Reconciliation means the restoring of the relationship between the
entire human race and God, putting it back to what God designed it to
be. This is what Jesus Christ did in redemption. The church ceases to be
spiritual when it becomes self-seeking, only interested in the
development of its own organization. The reconciliation of the human
race according to His plan means realizing Him not only in our lives
individually, but also in our lives collectively. Jesus Christ sent
apostles and teachers for this very purpose— that the corporate Person
of Christ and His church, made up of many members, might be brought into
being and made known. We are not here to develop a spiritual life of
our own, or to enjoy a quiet spiritual retreat. We are here to have the
full realization of Jesus Christ, for the purpose of building His body.
Am I building up the body of Christ, or am I only concerned about my
own personal development? The essential thing is my personal
relationship with Jesus Christ— “. . . that I may know Him. . .” (Philippians 3:10).
To fulfill God’s perfect design for me requires my total surrender—
complete abandonment of myself to Him. Whenever I only want things for
myself, the relationship is distorted. And I will suffer great
humiliation once I come to acknowledge and understand that I have not
really been concerned about realizing Jesus Christ Himself, but only
concerned with knowing what He has done for me.
My goal is God Himself, not joy nor peace, Nor even blessing, but Himself, my God.
Am I measuring my life by this standard or by something less?
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