(1) Recognize one’s
own littleness—that is, know oneself. It is relatively easy to be humble before
God; but to be humble before men or to esteem others as more excellent than
oneself is extremely difficult. To say I am the least is comparatively easy, but
to confess that I am the least in my father’s house is not easy. To acknowledge
that my father’s house is the poorest is not too hard, yet to admit that my
father’s house is the poorest in Manasseh is most humiliating. He whose face
shines and is unconscious of it, though others can see the light of his
countenance, is an overcomer. All who look at mirrors in an attempt to see the
light on their faces are definitely not overcomers. Although David was
anointed, he looked upon himself as a dead dog (1 Sam. 24.14). Overcomers are
those who have the reality of, yet not the name of, overcomers.
(2) See the heavenly
vision—that is, see the Lord. No one without vision is able to serve. With
vision, one can press on to reach the goal even though he is beset by
difficulties. Having the word of the Lord, one may with certainty sail on to
the other shore. The feet of a worker are steadied by the vision he has seen.
(3) Be not
disobedient to the vision—but respond to the calling of the Lord with
sacrifice. One should offer his insignificant self to God and leave himself in
God’s hand. Judging one’s own self as being either great or small without
committing all in God’s hand is equally useless. All the living sacrifices
according to God’s will are accepted by God. Overcomers are called of God. Have
you heard the call for overcomers that is found in Revelation chapters 2 and 3?
And have you answered the call?
(4) Break down
idols—which is to say, maintain an outward testimony. A heart already
consecrated needs to break down the idols without, in order to bear the
testimony. One should pay attention to his own person, his family, and his
contacts. Whatever strives to be equal with God must be broken down. He who
sees God knows what an idol is. Having seen the angel of the Lord—that is to
say, the Lord himself, one discerns the things outside the Lord as idols. A
sight of the angel of the Lord reveals the wood (the Asherah) as not being God
(Judges 6.22-27). The sacrifice on the rock is for a personal purpose, whereas
the sacrifice on the altar is for corporate use.
After these four steps have been taken, the Holy
Spirit will fall on the person. The filling of the Holy Spirit is not the result of asking
for power; when one stands on the right ground, he shall receive the outpoured
Spirit.
