“But ye did not so learn Christ; if so be that ye heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, which waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit .
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The whole secret of progress is the doing of the thing we know. There is no other way of progress in the spiritual life; only as we do, can we know. Is there anything you will not leave for Christ? You cannot know him—and yet he is the Truth, the one thing alone that can be known! Do you not care to be imperfect? Would you rather keep this or that, with imperfection, than part with it to be perfect? You cannot know Christ, for the very principle of his life was the simple absolute relation of realities; his one idea was to be a perfect child to his Father. He who will not part with all for Christ, is not worthy of him, and cannot know him; how could he receive to his house a man who prefers something to his Father; a man who will strike a bargain with God, and say, “I will give up so much, if thou wilt spare me!” The man will have to be left to himself. He must find what it is to be without God!
To let their light shine, not to force on them their interpretations of God’s designs, is the duty of Christians towards their fellows. If those who set themselves to explain their theories of Christianity had set themselves instead to do the will of the Master, how different would now be the condition of that portion of the world with which they came into contact! In how many a heart would the name of the Lord be loved where now it remains unknown!
Commentary
by Jolyn Canty
When my children were little, I was blessed to teach at the same private Christian school that they attended. It was a twenty-five-mile drive each way, so we had a lot of time together while going to and from school. It was wonderful. We spent our time reading through The Child’s Story Bible, by Catherine Vos, and ended with prayers and then a hymn. The hymn never changed, it was always the same: Trust and Obey, by John H. Sammis. It was important to me that my children understand, to the core of their being, that should there ever come a time that they did not want, or did not understand why they must, they would still trust and obey Him, no matter what. As parents, we hope our children will obey us, even if they don’t understand why, simply because they know that they can trust us. It is the same with God. MacDonald says that “only as we do, can we know. Is there anything you will not leave for Christ? You cannot know him—and yet he is the Truth, the one thing alone that can be known!”
Trust And Obey
1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
o Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.