Deeper Life #66

Because as he is, so are we in this world.

—1 John 4:17

THOSE OF US WHO ARE God’s children stand in holy reverence when we read the above verse of Scripture. It can only mean one thing: The image, character, and holiness of Jesus Christ are in His sanctified ones. They are consequences of His sovereign right of creation.

Sanctification means that I am taken into that mystical union which no language can define.” Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

It is one thing for God to claim me, quite another thing for me to allow Him to make that claim real. It is one thing to realize in speechless wonder that I can be sanctified, that my heart can be turned to worship; but it is another thing to tell God that I want Him to realize His claim in me.

I can hear someone say, “Do you mean to tell me, Brother Chambers, that I—an ordinary human being with ordinary, commonplace work, surrounded by ordinary, commonplace people with no particular education—that I can be a new creation in Christ Jesus?”

Yes, I am saying all of this. Let God realize His claim in you. Let Jesus Christ make His creation good in you.

Prayer Thought: Create in me the attributes of righteousness, Lord, which will identify me as Your child.

SUGGESTED READING: 1 John 4:1–17