"The Rights of God" # 1

Forward:

The following messages are a free rendering of messages given by T. Austin-Sparks at the main Deaconness House ('Siloah', Gumligen, Bern Switzerland, 1936). In thankfulness for the rich blessing received of the Lord, we now send them out in print with the prayer that the Lord Himself will place them in the hands of those whose hearts are prepared and that God will posses in them His full rights.

May the Lord use this little book to prepare His Church for His soon return. With the Spirit and with the Bride we cry: "Come quickly, Lord Jesus!"

[this is a very important study which we all need to read. I find myself reading ahead of what I am typing and I am amazed at the depth Austin-Sparks has in his understanding!]

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The Starting Point for the Working of God

1 Corinthians 1:18 to 2:2

"For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified."

In all His dealings with us God has His particular starting point. He will not deviate or change from this starting point. Whenever men have attempted to bring God to their starting point, they have always had to recognize that God insists on HIS starting point.

We must recognize something of particular importance, that our progress in spiritual life is completely dependent upon this special starting point. Many have discovered this to their cost. They have embarked on many things with every good intention and devoted much time and effort to them, which they have then had to completely undo. They have had to unlearn much. However, that which they considered loss worked to their advantage. Had they not returned to God's starting point, they would have been stunted throughout their whole life, and remained inhibited people unfit to bring forth that which God had determined for them.

God's starting point for us is related to the fact that we must surrender to Him completely. Even though at the beginning we will not know all that this involves, nevertheless it is essential that we take up a position in which we can to some extent say: I do not know what my complete surrender to God involves; into what depths He will bring me; but I am ready for it. May God's will be done in my life.

With such an attitude, a living fellowship with God will open for us upon which all else depends. We can call this starting point "new birth". Whatever we call it, the main thing is that we have entered into a real living relationship with God, a completely new life: no longer us, but in truth all from God.

~T. Austin-Sparks~

(continued with # 2)