The Maintenance Of Spiritual Life

by J. Drain | Category: Churches Of God - Their Constitution And Functions | Jul 1951

In the realm of physical experience it is very widely appreciated that the maintenance of the life with which a child comes into the world is a matter of very great importance. Provision, in some cases of a very elaborate kind, is made to nourish and to promote the growth and development of the new-born child. In some lands the health of the people is considered to be of such importance that vast sums of money are expended in pursuance of national schemes designed to safeguard the people from disease, to remove disability and handicap, and to educate and train so that the full possibilities of physical life may be enjoyed.

It is perhaps not so generally realized that what is true in the sphere of physical life is true, with greater significance and consequences, in the sphere of spiritual life. In the miraculous experience of regeneration a person who believes on the Son of God is born again, born of God, born of the Spirit, begotten again through the word of God. The life given to the believing one is eternal life. Christ could say of His sheep, "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of My hand " (John 10.28). Hence, once a person has received the spiritual life given in the new birth he has entered into a relationship with God which nothing can sever. His eternal security as a child of God is guaranteed. But when the new birth takes place in a person's experience, a new-born babe is brought into existence. The spiritual life of this babe must be maintained and its powers and faculties developed, so that the full possibilities of spiritual life may be realized.

The Scriptures make it abundantly clear that it is God's will that His children should live in the enjoyment of full spiritual vigour and vitality. The words of Paul to the Ephesians are relevant here: "Till we all attain .... unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we may be no longer children ... " (Ephesians 4.13 and 14). Life is not just a beating pulse, nor is spiritual life merely a matter of being saved. Impairment of physical faculties and functions may do much to destroy the enjoyment of life. God has made wonderful and complete provision for His children so that they all should grow and develop, and prove the reality and blessedness of the life which is life indeed.

It may perhaps be pointed out here, in this matter of the maintenance of spiritual life, that whilst the experience of the individual is both necessary and important, the full benefits of spiritual life cannot be known where individualism is insisted upon. Some have chosen personal isolation and insulation, hoping thereby to reach a deeper experience of spiritual life. But the Scriptures neither authorize nor encourage such a course. On the contrary, we, read, "Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house ... "(1 Peter 2.5). Separation from the world is a clearly-taught scriptural truth, but as clearly is it taught that separated disciples of the Lord should be brought together in churches of God under the authority of the Lord Jesus. We are assured that whilst certain aspects of life may be enjoyed by individual believers, the fulness of spiritual life demands, not only a standing in grace in Christ, but also subjection and obedience to Him as the One who has absolute authority. This will involve being linked up with other disciples in the Fellowship which is called in the Scriptures, "The Fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Corinthians 1.9.)

Examining something of the divine provision for the maintenance of spiritual life, we realize first of all that Christ Himself is the Life. There can be no life apart from Him. Christ is our Life and He is the Source of all life. Paul points out the serious danger of a man being "vainly puffed up in his fleshly mind, and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the Body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God" (Colossians 2.18, 19). Christ said to His disciples, "Abide in Me, and I in you" (John 15.4). The apostle Paul was one who knew the practical meaning of these words and he could say, "I have been crucified with Christ,; yet I live; and yet no longer I, but Christ liveth in me" (Galatians 2.20). Here is spiritual life in its perfection.

To the Holy Spirit as to His activity in the work of regeneration we have already alluded. It is by His power that spiritual life can be sustained. Spiritual life is ever threatened by the flesh, and "the mind of the flesh is death" (Romans 8.6). "If ye live after the flesh, ye must die" (Romans 8.18). The only power that can cope with the deadly flesh is the power of the Holy Spirit. If, therefore, we will know the sweetness of the new life to which we are called we must not grieve or quench the Spirit who is within us. The great instrument which the Spirit uses is the word of God which is spoken of as being "living and active" (Hebrews 4.12). The maintenance of spiritual life is absolutely impossible apart from the word of God. Shortly before his death, Moses said to the people of Israel, "Set your heart unto all the words which I testify unto you this day; which ye shall command your children, to observe to do all the words of this law. For it is no vain thing for you; because it is your life" (Deuteronomy 32.46, 47). In the beginning of this present dispensation the disciples continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching. This was the doctrine of the Lord for them. It was their life. With the complete canon of Scripture in our possession we are not only more favourably placed than those early disciples, but also more responsible. There should he a longing for the "spiritual milk" (1 Peter 2.2), and an increasing appetite for "solid food" (Hebrews 5.14). The faith of our Lord Jesus, which embodies the doctrine of the Lord for His disciples, is healthful teaching. Private reading and assimilation of the word of God must be attended to if spiritual life is to be sustained. Very important is it also to realize that God intends that adequate provision be made for shepherds to feed and to tend the lambs and the sheep of the flock. Spirit-given ministry is much needed.

Occupying a unique place in the provision of God for the life of His people is the hallowed service of remembrance instituted by the Lord Jesus. This is identified as "the breaking of bread." In this also the early disciples continued steadfastly (Acts 2. 42). Undoubtedly this service has primarily and properly a Godward direction and activity in which the holy priesthood of God's house worship Him. But we believe that the remembrance character of the service - "in remembrance of Me" - gives to it unspeakable value in stimulating spiritual life. As we reflect upon our beloved Lord and receive impressions upon our hearts of His divine, ineffable glory, His perfect, sinless manhood, His consummate devotion as Jehovah's Servant, His immeasurable love as man's Saviour, His wondrous life, His infinite attributes, His gracious character, His agonizing death, His triumphant resurrection and return to Heaven, His present offices, His future glories, surely in such communion there is life-promoting power.

Another distinctive feature of the true life of the people of God is the access into God's presence which has been opened for them in the Person and work of Christ. In Acts 2.42 we see that the disciples continued in the prayers. If we are hearing God then God will be hearing us. Those early disciples knew the blessed experience of pouring out their beings to God in worship and adoration, and in supplication, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings. This intimate contact of approach to God in the prayers is indispensable to life, and where it is neglected there must follow serious deterioration in the life of a child of God. May God by His grace enable us all more effectively to lay hold on the life eternal!

J. Drain | Jul 1951
Churches Of God - Their Constitution And Functions