Glory of Christ by John Owen (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 13 (The second difference between our beholding the glory of Christ by faith in this world and by sight in heaven).
Firstly Owen looks at why Christ at any time hides himself in his glory from the faith believers so that they cannot behold him. Owen says Christ does it to stir us up in an eminent manner unto a diligent search and inquiry after him.
Secondly Owen explains how we may know when Christ withdraws himself from us so that we cannot behold his glory. Christ has withdrawn when:
(i) we grow weak in the life, vigour and effectual acting of grace in us;
(ii) we can satisfy ourselves without an experience in our own hearts of the great things of joy, peace, consolation and assurance that are promised in the Gospel.
To close the chapter Owen considers the sight which we shall have of the glory of Christ in heaven in comparison with the sight that we have here below. There is:
(i) a different state of mind;
(ii) a different means of beholding;
(iii) no withdrawal of Jesus;
(iv) no liability to internal defects or temptations.
I continue to enjoy Owen's descriptions of heaven: 'Wherefore, the vision which we shall have in heaven of the glory of Christ is serene, — always the same, always new and indeficient, wherein nothing can disturb the mind in the most perfect operations of a blessed life. And when all the faculties of the soul can, without any internal weakness or external hindrances, exercise their most perfect operations on the most perfect object, — therein lies all the blessedness which our nature is capable of.'
I want to be there now!
Next week's reading
Read Chapter 14 (Other differences between our beholding the glory of Christ by faith in this world and by sight in heaven).
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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