Understanding that which is from God and that which is from the world is really simple. Being in Christ is from God and this was the teaching of Paul.
Paul, being filled with the Holy Spirit acknowledged that he was a new
creation as a being in Christ which meant he was being in God as Jesus
was/is God. Being in Christ means to be in His peace and rest. Some have
unfairly criticized Paul saying that the true essence of being a
Christian is 'being of Christ' and this is the doctrine
of most humanists.
What humanists fail to recognize is that God is
spirit, and we are to live in the spirit which means to be born again
made 'alive in Christ' thus reminding us that we were/are created in the
image of God; thus, a being in Christ who is God. One can be in Christ
and be of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit but those who are only a
'being of Christ' say one cannot be in Christ as it is mysticism.
What
is wrong with that? If we agree that all can be in Christ in the place
where they are then indeed they are a new creation in Christ as they are
free indeed in Jesus Christ and by being free in Christ are at rest in
Christ having truly given over to His will in the place where they are
regardless of being rich or poor or whatever in terms of good/bad.
But
the one who is only a 'being of Christ' cannot be at rest...It is the
difference between being a Martha of a Mary. And, there are many such
Marthas in the world who get awards for their 'works' as a being of
Christ but their awards come not from God but from man and that is being
in the world and not being in Christ.
Many
don't get it... they still want to be an Albert Schweitzer and not that
he was a bad 'Christian'. But, he was mistaken in many respects.
Firstly, a critic of Paul and by being so, the good doctor was a being
of Christ; works oriented. Thus, he denied to the very people he was
trying to help what they actually needed ~ being in Christ.
Oh, he
helped them and in kindness indeed but that was all he did and
effectually he continued justified in his works as a being of Christ.
From a humanist point of view, saving people from near death is a
victory but for whom if the one saved is not born again in Jesus Christ.
People have been saved by false works.
A being in Christ needs no other
works than the work that Christ performed on the cross. Being in Christ
establishes the truth from the lie of being in the world. When you are
born again you are a new creation, a being in Christ and He will never
leave you or forsake you.
This is our testimony, being born again in Jesus Christ, for in Him, we live, move and have our being! Acts 17:28. One in Christ ~ Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, then make my joy complete by being of one mind (in Christ), having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose ~ Philippians 2:1-2.
Which means that if your life in Christ makes you strong, and his love comforts you, then you will have fellowship with the Spirit, and you will have kindness and compassion
for one another.
Alive with Christ
ReplyDeleteFor it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life… Ephesians 2:8-10.
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth." John 4:24.
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