Deeper Life #88

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. . . . In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

—Colossians 1:12, 14

A SAINT IS ONE, WHO, DISCOVERING himself at Calvary, lies in despair with the nature of sin uncloaked to him. Then, rising in the glamour of amazement and discerning Jesus Christ as a substitute for sin, calls out, “Jesus, I should be there.” To his astonished spirit, he receives justification from all his sinfulness through the atonement at Calvary. Standing in the light of the atonement and placing, as it were, his hands over his Savior’s crucified hands and his feet over His crucified feet, the saint has crucified forever his right to himself. The Lord Himself baptizes him in the Holy Spirit, giving him a new principle of life in which a new personality of holiness reflects an unmistakable likeness to Jesus Christ.

To be a friend of God, walking in communion with the Lord in suffering, and abiding with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as daily and hourly companions—this truly enables the human soul to look into the depths of pain that our Savior and Sanctifier endured. This gives us a key to understanding the shame, the agony, the mock trial, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, and Pentecost.

Prayer Thought: Master, I know I can trust in Your shed blood for full salvation.

SUGGESTED READING: Colossians 1:1–18