While it is needful to “hold fast the form of sound words,” Christians must beware of becoming satisfied with “clear views” of Scripture. If personal communion with Christ is lacking, even “sound words” will leave the heart cold as an icicle. As in nature, when the coldest nights are often the clearest, so with sound truth. Without enjoyment of Christ, truth becomes cold and lifeless.
How vital is our personal walk with God! “Clear views” will leave the heart barren if there is not daily enjoyment of Christ. He died, “the just for the unjust,” not merely to give us “clear views” of Scripture, but to “bring us to God.”
But how are we to enjoy Christ? By the Word. “Search the scriptures.... They are they which testify of Me” (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)). If we seek to think of Christ apart from the Word and the Word apart from the Holy Spirit, all becomes confusion or cold speculation.
It is wonderfully true that we have received a new nature and have been brought into a new position. But more than this, we have been brought to a Person. It is Himself that we want Himself that the heart can understand.
Things New and Old