Unless we grasp the fullness of our identity in Christ, we
fall short of all that God wants to do in us and through us during our lifetime on this earth. Christianity is
not a religion. It is an intimate union with the Lord of Hosts living His
divine life in and through every authentic Believer (1
Corinthians 6:17). We do not earn this divine life by our good works; it is a
free gift (Ephesians 2:8-20; 2 Peter 1:4). Jesus
was fully human and fully divine when He lived on this earth. This same Christ
is fully divine in us (1 Corinthians 2:12). When our union with
Christ occurs, we are one in Spirit with Christ (1 Corinthians 6:17; 1 John
5:12; Hebrews 3:14, 6:4).
In fact, the entire Trinity takes up residence within us (John. 14:23). Our
belief in Jesus secures this merger (I John 4:15,16). We are
now dead to sin because of Christ in us, and He now lives His life in, through
and instead of us (Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 13:5; 2 Timothy 1:14). God’s
Spirit seals us and dwells in us, confirming our union with Christ and our
adoption into God’s family (Romans 8:14; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians
4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22). When this
fact becomes a reality in our life, God’s peace permeates out thoughts, choices
and emotions.
As we mature in Christ, we
grow deeper in the wisdom and knowledge of God, and we realize that Jesus
within us already overcame Satan and his kingdom of darkness. As God
Word strengthens us, we overcome this world and we also live victorious lives
over the wiles of Satan (1 John 2:14). We scatter the darkness by turning on His Light. Deceiving thoughts
flee at the mention of Jesus’ name. Satan cannot initiate anything in our life
without God’s permission, and if we submit to God and resist the devil, he is
obligated to flee from us (James 4:7).
Satan may try to distract us from serving God, but as we
keep our mind on Christ, we remain in perfect peace as His Spirit leads us
through each moment of the day (Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:7). All the
power and authority of Christ’s divinity reside within us (Matthew
28:18). God pours His love out into our hearts (Romans
5:5). He teaches us all things (Ephesians 5:17). He gives
us the desire and the power to do His will with our life (Philippians
2:12-13). All of this comes from Christ in us, who is our Lord and
Savior (Romans 10:9; Colossians 1:27; Philippians
2:11; 1 Peter 3:15).
In the same way that Jesus denied His humanity and walked
in the Spirit of His divinity, we too consider our humanity dead in Christ. We
allow Christ to crucify the deeds of our flesh and to assimilate us with
Himself in God (Colossians 3:3; Ezekiel 36:26). Christ in us
conforms our spirit and soul into an expression of Himself, and this affects
our body as well. Jesus functions in His gifts and ministries through us and He
gives us the power and direction to walk in His will (Romans
12:8; 1 Corinthians 12:7).
Prayer:
Father God, You gave all of Your spiritual blessings and
everything pertaining to life and godliness, to Your Saints in the past, to
those present with us now, as well as those which will be born in the future (2 Peter
1:3; Ephesians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 2: 20-21). You work Your power in us and
You are able to do more in us and through us than we can ever imagine or
accomplish for You on our own (1 Corinthians 1:24; Ephesians 3:16, 20; Colossians
1:11; 1 Peter 4:11). You give us an abundant supply of power for
everything we need in order to sufficiently accomplish Your will for our life (2
Corinthians 3:5, 4:7, 9:8).
Thought for the Day:
We do not pound out a meager existence for our self in this
life, but we live in abundant life through Christ in us. - John 10:10