The Spirit and the Cross

Way are there not more men and women who can witness, in the joy of their hearts, that the Spirit of God has taken possession of them, and given them new power to witness for Him? Yet more urgently arises the heart-searching question, to which an answer must be given: What is it that hinders? The Father in heaven is more willing than an earthly father to give bread to his child, and yet the ery arises: ‘‘Is the Spirit straitened? Is this His work?”’

Many will acknowledge that the hindrance undoubtedly lies in the fact that the Church is too much under the sway of the flesh and the world. They understand too little of the heart-piercing power of the Cross of Christ. So it comes to pass that the Spirit has not the vessels into which He can pour His fullness.

Many complain that the subject is too high or too deep for them. This is a proof of how little we have appropriated and brought into practice the teaching of Paul and Christ about the Cross. I bring you a message of joy. The Spirit who is in you, in however limited a measure, is prepared to take you under His teaching, to lead you to the Cross, and by His heavenly instruction to make you know something of what the Crucified Christ wills to do for you and in you.

* See also p. 139. These are further thoughts

But then He wants you to take time, so that He may reveal the heavenly mysteries to you. He wants to make you see how the neglect of the Inner Chamber has hindered fellowship with Christ, the knowl- edge of the Cross, and the powerful operations of the Spirit. He will teach you what is meant by the denial of self, the taking up of your Cross, the los- — ing of your life, and following Him. a

In spite of all that you have felt of your igno- rance, and lack of spiritual insight and fellowship — with the Cross, He is able and willing to take you under His teaching, and to make known to you the secret of the spiritual life above all your expecta- — tions.: Begin at the beginning. Be faithful in the Inner — Chamber. Thank Him that you can reckon on Him to meet you there. Although everything appears — cold, and dark, and strained, bow in silence before the loving Lord Jesus, who so longs after you. — Thank the Father that He has given you the Spirit. And be assured that all you do not yet know, and still must know — about ‘‘the flesh,’’ and ‘‘the world,’’ and the Cross — the Spirit of Christ, who is in you, will surely make known to you. O soul, only believe that this blessing is for you! Christ — belongs entirely to you. He longs to obtain full possession of you. He can and will possess you through the Holy Spirit. But for this, time is necessary. Oh, give Him time in the Inner Chamber every day. You can rest assured that He will fulfil His promise in you. ‘‘He that loveth Me keepeth My commandment, and My Father will love him, and I will manifest Myself to him.’’

Persevere, in addition to all that you ask for yourself, in prayer for your congregation, your — church, your minister; for all believers; for the whole Church of God, that God may strengthen them with power through His Spirit, so that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith. Blessed time when the answer comes! Continue in prayer. The Spirit will reveal and glorify Christ and His love, Christ and His Cross, ‘‘as the Lamb slain standing In the midst of the Throne.’’