“Here is the path to the higher life: down, lower down! Just as water always seeks and fills the lowest place, so the moment God finds men abased and empty, His glory and power flow in to exalt and to bless.”
― Andrew Murray (1828-1917) Humility: The Beauty of Holiness
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Humility: The Beauty of Holiness contains 12 studies on humility, a quality that Andrew Murray rightly believes should be one of the distinguishing characteristics of the discipleship of Christ. Jesus not only strongly impressed His disciples with the need for humility but was in Himself its supreme example.
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Cover Image by Mystic Art Design from Pixabay
Sealed in Christ 
Hi Dee. I hope that you have been able to gain some good food for thought from John 17:3. I still can remember the evening that my pastor friend was preaching “through that verse” on the way to another one. For me, it was like bells going off in my mind. I had never had such an understanding, and a challenge for study, to come from any other teaching or sermon. Intimacy with God is the key teaching of the Bible, whether you are studying Old Testament or New Testament scriptures. A companion verse is John 3:3. To have an intimate relationship with Christ is to know that we also have been born again, with the Holy Spirit, Who “is in us, comforting us, and teaching us the things of Christ.” To have the new birth of John 3:3, which is accomplished by God’s Holy Spirit (John 3:8) is to have a permanency of that indwelling of God’s spirit. Once we have been born again, we can not be unborn. All of this that I am saying is that the intimacy of “us and Christ,” goes two ways. We indwells His spirit, “2 Cor 5:17,” and He indwells our spirit (Col 1:27). By having the Spirit of Christ within our spirit, nothing..nobody…not even us…can cause the Spirit of Christ to leave; that is His promise (John 10:27-30)..I “know” them….I give eternal life to them…they will never perish…no one will snatch them out of My hand. John 10:27-30 explains the unconditional promise that Christ has made to us. Once we have been born again, we don’t have to continually prove, “over and over,” that we are worthy enough to remain within His Spirit, or for Him to remain within our spirit. We can not be unsaved. Please let me know if any of this not understandable. Thanks.
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Good morning. Thanks so much for this. I’m very sorry, but I’ve been completely preoccupied since our last communication. I really want to look into this and respond, but I may not be able for a little while. So sorry. But be assured, I will when I can. Thanks. 🙂 Dee
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I understand your situation. I look forward to the time that you will be able to discuss these thoughts.
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Thanks so much. I’m going to start looking at this tonight. God bless.
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Thank you. I hope that you will receive good insight.
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Good morning! I pray this finds you well. So here are my thought on John 17:3… finally.
Eternal life is not a thing we are given when we get saved, it is not a thing at all. Eternal life exists only within the Godhead of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Therefore, eternal life is a person. It is one of the many characteristics that define God. Just as He does not only love, He IS love, the same can be said of eternal life. He does not only give eternal life, He IS eternal life and gives of Himself to those who are pure, washed of their sins through the blood of Christ and are now reconciled to Him in relationship. Adam was created as an eternal being when God breathed life into him. And when he fell, he maintained that status, though he lost eternal Life and moved into eternal Death, because his relationship with God was severed by sin. Jesus came to restore that relationship that was lost and in so doing, He restored eternal life to those who put their faith in Him and the sacrifice He made on our behalf.
This is why Jesus said, “And this is eternal life, that they may ‘know’ you, the only true God, ‘and’ Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3
God bless!! May He keep you and yours safe, healthy, and very near to Him. 💖
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Thanks for all that you put into your thought. I will make it simple, per Dr. Charles Ryrie’s study Bible. “This is Christ’s definition of salvation.” I added a lot of thoughts to the verse, but Charles Ryrie is very good at providing clear, concise, and true understandings of things that he discussed when he was alive. Please have a good day.
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Thanks. 🙂
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You are very welcome.
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I am beginning a new series of articles on the end times, which a focus on the book of Revelation.
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Looking forward to that! I do have some thoughts on the scripture we discussed. I’ll write you about that tonight or tomorrow. Have a wonderful evening.
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Thank you. REV 1 was published a few hours ago.
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Nice, I’ll get over there and check it out right now.
