712 The Spiritual Man
acknowledge the absolute sovereignty of God, but Christians cannot
use that as their excuse.
“Always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus’ is the basis
for “the life of Jesus (to) be manifested in our body.” In other words,
our own life must be denied totally before that of the Lord Jesus will
be manifested in our bodies. This unfolds to us the intricate
relationship between a spiritual selfless walk and a sound healthy
body. The power of God is used exclusively for Him. When God
exhibits His life in our bodies He does so for the sake of His Own
work He never dispenses to us His life and strength that we may
consume it selfishly. He does not give His energy to our bodies that
we may waste it; nor does He do so to accomplish our purpose. How
then will He ever bestow this power upon us if we do not live
entirely for Him? Right there do we locate the reason for many
unanswered prayers. Believers too often covet health and vitality
solely in order to enjoy themselves. They seek God’s strength for
their bodies that they may dwell more comfortably, joyfully,
conveniently. They want to be able to move freely without any
impediment. That is why up to this very moment they are still weak.
God will not furnish us His life for us to wield independently. For
would we not live even more for ourselves, and would not the will of
God incur even greater loss? God is waiting today for His children to
come to their end that He may grant them what they are seeking.
What is meant by “the dying of Jesus”? It is that life of the Lord
which always delivers its self up to death. The entire walk of our
Lord was characterized by self-denial. Right through to His death the
Lord Jesus never did anything by Himself but always executed His
Father’s work. Now the Apostle informs us that by his letting the
dying of Jesus so work in his body the life of Jesus was manifested
also in his mortal flesh. Can we receive this teaching? Presently God
is waiting for those who are willing to accept the dying of Jesus so
that He may live in their bodies. Who is inclined to follow God’s will
perfectly? Who will not initiate anything by himself? Who dares to