"My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you." [Galatians 4:19].

            The words "veneer" and "counterfeit" are most common today. Sham and pretense are everywhere as the world goes about with its masquerade, trying to cover up its flaws and desperate condition. But while all this is taking place, we also see how our .God is UNCOVERING and preparing to bring forth a manifestation of reality ― an expression of Himself through His people.
            It is not meet that the candlestick should be hid under a bushel, under abed, in the cellar, as Jesus used the various illustrations in His parables. Therefore God shall reveal His true messengers of light. What HE has been working within them shall be unveiled to all creation in due time. Romans 16:25-26 speaks of the "mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest..." God is well able to KEEP HIS SECRETS until the proper time in His purpose of the ages, but He has also decreed that there will be a manifestation, a revelation, an uncovering so that all the world shall see and know that "THIS IS WHAT THE LORD HATH DONE."
        Our text scripture begins with the phrase, "My little children..." The Greek word for "children" that is used here, is "teknoin" and literally means: my "born ones," signifying a babe without the full power of speech. It does not have reference to maturity, but to the fact that they have been birthed, newly born. In spiritual application it bespeaks that the CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT, but not given full expression. We are reminded again that "the spirit of man is the candle of the Lord," [Proverbs 20:27], and "Thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness." [Psalm 18:28]. The entrance of light within us is a sovereign act of God. HE imparts of His life, His light, His flame, igniting our heart to fear His name. Then the development unto maturity and full expression comes through much discipline, travail, as we yield to His inworkings, and becoming "labourers together with God," we "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling."
            Paul writes on, "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again." These three words "travail in birth" come from the Greek word "odino" meaning: to be in pain; the type of pain a mother feels as she is about to give birth to a child. But used here, it signifies, not just a bringing forth of a new life, for they are already referred to as his "born ones," thus it speaks of that continued process of pain and travail until God's full purpose is made manifest.
           It is this same word "odino" that is used in Revelation 12:2, "And she being with child cried (to cry out, cry aloud), travailing in birth (to be in pain), and pained (to try, torture) to be delivered."
            Every believer that desires to "go on to perfection," will also go through pressures and experiences which make them CRY OUT, and betimes even to CRY ALOUD ― sighing, groaning, weeping; as well as those times of deep inner travail with "groanings which cannot be uttered." These are birth-pangs! And they result in our being TRIED, TESTED, to the point that seems almost like a torture. But it is all steadily bringing us to the hour of DELIVERANCE! There shall come forth a full
expression of HIS LIFE through a people that are totally His!
            Amplified: [Rev. 12:2], "She cried out in her birth pangs, in the anguish of her delivery."
            WHY? ―because she is bringing forth a MAN-CHILD. This is an interesting word, for it connects the Greek word "huios" ― a full grown son, a mature one, with the Greek word for male ― one strong to bear the full load. This is not the birthing of a babe, this is the bringing forth of the EXPRESSION OF MATURITY.
            This "pain" which is spoken of as a TRAVAIL, is not limited to the "church", nor those who are being brought forth, but it is also felt throughout all creation, for the same word is used in Romans 8:22, Amplified, "We know that the whole creation (of irrational creatures) has been moaning together in the pains of labour until now..." Then verse 23 adds, "We ourselves, too...groan inwardly as we wait for the redemption of our bodies."
            Matthew 24:8 and Mark 13:8 both bear out the thought that "All this is but the beginning ― the early pains of the birth pangs ― of the intolerable anguish."
            The earth ― with all its natural creation ― is feeling it in one way, and those in whom the Spirit of God is working shall feel it in another way, but it is all a part of the same great travail to bring forth something. There are all the outward, visible evidences in creation, and all of the inner, invisible pains of soul and spirit, signifying that the time of BIRTH PANGS is upon us. There is a tremendous move ― a working of God ― on the horizon. How soon, or how long we shall WAIT FOR IT, we cannot say. Considering that "a day with the Lord is as a thousand years," and "a thousand years as a day," the time element remains KNOWN ONLY TO HIM. But this is certain, 'The vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." [Habakkuk 2:3].
            Whatever the magnificent greatness of its totality, all in His time, it is also to be understood that there are present-tense workings of this in the life of the believer, for we do go "from strength to strength," and are being changed "from glory to glory." Thus we pass through seasons of pain and travail, birth new victories, and progress into the next dimension for a further outworking of the process. But the climax of all lesser cycles shall be when we enter into the fulness of the manifestation of the sons of God. Then all the lesser is swallowed up into the glory of the whole!
            The extremeness of this travail is noted, as the word is used in Acts 2:24, Amplified, "But God raised Him up, liberating Him from the PANGS of death, seeing that it was not possible for Him to continue to be controlled or retained by it."
            The scope and intensity of this travail is expressed herein when Christ went through it, as THE PANGS OF DEATH. ― Caught in the throes of pain, yes, of deep sorrow, until it becomes the very pangs of death: the dying out to everything of the old order that we might come forth into the NEW ORDER of His Kingdom. It is more than just a mere figure of speech. It becomes very literal, and very real, to those who are apprehended to be brought forth in His image, likeness, nature. It becomes a death to all of self, death to the carnal mind, death to the soulish realm as controlled by the spirit of this world. Yet all the while it becomes BIRTH PANGS because of this steady progress into the manifestation of the new ― HIS LIFE.
            "So then death worketh in us, but life in you," [2 Corinthians 4:12], as God brings forth a people that go BEYOND the realm of DOING, to enter into the realm of BEING. A state of being, of HIS INDWELLING, until out of our innermost being shall flow rivers of living water ― an out-breathing of the LIVING WORD. We are in the process of becoming "His word," and coming into full expression, there will be that blessed outflow to His praise.
