His divinity notwithstanding - "God was manifest in the flesh" - the Lord Jesus Christ lived His earthly life as a man completely dependent on His Father's leadership and enabling.
"I can of Mine own self do nothing... the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works" (John 5:30; 14:10).
Our Lord serves as the model of faith and submission to God. We look to Him first and foremost as we seek to discover the path of life whereby the presence and power of Another serves as the dynamic means of faith and faithfulness. "Walk, even as He walked" (I John 2:6). Such a gaze in the direction of Perfection living not by His own devices challenges us to better realize our own native dependence. Indeed, if God Himself, living as a man, required His Father's power to accomplish all things, how much more do we need help from above? We can do nothing of lasting value that does not originate and proceed from grace, as appropriated by faith. "The just shall live by faith" declare both the prophet and the apostle" (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17). The Just One showed us such a life, declared to be so glorious "that even the world itself could not contain the books which should be written" (Acts 7:52; John 21:25).
The Savior who lived such a life now dwells in those who believe. "God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying Abba Father" (Galatians 4:6). What is He doing in us presently and forevermore? Many things, of course, including works so many and so glorious that "the world itself could contain the books that should be written." Purpose number one, however, and the means through which all grace flows, involves motivating and empowering us to trust our Father as the Lord Jesus trusted His Father. Again, "the just shall live by faith." The presence of the Spirit of Christ in us makes possible such a life of the presence and power of God revealed through the faith and submission of humanity. He works in us presently - in this moment - to make such a life actual. Let us respond by "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). In such beautiful light, we shall find the enabling whereby the life He lived more and more becomes the life we live. Or perhaps more literally, we become the scene wherein our Savior once again walks the earth - in us - revealing the trusting devotion of His heart to the Father yet again...
"I will dwell in them and walk in them."
(II Corinthians 6:16)
"I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live. Yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, and the life I now live, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
(Galatians 2:20)
Weekly Memory Verse
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.
(Psalm 46:4)
"I can of Mine own self do nothing... the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works" (John 5:30; 14:10).
Our Lord serves as the model of faith and submission to God. We look to Him first and foremost as we seek to discover the path of life whereby the presence and power of Another serves as the dynamic means of faith and faithfulness. "Walk, even as He walked" (I John 2:6). Such a gaze in the direction of Perfection living not by His own devices challenges us to better realize our own native dependence. Indeed, if God Himself, living as a man, required His Father's power to accomplish all things, how much more do we need help from above? We can do nothing of lasting value that does not originate and proceed from grace, as appropriated by faith. "The just shall live by faith" declare both the prophet and the apostle" (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17). The Just One showed us such a life, declared to be so glorious "that even the world itself could not contain the books which should be written" (Acts 7:52; John 21:25).
The Savior who lived such a life now dwells in those who believe. "God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying Abba Father" (Galatians 4:6). What is He doing in us presently and forevermore? Many things, of course, including works so many and so glorious that "the world itself could contain the books that should be written." Purpose number one, however, and the means through which all grace flows, involves motivating and empowering us to trust our Father as the Lord Jesus trusted His Father. Again, "the just shall live by faith." The presence of the Spirit of Christ in us makes possible such a life of the presence and power of God revealed through the faith and submission of humanity. He works in us presently - in this moment - to make such a life actual. Let us respond by "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). In such beautiful light, we shall find the enabling whereby the life He lived more and more becomes the life we live. Or perhaps more literally, we become the scene wherein our Savior once again walks the earth - in us - revealing the trusting devotion of His heart to the Father yet again...
"I will dwell in them and walk in them."
(II Corinthians 6:16)
"I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live. Yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, and the life I now live, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
(Galatians 2:20)
Weekly Memory Verse
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.
(Psalm 46:4)
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