Life in Christ
I am in Christ and He is in me. Over the years I have discovered a few things about this relationship that I would like to share with you.
In Galatians 2:20 Paul says that, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
There is a union in Christ's death (by which you and I are reconciled to God) and a union in Christ's life (by which you and I are saved daily by His Life living in us. See Romans 5:10). Paul said as he lived his natural life he lived it by trusting Christ to live His Life in him. This explains the relationship which Jesus describes in John 15: 4; Abide in me, and I will abide in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine. No more can you, except you abide in me.
The work of growing and producing is the work of the Vine. Remember in John 15:1 Jesus describes himself as the True Vine. You and I are nourished, pruned and made to produced as the True Vine lives through us, the branches. It's all Him, Christ in me, Christ in you. And all we have to do is simply trust. The just shall live by faith.
The Christian life includes ideals like; a dislike of sin and the things of this world, a yearning for heavenly things, to know him deeper, a want to be pure, to be a vessel used by God Himself, to be solely in His will. And yet knowing that I cannot create within me any of these conditions. I have the desire because of the new man that I am in Him. The only condition that I can render is availability. I want to live a godly life, but no matter how hard I try I will usually fail in time. But if I just ask Him he will live in me. I want it, but I must acknowledge that only He (Christ) can bring it to reality in my life. I am brought down only to one option. Trusting. Not a trusting in myself to live up to God's standards. But a trusting directed at the indwelling Christ. Christ in me, the hope of glory (see Col 2: 27) will do all these things in me. Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it. (1 Th. 5;24)
I have discovered that everyday I must surrender myself over to His Lordship. I tell Jesus that I want Him to live in me and through me every morning. If I go several days without doing so, I'll soon find myself leaning towards the things of this world. I can truly identify with the line in the old hymn, prone to wonder, Lord I feel it. Then He will somehow remind me that I am out of step and not trusting Him to be my life (See Col 3: 1-4). I know He lives because of the difference He makes in my life daily. Life is still a struggle, problems constantly arise, at times I forget to trust or forget that He is in control. But He will always remind me and bring me back to this wonderful relationship that we have.
In Christ,
Fred Galloway
If you have any questions, please email, fred@fredgalloway.com
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