Controversy, where there is research after truth, has this advantage attending it, that it urges the
spirit to more attention and diligent research, and, where the subjects are scriptural, to search the
scriptures; and these ever afford to the humble and enquiring soul, fresh and blessed inlets into
the mind of God.

One might be tempted to think that these terms imply but trivial distinctions, did the Apostle not
make specific use of them in Eph. 5:19 and Col. 3:16. We may thus be sure that in their use the
Spirit of God has something special to unfold for our profit. A psalm is not necessarily a psalm
of David. The thought of God’s mercy was the prominent impulse which inspired the Psalmists
to pen the psalms. So, too, it is the deep sense of the mercy of God in our souls which will lead
us to burst forth in a psalm to gladden thei heart of the Lord, e.g.,

"Our Shepherd is the Lord, . . ." (L.F. 238).

Hymns have reference to the greatness and majesty of our blessed Lord calling forth our audible
praise. This is not shutting out the fact that unless we are stirred in our souls we shall not be able
to give expression rightly to a hymn. But that does not give essential character to the hymn.
Everything sinks into insignificance in the presence of the greatness of the Lord, e.g.,

"Jesus, Thou alone art worthy . . ." (L.F. 82).

Spiritual songs on the other hand, refer more to the greatness of the Spirit of God within leading
us not only to make melody in our hearts to the Lord but to break forth into singing. The gladness
in our hearts is called up in response to the joy of His heart. What stirring impulse can prompt
such words as:_

"Praise ye the Lord again, again . . ." (L.F. 156).

In Ephesians 2:18, Jew and Gentile are together before the Father in communion. The unity of
the Spirit begins here, but it goes a good deal further.

The three great principles of the unity of the Spirit are_ 1st, The new man,_2nd, Access by one
Spirit to the Father,_and 3rd, Builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

The unity of the Spirit is the power of the Spirit which keeps saints in the realization of what their
relationship is to all other saints, and this secures, when fully carried out, the realization or
manifestation of the one body on earth.

The unity of the Spirit is an abstract idea, and the difficulty comes from making it an absolute fact.
The unity of the Spirit is when your mind and mine go on together with the mind of the Spirit.
When we do not see together, the unity of the Spirit is not realized; but one would not say it is
broken. If you and I are quarreling, we are not doing it in the unity of the Spirit.

But apart from all ecclesiastical questions or ideas, I am to go on with you; and if you are
naughty, I am to forbear with you in love. Then the unity of the Spirit is kept on my part,
whatever it is on] yours. Two godly Baptists might be morally endeavoring to keep the unity of
the Spirit, but they have also broken it by being strict baptists. Taking the unity of the Spirit in
its COMPLETENESS, you cannot separate it from "the one body". The "bond of peace" is
walking as Christ walked.

Unity is the power of the Spirit DOWN HERE when God’s mind and yours are all in one.
Abstractedly, I understand the unity of the Spirit to be God’s mind.

Walking ACCORDING to the Spirit can be done individually; but for the unity of the Spirit there
must be walking with others.

The unity of the body cannot be touched, for the Holy Ghost unites to Christ all those who have
been baptized by the Holy Ghost; that is, received it, and they are members of the one body. It
is the unity of the Spirit we have to keep; that is, to walk in that power of the Spirit which keeps
us in unity on the earth, and that needs "endeavoring".

"Comparing spiritual things with spiritual" (I Cor. 2:13).

1.SPIRITUAL BIRTH

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh! and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not
that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again"(John 3:6,7; 1 Peter 1:23).

2.SPIRITUAL MAN

"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit
of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." (Gal. 6:1; I Cor. 3:1).

3.SPIRITUAL MIND

‘For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." (Rom. 8:6;
I Cor. 2:16).

4.SPIRITUAL FRUIT

"But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, temperance:against such there is no law." (Gal. 5:22,23; John 15:1-5).

5. SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES

"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual
sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (I Peter 2:5; Heb. 13:15, 16; Ps. 116:17).

