This volume is comprised of Watchman Nee's early writings from the years 1922-1927. Though young in the Lord, he was given much because he loved much. His first love towards the Lord was pure and warm, and his grasp of the truth was firm and solid. In reading these writings it uplifts our hearts and deepens our faith.
Watchman Nee (Chinese: 倪柝聲; pinyin: Ní Tuòshēng; Foochow Romanized: Ngà̤ Táuk-sĭng; 1903–1972) was a Chinese Christian author and church leader during the early 20th century. He spent the last 20 years of his life in prison and was severely persecuted by the Communists in China. Together with Wangzai, Zhou-An Lee, Shang-Jie Song, and others, Nee founded The Church Assembly Hall, later which would be also known as the "Local churches" (Chinese: 地方教會). or more commonly as (聚會所) meaning "assembly hall"
Born into a Methodist family, Watchman Nee experienced a religious revival, and joined the Church of Heavenly Peace, Fuzhou in 1920 at age 17 and began writing in the same year. In 1921, he met the British missionary M. E. Barber, who was a great influence on him. Through Miss Barber, Nee was introduced to many of the Christian writings which were to have a profound influence on him and his teachings. Nee attended no theological schools or Bible institutes. His knowledge was acquired through studying the Bible and reading various Christian spiritual books. During his 30 years of ministry, beginning in 1922, Nee traveled throughout China planting churches among the rural communities and holding Christian conferences and trainings in Shanghai. In 1952 he was imprisoned for his faith; he remained in prison until his death in 1972.
Dying with the Lord to sin Rom. 6:6 One fact - "that our old man has been crucified with Him" One result - "that the body of sin might be made of none effect" One goal - "that we should no longer serve sin as slaves"
Dying with the Lord to self Gal. 2:20 Luke 9:23 There are many things which seem to contradict one another in semantics and which seem utterly incompatible. Yet they fit very harmoniously together and have no awkwardness of any kind in the realm of the spiritual life. Luke 9:23 - the three things we ought to do are actually not three but one thing divided into three steps. The first step is to deny the self. Denying means rejecting, discarding, ignoring, and not acknowledging one's demand. In order to maintain the work of this step, we must carry out the second step, which is to "daily" take up the cross. Denying the self should be "daily" and uninterruptedly. This matter of denying the self cannot be accomplished once for all. The Lord must give us a daily cross for us to bear daily. The third step is to follow the Lord; this is to positively honor the Lord as Lord and to completely obey the Lord's will.
A sort of compilation of miscellaneous works of Watchman Nee from his early ministry.
Excellent exposition of the Scriptures, showing that the fight of the Christian isn't solely against sin, but even against His very self. The cross of Christ didn't just crucify the Savior, it terminated all the sinners as well (Rm. 6:6). We must live a life of putting to death the practices of the body that we may bear the fruit of eternal life like our Savior (Rm. 8:13; c.f. Jn. 12).
Watchman Nee really unpacks the message Christians should be bearing in all it's rich significances, namely, "Christ, and this One crucified" (1 Cor. 2:2b). He then gets into the dire need to not only be heralds of the cross of Christ, but even crucified persons if our message is to be effective.
Nee then really unveils a variety of helpful matters in helping believers know the will of God for their lives, along with about 26 Bible Study outlines and a "Read the Bible in a Year" plan. This book has a ton of surprising treasures and I highly recommend.
this book is an essential read for the Christian who wants fulfillment in walking with God an excellent explanation of scripture concerning dying to one's self and Christ living within