198
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
April 1927
John Boys, in writing of that reunion of spirit and body, says: “What a sweet greeting that will be between spirit and body, the nearest acquaintances that ever were! ‘Blessed be thou,’ she will say, ‘for thou hast aided me to the glory I have enjoyed since I parted with thee; blessed art thou that sufferedst thyself to be mortified. In times past we walked together as friends in God’s house, for when I prayed inwardly thou didst attend my devotions with bowed knees and lifted up hands outwardly. We two have been fellow-laborers in the works of the Lord; we two have suffered together, and now we two shall reign together; I will enter again into thee, and so both of us
The Royal Likeness / \ S we celebrate again the resurrection of our Lord, ^ many will be thinking of that glad hour to come, when He' shall the second time appear and when all the sons of God shall be given bodies like unto His own, and shall see Him as He is (1 Jno. 3:2). A Danish missionary in India once engaged the help of a native teacher in translating the New Testament. When he came to 1 John 3 :2, the words ;’?W shall he like Him,” the native laid down his pen and said: “No, I cannot write those words. It’s too much, I ’ll put it—‘we shall kiss his feet’.”
together will enter into our Master’s joy where. we shall have pleasures at His right hand forevermore’.” The God of All Grace "The God of all grace . . . shall Himself perfect, establish, strength en you.” (1 Pet. 5:10 R. V ). Here, is a bit of work that God Himself is personally interested in. W HEN the head of a great business house or firm assures you that he is going to give his personal attention to something you want done by that firm, immediately you feel confident that the thing will be done and well done. This kind of interest carries with it the feeling that all of that great firm is back of the promise. Peter tells us that the God of all grace, (or literally, every grace) is giving His personal attention to the perfecting of the humblest saint. That means that He is in full command of infinite resources of grace and that every grace is back of what He undertakes to do. Not only is He giving the matter His per sonal attention, but He is put ting the infinite resources ;of His life back of that interest and purpose. The purpose re ferred to is the perfecting of the life; the bringing of it to a full expression of its nature and essential intent. The w o r d translated “perfect” has the idea of healing, and all healing is to the end that nature may
It is far too wonderful for us that we should even now be called the sons of God, yet we have in the same sentence the promise 'of a future more won derful and glorious than mortal imagination can picture. It is not too much for the love of God. Mr. Spurgeon, when once asked for a likeness of himself, replied: “If you’ll wait but a few years, I can show you a more glorious likeness.” In 2 Cbr. 3 :18 we are told that even now, as we behold in faith our risen Lord, we may be changed in to . the same image from one stage of glory to an other “even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” The royal likeness is sure to be recognizable in .those who live much with. Him now, but when we behold His unveiled glory, there w ill. be transformation complete—body, soul and spirit. No wonder we read in 2 Thess. 1:10 that w h e n He domes to be glorified in His saints, He will be admired in all who have believed. The H igh Level Life “Take heed lest by any means this liberty o f yours become a stumbling- block to them that are weak.” Ijgjr-i Cor. 8:9. T HE New Testament does not say: “Thou shalt not play cards, dance, smoke, chew or attend the movies,” It is
have her perfect way. In order to make this possible the life will have to be established, the restlessness and the fever must be taken out of it and it must be strengthened. The God of every grace is able to take away the fret and care and to supply the necessary strength. He not only has the interest and will, but also the resources by which to make possible the realization of His will. While we are suffering, let us never forget that God is giving His per sonal attention to our case and His ultimate purpose is the perfecting of the life for fuller expression and larger service. Whatever He permits or brings to pass is, in His judgment, necessary to the realization of the ideal.
impossible that we should have explicit guidance of Scrip ture in all the things. Undoubtedly some could honestly say that some of these things were not especially harmful to themselves. As Christians, however, we are face to face with some very plain precepts which are to guide our conduct in all matters. The fact that you are avowedly advanced in Christian knowledge makes your example the more dan gerous because more effective. There are weaker believers who feel that some of those things would be positively detrimental to their spiritual growth. Through your dis regard of influence upon .those not as strong as yourself
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