. . . present . . . your members as instruments of righteousness to God —Romans 6:13
I cannot save and sanctify myself; I cannot make atonement for sin; I cannot redeem the world; I cannot right what is wrong, purify what is impure, or make holy what is unholy. That is all the sovereign work of God. Do I have faith in what Jesus Christ has done? He has made the perfect atonement for sin. Am I in the habit of constantly realizing it? The greatest need we have is not to do things, but to believe things. The redemption of Christ is not an experience, it is the great act of God which He has performed through Christ, and I have to build my faith on it. If I construct my faith on my own experience, I produce the most unscriptural kind of life— an isolated life, with my eyes focused solely on my own holiness. Beware of that human holiness that is not based on the atonement of the Lord. It has no value for anything except a life of isolation— it is useless to God and a nuisance to man. Measure every kind of experience you have by our Lord Himself. We cannot do anything pleasing to God unless we deliberately build on the foundation of the atonement by the Cross of Christ.
The atonement of Jesus must be exhibited in practical, unassuming ways in my life. Every time I obey, the absolute deity of God is on my side, so that the grace of God and my natural obedience are in perfect agreement. Obedience means that I have completely placed my trust in the atonement, and my obedience is immediately met by the delight of the supernatural grace of God.
Beware of the human holiness that denies the reality of the natural life— it is a fraud. Continually bring yourself to the trial or test of the atonement and ask, “Where is the discernment of the atonement in this, and in that?”
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Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord,
Once again we are reminded that our initial reactions to an event might be rooted in our carnal nature and would best go on the back burner while we retreat to a state of curiosity … to see what You are about in this circumstance. Asking the question, “where is the Atonement in this?” adds structure to the way to be curious. Once we connect with you and see, then we can rest in the grace that flows our direction and face the circumstance with love in our heart, remaining curious, while expectant. This seems to make so much sense. Why don’t I do it more? Why don’t all of us live this way more?
You are in process. But you are complete. I know it sounds contradictory but you are both. The confusion comes when you look at heavenly things with earthly eyes. Or analyze spiritual things with normal logic. You are on a good track … staying curious, looking for the Atonement. Just let it happen and receive the grace and the blessings I have for you. It makes me happy when you receive like that.
Click Image for John White's Original Vision For CO2's
