Hello To All:
We come now, to look deeply at the victory, that we have over the third source of temptation, that can lead us to sin: the devil. Our beginning text, from the King's Book, is found at James 4:7. We find written: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Our Lord Jesus Christ has taken us deeper into our understanding of and deeper into our application of, the reality of the truth that: "I am crucified with Christ." In this process, He has shown us, particularly, in the two previous postings, that our victory over the sinful influence of the world, and our victory over the sinful influence of our own fallen nature, is the result of this transcendental truth that we are, moment by moment, "crucified" with Him.
Our text, from James, seems not to say anything about our being "crucified." It does make a significant statement about what it means to submit: we cannot be free from the sinful influence of the devil, unless He flees from us; we cannot cause him to flee from us, unless we resist him; we cannot resist him, unless we first, as our text says: "Submit yourselves therefore to God."
There is a relationship between being crucified with Christ and being submitted to God, that needs to be understood. If we do not understand that relationship and apply that understanding, to our daily lives, we will not have the victory over either the world, the flesh or the devil.
Some of you, are now probably thinking, that I have contradicted myself. I have just been used by God, to remind all of us, that we have victory because we are crucified; and then, in the previous paragraph, I seem to take that statement away, by connecting being crucified with being submitted. The question, and rightly so, should be asked: What is the lesson here? Why does there seem to be a contradiction?
The answer rests in our recognizing, that the truth that we are crucified, is a positional reality; whereas, the truth regarding our being submitted to God is a willful reality.
Our daily crucifixion, has been and is accomplished, by the completed work of Jesus Christ. Thus our position in Christ, that is our identity in Christ, is fundamentally demonstrated by the truth that we are crucified with Him. This is a manifestation of His completed and on-going work, in the lives of all who belong to Him. But, this positional identity, in Christ Jesus, is not forced on us. The benefits of our being crucified with Christ, are not automatically manifested in our daily lives. As long as we belong to Jesus, we will be crucified with Him; but, this does not mean that the benefits of our crucifixion will always be evident, in the challenges that we daily face.
In contrast to our crucified, positional identity in Christ Jesus - being submitted to God is a Christ empowered act, of our Christ empowered will, to obey God. We submit ourselves to God by yielding to and surrendering to His absolute Lordship and Kingship of our lives. He is everything and we are nothing. In the words of John the Baptist: "He must increase and I must decrease." Simply put: to submit to God is to obey God; but, this is a level of obedience, that goes way beyond our natural abilities and strengths. Apart from Jesus Christ, we cannot submit to God.
Perhaps, the best way to understand this relationship between our positional identity, in Christ Jesus; and our Christ empowered willful submission to God; is to be reminded of Christ's own positional identity; and His willful submission to the Father, that affirmed His eternal identity.
We find written, in Matthew 26:36-39: "Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
Jesus of Nazareth is, eternally, the Christ, the Son of the living God. Fundamentally, this is His identity. As the Son of God, He comes (as recorded in the Matthew text), to a point in history, eternally determined by His Father. He faces a task, that causes Him to be: "exceeding sorrowful, even unto death." His task is to pay the price for all of humanity's sins for all of eternity.
The King's Book, tells us that Jesus is like us, in every way, except without sin. In the garden, in the perfection of His humanity, and in the fullness of His divinity, He is driven to His knees, as He cries out to His Father. He has become "exceeding sorrowful," because of the challenge, related to the burden, that He must carry to the cross, that has been eternally prepared for Him.
In this challenge, that He must endure, He shows us the eternal relationship between identity and submission. In a most compelling way, Jesus affirms His eternal identity, as the Son of God, when He cries out to His Father: "nevertheless - not as I will, but as thou wilt." He gives us, an absolute understanding of what it means to be totally yielded to, and totally surrendered to the will of God our Father. His eternal identity, as the Son of God, was affirmed by His absolute submission to His Father, as He said yes, to going to the cross, prepared specifically for Him.
