"...CHRIST IN YOU...," does this thought stir a wonderful desire for Christ's likeness in your life? If you are a true Christian, in the Biblical sense, your great desire is to be like Christ Jesus in your life. It is truly thrilling to read Colossians 1:1f to verse 27 which reads:"...to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of Glory." Our growth in Christlikeness, first, IS BASED UPON BEING COMMITTED TO THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST AS OUR personal, RISEN/LIVING SAVIOR, WHO DIED FOR and has cleansed us from our personal sin/sins; thereby, becoming THE RISEN LORD OF OUR LIFE. Second, our perfection, (maturity) from the Greek word "teleion", is the result of wise and sound teachings, received from the inspired Scriptures.
In MT.10:38,39, Jesus spoke of the spiritual function of OUR OWN CROSS OF SELF DENIAL which we carry DAILY, AS WE WALK/LIVE IN OUR TIME FOR THE GLORY OF GOD AND CHRIST JESUS. Consequently, we are to LIVE FOR CHRIST in our bodily temple. Otherwise, our carnal sensuous nature will give SATAN opportunities for control of our life THROUGH TEMPTATIONS AND WEAKNESSES.
The Apostle Paul, in ROMANS EIGHT and II COR. 5:17, affirms: WE HAVE BEEN CREATED NEW BY THE INDWELLING PRESENCE OF CHRIST'S HOLY SPIRIT. We no longer WALK/LIVE UNDER THE CONTROL of OUR FLESHLY WEAK NATURE, but cleansed and UNCONDEMNED are LIVING A NEW HOLY LIFE (Romans 5:1;8:1f); EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT'S LIBERATING PRESENCE OF LOVE'S GRACE which is laid out in I Corinthians 13. Romans 8:35f assures us that NOTHING CAN SEPARATE us from the mighty LOVE OF GOD. WE ARE HELD AND SUSTAINED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT SENT INTO OUR HEARTS. Therefore, we should be MINDFUL OF HIS RULE IN OUR LIVES, while being FAITHFUL to His direction in our daily conduct.
In summary, as newborn children of God we share a spiritual nature given by the Holy Spirit of Christ as indicated in II Pet. 1:1-5 which leads to godliness and holiness of daily living under the power of undying love I Cor.13. ALL our fleshly works of pride, although they seem commendable to the world, do not glorify God and as works shall be burned in judgment by Christ. Can and will we listen to the Holy Spirit as He teaches us the ways of Christ? We must be good listeners to the Word of God/Christ.
Jesus often repeated the phrase "he that hath an ear, let him hear"; that means a heart ready in faith to listen to the Word of God from the lips of Jesus. We must love the Word (logos) of God while giving to it our fleshly bodies for God's glory and ministry, Romans 12:1f. This is the secret of abundant living, here and now. It is totally satisfying, as the living water of life from Christ flows through us to the world about us, moment by moment, showing the glory of Jesus our Lord on our faces; and the amazing fruit of the Spirit is enjoyed in our hearts and lives to the blessing of all the world community about us.
I'm praying for your blessing and care in Jesus Christ the Lord of abundant life.
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