[The following portion is something Jay Ferris had written inside one of his books (which is available for free download here).]
“Three years into the original writing of this manuscript, the Lord seemed to be resisting its completion. My impression was that He was saying that the way of life suggested was too theoretical when compared to the reality in which I was then living. It was as though He was saying that I needed to find out experientially whether these things were so. The last four years of its completion were spent in an intense search. I had been “… looking for a city whose builder and maker is God…” About the only clue as to its identity is that it is a “city with foundations,” Heb.11:10.
The body of Christ on earth, as distinguished from this one already perfected in heaven, has been fractured organizationally by the work of man’s hands. The unbelief of the believers has kept it from being manifested here on earth, and has made it difficult to see the heavenly Jerusalem. I was not able to see it until I was brought to the end of my carnal resources. By God’s grace, and the faithfulness of those He has brought into my life, I have finally managed to be still enough to catch a glimpse of it.
The body of Christ has been broken because we have tried to organize ourselves according to human understanding. Human understanding is the enemy of God. Our heavenly Father wants to put us together according to the life of His Son. Flesh and blood cannot accomplish that; only the Father can. He wants to put us together in such a way that the gates of hell cannot prevail against us.
As we must know who Jesus Christ is supernaturally, so we must discover supernaturally who we are in Him. I have begun to discover who I am in relationship to others supernaturally. It is “joy unspeakable and full of glory…” 1 Pet.1:8. It is not of works, not even of relational works, “lest any man should boast,” Eph 2:9. I have been saved, and continue to be saved by grace! I am being placed in the body by grace! I am a man under authority by grace!
The Lord will build His house, and this New Jerusalem looks like a new creation. Like the old one, it is structured according to life. But unlike the old one, it is built on better blood, better promises, and is never going to pass away.
The Lord has put me in a family. Whether or not you are a member of an “institutional church,” the Lord wants to put you in a family. That is where the Lord commanded the blessing.¹ All that old creation families ever promised, the Lord wants to give you a hundredfold in this present age in His new creation.² Without necessarily moving into the same house, the Lord wants His people in any given place relating to each other as though living under a common roof. Whatever it is that is at work in our hearts that keeps the body of Christ from being reconciled is false religion. It is idolatry.”
“I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2
¹ Psalms 133:1-3 / ² Mark 10:29-31
Loving Like God 
The wisdom that is expressed here is beyond theoretical, this is from the beauty of the experimental, It’s from the application through grace, where one finds proof that it is true.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good”
“Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
in the markets she raises her voice;
at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?”
Wow, most excellent words. I feel like I know Jay, even though we never met in the flesh. My heart resonates with what this dear brother had to say. To the point that I am led to say very similar things. See you on the other side Jay.
I think this so well summarizes the greatest gift that Jay had to give to the Body…an understanding of Jesus being Lord of relationships and the Family of God being knit together according to life and love. Refreshing to hear his words again. Very thankful for my relationship with Jay early on in my walk with the Lord. Thanks, Pam for the post!
Hi David, you are so very welcome. I so appreciate your comment, and knowing the post was a blessing to you as well.
He builds according to Life, Himself. The veil of fleshy eyes will never see those relationships, we can only see those He is building us with by Spirit eyes, His eyes. When He looks into the eyes of His bride, He sees Himself.
Dear Pamela
This is just so true! We NEED to come to the end of our resources before we give that final step into the unknown, but oh, what a wonderful day when we discover that this is into the Loving Embrace of op our Lord. We need to learn to live life in Jesus the same way we were saved; receiving grace from the one moment to the next. We moment we do what the world does, putting shoulder to the wheel and work to live the sanctified life, we are cut off from Jesus. Great post, my friend.
Blessings in Jesus XX
Mia
“…the Lord wants to give you a hundredfold in this present age in His new creation.”
If I’ve yet to see this manifest in my life, I’m asking why!
Reblogged this on Treasure in Jars of Clay and commented:
“Our heavenly Father wants to put us together according to the life of His Son. Flesh and blood cannot accomplish that; only the Father can. He wants to put us together in such a way that the gates of hell cannot prevail against us.”
Jay Ferris