Dear Ones:
How shall the goodness of God be revealed in us? Whether in great works or in the common, ordinary acts of everyday life there is only one way and it is by faith.
In Robert M. M’Cheyne‘s great hymn, “When This Passing World Is Done”, he writes:
“E’en on earth, as through a glass,
Darkly, let Thy glory pass;
Make forgiveness feel so sweet;
Make Thy Spirit’s help so meet;
E’en on earth, Lord, make me know
Something of how much I owe.”
Listen: When This Passing World Is Done
The glory of God is manifested in creation, but supremely in the person of Jesus Christ, who is “the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person.” (Hebrews 1:3) God’s desire is that Christ’s light, or His glory, shine through us. “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (II Corinthians 4:6) How can this be? Jesus said to Martha, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40) It is by faith.
Sin must be addressed. How can we know the joy of being forgiven? It is by faith.
John writes, “..the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (I John 1:7) “If we confess our sin, He is faithful, and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.” (v.9)
We must be filled with the Holy Spirit. “…Be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18) “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22)
When we abide in Christ, His life flows into ours by the Spirit. Just like a fruit tree blossoms and bears fruit in quietness so our lives too will blossom and bear the fruits of the Spirit as we abide in Christ. It is by faith.
Charles Wesley wrote in “Come Jesus, Lord, With Holy Fire“:
“Less than Thyself, oh, do not give,
In might, Thyself, within me live;
Come ALL Thou hast and art.”
There will come a day when faith will be sight, for we shall see Him as He is. We shall know His fullness in a presently indescribable manner. But, in the interim, may we look heavenward and reflect somewhat on the perspective of M’Cheyne as he wrote in “When This Passing World Is Done“:
“When I stand before the throne
Dress’d in beauty not my own,
When I see Thee as Thou art,
Love Thee with unsinning heart;
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then how much I owe.”
Let us believe Him for the “sweetness” of His forgiveness and for the fullness of His Spirit as we love and serve Him today. Is He not infinitely worthy?
Love,
Dad