There is something exceedingly comforting in the thought of receiving the power of the Holy Spirit; and no wonder, for the Spirit is the Comforter. But the great comfort of it is shown in the result, as illustrated in one typical case. When Samuel had anointed Saul king over Israel, he said to him:
BEFORE the Lord Jesus Christ went away from the world, he said to his disciples, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:18.
As he was about to ascend to heaven from the Mount of Olives, he said again to his disciples, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature; . . . and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Matt. 28:20.
The question for everyone is, “Do you know that Christ lives in you? Are you joined to Him?” There are many who are workers for Him professedly, who dare not say that Christ lives in them; they do not know that Christ is one with them. When we were bearing crosses after the manner we have described, we could not say, “Christ lives in me.” So we were separated from Him, and thus separated from His cross.
Many speak, teach and firmly believe in the idea of the theme: “in Christ.” This is well and good, but it represents only part of the truth - one facet of the gospel. The complete gospel is “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
We understand that the main theme of the 1888 General Conference, what was presented by the Lords messengers - Elder Waggoner and Jones - was righteousness by faith. However, what is not pointed out is that it is righteousness by faith because of Christ being in the believer - He is our righteousness.
The mystery of God is God "manifest in the flesh." 1 Tim. 3:16.
But as God is manifested only in Christ, the mystery of God is God manifest in Christ in the flesh. Matt. 11:27; 1 Tim. 3:16.
And the mystery of God being God manifest in Christ in the flesh, when this mystery reaches men, it is "Christ in you, the hope of glory." Col. 1:26, 27.
THE Bible holds out no promise of a reward for laziness. In God’s plan no provision is made for idleness. Heaven is pictured before us as a place of activity, and heavenly beings as untiring workers. The Saviour said, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working” (John 5:17), and again “I must work the works of Him who sent Me” (John 9:4). Of the angels we read that they are all “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation” (Heb. 1:14).
“When it pleased God. . . . to reveal His Son in me” (Gal. 1:15, 16). Note the exact words. The apostle does not say that it pleased God to reveal His Son to him but in him. Moreover, he does not say that it pleased God to put His Son into him, but to reveal His Son in him. There is a great truth in this, which stands out very plainly in connection with some other texts.
(Hebrews 2:5-9)
“The old, old story is ever new, tell me more about Jesus.”
For hundreds of years’ men have been talking about Him, and the story of His life has been proclaimed in thousands of pulpits, and repeated in millions of homes; yet it is not worn out. It is as fresh and new as when first told, not only because man’s needs are the same now as then, and because
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).