November 20, 2002 (58)
KNOWING CHRIST. Of all people that may be known, there is no one more worthy to be known than the Lord Jesus Christ. He must be known by a spiritual experience, whereby knowledge of who and what He is becomes understood. The Greek word translated knowledge, indicates a relationship between the person knowing and the object known. There must be a full and complete alliance between the one worth knowing and the one who is to receive knowledge. We are to be filled with the knowledge of His will, in complete wisdom and comprehension. Col. 1:9
QUICKENED BY HIS POWER AND MIGHT. The Father possesses the ability to quicken whomsoever He will. The Son has been delegated the same power, authority and ability to impart life to those whom He chooses. Jn. 5:21 Where we were once dead in trespasses and sins, Christ has quickened us by forgiving all our sins. He has called us to the same quickening that raised Christ from the dead. Col. 2:13 We have been brought to a life that does not know death. Having received His resurrection life we will no longer die. The body may cease to function and return to the dust but that new life in Christ Jesus lives on and on, eternally. John 11:26 If we have been buried with Him by water baptism we are privileged to walk in that new life, the eternal life, which is the life of Christ. There is a fuller meaning to water baptism than what some have believed or accepted. It is not a ritual. The Lord intended it to be a very real step toward accomplishing the spiritual goals that He has set for us. Rom. 6:4 If the Spirit of resurrection that dwells in Christ likewise dwells in you Then there is made available, by the Spirit, an importation of life that has a tremendous effect on the mortal body as well as the spirit. The presence of the Spirit brings death to the sinful man and glorious Spiritual life to the Spiritual man. This is the place of victory over the world, the flesh and the devil. Rom. 8:10-11
THE COMPLETENESS OF FELLOWSHIPPING CHRIST. There is always a period of time in the Christian experience where there will come a time of suffering and sorrow, the intent here is not sicknesses of the physical man. Rather there will be anguish of soul and or spirit. Deep waters that are not easily understood. We proclaim ourselves to be heirs and joint heirs with Christ in all that is His eternal possession. A situation that requires that we suffer with Him. Our participation with Him must be complete, in all things. Rom. 8:17 Surely Peter is referring to crucifixion with Christ when he encouraged the church to have the same mind, the same attitude as Christ. Acknowledging the fact, that they who have crucified the flesh are finished with sin. A dead man cannot be tempted to participate in any act that is sinful, by the very fact that he is dead and there is no response whatsoever. 1 Pet. 4:1 The Lord has prepared every means possible whereby His saints are victorious over sin. We are more than conquerors.