6.SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ." (Eph. 1:3).

7.SPIRITUAL SONGS

"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in
your hearts to the Lord" (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).

8.SPIRITUAL BODY

"It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a
spiritual body." (I Cor. 15:44-46).

This precious and deeply-instructive book figures our conflicts in the heavenly places.

The people had known the value of the "blood of the lamb" in screening them from Divine
judgment in the land of Egypt; they learned for the first time the meaning of that precious word
"salvation", as they stood fully delivered on the other side of the Red Sea; brought to God they
were tested in the wilderness, where their sins and necessities formed so many occasions for the
display of Divine grace and for the rich unfolding of God’s infinite resources. Now they are about
to cross the Jordan, and possess the land promised to their fathers. We, too, like them_only in
a far deeper way_have known the priceless worth of the blood of God’s beloved ONE. Yes, the
infinite value of that "one sacrifice" has been fully declared by God, and by the Holy Ghost sent
down from heaven; "When I see the blood I will pass over you" (Ex. 12:13), forming at once the
ground of peace and the righteous basis on which God acts in grace. (Rom. 3:24-26).

But, further, we have been brought to God through the death and resurrection of Christ. "In Him"
we have died out of the scene of our hard slavery and bondage. Deliverance from the "world"
(Gal. 1:4; 6:14), from "the flesh" (Gal. 5:24), from "law" (Gal. 2:19), from "sin" (Rom. 6:2-11),
from the power of the enemy (Col. 2:15), from the Devil (Heb. 2:14), and from death (Heb. 2:15)
_is the present and blessed portion of all who believe. Ours is no uncertain redemption, for now
we have been brought in the power of the work of Christ to God (1 Peter 3:18), but to God in the
wilderness, and here comes in the full character of our Christian state.

If I look up I can say "I am in Christ in heavenly places". Such is our position. We cannot
otherwise define it save by saying, "In Christ". We have crossed the Jordan and entered Canaan:
in other words, the Church has been "quickened", "raised up", and "seated" in Him in heavenly
places. (Eph. 2).

Thus the Jordan does not so much express what we have been delivered from as what we have
been brought to. With us it is necessarily distinct from the position of Israel, we being both in the
wilderness and in Canaan at the same time_the former as to our state, the latter as to our
standing.

It is interesting to note that in Romans we get "dead to sin" and "alive to God"_not raised in His
resurrection. In Colossians we get a step further_"quickened with. Him", and "risen" with Him;
thus "seek those things which are above"; but in Ephesians, which answers exactly to the book
of Joshua, we have not merely quickening, as in Romans, nor quickening and raising as in
Colossians, but quickened, raised up, and seated in Him in heavenly places; thus, what I am told
to "seek" in Colossians I have got in Ephesians_"Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings
in heavenly places in Christ".

The Church is blessed according to the fulness of the heart, and mind, and counsels of God (Eph.
1); but the practical realization of her place and blessings is quite another thing. Hence,, the
heavenlies becomes the sphere of her action, the scene of her conflicts. (Eph. 6:10-17). Canaan
is not rest, but conflict. I am to hold my own against all the powers of darkness:the warfare is

a deadly one, and must be waged unceasingly.

It will require energy, courage, devotedness, decision, and dependence upon the Holy Ghost to
maintain in practical power in the soul the place and blessings our gracious God has given us. We
must have on every bit of the armour of God, else our watchful enemies will get an advanatage
over us. This warfare can only be successfully maintained in the power of the Holy Ghost, He
being the seal of redemption, and the earnest of glory (Eph. 1:13,14).

He guides to the Father, and dwells in the assembly (Eph. 2:18-22); He strengthens inwardly the
saints with power (Eph. 3:16); He has established a Divine unity (Eph. 4:3,4); He is the Holy
One, who has sealed the saints for final redemption. (Eph. 4:30). We are to be filled with the
Spirit (Eph. 5:18); and, finally, the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God)_the only offensive
weapon_must be wielded in our conflict with the powers in the heavenlies, else defeat will be the
certain result; "Concerning the works of men by the words of Thy lips, I have kept me from the
paths of the destroyer". (Ps. 17:4).

