With Christ have I been crucified, yet I am living; no longer I, but living in me is Christ. Now that which I am now living in the flesh, I am living in the faith that is of the Son of God, Who loves me, and gives Himself up for me.
Galatians 2: 20, Concordant New Testament
A lot of people walk into a church and believe that they are connected with Jesus. While this might be true, do they know the real Jesus? You know, the real authentic Jesus. Mention Jesus to most believers and they instantly think back to the mainstream church narrative of what someone else has told them about Jesus. Sadly, this is the only Jesus many people ever come to know. Years ago, a good friend of mine mentioned that he began attending a local church because he wanted to "know Jesus." Well, he might not have come to know Jesus while in that church, but the Father would soon reveal to Him the truth of Christ in him. This is the same revelation which I received some years ago. This is the real, authentic Christ. This is the living Lord. The apostle Paul spoke to the truth of Christ in him in Galatians {Galatians 2:20}. This wasn't just a belief specific to Paul, but a truth for all to experience. In yesterdays post, I attempted to address this truth of Christ Jesus in us. However, I presented it in a way that most Christians might find difficult to swallow. That is, this same Jesus which you have been blessed to receive the revelation of is not simply a Savior for believers only. No, the truth of Christ in us includes ALL of Gods children. Yes, even those whom you might see as not very worthy. The revelation of Christ in you is not dependent upon how righteous you are or how many tithes you've given. In fact, the truth of Christ is far removed from the traditions of the mainstream church. In His "woes to the Pharisees," Jesus scolded the religious leaders of His day for placing their traditions ahead of Gods children {Luke 11:37-54}. If church traditions meant so much, why then did Jesus speak against them? Jesus is not revealed by traditions but by the revelation of the Father. This is authentic Jesus.
For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be vivified
1 Corinthians 15: 22, Concordant New Testament
Can someone be led to the real Jesus through the church? Absolutely. However, I don't believe that the church itself will reveal the true Christ to anyone. That is in the realm of the Father. When I received the revelation of Christ in me, it wasn't a brick and mortar church which led me to my realization. This revelation of the authentic Jesus came to me as a dear friend spoke to me of the truth of Christ which the Father had revealed in him. I believe that knowing the One true Christ is not specific to Christians only. A good friend and coworker firmly believes that Christ Jesus can never dwell in one who does not know the Lord. Sadly, too many believers adhere to this thinking. But Jesus never wanted it that way. The desire of the Father is that ALL would be one with He and Jesus {John 17:21}. Yet what most believers fail to realize is that it is Jesus who has always been with us from the beginning. When Christ died on that cross, He took with Him our old sin nature {2 Corinthians 5:21}. Therefore, as Paul proclaimed, we are now dead to sin {Romans 6:11}. In its place is the indwelling Christ within us. Jesus does not pick and choose among believers and non believers. ALL have the spirit of Christ Jesus within them. As I said, this may be a bitter pill for Christians to swallow. We have been taught all of our lives that we need to be striving for Jesus. All of the efforts on our part will never produce the truth of Christ in us {Ephesians 2:8-9}. Instead, the authentic Christ is revealed in us by the Father in His timing. This is the One true Jesus.
To whom God wills to make known what are the glorious riches of this secret among the nations, which is: Christ among you, the expectation of glory
Colossians 1: 27, Concordant New Testament
~Scott~
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