The Longing to See Yourself

The Longing to See Yourself

“Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle.” Ps. 43:3.

It is clear that the psalmist had a deep longing for God. He prayed for light, truth and guidance.

“Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God.” V. 4.

In the Old Covenant, people were freed from sin and guilt through outward sacrifices. This provided a moment of joy and relief, combined with reconciliation and hope, but it needed to be continually repeated, since there was no lasting way out of sin. Nonetheless, it was a time of celebration, with music and thanksgiving—a genuine feast and a glory.

However, in the New Covenant, on the new and living way through the flesh, it is possible to be set free once and for all, not only from conscious sin, but also from unconscious sin that dwells in our body of sin, by putting to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit. Rom. 8:13. What a fantastic opportunity! Paul writes about a much greater glory in 2 Cor. 3:10-11, where he writes that the glory of the Old Covenant cannot even be described as glory compared to the glory of the New Covenant.

The Spirit of Jesus and His words of truth set me free from sin if I listen to them and, in obedience, follow Jesus’ words. John 8:33-36, 16:13.

If I have such an attitude of mind, I will seek for it in my daily life; for example, at school, in my workplace, in my family-life or church-life, that the life of Jesus is to be manifest in me. Then I inevitably encounter my own nature, my tendencies and the deeds of my body of sin—I get to see myself. Instead of being disappointed and frustrated, I can rejoice in hope and hate the sin that is revealed to me with all my heart, and thereby I also put it to death. Then there will be progress on the new and living way instead of excuses and explanations and defense mechanisms. Because it is not the others and the difficulties that are the problem; it is my own sin and my foolishness that have been exposed and whose final hour has now come. My longing is to continue looking into the perfect law of liberty. Jas. 1:25. In this way I can see myself and continue to cling to God’s word, and be blessed in what I do.

If I seek salvation and deliverance, and cannot and will not live without it, then I will find my way through the sacrifice which the Spirit of truth has shown me. Seeking honor from people, taking yourself too seriously, defending your own rights, being a know-it-all and such things are crucified. I become more poor in myself and more dependent on God. My own egotistical strength and wisdom become crushed more and more. I take refuge in God and in His word.

And in this way, little by little, it becomes more blessed for the ones I am with to be with me. The word of God becomes flesh. What a glorious life—what a wonderful gospel—where everyone who loves the truth and who is humble, experiences development throughout their life, and such people are unto the glory of God! The life of Jesus and His virtues come forth and can be felt and handled.