Faith in the Indwelling One
This guest post comes to us from a dear friend – Laurie Daniel.
Faith in the Indwelling One
By Laurie Daniel
Especially in these times, I desire to learn how to be more encouraging and effectual in praying for others as well as myself. Lately I have been reflecting more deeply on the ‘new creation realities’ and how they can impact my faith attitude and prayer life.
For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. Col. 1:27 NLT
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:4
Jesus Christ is the most dynamic entity in heaven and on earth, and He chose to indwell us by His Spirit. 1 John 2:27 tell us that we have received an anointing that abides in us from the Holy One.
The Spirit of Christ indwelling us is mighty; far greater that any physical, emotional, financial or relational challenge in our lives. The centrality of Jesus Christ and Him living in those who believe on Him is the epic love story of all ages. The enemy of our soul trembles over this magnificent reality. He is relentless at distracting and discouraging us from the presence and power of God’s spirit residing in us. The devil would have us to be victimized by magnifying the problems of the flesh and soul (Eph. 6:12). The Lord wants our attention and affections so we become mindful of His overcoming nature dwelling the inner man of the spirit.
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Gal 2:20
As we look to the Author and Finisher of our faith, let’s remember that not only is our faithful and merciful High Priest at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us, but His spirit is indwelling us in righteousness and true holiness, in peace and joy. His love DNA born in us is victorious over every fear we will ever face.
Not only should we be looking up, but perhaps we should also be looking within – not at the “old man” of sin and death, but at the empowering Spirit of the “new man” living inside us – the spirit of LIFE in Christ Jesus! Romans 8:6 states, “to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
The true Christian journey is about a love relationship between the Redeemer and mankind. This adventure is clearly more about the triumphant accomplishments of Christ than any of our own works. Our Lord is eager for us to learn how to tap into and cooperate with His Spirit living in us and also for us to learn how to live through Him in an ever increasing measure. Our glorious goal is to be one with Him. It is a place of resting in His works and ceasing from our own. Jesus said in John 15:7 that if we abide in Him and His words abide in us, we can ask what we will and it shall be done for us. For me personally, the well-known verse of “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” has taken on new life.
Most of us have been uncomfortably aware of our own faults and failures. We have recognized that the resources of our flesh and soul are inadequate in fighting the good fight of faith and co-laboring with the Lord. The new creation within us is limitless! In Him we are complete (Col 2:9). Though our flesh is weak, the Spirit that dwells in us is always ready, willing and able. His grace is sufficient and amazing.
Our responsibility is to rightly relate to the life that is in Christ Jesus, and by faith, respond to His finished work. Jesus suffered physically and emotionally in more ways than we can ever imagine, and He was tested and tempted in every possible way, yet he did not sin. He has endured everything that you and I will ever experience, so He is well acquainted with all our afflictions. He conquered over all our enemies to make a way for us to triumph in all our troubles. His indwelling resurrection nature helps us in our times of greatest need. The Spirit of Christ living in us has overcome sin and death. His Spirit abiding in us is victorious over every trial, temptation and persecution. All we need do is call upon Him in faith. When we are weak, He is our joy and strength.
May we continually arm ourselves with the truths of the character of Christ Jesus; of who He was, is, and will always be. Our friends and family may fail or forsake us, but He never will. Everything around us is changing, but Jesus Christ is ever the same. What our Lord does and how He works may change from day to day, but His character never changes. Therefore we can safely entrust Him with all our heart and we should encourage one another frequently with this revelation.
Our Savior ever lives and He is true and faithful. He is willing and able to save to the uttermost and deliver us from evil. He is the true God of signs, miracles and wonders. He is the true Lord of healing, restoration and reconciliation. He is our peace in anxiety. He is our patience in a world of endless expectations. He is kind and gentle. He is the Master of self-control, and delights in helping us to become temperate.
In Christ are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. In Him is the all-truth and the light to direct our path. He’s our redeemer from destruction and our mercy in judgment. He is our comfort in mourning. He is our shelter from the storm and our refuge from the enemy. He restores the weary soul and the He forgives the sinner and cleanses the guilt. He is good all the time. All of these attributes and so much more are wrapped up in His Spirit that lives in us. May we continue to learn to live in that place in Him and access whatever is needed in the moment. In the process we become more like Him and then many will ask us of the reason of the hope in us.
Our moment-by-moment challenge is to be still in our soul, and by faith draw upon the immeasurable resources of Him who works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure. May we determine to regularly meditate in the words and presence of the Lord and feed on His faithfulness. His fresh perspectives invigorate us. He is pleased with our faith and He rewards us as we diligently seek Him.
Does this all sounds too good to be true? That is just what our enemy wants us to believe. Every day the battle in our mind is won by denouncing our human reasoning, and choosing to believe and profess who the Lord is, in us and for us.
What greater way to encourage one another in the faith than through centering our conversations on the Compassionate and Perfect one indwelling us? He knows our frame, and our end from before our beginning. We were in His heart before time began and we are finding our way back into His holiness and purity. How wonderful are His plans of peace and prosperity for us! He has already successfully paved the way through to the finish line. He indwells us and has equipped us for the journey. There is no greater place then He in us and we in Him.
To be One with our Lord is our destiny – what an awesome, spiritual reality!
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