What does the black walnut illustration teach about believers' position in God and Christ?
The black walnut illustrates that believers are hidden in Christ, who is within God. The outer covering represents God surrounding us, the hard shell represents Christ, and the meat represents believers. Nothing can touch believers unless it first passes through God and Christ; this shows complete security and being hid in God and Christ.
Les teaches that the black walnut is a homely, simple illustration. Its great big outer covering pictures God all around us; the hard shell pictures Christ, and believers are in Him; the meat in the crevices is where we are. So believers are hid in Christ, in God. Nothing can touch us unless it goes past God and past Christ, though He can permit it. Les adds that this does not promise believers a rose-petaled pathway or riches.