Complete in Christ

Although we are simple clay jars, we contain God’s greatest treasure, Jesus Christ, who actually lives within every Born Again Believer (2 Corinthians 4:7-9; Colossians 1:27). We are in Christ, and Christ is also in us (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27; Romans 8:10; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Ephesians 3:16-17).

Jesus, who knew no sin, took on the sin of the whole world; so that we could become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:20-21). Christ’s light shines in our hearts.

When we follow the Spirit’s leading rather than our flesh, we no longer experience condemnation and guilt (Romans 8:1-21). We minister in righteousness by the Spirit according to the will of God (2 Corinthians 3:7-9).

We discover that God's love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control replace the carnal nature and attitudes in our heart (Galatians 5:22-23). 

Satan wants us to focus on our failings, and he tries to make us feel like failures - not good enough. However, if Christ is in us, although our body is dying daily, God’s Spirit gives us His life (Romans 8:10).

We are no longer a separate entity from Jesus. We quit struggling, stressing and striving to be more spiritual (2 Corinthians 5:18-19); and we enter into God's rest. We cease from all of our efforts (Hebrews 4:10).

God’s grace draws us to Jesus, keeping us pursuing holiness and finishing our perfection as God’s Spirit transforms us through sanctification into God’s divine nature (1 Corinthians 6:17; 1 John 3:2).

God fills us with His Spirit to complete us in Christ. We are so united with Christ that His thoughts fill our mind (Philippians 2:5). He has our new life, our perfection and our character in His capable hands.

Prayer:

Father God, thank You for giving us Jesus as our advocate with You (1 John 2:1), and Your Holy Spirit who makes constant intercession for us before You (Romans 8:26). Help us to decrease so that Christ can increase within us (John 3:30). You give us our true identity in Christ, because our human “self” is dead and buried with Christ in You (Colossians 3:3).

We live in and through Christ, and He lives in and through us. We are complete in our union with Christ (Colossians 2:10), having all of Your power working in and through us. We never even have to fear death, because the moment we leave this earth, You take us home to live with You for eternity (Philippians 1:21).

Thought for the Day:

Christ is our life (Colossians 3:4), we are complete in Him (Colossians 2:10), He puts His mind within us (1 Corinthians 2:16), and He gives us His abundant life now and forever (John 10:10).

Overcoming Temptation

The only power Satan has is what we give to him. Many Christians are perpetually discouraged and defeated because they believe Satan’s persistent lies about them and to them. If we linger in the pit of self-pity or bitterness, and if we agree with the lies Satan whispers in our ear, then he controls our actions by controlling our thoughts.

Satan accuses, belittles and defeats us. We end up overwhelmed, discouraged and hopeless. Those who give in to his accusations end up being robbed of the freedom that Jesus secured for us and that God intends for His people to enjoy. God's Word encourages us to take our thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). God wants to heal the wounds in our subconscious mind. 
( www.theophostic.com )  

He sets us free from the pain and sorrow caused by our former circumstances in life. This will help us to ignore Satan's deceit. The first negative thought, which flits through our mind, is not sin, but is from Satan or from the wounds in our soul. Satan's temptations only become sin if we dwell on them, agree with them, believe the lie as truth and act on them.

Jesus comes into our life and reconciles us to Himself, frees us from a sinful lifestyle and delivers us from hell. He takes our sins and gives us His righteousness. His Spirit enlightens us to Satan's wiles and gives us the wisdom to stand against his temptations. When we put our trust in Jesus, God makes us His child. Jesus in us is greater than anything Satan tries to torment us with (1 John 4:4).

Prayer:

Father God, remind us that if we fix our eyes on Jesus, we have no need to worry about Satan, the world or the flesh (Hebrews 12:2; 1 John 5:18). Victory over sin is ours once we realize that Christ abides in us (Colossians 1:27). He strengthens us, protects us and rescues us from temptation (2 Thessalonians 3:3; Hebrews 2:18; 2 Peter 2:9). We are also kept by Your power and given an escape from all unrighteousness (1 Peter 1:5; 1 Corinthians 10:13).

Thought for the Day:

Authentic Believers are dead to the flesh and walk in the Spirit. 

- Galatians 5:24; Romans 7:5, 8:8-9; Galatians 5:16-25