Diesen Monat möchte ich das Zeugnis von Jane Cooper, aus der Zeit der Methodistenerweckung im 18.Jh. in England, mit euch teilen. Dieses Zeugnis verdeutlicht mehrere wichtige Punkte: sucht und ihr werdet finden; wir haben Gott nichts zu bringen als das Empfangen seiner Liebe; die einfache Antwort des Glaubens öffnet die Tür des Himmels. Ich hoffe ihr findet diesen an John Wesley geschriebenen Brief ermutigend und herausfordernd.
Jane Cooper
Ich werde solange ich lebe Dankbarkeit verspüren. Von der Zeit an, als du (John Wesley) über Gal.5,5 [Wir aber erwarten im Geist aus Glauben die Hoffnung der Gerechtigkeit] gepredigt hattest, habe ich deutlich den wahren Stand meiner Seele erkannt. Dies Predigt beschrieb mein Herz und sein Verlangen, nämlich wahrhaft glücklich zu sein. Als du den Brief von Herrn M vorlast, beschrieb dies die Religion nach der ich mich sehnte.
Von dem Augenblick an konnte ich den Preis erblicken und war befähigt mich stark danach auszustrecken. Ich betete beständig, manchmal mit großer Not, manchmal in geduldiger Erwartung der Segnung. Einige Tage bevor du London verließt, stellte sich meine Seele auf die Verheißung: und plötzlich wird zu seinem Tempel kommen der Herr, den ihr sucht. Ich glaubte er würde es tun und dass er das läuternde Feuer sei.
Dienstag nachdem du uns verließt dachte ich, ich könne nicht schlafen, es sei denn er erfülle sein Wort in der Nacht. Ich hatte noch nie zuvor die Kraft der Worte Seid still und erkennt, dass ich Gott bin so wie da erkannt. Ich wurde unwichtig vor ihm und genoss perfekte Ruhe in meiner Seele. Ich wusste nicht, ob er meine Sünde zerstört hatte, sehnte mich jedoch so danach, so dass ich ihn preisen konnte. Bald jedoch kam der Unglaube zurück und ich klagte unter der Last.
Mittwoch ging ich nach London und suchte den Herrn ohne Unterlass. Ich versprach, dass wenn er mich von der Sünde rette, ich ihn preisen würde. Ich war bereit mich von allem zu trennen um Christus zu gewinnen. Ich erkannte jedoch, dass all diese Versprechen nichts wert waren und dass, wenn er mich rettet, er es umsonst, um seines Namens Willen tun würde.
Am Donnerstag wurde ich so versucht, dass ich daran dachte nie mehr etwas mit dem Volk Gottes zu tun zu haben. Dennoch hatte ich keinen Zweifel an seiner vergebenden Liebe.
Am Freitag wurde meine Not schlimmer. Ich wollte beten und konnte es nicht. Ich ging zu Frau D., die für mich betete und die mir sagte, dies sei der Tod der Natur. Ich öffnete die Bibel wo stand: Die Feiglinge aber und die Ungläubigen-ihr Teil wird in dem See sein, der von Feuer und Schwefel brennt. Ich konnte es nicht ertragen.
Wieder schlug ich die Bibel auf in Markus Erschreckt nicht! Ihr sucht Jesus. Aber geht hin, sagt seinen Jüngern , dass er euch nach Galiläa vorangeht. Dort werdet ihr ihn sehen! Ich war ermutigt und fähig zu beten und glaubt Jesus würde mir zu Hause begegnen. Ich kam am Abend zurück und fand Frau G. im Gebet für mich: "Herr, bei dir gibt es kein Ansehen der Person." Er bewies dies indem er mich segnete.
In dem Moment konnte ich Jesus Christus fassen und fand Rettung durch einfachen Glauben. Er versicherte mir, dass der Herr der König in meiner Mitte war und dass das Böse hinweggetan war. Ich pries ihn, der mir begegnet war und mich erlöst hatte, der mir Weisheit, Gerechtigkeit, Heiligung und Erlösung geworden war. Ich sah Jesus so lieblich und wusste er war mein, in all seinen Ämtern. Und, ihm sei Ehre, er allein regiert jetzt in meinem Herzen. Dort gibt es nur seinen Willen, keinen Stolz, keine Liebe ausser die für ihn. Ich weiss ich stehe im Glauben und das Gebet bewahrt den Glauben. Ich bin in diesem Augenblick glücklich in Gott und glaube für den nächsten. Ich habe oft das Kapitel gelesen welches du erwähntest (1.Kor.13) und mein Leben damit verglichen. Beim Lesen erkenne ich mein Versagen und das Bedürfnis nach dem erlösenden Blut. Ich spüre in Maßen die dort beschriebene Liebe, doch bin ich noch nicht so wie ich sein werde. Mein Verlangen ist es, mich in der Liebe, die alle Vernunft übersteigt, zu verlieren. Ich erkenne, dass der Gerecht durch Glauben lebt und mir, dem Geringsten der Heiligen, ist diese Gnade gegeben. Wenn ich ein Erzengel wäre, würde ich mein Angesicht vor ihm verschleiern und ihn in der Stille preisen.
01 March 2008
March 2008 - English
This month I have included a testimony from a lady called Jane Cooper from the time of the Methodist revival in England in the 18th century. The testimony highlights several very important points: seek and you shall find, we can offer nothing to God, only receive His free gift, that sometimes a simple response in faith opens the door to heaven. I hope you find this letter that she wrote to John Wesley encouraging and challenging.
