| Devotional Hours with the Bible |
Chapter 24 |
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The story of the conversion of Lady Aberdeen is well known. She had been long in doubt, wavering, indecisive. In her time of perplexity she sat one day under a tree in her garden, in deep thought. Out of the silence she heard a mystic voice speaking as clearly to her consciousness as if a friend had uttered the words, “Act as if I were, and you will find that I am.” She had been asking the very question of my friend’s letter, “How can I learn that these things are true?” Was Christ real? She could not be sure. Would He be her friend? Would He bless her as the New Testament says He would? “Act as if I were,” said the voice, “and you will learn that I am, and that all these things are true.” There is no other way to find out that Christ is, and that the things the Scriptures tell us about Him are true.
Again, if we begin to do the will of God, we shall learn the reality of the spiritual life. Jesus said, “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine” (7:17). You are to will to do God’s will. This means the most earnest determination, the most unfaltering obedience. As we do the things of God’s will as they are made known to us, we shall learn the reality of God and the beauty and blessedness of His love. One who tried to believe there is no God confessed that it was never in His best moments that he felt himself an atheist. Jesus said the pure in heart shall see God. He did not mean only that we shall see God when we get to heaven, and look upon God in His glory. He meant also that those whose hearts are pure shall see God on the earth. They will not be troubled about the reality of the things of faith. They well not ask, “Why has no one ever seen God?” They will see Him themselves. No cloud will ever dim for them the radiance of His face.
Then it is only in Christ that we can see God. Notice the precise words in which Jesus answered Philip’s request, “Show us the Father.” ‘He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” In Jesus Christ, therefore, and only in Jesus Christ, can we see God. The Incarnation was God coming to the earth in human life, that men could understand Him. Those who saw Him looked upon the face of God. Those who knew Him knew God. Those who became His friends became God’s friends. This privilege is ours. Friendship is the holiest and most sacred of all human relations. Think of all that is possible in ideal human friendship. Then think of all that is possible in friendship with Jesus Christ. There never was another friend like Jesus. Think of what His friendship may be to you if you will let it into your life in all its sweetness, its divineness, its power to transform and bless.
But the Christian girl asks: “Are these things true? How do we know they are? They are very beautiful. They were true of the people who knew Jesus personally; but may I have a share in them?” The friendship of Christ is the most real and the most wonderful thing in this world. To very many people there does seem to be an unreality in the things of spiritual life. God seems far away. We cannot see Him. We cannot feel His touch. But this need not be so. Christ wants to reveal the Father to us. He wants His friendship with you to be as real and as close as your friendship with your closest earthly friend. Get acquainted with Christ. Act as if He were what He says He is. Trust His promises — not one of them shall fail. Let His love into your heart — it will fill you with joy and peace; it will transform your life into love and beauty and radiance.
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