CHRIST IN US
Tenth of twelve parts in Breathtaking Promise series
Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Realizing that saints are in spirit-form after death awaiting reunion with the body may shock people who never understood God’s plan.
Everything we’ve ever learned or done shapes our minds for our future spirit “body”. Memory, character, and life experiences comprise the spirit. It recalls specific people and events at will. Yet, the spirit cannot operate independently from the brain.
Human spirits must be connected to a physical brain—or a spirit mind at the Resurrection.
We understand computers. The monitor, keyboard, mouse, and software operate together only when connected to the central processing unit.
That human spirits access the brain to produce our marvelous human minds is pretty awesome!
Likewise, Christians must understand that we can only bear fruit when connected to Christ. The Believer cannot sanctify himself, nor perform righteous acts apart from Christ.
Christ in us—the Holy Spirit does the work.
Jesus teaches the role for people in John 15:
John 15:1: “I am the true vine, and the Father is the gardener.”
Jesus explains in John 15:5: “I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING.” (Emphasis mine).
Jesus continues in John 15:2, “He cuts of every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” And warns in John 15:6: “If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”
When Believers remain in connected to Christ, His Spirit prunes, shapes, and sanctifies us. Only Christians who have Christ living within can produce righteous acts (See lesson linked below).
Take Home Nugget
People’s own character building and righteous acts count as nothing to God! Those who try to establish their own righteousness through their own work have never submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Check out Luke 18:9-17 about a Pharisee who exalted himself before God in prayer, bragging about his righteous tithing and fasting. His righteous acts were not from God, but his own. God was not impressed; the Pharisee wasn’t justified.
Romans 10:3 says, “Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.”
Believer’s role is submitting to God.
Adapted from “Your Awesome Potential! (Part 2)” by David C. Pack. The Real Truth Magazine. March, 2016. Pages 1-2, 28-30. Ohio. www.RealTruth.org
J.D. Griffith
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