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, or our experience-something besides Christ. We seem possessed with much the same spirit that led Peter on the mount to say, "Let us make here three tabernacles." The Father solemnly rebukes 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 face, 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. 17:5-85While 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 17:5‑8).
Have you ever been in the "cloud," heard the "voice," been on your "face," or felt the "touch"? Then, have you heard another voice say "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 in the cloud and have heard the voice. Few have been on their faces and have risen 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 my salvation? "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)). Is it a question of relationship with God? "Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:2626For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26)). 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 Christ 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, or the place where 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)). Oh, may we know more of that blessedness which comes of making Christ all, of seeing Jesus only. Our prayer should be that we know Him. In our selfishness we cry and beg for blessings. It is the Blesser we need, HIMSELF. He is the joy of the 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 shall have, but only with Him can our hearts be delighted and raptured.
Why is it we are not changed more from "glory to glory"? The veil has been rent, the blood has been sprinkled, and the Spirit has been given. The reason is that 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 movement, so much of which is superficial. Let us look more in that unveiled face, from which streams the light of the knowledge of the glory of God. All else will pale and fade if we will only linger there.
When in communion, the Spirit of God does not occupy us with His work in us. The word is, "He shall not speak of Himself.... He shall glorify Me." John 16:13,1413Howbeit 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. (John 16:13‑14). And to go further, the work of Christ, wonderfully blessed as it is, can never be the object of my heart; it gives my conscience peace, sweet peace. But only His Person can satisfy my heart. Oh, how His Person does that!
The Father directs our attention to His beloved Son (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 Spirit 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 testifies 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, the object of love, and the object of hope. The faith, love, and hope that do not make Him the object are spurious and unreal. He is all for my path, service, and worship. Blessed be His name. F. C. Blount
“I am Alpha and Omega, the BEGINNING and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." Rev. 1:88I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:8).