Jane Cooper
I believe while memory remains in me, gratitude will continue. From the time you [John Wesley] preached on Gal. 5:5 [ For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.], I saw clearly the true state of my soul. That sermon described my heart, and what it wanted to be; namely, truly happy. You read Mr. M-'s letter, and it described the religion which I desired
From that time the prize appeared in view, and I was enabled to follow hard after it. I was kept watching unto prayer, sometimes in much distress, at other times in patient expectation of the blessing. For some days before you left London, my soul was stayed on a promise I had applied to me in prayer: "The Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple." I believed he would, and that he would sit there as a refiner's fire.
The Tuesday after you went, I thought I could not sleep, unless he fulfilled his word that night. I never knew as I did then the force of these words: "Be still, and know that I am God." I became nothing before Him, and enjoyed perfect calmness in my soul. I knew not whether he had destroyed my sin; but I desired to know, that I might praise Him. Yet I soon found the return of unbelief, and groaned, being burdened.
On Wednesday I went to London, and sought the Lord without ceasing. I promised, if he would save me from sin, I would praise him. I could part with all things, so I might win Christ. But I found all these pleas to be nothing worth; and that if He saved me, it must be freely, for his own name's sake.
On Thursday I was so much tempted, that I thought of never conversing more with the people of God. And yet I had no doubt of his pardoning love; but, 'Twas worse than death my God to love, And not my God alone.
On Friday my distress was deepened. I endeavored to pray, and could not. I went to Mrs. D., who prayed for me, and told me it was the death of nature. I opened the Bible, on, "The fearful and unbelieving shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone." I could not bear it.
I opened again, on Mark 16:6-7: "Be not affrighted; ye seek Jesus of Nazareth. Go your way; tell his disciples he goeth before you into Galilee; there ye shall see him." I was encouraged, and enabled to pray, believing I should see Jesus at home. I returned that night, and found Mrs. G. She prayed for me; and the Predestinarian had no plea but, "Lord, thou art no respecter of persons." He proved he was not, by blessing me.
I was in a moment enabled to lay hold on Jesus Christ, and found salvation by simple faith. He assured me, the Lord, the King, was in the midst of me, and that I should see evil no more. I now blessed Him who had visited and redeemed me, and was become my "wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption." I saw Jesus altogether lovely; and knew he was mine in all his offices. And, glory be to Him, He now reigns in my heart without a rival. I find no will but his. I feel no pride; nor an affection but what is placed on Him. I know it is by faith I stand; and that watching unto prayer must be the guard of faith. I am happy in God this moment, and I believe for the next. I have often read the chapter you mention, (I Cor. 13) and compared my heart and life with it. In so doing, I feel my shortcomings, and the need I have of the atoning blood. Yet I dare not say, I do not feel a measure of the love there described, though I am not all I shall be. I desire to be lost in that "love which passeth knowledge." I see "the just shall live by faith"; and unto me who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given. If I were an archangel, I should veil my face before him, and let silence speak his praise!"
Jane Cooper
I believe while memory remains in me, gratitude will continue. From the time you [John Wesley] preached on Gal. 5:5 [ For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.], I saw clearly the true state of my soul. That sermon described my heart, and what it wanted to be; namely, truly happy. You read Mr. M-'s letter, and it described the religion which I desired
From that time the prize appeared in view, and I was enabled to follow hard after it. I was kept watching unto prayer, sometimes in much distress, at other times in patient expectation of the blessing. For some days before you left London, my soul was stayed on a promise I had applied to me in prayer: "The Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple." I believed he would, and that he would sit there as a refiner's fire.
The Tuesday after you went, I thought I could not sleep, unless he fulfilled his word that night. I never knew as I did then the force of these words: "Be still, and know that I am God." I became nothing before Him, and enjoyed perfect calmness in my soul. I knew not whether he had destroyed my sin; but I desired to know, that I might praise Him. Yet I soon found the return of unbelief, and groaned, being burdened.
On Wednesday I went to London, and sought the Lord without ceasing. I promised, if he would save me from sin, I would praise him. I could part with all things, so I might win Christ. But I found all these pleas to be nothing worth; and that if He saved me, it must be freely, for his own name's sake.
On Thursday I was so much tempted, that I thought of never conversing more with the people of God. And yet I had no doubt of his pardoning love; but, 'Twas worse than death my God to love, And not my God alone.
On Friday my distress was deepened. I endeavored to pray, and could not. I went to Mrs. D., who prayed for me, and told me it was the death of nature. I opened the Bible, on, "The fearful and unbelieving shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone." I could not bear it.
I opened again, on Mark 16:6-7: "Be not affrighted; ye seek Jesus of Nazareth. Go your way; tell his disciples he goeth before you into Galilee; there ye shall see him." I was encouraged, and enabled to pray, believing I should see Jesus at home. I returned that night, and found Mrs. G. She prayed for me; and the Predestinarian had no plea but, "Lord, thou art no respecter of persons." He proved he was not, by blessing me.
I was in a moment enabled to lay hold on Jesus Christ, and found salvation by simple faith. He assured me, the Lord, the King, was in the midst of me, and that I should see evil no more. I now blessed Him who had visited and redeemed me, and was become my "wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption." I saw Jesus altogether lovely; and knew he was mine in all his offices. And, glory be to Him, He now reigns in my heart without a rival. I find no will but his. I feel no pride; nor an affection but what is placed on Him. I know it is by faith I stand; and that watching unto prayer must be the guard of faith. I am happy in God this moment, and I believe for the next. I have often read the chapter you mention, (I Cor. 13) and compared my heart and life with it. In so doing, I feel my shortcomings, and the need I have of the atoning blood. Yet I dare not say, I do not feel a measure of the love there described, though I am not all I shall be. I desire to be lost in that "love which passeth knowledge." I see "the just shall live by faith"; and unto me who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given. If I were an archangel, I should veil my face before him, and let silence speak his praise!"
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