And I no longer live.
And I no longer live.
This idea about setting aside our own life that Christ may live means our thinking, speaking, and behaving no longer are proceeding only from our own judgment and desires.
The Bible is the infallible Word of God. But it is a general guide to our conduct. It ordinarily does not tell us how we should react in a particular situation. For personal guidance we must hear from the Lord as a supplement to the teaching of the Bible.
Let's say there is mob violence approaching our house. Should we flee with our children or should we remain in our house? The Bible tells us to pray for wisdom. Our actual guidance must come from the Lord Jesus through the Spirit of God. Isn't that true.
The Israelites had a way of obtaining specific guidance that the Torah did not give. They went to the priest who consulted the Urim and the Thummin. By using this device the Israelite could gain personal guidance.
Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron's heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord. (Exodus 28:30)
There are ministers who teach that we cannot hear from the Lord today. They are mistaken.
The United States is approaching moral and physical chaos because of our many sins, including abortion. When there is the threat of nuclear war or mob violence, the Bible will not tell us what particular action to take. Fortunately for us, the Lord will guide us in times of danger, sometimes by speaking to us.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5,6)
In the time of danger, do not panic. Quiet yourself and ask Jesus to guide you. He may or may not speak to you, but He will guide you one way or another.
The Lord Jesus desires to be closer to us today than has true before, I believe. Perhaps it is because of increasing danger.
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. (John 14:21)
The time to learn to live by the Life of Jesus is now. As I said previously, keep asking Jesus if you are where you are supposed to be, and doing what you are supposed to be doing. Whether or not He speaks to you, He will honor your desire to live by His Life.
If you do not make a practice now of learning to live in the Presence and will of Christ, you will be panic stricken when danger comes and will run about in indecision. You will be of no help to yourself or anyone else.
But Christ lives in me.
Christ desires to live in you and me. This is not some sort of religious saying but a genuine experience. But we have to want it, and keep telling the Lord that this is how we desire to live.
The truth is, Heaven is God's Throne. But God desires to have a house of His own in which He can live among the people whom He has created and whom He loves.
That House is Christ—Head and Body. You and I are rooms in that eternal Tabernacle in which the Father can find rest, and from which He can govern His creation.
Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. (John 14:19)
Pardon me for saying so, but it is stupid to continue on in our flesh and blood life when Christ offers to live His life in us, especially when chaos is approaching us.
To live by the Life of and in the Presence of the Lord Jesus Christ requires daily prayer and obedience. It is, as I said, an art that must be practiced continually. When we make a mistake we do not give up. We learn from our error and press forward in Christ. Such training is absolutely necessary if we have a hope of being changed into immortality when the Lord appears in Glory.
The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God.
It is difficult to decide whether this means by faith in the Son of God, or by the faith of the Son of God; that is, by His faith.
It probably means that we have such faith in the Son of God that we are willing to give up our own desires and planning, trusting that if we let Jesus live our life for us, we will receive eternal righteousness, love, joy, and peace.
I have found by experience that if I go the way I feel Christ wants me to go, I have better results than if I trust my own understanding.
Of course, Jesus' own faith also is involved, since it is His faith in God that gives Him the wisdom and strength to guide us.
Who loved me and gave himself for me.
Christ loves each of God's elect with a love far exceeding anything we can imagine. He set aside His own Life, choosing instead to live by the Life of the Father, and went to the cross that we might be forgiven. It seems to me only fitting that I should set aside my own life that Christ might have a body through which we can work God's works among people in the earth.
Next Part How do you feel about that?