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Whispers of ExpressingHis Life (1)
by Ray and Doris Prinzing
Chapter 14
EXPRESSIONS OF
HIS CHARACTER
"Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. ― He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,. that in all He might have the preeminence." [Colossians 1:15,17-18].
IN ALL, ever and always, Jesus Christ must have the pre-eminence. This word "pre-eminence" IS the Greek word "pro-teuo" meaning: first in rank or influence, from the word "protos" which is: foremost in time, place, order, importance. That is our Lord! Far above all, before all things, He alone is Number One! Thus He has the absolute supremacy in relation to the universe, the natural creation; and in relation to the church, the new spiritual creation.
He is spoken of as the FIRSTBORN of every creature. This word "prototokos" implies two things: priority to all creation and.sovereignty over all creation. Thus we have reference to His absolute pre-existence. Since He existed before all created things, He must be uncreated. Since He is uncreated, He is eternal. Since He is eternal, He is God! And because He is the Sovereign Head of God's household, He is not just an emanation from deity, but He is the LORD OF CREATION.
Hebrews 1:3 speaks of Him as "The brightness of glory, and the express image of His person." And, as we have stated in the chapter on "Living Parables," He became that VISIBLE EXPRESSION of the invisible realm, both in image (icon) and in character.
Yet the Word goes on to also speak of those who are "Called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He did also predestinate to be conformed to the IMAGE OF HIS SON, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." [Romans 8:28-29].
The SON, our Lord Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, and we, in turn, are called to be conformed to His image, the image of the Son.
Staggering as all this may be, it is in harmony with that which Jesus said in John 17:22, "The glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them."
"As many as received Him, to them gave He power (right, privilege) to become the sons of God, to them that believe on (INTO) His name." [John 1:12].
The name bespeaks of character, and often of the attributes. Believing is a process, receiving is a process ― as we receive and believe we are being CHANGED into the same image from glory to glory ―until we have truly become expressions of His character.
In speaking of the purposes and outworkings of the plan of God, "Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the nations, to take out of them a people for His name." [Acts 15:14]. When HE has perfected this people for HIS NAME, to become the expressions of His character, then there are some glorious things which shall be fulfilled in them, expressed through them.
And though we have consistently given the qualification over and over again, we repeat it once more, always HE has the pre-eminence, and whatever is revealed through man, is because of UNION WITH HIM, so that it is HIS LIFE which is expressed. It is that covenant relationship of which we have written earlier in this book, to where we are so joined to Him that we live and breathe as one ― ever and always to the glory of God.
We cannot be HIS MESSAGE until we truly BEAR HIS IMAGE; hence the continued deep inworkings of His grace. To be conformed to the image of the Son, to speak of the realm of sonship, and our relationship to the Father, immediately places us into the processings which make this an experiential reality.
"If ye endure chastening (discipline, child-training), God dealeth with you as sons." [Hebrews 12:7].
If we are without this chastisement, the writer to the Hebrews goes on, "then are ye bastards, and not sons." (verse 8). The word "bastard" is only used three times in the Scriptures, the principle Old Testament reference is Deuteronomy 23:2, "A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the Lord." The Hebrew word is: "mamzer" meaning: a mongrel, i.e. born of a Hebrew father and a heathen mother. It bespoke of a mixed nature. Ishmael was of this mixture, and is spoken of as "a wild man." There was no submission to the disciplines and orders of the home. There could be no fellowship in the congregation of the Lord, for how shall two walk together in harmony unless they be agreed? What fellowship hath light with darkness? So, the Old Testament type goes on, ten ― number of testing in a completed cycle, ten generations must pass, during which time the processings of life would discipline and correct and tame that wild nature, drawing out the heathen nature, so that only the right nature prevails.
The Greek word is "nothos" meaning: a spurious or illegitimate one. Now obviously a bastard has a father, else he wouldn't exist, but he is born OUT OF ORDER. Romans 8:28 speaks of those who are "called according to purpose." In a proper birth there is purpose and planning, legitimate and right; the father and the mother in a legitimate relationship to produce a son. In turn this son is nurtured in all the disciplines and ways of the home. To rebel against that child-training, is to take oneself out from under the DIVINE ORDER, and therefore in the state of being a bastard.