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Is there something of the mind that draws you to the works of Andrew Murray, is what I meant to say. I find myself drawn to certain Christian authors. It is almost like we think the same things. I once had a boss when I was in the military that was like no other superior that I had ever had. We worked together controlling fighter jets. We were like Colonel Potter and Radar O’Reilly. Of course, my boss was the Colonel Potter type. When we were in the radar room, we sort of knew what the other needed, without having to say anything. It was such a close relationship that when I moved to another unit, in another city, that I felt the pain of leaving a wonderful and trusted friend, “of all friends.” (I could go on). That is why I asked you about Andrew Murray. Is there something that draws you to his mind of works? Thanks.
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I have always felt a connection to Andrew Murray’s way of thinking and I find him very relatable. I suppose what draws me to him the most is his ability to make sense of the difficult aspects of Christianity.
Take Humility for instance. In his book he writes that humility is not just ‘a’ quality of the Christian’s life, but is the root of all the qualities within the Christian’s life. In other words, we can’t truly learn to be patient and kind and long suffering, etc. until we are truly humble. We will never be willing or able to overlook offenses or love the unlovable or anything else along those lines as long as we see ourselves as deserving better.. or anything at all. And truly we do not deserve anything – everything we are and have (even humility) is because of Christ in us.
So cool that you had a such a great relationship with your superior in the Air Force. That doesn’t come about often.
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I love your answer to my question. I am happy that you have found such a writer that has affected you so very much. I have learned things about you from your letter that I had not expected. Here is a verse that has done more to change my understanding of the Bible than has any other. I would like for you to consider John 17:3. If you would like to discuss it, that will be good. I look forward to your return mail.
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Thank you. And thank you for recommending John 17:3. I’ll read and consider it and get back with you tomorrow. Have a wonderful evening. 🙂
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Thank you very much.
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In the meantime, would you be so kind as to share with me how this scripture has been instrumental in changing your understanding of the Bible? Thank you!
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John 17:3 helped me to understand my security in Christ. The verse is a text book definition of that which brings about eternal life. I was listening to a pastor friend preaching…..through it. He kept on going to another verse, but I stopped where I was;;;;in the pulpit. I went home and got my lexicon and began doing cross references. I was affected by it so much that I recited it to many, many friends. I have an internet friend who makes ceramic tile with images and writings. She was so affected by my continued quoting of that verse, that she made a tile, with John 17:3 printed on it. The tile has been on a book case in my living room for about 12 years. I can’t go further without affecting your understanding of the verse.
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I’m so sorry, but my days have been much busier than I anticipated. It might take me another day or two to get back with you, but I definitely will! Thanks for your patience. 🙂
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Okay, Deeeee!!!! lol. I’m going to tip my hand. John 17:3 says that eternal life is based on an intimate relationship with God the Father, through God the Son, being empowered by God the Holy Spirit. The word Know, relates to Gen 4:1 where Adam knew Eve is wife, and she conceived and bore Cain. Also, Matt 1:25, where Joseph did not know Mary (his wife) until after Jesus was born. The highest point of intimacy between a man and his wife, is the illustration that is used to show that our having such a relationship of intimacy with God will result in our having eternal life. …It was from that verse that the Holy Spirit took me to many other areas of Biblical understanding. I hope that will help you in the same way , and more,that it has helped me.
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Please tell me of your connection with Andrew Murray.
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Your work is good; please keep it up. Thanks for your like of my article on 2 Samuel; you are very kind.
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Thank you. 😊
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You are always welcome.
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Very true!
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Dee, it is good to find others who read Andrew Murray. I published A Broad Review of Andrew Murray’s Humility in 2017. I would be glad to send you a PDF copy if you are interested. Here is link to Amazon for description. Blessings https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQX0OHJ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i5
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Hi Fran! I love Andrew Murray. I have several of his books and I would LOVE to have copy of yours too, thank you so much for the offer. 🙂 I just visited your Amazon page and I can’t wait to check out all your books. I love your photo, by the way. So sweet! Thanks again. Dee
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Dee, where can I send the PDF?
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Hi Fran. I suppose an email address would help. 🙂 Mine is: sixthsealministries@outlook.com
Thank you so much! Dee
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I love reading Andrew Murray
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Me too! Very personally challenging and theologically accurate. Unlike much of what we read today. Thanks for reading and commenting. God bless!
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