In today’s essay, Watchman Nee reminds us of the completed work of Christ on the cross. Nee’s central thesis is that when and only when we realize that our sin is forgiven because of Chris has done can we begin to become who God created us to be. He picks up on the fact that we often look for what we can do for Christ, and how we can work our way into greater depths of faith. Nee is not dismissing the active part of living out our faith but pointing out where it properly begins, “Let me repeat: no Christian experience begins with walking, but always with a definite sitting down: " And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6) ” Before we can get up and walk, we have to sit down and wait.
Nee’s final illustration is familiar but formidable in its implications for our life in Christ. He uses the imagery of a drowning person. It is nearly impossible to save a drowning person who is fighting. The person must be able to be still in the water so that someone can get to him and help. Doing nothing in most contexts can be viewed as laziness. But doing nothing in the sense of letting God take us over with His completed work in Christ is hard, trying, and necessary. Be still…..
Grace and Peace