We need not comment at length on the many, even in this day who, though having received the SEED OF THE WORD OF GOD, yet their mother system is of man, of the harlot system of Babylon, and they are refusing to accept the disciplines, the travail, the sufferings ―and are without chastisement. They seek for escapism, not overcoming. They ask for prosperity, not the way of the cross and surrender. And therefore they are not being conformed to His image, and they certainly are not expressing His character.
Truly, we are encouraged to "Grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ. ― Unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." [Ephesians 4:15,13].
Time alone does not produce maturity, or growth. Some have held the vision so long, they think they possess it, and yet are a long way from having Him work it into them ―until the Word becomes a part of the very fibre of their being. Yes, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us," we read of our Lord. [John 1:14]. So also He would so work it into our lives, that we shall express His nature and character in our daily living.
Hebrews 5:12 brings a serious inditement. "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers (spokesmen, imparting a message), ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God: and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat."
Milk ― or meat; if we are to grow up into Him who is the Head, we definitely need a change in our diet. But be on guard, for the Ishmael (flesh) crowd won't like it. Those who desire to grow up and leave the milk stage behind, will always find there is a persecution waiting for them ―but this is GOD-ORDAINED, not to prohibit them from going on, but actually to be used to spur them on into new life in Him.
Genesis 21:8-9, "The child (Isaac) grew, and was weaned. ― And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, (Ishmael), which she had born unto Abraham, mocking."
There is no record that Ishmael mocked Isaac until he was weaned from the milk. But when the time came that Isaac was to show signs of growing up, ready to receive meat, etc. then the mocking began. Paraphrased for today, "You're going off the deep end. ―You're so heavenly minded you are no earthly good. ―You think you're better than the rest of us. ―Trying to be superspiritual, are you?" And so on it goes, taking many forms of expression, but always sarcastic and mocking.
Galatians 4:24, "Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants..." Ishmael, product of Hagar; Isaac, product of Sarah, stand for two covenants. Paul has certainly laid out some interesting applications, and truths which illumine much of the path which we are walking.
As long as you remain with the milk, under the ministration of the first covenant ―the law, with all of its "thou shalt not," the religious world will leave you in peace, that is, they will not mock nor persecute you. But the very moment you come to that development in your spiritual life, that you are ready to leave the milk behind, and go on into the experiential victory of the new covenant, to live and walk by the Spirit, the persecution and mocking begins.
Galatians 4:28-29, "Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. "
Hagar's offspring, those born of the first covenant, are quick to persecute Sarah's offspring, who are born of the new covenant. The law was outward, dealing with the realm of the flesh, in all of its ritual, form, ceremony. The Spirit deals with the internal, changing the nature, until there shall be an expression of His image and character. Mocking only comes when you are identified correctly― as being of the SPIRIT.
Psalm 131:2, "Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child."
Behaved― Hebrew word is "shavah" meaning: to make equal. It speaks of an end to all duality, competitiveness, and inner strife. It means that everything within us is LEVELED OUT and brought into balance. "Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low." [Luke 3:5]. It bespeaks that everything within us is brought into divine adjustment.
2 Timothy 3:16-17, Amplified. "Every Scripture is God-breathed ―given by His inspiration ―and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, and for training in righteousness (that is, in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose and action), so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well-filled and thoroughly equipped for every good work. "
Behaved, and QUIETED ―The Hebrew word is "daman" meaning: to be silent, stand still. The challenge before us is to "REST in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him" [Psalm 37:8]. The word "rest" is this same Hebrew word for quieted. Be quiet, stand still, be silent ― how difficult it is for many to leave the works of the law, enter into the grace of the new covenant, and come to a cessation of their own works, while they wait patiently for God to fulfill BY HIS SPIRIT that which He has purposed. Under the law we became so accustomed to the DOING, that it is difficult to make the transition into that of BEING, where it is CHRIST WITHIN that is our life and victory.
The cry of the heart ―the challenge is ― to become an expression of HIS LIFE, to manifest Him. This makes it imperative that we surrender to the inworkings of His cross, until all of the efforts of SELF are ended, and we REST in Him, wait patiently for Him to consummate the inworkings of His grace. In this silence before Him, oftentimes it appears outwardly that we possess nothing, for men cannot see the inner development of the HIDDEN MAN OF THE HEART. Then the temptation is to return to the outward works, produce a few ideas of manifestation that will cause one to appear to be spiritual. It is not always easy on the flesh to "STAND STILL, and see the salvation of God." In fact, waiting often becomes a real "death process." But have no fear, HE uses this as a transition into the new realms of HIS LIFE.
When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, "He abode two days still in the same place where He was." Finally He says to His disciples, "Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe." [John 11:6, 14-15]. When Jesus finally arrived at Bethany, "Martha said unto Jesus, Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." And that's true! Jesus had already indicated as much to His disciples. But Jesus had a further word for Martha, "If thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God." (verse 40).
Only the Christ could link the "glory of God" with "death." No one else could stand before a tomb, where a man's decaying body was stinking, and speak of the glory of God. Full well He knew that resurrection life would be a revelation of the glory of God, and HE was that LIFE.
Likewise, HE who dwells within us by His Spirit, can patiently wait through all of the death processes, while we are stripped, crucified, and self is dealt one death blow after another ― and He remains AN INDWELLING PROMISE OF THE GLORY OF GOD. To say, "The glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one." [John 17:22]. "Arise, shine; for thy Light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." [Isaiah 60:1]. Truly, there is none other like unto Him ― bringing forth revelations of glory out of the midst of death.
Returning to Psalm 131:2, where we have noted the words: behaved and quieted ― leveled out, brought into balance, and into rest in Him. But there is one more word to be noted, and that is: WEANED. "My soul is even as a weaned child." The Hebrew word is "gamal" meaning: to do good, to wean, to ripen; and thus, to cherish, to deal bountifully with.
God has some bountiful dealings to unfold just as soon as we are WEANED away from the old ministration of the law, and all of its self-effort. The riches of His grace remain vastly unexplored, because man continues to cling to the self-righteous works of the law. But they who are willing to "go on unto perfection," [Hebrews 6:1], will also be able to say with the Psalmist, "I will sing unto the Lord, because He hath dealt bountifully with me." [Psalm 13:6]. Yea, "Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee." [Psalm 116:7].
For sure, pages, volumes of books, could be written on the bountiful dealings of God. But suffice for now ― these are HIS SONS, growing up, enriched, weaned, quieted, behaved, and in whom He is well pleased. And 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." [Hebrews 1:1-2]. We note that the word "His" is in italics, added by man into the text. It literally reads, He hath "SPOKEN UNTO US BY SON."
The definite article appearing before "prophets," to make it read "the prophets," sets these individuals off by themselves as a class. In many ways and manners God spoke by THE prophets, specially appointed and anointed men to share His message for their time. But the fact that the article is absent before the word "Son," emphasizes a different point ―that of relationship, of nature, of character. THE SON, and all of the many-membered-son-company of whom He is the Head, these belong in a different category. For God shall speak through those WHO IN CHARACTER are His SONS. These truly become expressions of His character. HIS SON, dwelling within His sons, shall be revealed, with a message that all the world has been waiting to hear ― a word of deliverance, redemption, liberty, and of His more abundant life.
There are some specific things which are spoken of concerning this SON, and which, in glorious workings, are also to be fulfilled in HIS BRETHREN who are also sons. Not only will He SPEAK BY THEM, through them, but it goes on to state: "Whom He hath appointed heir of all things." Of the fulfillment of this in our Lord Jesus Christ, we know that is certain. But Paul goes on to expand that fulfillment, saying:
"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God; and if children, then heirs: HEIRS OF GOD, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." [Romans 8:16-17].
"He that overcometh shall inherit all things: and I will be his God, and he shall be My son." [Revelation 21:7].
Herein is a marvellous truth. THE SON has been appointed heir of all things! And, the overcomer shall "inherit all things." Truly it is all accomplished through our Lord Jesus Christ. "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not WITH HIM also freely give us all things?" [Romans 8:32]. All that the Father has given into the hand of the Son, the Son in turn with bountiful love freely shares with us. For, "the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them." Bless His holy name!
Further clarification is made by Paul in Romans 4:14, "For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise of none effect." It is interesting to observe how many people want to retain their "heirship" under the law. But if this were possible, then it would cancel out the promise, and the realm of faith, and the inworking of grace. But the law does not make us "sons," by virtue of relationship of the NEW CREATION where we are begotten of God by grace, through faith. The ministration of the law was a system of works, without the changing of the inner nature. Such cannot claim to be heirs by virtue of birth into the spiritual dimensions. Truly it is of the relationship as SONS that He speaks of, being made heirs, and this is wrought BY THE SPIRIT, through faith, according to His grace. Amen.
The question is then asked: Which laws do you keep? The proper answer is, EVERYONE THAT THE SPIRIT WRITES UPON MY HEART! Then it becomes an expression of HIS INDWELLING. Our faith is in Him, not in our selves to do, thus it becomes the operation of GRACE, bringing us into full salvation.
"God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art...a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." [Galatians 4:6-7].
Not only are the sons to be heirs, but then it goes on, speaking of our Lord, "By whom also He made the worlds." [Hebrews 1:2]. Now we have an expression of CREATIVITY. How can this be applied to His brethren-sons?
E. Stanley Jones shares a beautiful thought that helps here, taken from John 4:14. "The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." "HE GIVES ―that's by GRACE, and then the gift creates spontaneity. What He gives from above becomes in us a spring from beneath. This is a revelation of the intention of grace, to produce CREATIVE persons!"
How marvellous! God purposes to place within man a spirit of creativity. As a well of water springing up! A never ending expression of His outflow! This is far more than just getting us to heaven, as recipients, still taking, ever receiving blessing, fellowship, love ― ever taking. The end is not to be taking, but to be GIVING, creatively giving. "Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." [John 7:38].
When THE SON fully indwells the sons, there shall be expressions of creativity which as yet are but as a "gleam in the eye of the Father." When out of our innermost being there flows, pulsates, breathes, quickening streams of divine life to enrich and bless all mankind. These are realities which shall find their full expression in the ages to come, but even now the vision refreshes, and we bow low to worship Him who imparts such a calling to man.
The writer to the Hebrews continues (1:3), "Who being the brightness of glory." The Amplified gives: "He is the sole expression of the glory of God ― the Light-being, the out-raying of the divine."
This word "out-raying" bespeaks of an INTERNAL SOURCE with an outflow. "As the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself." [John 5:26]. His out-shining came from the inside, for He truly possessed IN Himself that life which He then proceeded to give to others.
Long before the good news, the gospel came by Jesus Christ. God had already spoken of this glory unto Abraham, saying, "In thee shall all nations be blessed." [Galatians 3:8]. In his seed ― "which is Christ," (verse 16), is that blessing which shall come to all men. HE IS THE SOURCE! It is IN Him, and now freely flows from Him. He is the Blesser, imparting the blessing.
Again the application of our union with Him in this realm of continual blessing bears its fruit of truth. The usual thought of attending a gathering is: I wonder if I shall RECEIVE a blessing if I go there? But when God has finished His inworkings of grace to bring us into ONENESS WITH HIMSELF, it is that through us the blessing might be given. We will have been blessed that we might BE a blessing.
HE IS "The Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we MAY BE ABLE to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." [2 Corinthians 1:3-4].
HE IS "The Father of lights, ― Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures." [James 1:17-18]. He is the FATHER OF LIGHTS, of heavenly luminaries! Not of reflectors! That may be a good "beginner word," as a new believer hopes to at least in a measure reflect His light to others. But that is not the goal of one who is growing up into Him ― unto the "measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." We are not called to be reflectors, but to BE ALIGHT.