            He said, "Ye shall receive power, after that the holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall  be witnesses unto Me..." [Acts 1:8]. Christendom takes this to mean, as soon as the Spirit moves upon you, you start running to broadcast to everyone that Jesus saves. But it is much more, much deeper than that! The word "witness" is the Greek word used for "martyr" ― and it bespeaks the laying down of our life for the truth. We have received the enduement of the holy Spirit to enable us to face the WAY OF THE CROSS, to die out to all self, with its will, desires, ambitions, etc. that we might emerge a full expression of that new creation species which is unto Him. A state of being that directs all attention to Him! We are to "BE" and all of our "being" is, He said, "UNTO ME."
            Reading again, "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again, UNTIL CHRIST BE FORMED IN YOU." Our English verb "form" means: to give form or shape to, to frame, construct, to fashion, to mold. But using such a word leaves one at a loss to know how, or in what sense it is to be done, for it has already been stated that they are "my little children," hence, already having received of His life and form. Born ones have a form, very small, to be sure, but we check to see that the form is all there ― fingers, toes, etc. so that it is a completely well formed little one.
            It is when we return to the Greek text, and find that the word used for "form" is actually "morphoomai" that we gain understanding on this. The word is a philosophical term referring to an act of giving outward expression of one's inner nature, that expression coming from and being truly representative of that nature.
            Wuest Expanded translation gives, "My born ones, concerning whom I am again striving with intense effort and anguish until Christ be outwardly expressed in you."
            Remember, the Galatians had started out to live this life in the Spirit. Then someone came along and persuaded them that they would have to leave the higher dimensions of the Spirit, and return to the lower dimensions of the works of the flesh, keeping days, ceremonies, observances of times and seasons, which all were but types and shadows of the greater realm to come. These were simply outward expressions which did not come from their inner GOD-NATURE, not out of the CHRIST WITHIN. Indeed, all these works soon became such a cover-over of the flesh, that for Paul it required, as it were, another time of travail to birth them through that flesh realm, rending, tearing away, that there might be an outward expression of their true inner life of His Spirit.
            What intense effort and anguish is required to tear away all the many trappings of the flesh, until the INNER LIFE, HIS, is brought forth into manifestation. It requires a daily dying out to the carnal mind, and all of the will of self. For many long years people have heard it taught, "CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY." They were instructed to see and recognize the "christ" in each other. Yet I dare say, every time we looked, except for rare glimpses when the Spirit illumined, we only saw more of the flesh, the self will ― dominant ― forceful ― self demanding and insisting it was right, refusing to submit one to another, building personal kingdoms at the expense of the truth. Self preening and gloating that we are more spiritual because we believe "deeper truth."
            Even in Paul's day he had to admonish them, "Stop assuming an outward expression that does not come from within you and is not representative of what you are in your inner being but is patterned after this age; but change your outward expression to one that COMES FROM WITHIN and is representative of your inner being, by the renewing of your mind..." [Romans 12:2, Wuest].
            "As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." [1 Corinthians 15:48-49].
            There is no doubt that we have borne the image of the earthy. Within hours of being birthed in the natural, a babe will begin to give expression of this adamic nature, crying, demanding its own will. This expression develops and while we might think it to be "cute" while they are small, it soon loses some of its cuteness, as the rebellion and stubborn will of self are manifested. It requires the deep inworking of HIS CROSS to trim away this image of the earthy. But as the Spirit of God begins to work within us, lights the candle of our spirit, and a new CHRIST-LIFE takes form within us, then, Paul says, we need to give expression of this inner Christ-nature.
            Strange enough, many people are ashamed to express this new, inner life, and so they assume an expression, a masquerade, that causes them to appear as the rest of the world about them. They will use the same speech as the world, laugh at the off-colour jokes, wear the latest trends of fashion, and in every way possible try to masquerade with the image of the world. Others are ashamed to appear different than the religious realms around them ― so they assume expressions of meetings, with a name, a religious form of godliness, but it is not representative of that true and deeper call of God upon their life. Methinks many will be facing some deep hours of travail, while there is death to all the assumed expressions, and men and women are cleansed of all the falseness, and brought forth to express the reality of HIS LIFE, and that dimension of the CALL OF GOD which He has placed upon them. The day of compromising is ending. The assumed expressions must be stripped away. God is UNCOVERING ― to reveal our true inner state of being. There are times when we are shocked at what He brings to light in us ― fragments of self and carnality ― and we pray that He will quickly remove it, and bury it. Other times we rejoice to find that it IS HIS LIFE that is coming to the fore, and others are aware of dimensions in us that are beyond just the natural, physical realm.
            "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." [John 12:42-43]. They believed on the inside, but kept their outward expression the same as the Pharisees, lest it cost them, lest they be cast out. But God shall not allow this condition to remain ― a duality. So HE is uncovering, and either we will own up to what we are within, and give expression thereto, or else He will come and "remove our candlestick" ― withdraw that inner light, and then how great will be that darkness, until we learn that it is an evil and .bitter way to try and live a double life, just to spare self from persecution, and having to take a stand for truth.
