Christ In You
Ever wondered why, of all the Godhead, some folks desire to have the Holy Spirit be the one that ‘abides’ within them? I suppose they want the ‘manifestation’ of the Spirit such as existed in the early church. The phrase “filled with the Holy Ghost” appears eight times in the portion of the Bible designated as the New Testament. However, three of these occurrences were clearly before the establishment of the church and were definitely while the Old Testament was still in effect. The fourth occasion of this was in Acts 2:4 as the apostles had gathered in Jerusalem on Pentecost as directed by the Lord. It was there where they were to “receive power from on high”. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
I fear that many fail to realize that these “manifestations of the Spirit” were miraculous in nature. The purpose for miracles in the ‘babyhood’ of the church were to confirm the Word. We now have the completed Word of God and can currently ‘confirm it’ with “Book, Chapter & Verse!” Maybe some don’t understand, haven’t read, or don’t care that 1Cor. 13:8 is where we are informed that prophecies would fail, tongues would cease, and knowledge (divinely supplied), would vanish away. It is without doubt that they ignore 1Cor. 13:10 – But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. Friends, per Jas. 1:25, we have access to the “perfect law of liberty”. And Jas. 2:12 warns the church that we “shall be judged by the law of liberty”. In short, the time for miracles and the reason for miracles has long since passed.
Perhaps folks aren’t aware that when one of the Godhead is ‘in you’, all of the Godhead is. Per 1John 5:7, the reality of this should easily be seen. We are told: For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. So, if one abides within, do not ‘all’ abide within? However, one must also know HOW it is that any or all of the Godhead abides or lives in us.
A huge clue is found in 1Pet. 1:23, where we see that it is the Word of God which ‘abideth forever’, and by which one is ‘born again’. 1Cor. 4:15, is where the Spirit had Paul remind these brethren that he had begotten them through the gospel. And, we learn from 1Thess. 2:13 – “it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” This Greek word for ‘believe’ here implies so much more than to simply mentally affirm’. The Word only ‘abides’ in one and instructs one if they read and obey. Allow me to add that one has to “put the Word” in them, before it will benefit or abide within. This provides one the choice to obey it or disobey it. We also know from Col. 1:5-6 that it is the ‘gospel’ (the Word) “Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit”.
Before attempting to “limit” God by allowing only the Spirit to “come in, or dwell in” as many claim, take a moment and consider a number of New Testament passages that indicate HOW God, Christ and the Spirt can “abide within” a person. We learn from 1John 3:24 that Christ ‘abideth’ in Christians by the Spirit. It was the Spirit who brought the Word to man. Also in this passage, we find that one ‘dwelleth’ in Christ by keeping His Commandments. Per 2Cor. 13:5, one is to examine his or herself to see if they “be in the faith”. If Jesus Christ be not “in you” ye “be reprobates”.
One might consider that God (through the Word) made known “what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: ”– Col 1:27. Reflect on the fact that per Eph 3:17, it is possible that “Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;” We are also given the inescapable fact according to Rom. 10:17 that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” So, how can Christ be “in us” but through the Word? It is impossible for any to “accept Christ” unless or until they do so through the Word and as the Word instructs.
God (the Father) can ‘be in one’ as well. 1Cor. 14:25, in the specific context of the “spiritual gifts” (which have now ceased), shows that the prophecy provided then and there, by that supernatural means, would cause one to “. . . report that God is in you of a truth.”. And 2Cor. 9:14 makes it abundantly clear that the saints in Jerusalem, in their prayers of gratitude for the brethren in Corinth for their bountifulness, were aware of “the exceeding grace of God” in the Corinthian brethren.
And no, we’ll not forget the Spirit in this. Rom. 8:9 removes all doubt that it is possible for the Spirit of God to “dwell in you”. This verse goes on to say “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” We are also informed per 1Cor. 3:16, “ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” The “ye” and the “you” in both these cases is the Christian. This is also the case in Eph. 3:16 where one who is a child of God, born of water and the Spirit, is “strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man”. Allow me to remind again that it is the Spirit which brought the Word that we might all know of God, Christ and the Holy Spirit. It is only through this Wonderful Word of God that the Godhead dwells in a person.
Do you not desire to receive the promise of eternal life? If not, all that remains is eternal condemnation. Why not read, study and fully apply God’s Holy Word today? You can do this and become obedient and remain faithful. Then you too can have “Christ in you, the hope of glory:”
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