Praying and supplicating in the Spirit is the fit closing of His place and functions in this Epistle.
(Eoh. 6:18). We might just add, that in the Epistle to the Colossians, which gives a magnificent
unfolding of the glories of Christ, the Holy Spirit is only mentioned once. (Chap. 1:8). How
necessary the Holy Ghost is to the maintenance of our place and blessings as Christians, is at once
apparent from the important place He occupies in the Ephesians. Joshua represents Christ acting
in the power of the Holy Ghost. This may suffice as to the spiritual application of the book and
of its general teaching to us.

Ques. _ It is frequently said that though the believer is born again and has a new nature, he also
has the old nature. Scripture says our old man is crucified with Christ, and that means death. Is
the flesh the same as the old nature, and what is the difference between the old man and the flesh?

Ans. _ "The old nature" is not a scriptural expression, though its meaning is sufficiently clear.
"The flesh" is the scriptural term and refers to that which belongs to the nature of fallen man.
"That which is born of the flesh is flesh." "The old man" refers to a person, responsible before
God _ what we, were in Adam. This old man, this responsible man in the flesh, has come to an
end in the cross. He has ceased to exist before God. But the flesh, the nature that belonged to that
old man, still exists and has to be constantly judged and its lust abstained from.

(From Help and Food, 1898.)

"Wasn’t it wonderful love that could love an ugly old woman like me?"

There she stood at her cottage door, and without doubt she was an ugly old woman. Not only had
old age wrinkled her face and bent her body, but a life of sin had left its scars upon her, and
altogether she looked as if she deserved the unenviable reputation she bore of being the ugliest old
woman in all that country side.

She had just been told this_told it with the idea of raising her quick temper_told it because she
was known to be newly converted to God_told it by one who hated God!

"You’re the ugliest old woman I’ve ever set eyes on," was the rough and cruel taunt.

But, ah, it produced a different effect to what was intended. Instead of her eyes flashing with
wrath they filled with tears; her heart melted as she thought of her Saviour’s love; and ugly though
she was, the moral beauty of the grace of Jesus shone out hi her reply as with a voice trembling
with emotion she cried, "Wasn’t it wonderful love that could love an ugly old woman like me?"

Wonderful? Yes, wonderful love!

Wonderful love that could fasten itself on such wretched sinners as we:we who had nothing
lovable in us_nothing to excite and to draw forth the love wherewith we are loved.

Wonderful love! The love of God is like God Himself_unsearchable. It is self-moved; it finds its
source in the heart of God.

Wonderful love! "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son," is the greatest
mystery inside the Bible or out of it! None can unravel it; but, thank God, the youngest, the
weakest, the vilest of Adam’s fallen race can look to the cross and see, believe, and adore!

Wonderful love! Do you know and enjoy it? Are its warm sunny beams shed abroad hi your heart?
Is the love of Jesus a reality to you? If not, oh then be wise, and before it is too late_before you
are shut out in the blackness of darkness forever_before the chilly shades of eternal night wrap
themselves around your soul_believe in the love of God toward us.

"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son
into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, *not that we loved God, but that
He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." I John 4:9, 10.

Wonderful love!
"Oh, ’twas love, ’twas wonderful love!
The love of God to me;
It brought my Saviour from above,
To die on Calvary."

Rahab, the harlot of Jericho, is a fine illustration of James 2:13:"Mercy rejoiceth against
judgment". The triumphant march of the people across the Jordan, and the first fruit of their
conquest_the fall of Jericho_ must be delayed until this poor sinful Gentile tastes of the riches
of God’s grace. Her faith consisted in this, that she identified herself with God’s people and God’s
interests, when all was apparent weakness. She dwelt in a city walled up to heaven, and having
chariots of iron, but her only confidence was in the word spoken and token given of the spies. The
scarlet thread hung out of her window (type of the blood of Christ), was her confidence in the
terrible hour of judgment.

