lae@io.UUCP (Larry Enos) (10/18/90)
I've been reading a wonderful and truly helpful book, which I recommend to all believers, both the newly saved and those who have known the Lord for some time. It's called "The normal Christian Life" by the Chinese evangelist Watchman Nee. In it, he describes in simple and practical terms what it means to be a Christian and live by Christ. Here are some excerpts that I recently enjoyed: We think of the Christian life as a `changed life' but it is not that. What God offers us is an `exchanged life', a 'substituted life', and Christ is our Substitute within. `I live; and yet no longer I, but Christ liveth in me.' This life is not something which we ourselves have to produce. It is Christ's own life reproduced in us. How many Christians believe in `reproduction' in this sense, as something more than regeneration? Regeneration means that the life of Christ is planted in us by the Holy Spirit at our new birth. `Reproduction' goes much further: it means that the new life grows and becomes manifest progressively in us, until the very likeness of Christ begins to be reproduced in our lives. This is what Paul means when he speaks of his travail for the Galatians `until Christ be formed in you' (Gal. 4.19). It is a blessed thing to discover the differences between Christian graces and Christ: to know the difference between meekness and Christ, between patience and Christ, between love and Christ. Remember again what is said in I Corinthians 1.30: `Christ Jesus...was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.' The common conception of sanctification is that every item of the life should be holy; but that is not holiness, it is the fruit of holiness. Holiness is Christ. It is the Lord Jesus being made over to us to be that. So you can put in anything there: love, humility, power, self-control. Today there is a call for patience: He is our patience! Tomorrow the call may be for purity: He is our purity! He is the answer to every need. Although I had read this book before, I am finding in it new revelation about living by, in, and for Christ. Therefore, I hope that you brothers and sisters will find it equally enlightening. Sincerely, Larry Enos "We have believed the true report. Hallelujah to the Lamb!"
weeks@iwtil.att.com (Andrew M Weeks) (10/22/90)
From article <Oct.18.03.25.55.1990.1373@athos.rutgers.edu>, by lae@io.UUCP (Larry Enos): > I've been reading a wonderful and truly helpful book, which I > recommend to all believers, both the newly saved and those who have > known the Lord for some time. It's called "The normal Christian Life" > by the Chinese evangelist Watchman Nee. In it, he describes in simple > and practical terms what it means to be a Christian and live by > Christ. I too concur with Larry. I have some 30 odd books of Nee's sermons. (He only wrote one himself...The spiritual man.) If you have any inclination towards Christ go to a Christian bookstore and let the Spirit guide you to a selection. Our Hope -"which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" Andy Weeks _ /| \`o_O' ( ) Aachk! Yuk! U