Colossions 1: 26-29 NKJV
It's a big thing in churches and christianity today. This being the "Christ man," that christian man who walks daily in step with his savior. What a wonderful feeling this must be, to be so in tune with Jesus that others see His very characteristics in you. Of course, this is no easy task, for it takes much effort on behalf of any christian who would dare sync themselves with Jesus. We must perform well enough to warrant the presence of our risen Lord. To not exhibit what others see as the "Behaviors" of Jesus must surely mean that we are not walking in step with Jesus. Some days we may have Him, others our behaviors may not support Jesus' preesence in our life. All of this is based on how we behave. For how could Jesus, who hates the very presence of sin, ever tolerate walking in step with such a sinner saved only by the grace of Father? Surely Jesus would not be seen in the presence of such double minded people! And so we who follow Jesus are left with a almost impossible situation, perform to the standards of Jesus or else. This can be an almost impossible feat to accomplish, and yet many of us keep striving for that level of holiness to keep us in step with Jesus. This is the goal of any "Godly" christan man.
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galations 2:20 NKJV
Most people would be shocked when I mention to them that I am a "Christ man," who walks daily with my Lord Jesus within me. Of course, this is the very same reaction Jesus received when He made that bombastic claim that He was the Son of God! Was Jesus wrong in making this claim? Of course not. Am I wrong for claiming that I am a Christ man? Well, many would think so. How could a sinner saved by grace have the indwelling spirit of Jesus inside of him? Does not Jesus despise sin? Are we not yet sinners who daily seek our Lords forgiveness for the sins of our past? Well, not according to Jesus. This Jesus who Himself became sin our our behalf, suffering the punishment that was surely meant for us, we sinners saved by grace! For to say that we today are required to seek our Lords forgivness for some sin we may have commited invalidates the very sacrafice of Jesus on that cross. No? Well, what is it then that Jesus died for? Was it not our sins? So, tell me again just what sins you've commited which have not been washed away by the blood of Christ. Knowing this truth is a first step in realizing the Christ man. In fact, the apostle Paul refered to this as the "Mystery among the Gentiles" {Colossions 1:27}. This truth, as Paul tells it, has been hidden from the ages and generations but now is revealed to those who receive Jesus {Colossions 1:26}. We ARE Christ men! There is no need to perform "well enough" to warrant the indwelling presence of our Lord, He is already there!
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Revelation 3:20 NKJV
There is no performance we can ever give that would be good enough to warrant Jesus dwelling within us. No, for Jesus gave Himself in our place that this would even be possible. It is no longer our own efforts which bring His loviing acceptance. He has born the punishment and paid the high price which was required so that we might live forever with Him. This is that mystery among the Gentiles, this indwelling Jesus whose spirit fills every Christ man. We walk in the freedom of truth that we have our risen Lord within us each and every day.
~Scott~
1 comment:
The ONLY effort is to make the choice, walk in Him or walk after my flesh. It's amazing to think that God isn't worried about living in us even when we make the wrong choice! He knows that His Spirit in us will prevail. That's the Christ man.
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