Perspective
THE SECRET OF TRUE CHRISTIAN LIFE
Nelson Thomas Mumbai
What actually is the most important factor that determines the quality of our spiritual life according to the New Testament? In other words, how can one lead a true Christian life as the Word of God expects?
Of course, many spiritual exercises are involved in the beginning and progress of Christian life like confession of our sins, repentance towards God, faith in the saving work of Christ, wholehearted consecration to Christ, etc. All these are the result of the gracious intervention of God Himself (John 6: 44, 65). These are definitely important aspects of personal salvation. Nevertheless, we ought to remember that it is the indwelling divine nature in consequence of our regeneration that transforms our life (Eph 2:1, 5; John 1:13; 1 John 3:9).
This indwelling has been referred to in the New Testament repeatedly and in various ways. For example:
Ø Joh 14:20: “I am in My Father and you in Me, and I in you.”
Ø Rom 8:9: “The Spirit of God dwells in you.”
Ø Rom 8:10: “Christ is in you, …the Spirit is life”
Ø 2Cori 13:5: “Jesus Christ is in you?”
Ø Gal 2:20: “it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me”
Ø Col 1:27c: “….Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Ø 2Peter 1:4: “partakers of the divine nature”.
Ø 1John 3:9: “His seed remains in him … Because he has been born of God.”
Most believers are conscious of the wonderful things God did in the past like forgiveness of their sins and salvation from eternal condemnation, and even they rejoice in the blessed future ahead but seldom consider the present work of Christ especially within and through a believer.
But actually it is the indwelling of Christ through the Holy Spirit that makes all the difference in a believer’s life. The effectiveness of our daily practical Christian life depends upon the awareness and enjoyment of this reality. Unity among the saints and their testimony in the world also affected by this mystical union, (John 17:23).
Glorious Mystery
Apostle Paul says it is a rich and glorious mystery hidden under the old covenant but revealed today under the new covenant (Colo. 1:26, 27).
We, who were not only sinners by birth but Gentiles who had no relationship with the promises made to the children of Abraham, are today indwelt by the triune God from the moment of our conversion. It is this mystical union with Christ that energizes and equips us to lead a successful Christian life. Paul says it is “Treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us” (2Cor 4:7).
It’s not by our effort that we can live a godly and righteous life, but Christ Himself lives in and through us. Not only He teaches and strengthens us, but changes us from the inside. What a blessed privilege indeed!
Ongoing Experience
However, this indwelling of divine nature and internal transformation is not just a once-for-all event but an ongoing practical experience. “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2Cor 3:18 ESV).
In the parable of the vine and the branches in John 15, the Lord Jesus illustrated this truth. As a branch in the vine, a believer must stay close to the Lord Jesus drawing His life and resources so that he will continue to live and be fruitful. When the life of Christ is flowing through a believer, he can reproduce the Christ-like qualities mentioned in Gal 5:22, as the fruit of the Holy Spirit (John 15:1–11).
This wonderful mutual intimacy between Christ and the believer must continue and progress for sustained growth and fruitfulness.
Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian believers is significant in this aspect;
“Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love… to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph 3: 17, 19).
Remember, they were already believers hence the Lord Jesus indwells them through the Holy Spirit as we have seen earlier, yet Paul’s prayer for them is that they may experience this intimacy with Christ on a higher level so that they will be filled with all the divine goodness as intended for them.
Similarly, he wrote to Galatians, “I am suffering a mother's birth pangs for you again until Christ is formed in you” (Gala 4:19 Williams). He is not referring to their salvation but to a Christ-like matured spiritual life.
Continuous Learning
How can we abide in the Lord and progress in our intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ? One of the basic methods is found in the final words of Christ’s intercessory prayer for His people. “And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them” (John 17:26).
We know His prayer for the disciples applies to believers today as well (John 17:9, 20). Notice carefully, the Lord makes it very clear that not only He revealed the Father during His public ministry, but even in future also He will continue to teach His disciples. That is, through the work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:14, 15).
What is the ultimate purpose of this ongoing teaching programme? “The love with which You love Me may be in them, and I in them”. In other words, the indwelling of divine nature and even Christ Himself in a believer depends upon their understanding of God the Father as revealed by the Lord Jesus. That is exactly what He said on another occasion, “…..I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me”; “…The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:57, 63).
No wonder He calls upon every follower of Christ to take His yoke upon them and learn from Him (Matt 11:29). The more we experience an intimate communion with the Lord, not only do we learn from Him, but also we are being transformed into His image. Similarly, the more we read and meditate upon His Word, the more we enjoy His intimacy and grow in the knowledge of Christ. Apart from that our Lord also promises to all who love and obey Him a special fellowship of the triune God (John 14:23).
We should never forget that just as understanding of the Word of God is essential for the initiation of new life in Christ, we need to continue feeding on the Word of God to sustain and succeed in spiritual life (John 17:3, 26; 1Peter 1:23; 2:1)
Fruitfulness
So beloved, this is the secret of true Christian life. Lord Jesus Christ living in and through us through His Spirit as we continue to abide in Him. That is possible only by regular meditation of the Word of God along with all other spiritual exercises like prayer, worship, fellowship and other spiritual services.
As we cultivate and maintain a deep love for Christ and His Word, our thoughts and attitudes are being transformed. Thus we begin to experience and reflect His peace, love, and joy, (John 14:27; 15:10, 11).
Such should be the life pattern of every child of God. Any failure in exhibiting the Christ-like qualities amply speaks of the lack of intimacy with Christ. No wonder John the apostle repeatedly warns against anyone who claims to be of God yet fails in their social and moral obligations (1 John 1:6; 2:4; 4:20; 5:18).
Conclusion
The true Christian life is not just a religious life. To be a religious person one only needs to follow their ideology and observe their traditions. But to be a true follower of Jesus Christ, one needs to know the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ and receive Him as the only Saviour and Lord to dwell within them to control and transform from within. It’s not just a teaching but a true practical experience affecting our moral, social and spiritual life by the working of the indwelling Christ.
This is the power and wonder behind the life of a true follower of Christ, which the world will never fully comprehend (1 Cor 2:9, 14, 15). Praise be to God, ‘We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us’ and indwells in us. ‘Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. If God is for us, who can be against us’ (Rom 8:31–39). G&P
The more we experience an intimate communion with the Lord, not only do we learn from Him, but also we are being transformed into His image. |