            Let us carry this even a bit further. Betimes it has been tempting, when we have joined in fellowship with others, even if they are not flowing in the deeper spiritual dimensions, to simply assume an expression of whatever soulish level they are on, so as to appear to be "one of them," rather than being marked as sitting apart, and not of that realm. The preacher said "clap," so we clapped, even though there was no inner Spirit of Christ prompting that clap within us. But then HE begins to speak within us, how that "the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him." [John 4:23]. Honesty requires us to admit that not all of our so-called worship was "in spirit," nor was it "in truth," because it was not a true outflow from our inner nature, but an assumed expression so as to be like all those about us. No wonder HE is calling HIS ELECT away from the many confines of Babylon, to be stripped and purged, until all that comes forth will be expressions of Him, to His glory and praise.
            Yes, praise God, the process of travail will climax with a change in the outward expression, to make it truly one that is representative of our inner nature. Often times we cannot, presently, express what we feel within. All we know is that things are different within us ― a different desire, a different nature, with different feelings, etc. and it almost defies any present expression. Indeed, we are groaning for that FULL RELEASE, that we can LIVE OUT what He is doing within us.
            Much of this change of expression is linked to the "renewing of our mind," as the carnal mind is purged out, and we are renewed into HIS MIND. Partakers of the divine nature, [2 Peter 1:4], to be born of the Word of God, the Logos, then we will express the thoughts, the will, the purpose of His Word, becoming HIS outward expression. Not running around trying to parrot a message, but to BECOME HIS MESSAGE. Not talking about the light, but to BE THE LIGHT. We are wearied of the words about reality, we would become its expression. We would do more than write a message, we would BE it. And how shall all this come about. Ah, as already stated, through much travail. Not a self-assumed travail, with self going into a closet on a hunger-strike to demand God to do it. Not a self ― generated weeping and groaning, moaning, as if by all this we could produce a change. But knowing that God is in control of the processings, we daily seek to yield to Him, and WALK IT OUT. Not trying to escape the very trials and pressures that He places upon us, but simply to "LET patience have her perfect work, that we may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." [James 1:4]. To LET is not easy, but His grace is sufficient for this also.
            We are persuaded that "he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit." [1 Corinthians 6:17]. Thus there are deeper dimensions of reality in that ONENESS than what we have considered here-to-fore: things which were fulfilled in our Lord Jesus Christ, which shall yet be fulfilled in us. "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things." [Hebrews 1:1-2].
            Now the Spirit of God quickens that "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son." [Revelation 21:7]. Therefore it can also be said that God, who hath in these last days spoken by His Son, shall likewise be speaking by HIS SONS, plural. "For whom He did fore know, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." [Romans 8:29].
            There shall be a MANY BRETHREN company which shall be an outward expression of Him. They shall be His messenger-voice-sons! These are they, who "with uncovered face, reflecting as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are having their outward expressions changed into the same image from one degree of glory to another according as this change of expression proceeds from the Lord, the Spirit, this outward expression coming from and being truly representative of our Lord." [2 Corinthians 3:18, Wuest].
            We are not to assume an outward expression that is conformed to this world, but neither are we to assume a more spiritual expression than what we ARE, but we are to be what we are, as we are ― then stay yielded to Him so that HE can complete His working in us. Every change of expression must PROCEED FROM THE LORD. Man cannot change himself into the image of God, but God can truly change man, and conform him to His very own image. We need not put on any pretense, but "by the grace of God I am what I am." [1 Corinthians 15:10]. And we are confident of this very thing, that HE who hath begun in us a work which is good, shall also bring it to a most successful conclusion in His appointed time.
            Jesus Christ, The Son, once was in the FORM of God, "being the brightness of glory, and the express image of His person." [Hebrews 1:3]. Then, He laid it all aside, and "took upon Him the FORM [outward expression] of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." [Philippians 2:7]. But on the mount of transfiguration, for a brief moment of time, He gave true outward expression of His inner nature, "and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light." [Matthew 17:2]. Though that inner nature remained veiled for a time, He ascended to His Father after His resurrection, and when He appeared unto Saul on the road to Damascus, there was a LIGHT brighter than the noon day sun, and this EXPRESSION shall remain when the Lord consumes the wicked "with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy them with the BRIGHTNESS of His coming." [2 Thessalonians 2:8]. There are tremendous manifestations of HIM coming, as well as of His sons which are now being prepared to "come with Him." For it is also written, Jude 14, Literal translation, "Lo, comes the Lord in holy myriads of Himself."
            Paul laid strong emphasis that as we come into the ministration of the Spirit, we leave the old ministration of condemnation unto death, and then, and only then ―yielding to the ministrations of the spirit we will begin to manifest the change. IF we are a part of the old ministration, that is all we are able to express, condemnation unto death. But if we are becoming part of the new ministration, it will be UNTO LIFE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.
            "For the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire, and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is, [1 Corinthians 3:13], THE DAY SHALL DECLARE IT! Surprising manifestations shall come into view! It shall be a day of unveiling, and "inner natures" will be expressed. That which is un-godly shall be seen for what it is ― deceptive, cruel, unrighteous. And they who have yielded to His inworkings are going to find that after all the outward props have been removed, there is an INNER HIDDEN LIGHT ready to shine forth to dissipate the darkness, and bring us into the harmony and victory of His new day. Clearly it is written that everything that can be shaken will be shaken, that such things might be removed, but there follows a realm which cannot be shaken ― it abides. It bespeaks of a time to shuck off every assumed earthy manifestation, and to come into the glorious liberty of the sons of God, to express His true, indwelling nature. "This people have I formed for Myself, they shall shew forth My praise," [Isaiah 43:21].

