January 19 O. WinslowWe know that we have passed from death unto life. 1 John 3:14For it is a thing of whose possession the believer may be assured. He can speak of its possession with holy boldness and with humble confidence. The life of God in the soul authenticates itself. It brings with it its own evidence. Is it possible that a believer can be a subject of the quickening grace of the Holy Spirit, and not know it? Possess union with Christ, and not know it? The pardon of sin, and not know it? Communion with God, and not know it? Breathing after holiness, and not know it? Impossible! The life of God in the soul evidences itself by its actings. Are you sensible of your sinfulness? Do you love the atoning blood? Is Jesus precious to your soul? Do you delight in God, and in retirement for communion with Him? Then, for your encouragement we remind you, that these are not the actings of a soul lying in a state of moral death, nor are these the productions of a soil still unregenerate. They proceed from the indwelling life of God, and are the ascendings of that life to God, the Fountain from where it flows. Thus the weakest believer in Jesus may humbly exclaim, This one thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see.
Quote: 'This one thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see.'I can only say amen to that.God bless.
There is an inward assurance of the wonderful work of God's marvelous grace in the soul of a man. Very true that no man can have such work of grace flooding upon his soul and yet fail to notice that such operations are indeed passing upon his soul. As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are indeed the sons of God and the very same Spirit of life who leads them bears witness with their spirit that they are the children of God. 1 John 3:14 gives one particular mark of having passed from death unto life which is stressed as "because we love the brethren." is this not a sure mark that one is alive with the life of Christ and that godly love is shed abroad in his heart? No corpe can have an ability to love but only those who are quickened from the dead by the Spirit of love and in them there is this sure mark which is a demonstration of God Himself for the Bible says God is love. The Word says "we KNOW that we have passed from death unto life," this can be nothing but a tangible experience of the death, burial, resurrection and the ascension of the Blessed Saviour and the knowing of the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge. What a wonderful topic this is. I believe we can ask ourselves what assures us that we have indeed passeed from death unto life.
_________________Joel Fatsani Mpasa
