Eleventh Avenue Church
The following is reprinted with permission of The Timely Messenger

Personal Presence

by Charles Wages

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have; for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." (Heb. 13:5-6)

Nothing can take the place of a person to person encounter. Modern means of media make good substitutes. Tape recordings, radio, television, the internet, and writings are all very useful tools to communicate, but there still remains an impersonal aspect. The "spirit" is not as evident as when human encounters human.

The presence of the father and mother in a child's life, the teacher personally inthe classroom, or the preacher's presence inthepulpitcan never be completely replaced.

The apostle Paul recognized the great need of his remaining with those whom God desired for him to help. In the great passage of Philippians 1:23-26, he states;

"For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better; Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again."

It will be noted that he had a "desire to depart", that is leave their presence and go on to be with the Lord. However, he recognized the great need to "abide in the flesh." Inverse 25 of the above passage, he stated that he knew that he would "abide" and "continue" with these precious saints. Some of the words the Holy Spirit uses are interesting and important. The word "continue" carries the connotation of "remaining alongside with," and the word "abide" to "remain on, or take up residence."

There is great importance attached to the need of Paul's personal presence. First of all, it was for their furtherance of joy and faith. No doubt, they already had a measure of "joy and faith", but Paul desired for this to be furthered orextended. It was wonderful that these saints had passed from "miseries to melodies", and from "prisons to palaces", but now development and further use of these great blessings was needed. Paul felt that his being personally by their side would accomplishthis. Later, in Philippians 2:2, he said, "Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. " The Lord Jesus said to His disciples, "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that yqur Joy might be full. " (John 15:11). He was deeply desirous that His joy "remained in them." It was the Psalmist David that prayed,

"Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit." (Psalm 51:12)

The Lord Jesus also desired that the disciples "joy might be full. " It is evident thenthatjoy can be diminished or lost (not salvation, but joy of salvation), and also that it can increase or become full.

Paul felt his personal presence was needed that the saints might be edified or built up in the faith. In order for them to be edified it was necessary to "stand" and "strive" (vs. 27). He said, stand fast in one spirit, and strive together for the faith of the gospel. He knew that a person who is "tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine" could never reallystand steadfast, or that if they were not willing to really labor together nothing could be accomplished. It is fine when one person all alone accomplishes something for the Lord, but it is better if the personal presence of other saints is involved.

Paul believed that his personal presence was important to bolster the courage of the saints - (vs. 28). It is one thing to face the enemy alone, it is much better if there are companions in the danger or conflict. There is strength in numbers. Also, there is great satisfaction and comfort, as well as courage, to know that someone is "alongside to help."

All that we learn from the Apostle Paul is magnified hundreds of times when we consider the personal presence of the Lord Jesus. Remember, He said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

When we read and study concerning the earthly life of the Lord Jesus we are impressed with the magnetism of His person. People were drawn to Him. Often times, He expressed His deep desire to "abide" in their houses. For instance, when He called Zacchaeus down from the tree, He said, "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house" (Luke 19:5). Also, He spent much time in the house of Martha, Mary, and their brother Lazarus. There they were recipients of His personal presence as well as His teaching and miraculous help.

When the Lord was to go away into glory, He said in John 14:16-17,

"And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

Again in John 16:7, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart, I will senct him unto you." Then in I John 3:24 we are told, "And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us."

It is wonderful to know that He is in us, by us, and with us in the person of the Holy Spirit. One of these days, we will move directly into His glorious presence. Of course, this is not possible in these "vile " bodies, but He "shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious (glorified) body." (Philippians 3:20-21).

Finally, John says in I John 3:2, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."

When we are with the Lord Jesus in glorified bodies we will know to the fullest what HIS PERSONAL PRESENCE really means!

May 2001 Edition Contents
Return To Eleventh Avenue Church Home Page