HUMAN RECEPTIVITY
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God's Active Expression
When the Christian fails to respond
in faithful receptivity to God’s active expression of His character, then the only alternative to God’s action will be a sinful expression of evil character, derived from a source other than God. Despite how religious and pious the action might appear externally, “whatever is not of faith is sin” (Rom. 14:23), and “the one who sins derives what he does from the devil” (I John 3:8).
Receptivity of God’s character and activity in faith, both initially and continuously, will exclude sin in the Christian’s life. Commenting on the incompatibility of faith and sin, J. Gresham Machen wrote, Faith involves a change of the whole nature of man; it involves a new hatred of sin and a new hunger and thirst after righteousness. It is inconceivable that one could accept the gift which Christ offers, and still go on contentedly in sin. For the very thing which Christ offers us is salvation from sin – not only salvation from the guilt of sin, but also salvation from the power of sin.18
The holy character of God
expressed in human behavior for the purpose of God’s glory is the objective of all Christian faith. This process of sanctification – of receptivity to the expression of God’s holy character by the active manifestation of the “Holy One” (Acts 2:27; 3:12; 13:35), Jesus Christ, dwelling in the Christian – is what constitutes Christianity. J.C. Ryle makes this quite clear in his treatise on “Holiness.”
Sanctification is the invariable result of vital union with Christ. The branch which bears no fruit is no living branch of the vine. The union with Christ which produces no effect on heart and life is a mere formal union, which is worthless before God. The faith which has not a sanctifying influence on the character is no better than the faith of devils. It is a “dead faith, because it is alone.” In short, where there is no sanctification of life, there is no real faith in Christ.19
By faith the Christian opens himself up
to God’s activity in Jesus Christ. We give up our alleged right to control our own lives by submitting to the loving control of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. From the brokenness of our admitted powerlessness, we cry, “Whatever You want, Lord.”
We have all made that concession when confronted with a crisis, or when faced with a particularly tough trial, but receptive faith must become a continuity in our lives. Not just when we are facing an emergency, a surgery, a divorce, job loss, bankruptcy, incarceration, etc., but constantly, moment by moment, day in and day out, an abandoned availability to whatever the Lord Jesus Christ wants to be and do in our lives.
When faith is thus understood
as submission and surrender to God and His desires, we cannot conceive of faith as an instrumental means to achieve a particular end. We do not respond in faith in order to become mature or “spiritual.” Faith is not to be regarded as a means to become a spiritual “knower” or a spiritual “father.”
The objective of faith is always, and only, God Himself.
Not that we become God, but that we are available to whatever He wants to do.
A constant prayer of faith
can be verbalized throughout the day in the simple affirmation, “Yes, Lord!” “Yes, Lord, I want Your character to be expressed in this situation.” “Yes, Lord, show me the next opportunity to let the Christ-life be manifested” (cf. II Cor. 4:11). “Yes, Lord, You will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I am able” (I Cor. 10:13). “Yes, Lord, You will keep me from stumbling” (Jude 24). “Yes, Lord, You will cause me to stand” (Rom. 14:4).
If “Yes, Lord” were the extent of one’s prayer vocabulary, that individual could be walking in the “obedience of faith” (Rom. 1:5; 16:26) and “praying without ceasing” (I Thess. 5:17).
The Christian response of faith is beautifully expressed in the words of the hymn written by Adelaide A. Pollard:
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter; I am the clay.
Mould me and make me, After Thy will,
While I am waiting, Yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being Absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit Till all shall see Christ only, always, Living in me!
Next:
The Conclusion...
Dr. James Fowler | IOM Staff Writer
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