(Josh. 5; 6)
To the soul that is born of God, perhaps few things are of more importance than having the consciousness that he is occupying the position on earth during our Lord’s absence which is according to His will. The scriptures abound with clear lines of instruction as to this. Not only have we apostolic testimony for the time when the church was set up on earth, and the order and godly ways it should maintain, but even the present time of ruin and departure is contemplated, and the path for the faithful clearly pointed out.
As to the position we should occupy in these last days, is it likely we should be competent to discern and hold our true place on earth, unless we have taken the place and relationships He has graciously given us in His own presence? As long as there is hesitancy and uncertainty as to this, how can we be responding to it in the ways of holiness and truth marked out for us while passing through this Christ-rejecting world?
When the children of Israel took possession of “the land” under Joshua, their position toward Jehovah, toward their brethren, and toward the Gentiles, became clear enough. They found also, when there, the amplest provision for the sustainment of their condition, and also for the testimony they were called on to bear. All was of an entirely new order, and could not have been known before they were in the position beyond Jordan, which God in His sovereignty had given them.
The believer now, by grace, has been quickened, raised up, and made to sit in heavenly places in Christ. He is thus on the other side of the Jordan of death and judgment. Having died with Christ He is risen with Christ, alive in Him for evermore, and united to Him by the Holy Ghost sent down. Thus he is blessed in heavenly places in Christ. There he is always “complete in him.” We are now therefore not in the first Adam, not in the flesh, though alas! the flesh is in us, not in our sins, not under law, and not of the world, but in heavenly places in Christ, and loved by the Father as He loved Jesus. The believer has no other position before God. When he takes this place of nearness, acceptance, and blessing, he, as it were, enters into “the land” which typified our present position in heavenly places. Such then are conscious not only of eternal security and blessing, but also of being separated off to God, and therefore should be from everything which is contrary to His mind.
Until this marvelous calling and standing is entered upon and enjoyed, how is it possible that we can walk worthy of it? If the believer is not consciously near to God, he will be struggling to get near; and if he does not see that lie is accepted in the Beloved he will be hoping to be accepted. He is not standing fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.
If he does not know that he is now a child of God, how can he walk as a child? If he does not realize the truth that he is a member of the body of Christ, how can he be “holding the Head,” walking according to his relationship with every other member of the “one body” and standing apart from every principle which denies it? If he does not apprehend the fact that the Holy Ghost dwells in him and in every member of the body of Christ, and that it is the power for all godliness, how can he be hearkening to what the Spirit saith, and be giving diligence to keep the Spirit’s unity? It is when the Christian has entered upon and enjoys his present standing and relationships in heavenly places, when he holds the Head, and owns the Holy Ghost, then open worldliness and spurious Christianity are alike distasteful to him, and he finds that he has a place on earth of service and testimony to the Lord Jesus Christ. Such will find no difficulty in concluding that they should withdraw from moral, ecclesiastical, or doctrinal iniquity, and purge themselves from vessels to dishonor, or whatever is unsuited to the name of Him who is “the holy and the true.”
As we have before observed, when the children of Israel got into the land they found the fullest provision made for their condition; and after all, a position however orthodox, will be a poor thing if it be only regarded in the way of outward observance. We are told “they did eat of the old corn of the land.” This sets before us Christ in the heavenlies, which those who take their true place there, find to be the constant joy and strength of their hearts. Such become then occupied with a glorified Christ; and we may be quite sure that no child of God is in his right position, or in a healthy condition who is not thus taken up with the glorified Son of man. Now he can speak of “having nothing and yet possessing all things.” Now he looks back on the cross, and remembers Him who died there, and he looks up into heaven and beholds with unveiled face the glory of the Lord. Looking back on the cross he is reminded that he has put off the old man, that he has crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts, and there too he is reminded that on it all his blessings both now and forever are founded. But gazing by faith on Christ in the glory his soul is feasted, his heart gladdened, his faith sustained, his strength renewed and the bright hope of the Lord’s coming makes him feel superior to everything here. Trouble he may have, and battles he may have to fight, but the Lord is his strength and salvation, and gives him comfort and encouragement in the conflict.
