We must avoid the mistake of thinking that that we are a priority. Christ is first and foremost in life. We are to be obedient to Christ. The way to do this is to let Christ live in us totally. We let Christ live in us because we love Him and not because of the benefits He gives us. True freedom is living in the freedom that Christ has purchased for us. That makes us a complete person. The culture in the world combined with its consumer-based economy is not going to make us complete. Self-motivation cannot also develop our full potential.
Charles Spurgeon warned us to resist the devil and he would flee from us. However, he said that the pressures from the flesh must also be fled from. Oswald Chambers said that we are our own worst enemies. We need to guard ourselves from “ourselves” because we can end up working on our own destruction.
A.W. Tozer said that the power of our flesh is a continuous danger and we need to be saved from this by having Christ capture us. Hudson Taylor wrote that he surrendered himself totally to GOD’s service, including to the results. As His servant, Taylor would obey and follow Him.
Apart from Christ, we can achieve nothing (Jn 15:5). It is only Christ who makes us new (Jn 3:7b&8; Rev 21:5).We need Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2) complete His work by having him live in us.
Our flesh counts for nothing (Jn 6:63) said Christ. Other places of Scripture repeat this very important warning: Ps 60:11&12; 78:39; 103:14-16; Is 2:22; 40:6&7; Jer 2:37b&c; 9:23; 17:5; James 4:14; 1 Pet: 1:24. We were from dust (Gen 2:7; 3:19) and are worthless on our own.
Christ spoke of the kingdom of heaven being in us (Luke 17:21) and the pure in heart being able to see GOD (Matt 5: 8). We must live in Christ and have His words stay in us (Jn 15:7). Billy Sunday said that if we go to a garage, that does not make us a car. It is what’s inside us that defines us. Unless Christ lives in us, sin will gain rapid control over us. Sin must be expelled and that can only continue if Christ lives in us as we live in Him and in His words.
GOD has given us very clear statements of our spiritual identity with Christ in us. He made us in His own image (Gen1:27) and he has now restored that image with Christ and His Spirit living in us. With the victory of Christ over sin and death for the new person (Mark 2: 21 & 22) He has established us (2 Cor 1:21) giving us every spiritual blessing (Eph1:3) making us a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2: 9) seated in the heavenly places (Eph 2:6). This eternal heavenly citizenship (Phil 3: 20) should not be taken lightly. GOD has given us freedom (2 Cor 3:17). True freedom can only be enjoyed in GOD through Christ (Gal 5:1) and not on its own.
We are part of the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12: 27 & Col 3:15). We live because Christ lives (Jn 14:19). GOD is our peace, strength and our refuge (Isa 27: 5, Hab 3:19), giving us victory in Christ, rooted and built up in Him (Col 2:6&7), conquering the troubles of the world through Him (Rom 8:37). Christ Jesus is GOD’s wisdom, His righteousness, holiness and redemption in us (1 Cor 1:30). GOD wants us refined (1 Thess 4:7) and we have to put on Christ (Gal 3:27). GOD’s righteousness through faith in Christ is in us (Phil 3: 9) and we have the Spirit of Sonship (Rom 8:15) with this faith in Christ (1 Jn 3:6). The love of GOD is perfected by living in His word and in Him, and in walking with Jesus (1 Jn 2:5&6). Success is walking with GOD like Enoch did (Gen 5:22-24), the first success story. With Christ, the truth is in us (Jn 14:6; 1 Jn 5:20). Our hearts and minds are guarded by His peace (Phil 4:7).
We need to allow GOD to work in us. It is not only our sins that we should resent but especially our self-centredness. Jesus is the complete source of our spiritual life. We were born into Him and have been made complete in Him (Col 2 :10; 2 Tim 3 :17). He patiently works in our character. Our life is hidden with Him in GOD (Col 3: 3). We cannot do anything good on our own; the only way we can do anything good is to let GOD do it through us. St Paul when in prison, wrote “I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).
Note: Tony Dibble worships at Endeavour Christian Gathering in Mullaloo Perth, Australia for about 7 years. Prior to this, he was at Church of Our Holy Saviour, Labuan, East Malaysia. When he is in Kuala Lumpur, he now worships at Faith Oasis Fellowship Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Dear Viewers in Christ, if you find this article edifying to you, please share with your friends or loved ones by using the social media plugs (Share, Email to this article). The Lord will surely bless you as you bless others. May the Lord’s peace and love be with you. Amen.
References for pictures:
http://www.sccarcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/slider1n.jpg
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdblfoCs8T1r0wivmo1_500.jpg
https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/314808_10151004861278540_1982168032_n.jpg
http://www.soulshepherding.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Freedom-Sunrise1.jpg
http://www.christchurchexmouth.co.uk/communities/1/004/007/800/421/images/4532837374_525x263.jpg
http://a1.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/118/90ba7bcfa5a441b09e3f1d3e141116ca/l.jpg
Leave a Reply