Last week we had a few words on this page about "seeing life." We noted that what is very commonly called seeing life is not that at all, but just the opposite.
What most people call life is nothing but death; for we have all turned to our own way, and that way ends in death, because it has nothing but death in it. Men who are content to live without the knowledge of God, are admiring a dead carcass, under the impression that it is a beauteous thing of life.
There is, however, real life to be seen by whosoever will look. "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us); That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you." (1 John 1:1-3)
This "Word of life" which was from the beginning, was God. (John 1:1-4) "In Him was life," (John 1:4) because "[He is] the way, the truth, and the life;" (John 14:6) "He is your life, and the length of your days." (Deuteronomy 30:20)
Therefore in the injunction, "Behold your God!" (Isaiah 40:9) we are commanded to behold the life. It is not only a privilege, but it is everybody's duty, to see life, real life. Indeed, whoever does not see life is plainly in a most deplorable condition. "The wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:36) "[But] God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:9)
We, as well as Paul, have been chosen, to "see that Just One." (Acts 22:14) "That which may be known of God is manifest. ... For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made." (Romans 1:19-20)
And these invisible things of God that are so plainly revealed, are "His everlasting power and Divinity." (Romans 1:20)
If therefore anyone should say, "Where is the life, that I might see it?"
We have only to reply, "Open your eyes, and look about you!"
There's not a plant or flower below
But makes your glories known.
--Isaac Watts, Hymn: I Sing the Mighty Power of God; from the book, Divine and Moral Songs for the Use of Children, 1715.
Everywhere we look, we see life and activity. A walk into the forest or through the meadows will reveal to us more of real life than we could see in a month in any city in the world. Among men we find the artificial; where God alone rules, we find the real; and it is from the plants, these silent teachers, that we are to learn.
Even among men, however, the life is manifested; for the Word of life is near every man, in his mouth and in his heart, that he may do it. Every soul that has not definitely and finally rejected the Lord, is still influenced to a greater or less extent by His Holy Spirit.
Often the resistance to the Spirit is slackened, and then some of the workings of the Spirit will appear; for the Spirit, like the air, will instantly fill every space that is opened. The good that manifests itself in men and women, no matter how degraded they are, is from the Lord. It is the manifestation of the Life. "All that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust ofthe eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof; but he that does the will of God abides for ever." (1 John 2:16-17)
Sin is of the devil, and the Son of God--the Life--was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil. (John 3:8) Sin is death, and we get no life by looking at it. The children of Israel might as well have expected to be healed of their sores by looking at them, as we to get any benefit from looking at sin, whether in ourselves or others. "Looking unto Jesus," (Hebrews 12:2) is the sole remedy, for by beholding we become changed. (2 Corinthians 3:18) "The Life is the light of men." (John 1:4) "The Spirit is life because of righteousness." (Romans 8:10)
Whatever is good is from God, is the revelation of His life. From evil only death can come; therefore, "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and it there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)
Let us look at the Life, and we shall be filled with it.--Present Truth, September 1, 1898--continuation of previous article.