Christ Is All

In the past few months, we've experienced some trial of people attacking us and criticizing us for saying things a certain way from the Scriptures.  We were told that we disrespected the Scriptures and were basically, disqualified to be doing what we are doing.

So I took all that to the Lord - rather miffed at first for being insulted as to my life, my walk, my heart as if I/we were some false creature going about to pretend my/our salvation and lives unto the Lord.

But I still went to the Lord and asked Him, "God, are you for real in my heart - are you really teaching me all these things - for if you are not, then I am rejoicing over nothing - I have tears of joy over things that mean everything to me for nothing."

Yet I was determined - to look again into God's Holy Word - I didn't write it - I know that I know  I am not seeking to understand it with my own head, apart from the Lord,  but simply coming to allow God to show me.   Is that not the way we are all suppose to learn from God?

If He does not show me/us - I'm done for.  The reason is - I lived the other way.  I've been to how many Bible Studies in my lifetime?  (And this is good - it's just whether the truth seeped down into my being) And I've been to three Bible schools (not boasting - just reporting).  I started when I was about 14 years old looking for the true Jesus Christ. 

I have tried living the Christian life through fleshly effort.  I know what it is to fail and be entangled.  That's one of the great reasons my heart went searching for the LIVING truths of God that He said He would show us; to ask for what Paul prayed in Ephesians - "grant me a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God..."

There's no indictment in that, is there?

So if I know I've prayed and asked God:  "I want the Truth, dear God of this great salvation, and only the TRUTH!"

Does He answer those kinds of prayers? 

Here is what we said that got the flack:  "The How is the Who, He lives in you!"

What is evil about that statement?  Is that statement found in the Scriptures?  The Holy Word of God that is for everyone who is in Christ Jesus?

What is the purpose of God's Word?  Is it to sit around and debate, argue over, be high sounding, prestigious, and be a "one up on each other?"

Or is God's Word to find life - to be conformed to God's Son - to know HOW this Christian life is REALLY lived - to find the joy of our salvation - to understand spiritual realities only to rejoice more deeply and with greater gratitude in God, in the living Christ?

God is the one that says not many that are noble in the flesh are called - but those who are humble to BELIEVE God.  I am sure that to learn the Lord's Word, His ways, His everything is to come with a meek heart to receive "the ingrafted Word which is able to save our souls."

Romans 7 then - is where we found  "the How is the Who, He lives in you."   Here it is:

"For I know that in me (that is, my flesh) NOTHING good dwells, for to will is present with me, but HOW to perform what is good, I do not find."  Verse 18

Then Paul wraps it all up with this glorious reality and hope for all the saints forevermore.

"O wretched man that I am!  WHO will deliver me from this body of death?  I thank my God THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord!..."  Verse 24

Then Paul went on to say in Chapter 8 that the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has freed us - HE is the one inside of us who is alone is our hope of glory - the fruit of this great Holy Spirit dwelling inside these mortal jars is the One, who is bringing forth the image of Jesus Christ by His power and grace.

The "He lives in you," is found in Colossians 1:27 "Christ in you, our hope of glory."

Nothing is going to stop me from enjoying this precious truth in my life and heart - nothing is going to stop me from trusting in this WHO living in my mortal jar.

"We have this TREASURE in an earthen vessel - that the excellence of the power may be of God, and not of us."  II Corinthians 4:7

Perhaps then, the disrespect we show to God is not believing - unbelief.  Think so?

May someone today, explode with joy as we all more deeply, discover the living Son of God inside our hearts, who Himself leads us onward and upward in God's high calling and great salvation.

Rejoicing in Christ alone,

Sue Gaither