THE FULLNESS OF CAPABILITY Part 1

The wisdom of the fathers

THE FULLNESS OF CAPABILITY????Part 1

Many view it as a severe strain upon our feeble nature when God demands?all?the affections of the heart,?all?the thoughts of the mind, all the sensibilities of the soul, and?all?the volitions of the strength. God not only demands that we be religious, but entirely religious; that we not only be holy, but universally holy; that we not only serve Him, but nobody and nothing except Him. This?seems?to be very exacting, and yet infinite mercy is expressed in this excessive demand.?

The more completely we are devoted to Jesus in thought, word and act, the easier that devotion becomes. A ship under full sail and speed can be steered and managed with twice the ease that one can under half speed. It is much easier to take a full breath than to take a short half breath. It is partial service that makes painful service; it is half devotion that makes hard devotion. David reached a point in his devotion to God, when he arose at midnight to have a season of prayer and praise. The chariot wheels of his soul rolled forward more smoothly then than at any past period.

He who fashioned every atom and capability of our nature, knows that in order to render our service delightful and easy, He must in very kindness to us demand every capability of our being. But nothing can bring out the fullness of our capability except the being "filled with the Spirit." Inasmuch as God formed us for Himself we never reach our true self till we are completely united to God. It is the fullness of the Spirit that brings out the full capabilities of the creature.?

When the believer is filled with the Holy Spirit, two results are secured; first, the dross of inward sin is burned away, and secondly, all the faculties and latent capacities of the soul are wondrously opened and intensified in Divine service. Our faculties, like the sails of a ship, need to be cleansed from rust and mildew, then hoisted, unfurled, and filled up to their measure with the gales of the Eternal Spirit.??to be continued

(from "White Robes" by G.D. Watson)