Does the christian reader know what it is to be enjoying this new position of nearness and acceptance in the heavenlies in Christ? If not, may you now by faith accept it from the Lord, who declares, that, however feeble your faith, yet by His grace, having Christ crucified, risen, and glorified as the object of your hearts trust, you are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. There too Christ is your present strength and sufficiency. Happy are those who are “ strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might;” who seek to walk and act in the wisdom, power, and all-sufficient grace of Christ. Such feel their weakness, no ones feels it so much; but they search the word for God’s testimony concerning Christ, and daily find Him to be like “the old corn of the land” to their souls. Without this daily renewing by feeding on Christ through the scriptures, by the power of the Holy Ghost, how can we be in that condition or state of soul which is pleasing to God? Would the children of Israel have been enabled to fight the battles and walk in the ways which were appointed them by Jehovah, had they neglected to feed upon “the old corn of the land”? How needful then it is that our souls should be occupied with our Lord Jesus Christ! Even to the apostles our Lord declared “Without me ye can do nothing.” He therefore said unto them, “Abide in me,” for He Himself is the only source of fruit-bearing. May we then cleave unto the Lord, as having all resources for service, testimony, and for all fruit-bearing in Him, being assured however clear we may be as to our true position, if personal intercourse and communion with the Lord be neglected—“the old corn of the land” not eaten—that condition will inevitably be lacking which produces true testimony.
The testimony therefore which is suited to the believer flows out of a true position and condition. How could anyone testify of the, world that its works were evil if he were practically of it? Or, how could a person contend for the absolute authority of scripture, that the Lord Jesus Christ is the source of all true gifts for ministry of the word, and that the Holy Ghost’s presence on earth is the power of all godliness, if he himself were accrediting the systems and traditions of men, and acknowledging to human credentials and official trappings?
But we have a testimony to bear. Jesus said, “If a man love me, he will keep my words.” (John 14:2323Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23).) John was banished by the haters of the truth to the desolate island of Patmos, “for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Rev. 1:99I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 1:9).) Timothy was enjoined by the apostle Paul “not to be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord,” and to “hold fast the form of sound words.” (2 Tim. 1:1313Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 1:13).) If the question be asked, “ Who is sufficient for these things?” The answer is, “Our sufficiency is of God.”
In tracing a little the ways of the children of Israel after they had taken possession of the land, after they had been circumcised (to us putting off the body of the flesh in the death of Christ), after keeping the passover, thus acknowledging all their blessings were founded on the blood of the Lamb, and after having eaten of “the old corn of the land” their testimony was marked by obedience to the will of God, by accepting the place of separation and rejection, and by caring for souls. No testimony can be according to God that is not in obedience to His revealed will. We are enjoined to be “as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance,” &c. (1 Pet. 1:1414As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: (1 Peter 1:14).) To keep in our hearts and carry out in our lives the words of Jesus, characterizes those who love Him. And we may be sure, if we are simply doing the Lord’s will, it must certainly lead us into the path of separation from the world, and into the place of its rejection. By the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, the world is not only crucified unto us, but we are crucified unto it. The will of God was that the people of Israel should take their place outside the doomed city of Jericho, and it soon became apparent they were not of it, but in closest association with “the ark” outside it. The believer, too, is taught that he is not of the world, even as Christ was not of the world; and as certainly as he is in heavenly places in Christ, so is Christ (whom the ark typified) with those who are in obedient testimony for Him on earth, looking for judgment coming upon this doomed world, as pronounced by Him who said, “Now is the judgment of this world.” As surely as “the ark” was with the children of Israel, so truly is Christ in the midst of two or three who are gathered together in His name. If they were told to be silent, and merely walk round about the city once, they did it. If they were told to sound the trumpets of rams’ horns, they did it. If they were told to “shout,” they did it. If they were told not to covet the Canaanites’ wealth, or the Babylonish garment, they had to reap the bitter fruits of one of their company being disobedient. And so now the principle is the same; obedience to the word of God is always connected with blessing, but disobedience with sorrow; for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap; he that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption,” &c. (Gal. 6:88For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:8).) It is a point never to be forgotten that God acts in government as well as in grace.
The testimony in men’s account may be mean and poor as the blowing of a ram’s horn, or as small as a quiet walk round about the city; nevertheless, it was the place of separation from the doomed city, and obedience to Jehovah’s will. Their lines of service were ordered for them. They cared too for souls. A harlot and her household and kindred and all that she had, sheltered in the house marked by the scarlet line in the window, were objects of their solicitude; and Joshua commanded the two spies who had set before her the only way of escape to bring them all out, that they might be safe from the impending and desolating judgment. And so it was.
May every child of God who reads these lines learn that our faithful position on earth is connected with our acceptance of our true place in heaven, and that all testimony according to God is connected with that condition which results from personal intercourse and communion with the Lord Himself! Η. H. S.