Nothing in Self

Jn. 17:4-5; 13:31-32; 19:30; Eph. 2:8-10; Col. 1:27.

Could effort of ours make us “as Christ is” (1Jn.4:10;17-18=Eph.3:19)? It would be clearly impossible; and yet nothing but this would reach up to the standard God has given us. (See 1, at bottom).

Nothing short of this would be perfection, and nothing short of perfection could we rightly rest in. (See 2,at bottom). If imperfection God cannot accept, and perfection I cannot bring Him, what then? Then I must accept(see Jn.3:30) a perfection of my Father’s providing (Gen.22:8;Jn.3:16), and find in the Lord Jesus a new self (2Cor.5:16-17) that needs no mending and cannot be improved, where no body of death disturbs or oppresses (Ps.62:5,8,10), and occupation with which is not legalism, nor Pharisaism.

I am, we are, privileged to turn away (Heb.12:2) from what I find in myself as a man or woman down here, then, because in the death of the Cross, the death wherein I died with Him (Rom.6:1-11;Col.3:3), “sin in the flesh” HAS BEEN DEALT WITH. The condemnation of it by God has already found its full expression on the Cross. (Jn.19:30=Rom.8:1-3).

For faith, not for experience, feelings and emotions, I too died, and that “to sin,” because “He died unto sin once.” (Rom.6:6-11). I reckon (count) myself (not feel or find myself) to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God “ in Christ Jesus.” (Rom.6:11).

(1. Dt.30:12-14;Jn.1:14;3:27;Eph.4:8-10=1:19-21;2:6). (2. Gen.2:1-2;22:8; Zeph.3:17;Jn.13:23;Heb.4:1-10).