How Christ Abides in Our Homes
by Drew M.
1. Who is Jesus?
John 1:14: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Jesus is the Word of God made flesh. In other words, he is God’s Word in bodily form. He is God’s Word worked out in practical life.
2. What does it mean to have Christ living in me?
John 6:56, 57: “He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. ”
3. What does it mean to eat the flesh and drink the blood of Jesus?
John 6:63: “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life. “ Jesus explained that if we “eat and drink” his words, assimilating them into our lives just as food becomes our tissues, then we will have everlasting life. Physical food gives us physical life, and spiritual food (Christ’s Words) gives us spiritual life and eventually a literal eternal life.
4. Is this explanation (above) what the disciples understood Jesus to mean?
John 6:67, 68:“Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.”
5. Did Jesus teach this truth anywhere else in the Bible?
John 15:4-8: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” John 14:23: “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”
Summary
The success of every family depends on and begins with every member submitted to Christ. As each person chooses daily, hourly, to cherish and carry out His Words and example in their own lives, they will have Christ formed within, because the Word once again will be made flesh. Thus, Jesus will literally be in our homes. He will literally be abiding in each of us. His very thoughts will be inside of us! The mind of God will be working in us. Our duty then is to carry out God’s Word in our lives every moment, and resist and push away any thought that is out of harmony with God’s Word. Thus, the scripture will be fulfilled, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” 2 Corinthians 10: 3-6. The Christian warfare, the “fight of faith” that we all wrestle against is not a physical battle, but a battle in our minds. It is against evil thoughts and imaginations that lead to disobedience. We are to bring every thought into the captivity of Christ, so that He may abide in us and be formed within us. Thus the fruits of our lives will be righteousness and peace.
The Mind of Christ
ReplyDeleteToday's scripture overwhelms many people. If these were not the words of the Bible, they wouldn't believe it. As it is, most people shake their heads and ask, "How can this be?"
Paul was not saying we're perfect or that we'll never fail. He was telling us, as believers in Jesus, the Son of God, we are given the mind of Christ. That is, we can think spiritual thoughts because Christ is alive within us. We no longer think the way we once did. We begin to think as He did.
When we have the Holy Spirit living and active within us, the mind of Christ is action. The mind of Christ is given to us to direct us in the right way. If we have His mind, we will think positive thoughts. We will think about how blessed we are--how good God has been to us.
Jesus was positive, in spite of being lied about, lonely, misunderstood, and a multitude of other negative things. He was deserted by His disciples when He needed them most, yet He remained positive--always able to offer an uplifting, encouraging word. Just being in His presence would suggest that all fear, negative thoughts, and discouraging hopelessness would evaporate into thin air.
The mind of Christ in us is positive. So when we fall for the opportunity to be negative about something, we should instantly discern that we are not operating with the mind of Christ. God wants us to be lifted up. It's the enemy of our soul who wants us pressed down--depressed. We have many opportunities to think negative thoughts, but that's not the mind of Christ at work in us. We don't have to accept those thoughts. They are not ours!
Pray: Lord, I truly want to be aware of the mind of Christ in my life, and I want to be aware of it every minute of my waking day. Help me to open myself only to know Your will and to push away the old mindsets, the thinking that will lead me down the wrong path. I ask this through Jesus Christ. Amen.