What have we as the stay for our souls save the word of God and the work of Christ? 0 to rest
more simply on these divine and imperishable foundations! Moses identified himself with God’s
people in Egypt, and the Holy Ghost writes it down as "the reproach of Christ". (Heb. 11:26).
Rahab identified herself with God’s people, when, as another has said, "they had nothing but
God", and so her name is honourably mentioned by two apostles. (Heb. 11:31, James 2:25). She
also gets a place in the human genealogy of our Lord. (Matt. 1:5).

Are your ways suited to the home God has prepared for you? Are you so behaving yourself as to
rejoice in the thought that this world is crumbling? Is the hope of the Lord’s coming your daily
delight? Does it influence you in the thousand details of your everyday life? Or are you walking
hand in hand with the world that the very thought of His coming fills you with shame? May the
Lord grant you grace to take heed to your ways! May you walk well-pleasing in His sight, caring
more for His glory than your own ease.

When sin has come in between us and our God, we need not try to get back into His presence as
if nothing had happened. Saints under the dispensation of grace though we be, we must never
forget that we have to do with a God of truth as well as of grace. Righteousness and judgment are
still the habitation of His throne. There is only one way back to His holy presence, namely by
humiliation and confession; and the depth of our restoration will just be in proportion to the depth
of our confession.

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:a broken and contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not
despise." Psalm 51:17.

"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation." II Cor. 7:10

"Listen, oh listen, my Father, all holy!
Humble and sorrowful, owning my sin,
Hear me confess in my penitence lowly
How in my weakness, temptation came in."

How often this exclamation escapes our lips when new things are brought to our attention. I do
not mean in the realm of endless facts of which men are "ever learning", but rather as to the truth
of God. The vast-ness of the Scripture together with its soundless depths leave much room for
others to bring up treasures new and old which, in truth, we’ve never heard before. So we rejoice
together sharing precious things. There is a certain joy in one’s own soul when used of the Lord
to refresh others with the Word of God, or to bring it in such a way as to take on fresh meaning.
Perhaps this is just another way of expressing what it is to minister the Word.

There is, however, another side of this statement. Often, when things are brought to our attention,
which we’ve never heard before, we find them simple and sometimes almost obvious. When
meanings of simple verses or passages are brought to us, does it not cause us to wonder why it
is new to us? If honest, we must confess that many things brought are new because we’ve never
taken the time to ponder the meaning and ask the Lord to reveal it to us before. And so, a lack
of exercise as to the Word has robbed us of the precious-ness of much truth.

An even darker picture, perhaps equally true, is that for years we’ve sat under the sound of
Scriptures expounded on the very subject so seemingly new, and have never given heed through
simple disinterest and unbelief. How similar to that which voiced itself to the apostle at Athens
saying, "We will hear thee again of this matter", and in the words of Felix, "When I have a
convenient season".

A parallel with Israel of old may be timely. "The LORD spoke to Joshua . . . saying . . .Every
place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given you." (Josh. 1:1-3). The whole
land lay before them but only that that they walked on was theirs. This suggests much to us. The
whole Word lay before us with treasures more than we can contain. But, only that truth which is
walked in, that is, in the power of it, is ours. We’ve heard much, often, and read more than we
can assimilate, but not enough is made ours. Much may seem new, and will ever remain such,
until with purpose of heart, and by the power of the Spirit of God we walk in the truth making it
our own. Why should the "old paths" seem "new"? Is it not a paradox? The Lord says to "walk
therein". They were not given nor will they be recovered to us_to tantalize our minds with "some
new thing".

No doubt we can often say, "I never heard that before". May we be sure it is not repeated for
truths often before us. With the Lord’s help, let us daily walk more earnestly in the truth already
learned and then ask the Lord for more.