“Christ liveth in me”…~ Phil. 4:13
When just a boy I asked my father if I could have a new ball glove, that the old one I had was worn out. He replied, “Son, it’s not the glove, but the hand in the glove.”
Harry A. Ironside, a gifted Bible teacher of the past as well as the late expositor, J.I. Packer, had similar experiences early in their Christian lives. Both were driven to the brink of a nervous breakdown by trying to reach an unattainable standard set by men in the particular group to which they belonged. The testimony of them both (looking back in hindsight) was that the very teachers themselves who advocated that type of life had never experienced it themselves.
C.S. Lewis, in referring to such people says, “Those like myself, whose imagination far exceeds their obedience, are subject to a just penalty; we easily imagine conditions far higher than any we have really reached. If we describe what we have imagined, we may make others, and make ourselves, believe that we have really been there.”
I think Martyn Lloyd-Jones sums up how to live the Christian life as well as anyone I have ever read after. Using that familiar text, “I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me.” he says in essence, it is not I, without Christ, nor is it Christ without I. You do not eliminate either; it takes both.
He goes on to explain that the Christian life is simply a poor, weak, anemic believer, infused by the mighty power of the indwelling Christ, carrying out, with his or her own personality and temperament, the responsibilities given him or her by God.
by an Aged Saint
Support can be sent to me: 1330 Calaveritas, Rd. (Space #34) San Andreas, CA 95249 OR At PayPal here, by using this address, diclvsal61@gmail.com
Interested in Biblical answers to today's trends? You can reach my son Andrew's blog by clicking here
Richard, this is an insightful post. Do you know where I can find the quote from Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones?