A Higher Experience

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We need constantly a fresh revelation of Christ, a daily experience that harmonizes with His teachings. High and holy attainments are within our reach. Continual progress in knowledge and virtue is God’s purpose for us. His law is the echo of His own voice, giving to all the invitation, «Come up higher. Be holy, holier still.» Every day we may advance in perfection of Christian character.

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Those who are engaged in service for the Master need an experience much higher, deeper, broader, than many have yet thought of having. Many who are already members of God’s great family know little of what it means to behold His glory and to be changed from glory to glory. Many have a twilight perception of Christ’s excellence, and their hearts thrill with joy. They long for a fuller, deeper sense of the Saviour’s love. Let these cherish every desire of the soul after God. The Holy Spirit works with those who will be worked, molds those who will be molded, fashions those who will be fashioned. Give yourselves the culture of spiritual thoughts and holy communings. You have seen but the first rays of the early dawn of His glory. As you follow on to know the Lord, you will know that «the path of the righteous is as the light of dawn, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.» Proverbs 4:18, R.V., margin.

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«These things have I spoken unto you,» said Christ, «that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.» John 15:11.

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Ever before Him, Christ saw the result of His mission. His earthly life, so full of toil and self-sacrifice, was cheered by the thought that He would not have all this travail for nought. By giving His life for the life of men, He would restore in humanity the image of God. He would lift us up from the dust, reshape the character after the pattern of His own character, and make it beautiful with His own glory.

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Christ saw of the travail of His soul and was satisfied. He viewed the expanse of eternity and saw the happiness of those who through His humiliation should receive pardon and everlasting life. He was wounded for their transgressions, bruised for their iniquities. The chastisement of their peace was upon Him, and with His stripes they were healed. He heard the shout of the redeemed. He heard the ransomed ones singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Although the baptism of blood must first be received, although the sins of the world were to weigh upon His innocent soul, although the shadow of an unspeakable woe was upon Him; yet for the joy that was set before Him He chose to endure the cross and despised the shame.

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This joy all His followers are to share. However great and glorious hereafter, our reward is not all to be reserved for the time of final deliverance. Even here we are by faith to enter into the Saviour’s joy. Like Moses, we are to endure as seeing the Invisible.

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Now the church is militant. Now we are confronted with a world in darkness, almost wholly given over to idolatry.

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The Joy of the Lord

There were ninety and nine that safely lay

In the shelter of the fold,

But one was out on the hills away,

Far, far from the gates of gold—

Away on the mountains wild and bare,

Away from the tender Shepherd’s care.

«Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine;

Are they not enough for Thee?»

But the Shepherd made answer: «One of Mine

Has wandered away from Me,

And although the road be rough and steep,

I go to the desert to find My sheep.»

But none of the ransomed ever knew

How deep were the waters crossed,

Nor how dark was the night that the Lord passed

through

Ere He found His sheep that was lost.

Far out in the desert He heard its cry—

Fainting and helpless, and ready to die.

«Lord, whence are these blood drops all the way

That mark out the mountain’s track?»

«They were shed for one who had gone astray,

Ere the Shepherd could bring him back.»

«Lord, why are Thy hands so rent and torn?»

«They were pierced tonight by many a thorn.»

But all through the mountains, thunder-riven,

And up from the rocky steep,

There rose a cry to the gate of heaven,

«Rejoice, I have found My sheep!»

And the angels sang around the throne,

«Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!»

—Elizabeth C. Clephane.