"The Rights of God" # 27

The Way to God's Fullness (continued)

As an example, we see how this condition is completely fulfilled in Elisha in 2 Kings 2. He cannot be dissuaded or discouraged from being zealous, but follows his master Elijah, until be becomes witness of his wonderful ascension. This is what God must have in us to build on. There must be in us something of the zeal that inspired Elisha. God does not look for strength in us. He does not look for a certain ability. He simply looks for the "willingness" to be led and filled by Him with the power of His resurrection, through which the testimony of Jesus Christ in us becomes a reality.

God puts this zeal to the test. He must take us to the point of realizing whether we are serious or not, whether in regard to His fullness it is only a desire on our side, maybe a big desire, but still only a desire, not a willingness to pay any price.

Have we noted that in the chapter mentioned it significantly says: "Elijah went with Elisha?" This shows us that the Lord goes with us when our hearts are set on Him, and that He often waits a long time for us to be ready to move on. Is it not so that He often says to us: "This is My way. Are you ready to go that way? Good - prove it."  If we are truly ready and prove this by taking the first step, He then goes with us and very soon we may walk with Him. But the Lord does not urge us to move on. He does not force us to go forward. He waits until we are ready.

The way that Elijah and Elisha walked together is very important. We speak to those whose eyes of their hearts have been opened, who have received a glimpse of spiritual things. What does it mean to see that the starting point of the road was Gilgal?

We know Gilgal. It is the place where the new generation was circumcised; the place where the reproach of Egypt was rolled away. What does this mean?

It means putting aside of a life in the flesh. Speaking figuratively, it is about the separating work of the Cross. Here all personal interests have come to an end.  Every personal standpoint, all holding fast to the "I" is finished.

If it is a question of God and the things of God, there can be no other point than Gilgal. Only where the flesh has been judged and the old man put into the grave, can God turn to us and make us coworkers in His plan.

This is easier said than done. This sounds very "edifying." But it costs a lot. It costs that which we are. It costs our life.

~T. Austin-Sparks~

(continued with # 28)