There are many who own the name of Jesus, the Savior, and preach forgiveness of sins in that blessed name. Some of such also speak of meeting in the name of Jesus. Now, the name of Jesus is unspeakably precious, and “blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin” (Rom. 4:7-87Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. (Romans 4:7‑8)). But for those who had heard and believed the grace of God, Paul prayed thus, “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:9-109For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; (Colossians 1:9‑10)).
The Lordship of Jesus
The lordship of Jesus is not only equally set aside by the two great streams of human wickedness—infidelity and superstition—but what is still more distressing is that many who preach the forgiveness of sins in the name of Jesus and who own that name most precious also often set aside the authority of Him as Lord.
We may speak of Him as Lord of heaven and earth, but do we truly own Him as our Lord in every detail of daily life? Sinners after salvation are frequently left to find their own way in the present confusion of Christian profession, never asking or reflecting on what is suited to the Lord, or whether this is walking worthy of the Lord. When Jesus the Saviour is not known as Jesus the Lord, a person will found doing that which is right in his own eyes.
“Show Me Thy Way”
In the crowds that walk along the broad road of profession, there are, no doubt, learned and far-seeing men, but the path of following the Lord is a narrow path, and “the vulture’s eye hath not seen it” (Job 28:77There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen: (Job 28:7) JND). It can be discerned only by the Spirit in complete submission to the claims of Him who is Lord. Consider the earnest prayer of Paul: “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” Or even the words of Moses in another day, who could say, “Now therefore, I pray Thee, if I have found grace in Thy sight, show me now Thy way” (Ex. 33:1313Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, show me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. (Exodus 33:13)).
Let us read a few more words of Moses: “That I may know Thee, that I may find grace in Thy sight: and consider that this nation is Thy people” (Ex. 33:1313Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, show me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. (Exodus 33:13)). Is this the childlike desire of our hearts, having found grace in His sight, that we also may know Him, be more and more acquainted with Himself, and thus ever find His full, free favor? Do we know, and do we thus speak to Him about, His whole redeemed church? What was the answer of the Lord? “And He said, “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest” (Ex. 33:1414And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. (Exodus 33:14)). Is not this enough?
“My Presence”
And was Israel, as a nation, more separate from the people that were upon the earth than is the church of God? But note, if it is not separation to the Lord Himself, it is only sectarianism, or the disowning of Jesus as Lord. Can we truly say, “Is it not in that Thou goest with us? so shall we be separated”? We must walk with the Lord, or we cannot walk worthy of the Lord. The world ever rejects and disowns Him. And does He not say of His own that are in the world, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:1414I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (John 17:14))?
“The Knowledge of His Will”
The first thing, then, that Paul prays for, for the beloved saints in Christ, is that they “might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Col. 1:99For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; (Colossians 1:9)). Is this our prayer, our desire? Or are we merely content to walk in a manner which suits our natural tastes and desires — a manner right in our own eyes? If, however, a servant knows his Lord’s will and does it not, does his knowledge profit him? Rather, he is the more to blame. Thus the prayer continues, “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing” (Col. 1:1010That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; (Colossians 1:10)).
The Lord or the World?
After Christ ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit descended and formed the church. Then through the Apostle Paul instructions were given concerning its organization and operation. Since that time, all forms of Christian fellowship formed by man displace Jesus as Lord. In the beginning the world hated and persecuted the church of God. Now, many principles and people who run the world also govern in the church of profession. All this we must confess and deplore, for it is not possible to walk worthy of the Lord while walking worthy of a worthless world.
Do you own Jesus as your LORD? No doubt this can be done only by the Spirit of God. “No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (1 Cor. 12:33Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. (1 Corinthians 12:3)). We may own other lords, but if we truly own Jesus “the Lord,” we may rest assured this is by the Spirit of God.
What divine comfort, then, there is in these words of life, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)). Yes, if we have found grace in His sight, we may count on His presence with us. It is enough; we need no more; soon we shall see His face in glory—the One who is Lord of all.
Christian Truth (adapted)