holy Ghost would occupy us with Him (Acts 7:55-5655But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. (Acts 7:55‑56)). The word of God would speak of Him (John 5:3939Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (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. 36And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. (Revelation 5:6) Keep clear from them both, dear brother. If not clear, “Go forth unto Him" (Heb. 13:1313Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. (Hebrews 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."