Identification of the Godly # 2

Identification of the Godly # 2

5. A spiritual sight of the Son causes a yearning for KNOWLEDGE. Not of profitless speculations on prophecy, nor for a better grasp of theology - but for a deeper and fuller apprehension of Christ Himself: in His wondrous person, His glorious offices, His peerless perfections, and His perfect work; and that, not merely information of the same, but a personal acquaintance with them. When Christ has made Himself known to one, his longing is "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple" (Psalm 27:4). No matter to what extent he may grow in grace - yet he will still desire and purpose with Paul, "that I may know Him" (Phil. 3:10), counting all else but loss, "for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord" (Phil. 3:8), longing for the immediate vision of Him in glory.

6. A spiritual sight of the Son brings LIBERTY. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (2 Cor. 3:17). The reference there, as the next verse goes on to show, is to the Comforter as a Spirit of revelation - revealing to the believer the glory of the Lord, and conforming him thereto. Such is the actual experience of God's children. A supernatural beholding of the glory of God in the face of Christ...looses our chains, frees us from our legal bondage, and delivers from fears of the wrath to come.

Liberty is then ours to freely unbosom ourselves to the Lord as we never did before, to tell out to Him the burden of our hearts, to pray and plead before Him in childlike reality. This it is, which liberates the captive and opens the doors of the prison to him who previously was bound (Isa. 61:1). "I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears" (Psalm 34:4).

7. A spiritual sight of the Son instills JOY. Therein is the spiritual fulfillment and personal application of that promise, "The wilderness and the solitary place (the Christian soul) shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing." And what is it, dear reader, which occasions such a glorious transformation from desolation and barrenness - into jubilation and fertility? This: "They shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God" (Isa. 35:1-2). The experience of their father Abraham rejoiced in all his believing children: "Abraham rejoiced to see my day" said Christ, "and he saw it, and was glad" (John 8:56). Thus it was, too, with the apostles: "Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord" (John 20:20). A discovery of Christ unto the soul - cannot but produce gladness.

8. A spiritual sight of the Son engenders longings. Longings to be delivered from the raging of indwelling sin, the surgings of pride, the risings of self-will, the chilling blasts of unbelief from everything which hinders his enjoyment of the Lord.

The experience of such a soul is expressed in those words, "As the deer pants after the water-brooks - so pants my soul after You, O God" (Psalm 42:1). Pants for more of His grace, to triumph over trials and hindrances; for more of His holiness, to be more fully conformed to His image; for more of His strength, to overcome temptations; for more of His Spirit, to be brought into closer and more constant communion with Him. Yes, a discovery of Christ to the soul, creates longings to depart from this earthly scene and to be with Him forever.

9. A spiritual sight of the Son causes contempt of the world. Once Christ is made a living reality to the heart, that person realizes that everything under the sun is "vanity and vexation of spirit." An internal revelation of Christ, completely eclipses the beauty and glory of those objects which charm the ungodly. 

10. A spiritual sight of the Son evokes zeal. There are indeed many who "have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge" (Rom. 10:2), for it issues from the feverish energy of the flesh - rather  than being prompted by the Holy Spirit; and is directed by impulse, carnal reason, or tradition - instead of by means of God's Word. But an inward revelation of Christ conveys such an experiential knowledge of Him, as regularizes our energies, and leads the soul to do and suffer for Him. Love for Him constrains him to further his cause and help his followers. He has a true zeal to deny self, separate from the world, and run in the way of his commandments. Though he is ridiculed and persecuted, these things move him not, and he counts not his life dear unto himself. If such effects as the above have been produced in you, my readers, then it can be said, "Blessed are your eyes, for they see" (Matt. 13:16).

~A. W. Pink~

(The End)