 

Outward expressions of the indwelling Christ!
Fruitage of the travail, and thy sacred tryst.
Showing forth the nature of the life within,
Found to praise and honour after discipline.

Long the earth has waited for His sons to come,
Groaning 'neath corruption, till its hopes were numb,
Sham, pretense, deception, taking each their toll,
Masquerades ensnaring the benighted soul.

But God has a purpose that He shall fulfill,
Perfect in its timing, working of His will,
When He shall regather all the scattered, lost,
Sparing not the travail, sparing not the cost.

Starting with a first fruits that He apprehends,
Love and truth converging as this age now ends,
They shall be the vessels ― mercy to reveal,
See in them His nature, flesh did once conceal.

BE the revelation of His boundless grace,
BE the love-expression to each tribe and race.
Message of salvation, hands that shall make whole,
Speaking words of comfort to restore the soul.

Thank God for the travail, birthing of the new,
Look beyond the sorrow, pains that yet accrue,
Death is but a passing, ending of the old,
Pangs that speak the coming glories yet untold.

Turn we from the black night to behold His Son,
First of all the brethren, kingdom now begun,
And to know there follows in His measured step,
Those who bear His image, to His praise are kept.

  

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(1)  Prinzing, Ray and Doris. WHISPERS OF EXPRESSING HIS LIFE. (now out of print), Boise, Idaho 83705}

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