02/01/2021
Is it enough to say that Jesus was crucified FOR us, or is the true height of our redemption that by our believing in Him He came to live IN us? If we think that Christ was sent to live, die on the cross, and be resurrected, to defeat sin and death FOR us alone, then we have missed the most amazing part of His mission... which is to live IN us, and to transform us. By living IN us He changes who we are, and paves the way for God to come back into us as well.
“When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Colossians 3:4 ESV
It is amazing enough to see what Jesus did FOR us as He endured the passion and the cross as He did, taking on our sin, and walking in and out of death for us, because not only was this scene physically horrific, but defeating sin and death FOR us is something that we could never have done for ourselves. In doing this He cleared the wickedness, and evil, from our lives that God simply could not tolerate, and made us worthy IN Him so that God could abide there as well. We read in scripture that God abhors sin...
“For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.”
Psalm 5:4 ESV
And we also read that Jesus washed the sin from us so that God could tolerate us once again, and we could become righteous in His sight.
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV
I read a wonderful statement by Andrew Murray which collaborates the point I am making here, so listen to what he says...
“We are too apt to think of Christ as simply reigning in heaven and, from there, living through us. However, Jesus taught that, just as His Father dwelt and worked in Him here on earth, after His resurrection He would live and work in us. The full gospel is contained in these words: Christ lives in me.” - Andrew Murray
This is the truth we have been discussing today, and that the apostle John quoted Jesus saying as He taught His disciples...
“Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.”
John 14:19-20 ESV
Do, by believing in Jesus Christ, and allowing Him to abide IN us we have also opened ourselves to God’s abiding presence as well. Jesus is not only IN us, but we are IN Him, and by virtue of the fact that He is IN God, we too are IN God... we are thus free of wickedness, evil, and sin, because God can’t tolerate these things, and our lives have been transformed, and made holy, and righteous through Jesus. Is Jesus abiding IN you?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for everything that your Son Jesus Christ did FOR us as He defeated our sin, and death, but thank you also Lord that He came to abide IN us, and through His being IN us, and we IN Him, that we are transformed... made righteous and holy before you, and now abide eternally with Him IN you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who made provision for our sin and death, through the sacrifice of your Son Jesus. We praise you Holy Father for not only the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, but for the transformative power as he makes us eternally righteous, and brings us to abide in you, even as He abides IN you. Merciful are you Lord for the new life we receive In Christ, and for your grace that has made it possible for sinners to be washed clean of their sin. Hear our prayers Father as we lift them up to you in the name of Jesus, and guide us by your Holy Spirit as we seek to ask them in accordance with your will, just as Christ did. Help us as we conform to your will Father, so that our efforts will clearly be seen as being IN you, and performed to glorify you... now and forevermore.
“But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.””
John 3:21 ESV
Rich Forbes