The Power of Affection

• 2 min. read • grade level: 7

There is danger nowadays of making the Bible "easy." The clear and full character of revelation in our dispensation is one of its great distinctions. That is true and very blessedly true. "Blessed are your eyes, for they see," said the Lord. But still the facility with which divine knowledge may now be attained has its snare and its danger. We may get pleased with the attainment itself without being stirred up, as we ought to be, to walk in those richer affections and in that deeper moral power which is alone consistent with our enlarged measure of light and understanding.

The church at Corinth abounded in knowledge (1 Cor. 1:5⁵That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; (1 Corinthians 1:5)), but their walk was so unspiritual that the Apostle would not treat them as though they had knowledge (1 Cor. 3:1¹And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:1)). And this shows us how the Lord abhors the trafficking in unfelt truth. In heaven there may be ignorance or want of knowledge, but no such thing as the possession of unfelt truth. The angels are heavenly creatures,

but they confess their ignorance by their desire to know (1 Pet. 1:12¹²Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. (1 Peter 1:12)). Ignorant of certain truths they are, but not uninterested about them. So, righteous men and prophets have been ignorant, but not uninterested. (Matt. 13:17¹⁷For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. (Matthew 13:17); Luke 10:24²⁴For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. (Luke 10:24) Pet. 1:10.) And in the person of the patriarch Abraham, we see how some of old, in dispensations of less light and communicated knowledge, had such right affections that the Spirit carried them beyond the measure of the stature of their age.

Speaking of Abraham the Lord says, He "rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it, and was glad." John 8:56⁵⁶Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. (John 8:56). His rejoicing was the early or previous condition of his soul. It tells us that he took an interest in the notices which had been afforded him of Christ. They were comparatively few and faint, but they captivated his soul. The glimpses were powerful. And the Lord honored such an affection, and gave His servant a fuller vision. "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it." And then, as we further read, "he was glad." He used the knowledge he attained aright, as he had sought it aright. His affections were engaged in the search, and they were not cooled or deadened when he had found it.

Here was knowledge sought and used in the due order. Our hearts can say, 0 for more of this within and among us!

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