by Seeley Kinne
The sovereignty, dominion, and the omnipotence of Almighty God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit, has been obscured, lessened, or lost to our vision. The sense of the dread, august and terrible God of Heaven has been dimmed and minified, while the creature, man, has been greatly magnified and made brilliant.
It is of absolute necessity that one have a correct view of these two great facts – the almightiness of God, and the low estate of the creature. Lack of such vision prevents entrance into the apostolic state. Such a discovery and comprehension, and an adjustment to the omnipotent God, can only be accomplished through revelation, and by the inner moving of the Holy Spirit, showing the way and bringing one into a proper view of God.
“According to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will.” Ephesians 1:11
One cannot enter the “apostolic state” by any human effort whatever, but must be carried there by a direct act of God.
There is an error that some have fallen into, which is as follows: since God is all-powerful, and man is helpless, therefore, man should do nothing and leave all to God. But the Scriptures show this to be wrong, for they repeatedly tell us that we are to pray, seek God, wait on the Lord, and search for Him, as for a hid treasure.
This sovereignty and dominion of God is to have entire possession of man. That is, man is to be directed and controlled by the supreme will and sway of the Lord, without being interfered with by human choice.
It might appear at sight that such a state would be severe bondage. This view arises from, and is produced by, the loose and undisciplined condition that man is found in. He has been unbridled and wayward. When once the hand of God gets the reins, and brings His child into a thoroughly chastened and disciplined state, when the will of man blends and is made parallel with, and brought into union with the divine will – Lo! instead of finding an irksome bondage, the soul emerges from all its old bondages and limitations into freedom, unbounded and exceedingly delightful.
Now the springs of action arise in God, and lead to God. They are of such a flavor that living becomes a perennial joy. Those servants who attain this relationship to Christ become:
“Vessels unto honor, sanctified and meet for the Master’s use and prepared unto every good work.” II Timothy 2:21