The Spiritual Society
13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, . . . to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:13 ESV
Rehabilitation means the putting back of the whole human race into the relationship God designed it to be in, and this is what Jesus Christ did in Redemption. The Church ceases to be a spiritual society when it is on the look-out for the development of its own organization. The rehabilitation of the human race on Jesus Christ’s plan means the realization of Jesus Christ in corporate life as well as in individual life. Jesus Christ sent apostles and teachers for this purpose – that the corporate Personality might be realized. We are not here to develop a spiritual life of our own, or to enjoy spiritual retirement; we are here so to realize Jesus Christ that the Body of Christ may be built up.
Am I building up the Body of Christ, or am I looking for my own personal development only? The essential thing is my personal relationship to Jesus Christ – "That I may know Him." To fulfil God’s design means entire abandonment to Him. Whenever I want things for myself, the relationship is distorted. It will be a big humiliation to realize that I have not been concerned about realizing Jesus Christ, but only about realizing what He has done for me.
"My goal is God Himself, not joy nor peace,
Nor even blessing, but Himself, my God."
Am I measuring my life by this standard or by anything less?
http://utmost.org/classic/the-spiritual-society-classic/
"God, please grant me wisdom." "Lord, I ask that you make me more like you." "Dear Jesus, may my life look more like yours each day." Each of these are noble sentiments. Worthy prayers. Grand aspirations. But each also stops short. Why do we want to have spiritual wisdom? What is the purpose of increased Christ-likeness?
Our Christian growth should not be the end unto itself. In the fourth chapter of Colossians, Paul tells the church at Colossae, "we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." "Bearing good fruit in every good work." That is the end goal. Therein lies the purpose of spiritual growth.
What good does memorizing 100 Bible verses if we still gossip about a co-worker? How much benefit is derived from increased Bible study if we are still lose our temper with our children? Is God really pleased with daily devotional times that do not increase our sharing of the Gospel message?
"God, please grant me wisdom, so I may be a Christian leader at work." Lord, I ask that you make me more like you so I can increase my patience with my teenager." "Dear Jesus, may my life look more like yours each day so others will be drawn to your saving grace." Now, those are prayers God can get behind.
Rehabilitation means the putting back of the whole human race into the relationship God designed it to be in, and this is what Jesus Christ did in Redemption. The Church ceases to be a spiritual society when it is on the look-out for the development of its own organization. The rehabilitation of the human race on Jesus Christ’s plan means the realization of Jesus Christ in corporate life as well as in individual life. Jesus Christ sent apostles and teachers for this purpose – that the corporate Personality might be realized. We are not here to develop a spiritual life of our own, or to enjoy spiritual retirement; we are here so to realize Jesus Christ that the Body of Christ may be built up.
Am I building up the Body of Christ, or am I looking for my own personal development only? The essential thing is my personal relationship to Jesus Christ – "That I may know Him." To fulfil God’s design means entire abandonment to Him. Whenever I want things for myself, the relationship is distorted. It will be a big humiliation to realize that I have not been concerned about realizing Jesus Christ, but only about realizing what He has done for me.
"My goal is God Himself, not joy nor peace,
Nor even blessing, but Himself, my God."
Am I measuring my life by this standard or by anything less?
http://utmost.org/classic/the-spiritual-society-classic/
"God, please grant me wisdom." "Lord, I ask that you make me more like you." "Dear Jesus, may my life look more like yours each day." Each of these are noble sentiments. Worthy prayers. Grand aspirations. But each also stops short. Why do we want to have spiritual wisdom? What is the purpose of increased Christ-likeness?
Our Christian growth should not be the end unto itself. In the fourth chapter of Colossians, Paul tells the church at Colossae, "we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." "Bearing good fruit in every good work." That is the end goal. Therein lies the purpose of spiritual growth.
What good does memorizing 100 Bible verses if we still gossip about a co-worker? How much benefit is derived from increased Bible study if we are still lose our temper with our children? Is God really pleased with daily devotional times that do not increase our sharing of the Gospel message?
"God, please grant me wisdom, so I may be a Christian leader at work." Lord, I ask that you make me more like you so I can increase my patience with my teenager." "Dear Jesus, may my life look more like yours each day so others will be drawn to your saving grace." Now, those are prayers God can get behind.
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