The importance of the subject of this book is beyond estimation. True spirituality is that in the child of God which satisfies and glorifies the Father. It brings celestial joy and peace to the believer’s own heart. Upon it all Christian service depends.
Since God purposes to work through human means, the fitness of the instrument determines the progress made. There is general agreement that the daily life of Christians should be improved; but improvement cannot be had other than in God’s way. Merely to exhort an unspiritual Christian is a loss of time and energy. When that Christian becomes spiritual, he will need no exhortation; but himself becomes an exhorter both by precept and example. Christians, as a whole, are satiated with ideals. Their real difficulty is stated in the words: “How to perform that which is good, I find not.” The divine way to sufficiency and efficiency must be understood and acted upon, else we fail.
The Bible doctrine concerning the Christian’s nature and daily practice, and the relation of these to the death of Christ, is subject to some disagreement. It is not the primary purpose of this book to correct details of doctrine. The object has been rather to state the outstanding revelation of the divine provision for the overcoming life. May we be delivered from controversy over secondary things in the face of our present failure to “walk as it becometh saints.”
It is my prayer that this statement of the fact and force of the spiritual life may be helpful to those who are called upon to manifest Christ to a dying world, and who hope to hear the Master say, “well done.”