Lesson 24: Its Ultimate Realization Is Already Visible In Part
"For now we see in a mirror dimly; but then face to face" (1 Corinthians 13:12
"We shall see Him even as He is" (1 John 3:2)
 
So far we have considered the subject of the Word of God within the compass of probationary life. The perfection possible today is that of condition which ensures progress; and the possibility of progress ever speaks of something not yet attained. The supreme consciousness of those who today are most certainly living within the Will of God is that of incompleteness. All is partial, limited. By comparison with the exceeding worth and beauty of our Lord, we feel that our worship is almost worthless.
 
And when we have done the fullest day's work possible to us, having, so far as we know, filled the hours with sacrificial service, we still say, "At best we are unprofitable servants." When we have walked in the Will as revealed to us for the present moment, we are always conscious that His ultimate Will is so much better than any present realization. This sense of shortcoming is in itself an incentive to carefulness. It is because we have not yet understood…that "forgetting the things which are behind," we "press on toward the goal." This pushing towards the goal, however, does not mark dissatisfaction with the discipline of the pathway. Abiding in the Will of God, we recognize that all the circumstances of life are necessary for our perfecting and are overruled by Infinite Love.
 
The questions will yet arise: What is to be the issue? Where does the pathway turn? It is with this subject that the present chapter deals, not exhaustively, but by suggestion.
 

Much has been written on the future condition of the saints. One wrote an article, in four parts and forty-six chapters, full of thought and beauty; and many others have contributed to the valuable literature. Our thought in this chapter is to be confined to the subject of the doing of the Will of God. There are four facts recorded in the New Testament which are enlightening of the subject.
 
I. Unclouded Vision.
Paul says, We see only dimly; but when we see Him face to face we will “know as we are known.” John declares, "We shall see Him even as He is" (1 John 3:2). After faith has had its perfect work in our lives it will be swallowed up in sight. Today we love Him even though we have not yet seen Him. We are conscious of His presence, understanding in some measure His love and beauty. We walk by faith in the mists and mysteries of those times of trouble or difficulty. We also walk by faith in those times when we believe we understand, as if walking underneath a clear blue sky. Both have limitations of vision which is why we must still walk by faith..

 Question: What happens to us when we walk in the Will of God as revealed to us for the present moment?
Let's reflect on, even memorize: "For now we see in a mirror dimly; but then face to face" ‒ 1 Corinthians 13:12