"He that hath the Son hath life." [1 John 5:12]. "In Him was life; and the life was the light of men." [John 1:4]. As soon as He becomes our INDWELLING LIFE He also has become our INDWELLING LIGHT. Not just on the outside, but internally. "For He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." [John 14:17]. His Spirit is to be both on the outside and the inside.
Then Jesus went on to challenge us: "While the light ye have, believe into the light, that sons of the light ye may become." [John 12:36, Interlinear].
"For at one time you were darkness itself, but now in union with the Lord you are light itself." [Ephesians 5:8, Williams].
"For light is capable of 'showing up' everything for what it really is. It is even possible (after all, it happened to you!) for light to turn the thing it shines upon into light also." [Ephesians 5:13, Phillips].
What a marvellous, positive truth! His light, shining upon you, will turn you into light also, that you ay become "the light of the world." [Matthew 5:14]. It is in our UNION WITH THE LIGHT that we become what the light is! And wherever that light shines, it turns the thing upon which it shines into light also. No wonder we read that "The knowledge of the glory of the Lord shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea." When that INNER LIGHT, which He is in us, is released to shine out upon men; it will dissipate all the darkness, and light shall fill His universe.
His sons, becoming heir of all things, with a spirit of creativity, and the out-shining of His light, will truly become expressions of His character, even as Jesus Christ is "The express image of His person." [Hebrews 1:3].
As we have already shared in the chapter "Living Parables," we are to become expressions both of His IMAGE and CHARACTER. Wuest Expanded translation speaks of "the exact reproduction of His essence..." The word "essence" means: that which in being underlies all outward expression, and is permanent and unchangeable. That is CHARACTER! We are still in the process of being "changed from glory to glory." But this process will, in due time, climax in a STATE OF BEING which is permanent and unchangeable, for it will be HIS own image and character, which Phillips translates to be: "The flawless expression of the nature of God."
No wonder it requires such intense processings to purge out the old adamic nature, that we might be truly filled with HIS NATURE. And it is in knowing of these truths, that we can "glory in tribulation also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope." [Romans 5:3-4].
The word "patience" literally means: endurance, from the Greek word "hupomone" meaning: to remain under. This is not a route of escapism, but it bespeaks of remaining in the pressure until we have overcome it all. And this is what produces experience, which many translations give as "TESTED CHARACTER." The proof that we have endured victoriously is that we come forth "more than conquerors through Him that loved us," possessing HIS DIVINE CHARACTER. Phillips: "Taken in the right spirit these very things will give us patient endurance; this in turn will develop a mature character."
How we need to watch the motivations of our heart. Motivations and thoughts issue in conduct or action. Action continually practiced makes character. Our CHARACTER STANDING at the end is the design or pattern for our destiny. Therefore, "Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life."
Resurrection does not change, or give you character, it gives you a new body of expression for what you already ARE. That's why, Paul says, the stars differ in glory and each one expressing their state of being. Truth becomes personified. What God shall speak to the world will be through a people, who in their state of being are His nature, His character; people of choice that shall make known His Word, to light the universe, and bring forth the creativity of His life to bless all men. "To the intent that now unto principalities and powers in the heavenlies might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God." [Ephesians 3:10].
Truly, the expressions of His character will be a message to the universe, visible and invisible, terrestial and celestial, and it shall all be to the glory and praise of our God, that HE might ever be exalted. Amen!
For as He is, thou too must be,
In this His love and grace agree,
The life of Christ revealed in thee,
And manifest for all to see.
Finish the work Thou hast begun,
Fulfill the prayer to make us one,
Calvary triumphs, and faith has won,
A perfect union with the Son.
* * *
Expressions of His character,
As joint-heirs with the Son,
For freely He shall share all things,
As we, in Him, are one.
As living streams shall flow
From deep within, to bless all men,
Till all, His grace, shall know.Father of lights, our Father is,
Thus lights become are we,
To dissipate the dark of night,
A light to set men free.
Such love, such grace, His handiwork,
In Him we are made new.
Expressions of His character,
For this He has called you.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(1) Prinzing,
Ray and Doris. WHISPERS OF EXPRESSING HIS LIFE. (now out of print), Boise,
Idaho 83705
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