Now, with God's help, let us apply this to our lives. If we are in Christ Jesus - then - we are "crucified with Christ." This is, fundamentally, our identity in Christ. But, the benefits of our identity, will not be manifested, without our yielding and surrendering to God our Father, by embracing the way of the cross and the crucified life that Jesus Christ has won for us; and offers to us. All we have to do, is to exercise our Christ empowered will to say yes to Him in all things.
As we say yes to Jesus Christ, our identity,of being crucified with Christ, is manifested in such a way, as to cause us to be able to submit ourselves to God, so that we can resist the devil, so that he will have to flee from us. Without our Christ empowered "nevertheless, not my will, but thy will be done," the benefits of our being "crucified with Christ," will not be realized in the challenges that we daily face. Our victory comes, in our submission to Jesus. As it is written: "Submit yourselves unto God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Can we say thank you Jesus? Amen and Amen and Amen.
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
I am crucified - Our old man is crucified!
Hello To All:
Our text, for today's posting, comes from Romans 6:6, where we find written: "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." Please note, that the King James Version says: "our old man is crucified with him." All of the contemporary translations, that I am aware of, put this daily and on-going event, in the past tense. Once again, we see the effects of western rationalism.
Western rationalism has robbed us of our victory over our fallen and sinful nature: what Romans 6:6 calls our "old man." Romans chapter six and verses one through eleven, reveals the truth regarding our baptism; and the connection of baptism to the death of Jesus Christ; and the connection of baptism to the resurrection of Jesus Christ; and the connection of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to the on-going, ever occurring death of our "old man," and the subsequent victory we can have over sin, on a daily and moment by moment basis.
Western rationalism, and the subsequent influence on the contemporary translations, of the King's Book, puts all of the above revealed truths, in the past tense. By being grammatically correct, the contemporary translations obscure the transcendent realities, regarding our eternal union with Jesus Christ; and, when we embrace being grammatically correct, we find ourselves struggling with sin and not understanding why we cannot find the victory. The rational precepts and commandments of western thinking, have robbed us of the transcendent victory, that we can have in Jesus Christ.
When we embrace the transcendental truths, regarding our eternal and present day, moment by moment union with Jesus Christ, we can have victory over all of the challenges of life. This victory, includes victory over the sin that so easily besets us. Thus, by recognizing, that "our old man IS (emphasis added for clarity) crucified with him (referring to Jesus Christ)," we can find ourselves in a daily and moment by moment position to stand firmly against sin and the challenges of life. Our old sinful nature, our flesh: "is crucified" with Jesus Christ. As it is written in another place: "I am crucified with Christ."
Let us be reminded of Romans 6:7: "For he that is dead is freed from sin." Our freedom, in Jesus Christ, destroys our bondage to the world (please see previous posting); and, our freedom in Jesus Christ, destroys our bondage to our own sinful flesh (our "old man"). In our next posting, we shall remind ourselves of the victory, that Jesus Christ has won, for us, over the third source of temptation. Until then, and forever here-after, let us proclaim the truth of the King's Book: "I am crucified with Christ."
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
Our text, for today's posting, comes from Romans 6:6, where we find written: "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." Please note, that the King James Version says: "our old man is crucified with him." All of the contemporary translations, that I am aware of, put this daily and on-going event, in the past tense. Once again, we see the effects of western rationalism.
Western rationalism has robbed us of our victory over our fallen and sinful nature: what Romans 6:6 calls our "old man." Romans chapter six and verses one through eleven, reveals the truth regarding our baptism; and the connection of baptism to the death of Jesus Christ; and the connection of baptism to the resurrection of Jesus Christ; and the connection of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to the on-going, ever occurring death of our "old man," and the subsequent victory we can have over sin, on a daily and moment by moment basis.
Western rationalism, and the subsequent influence on the contemporary translations, of the King's Book, puts all of the above revealed truths, in the past tense. By being grammatically correct, the contemporary translations obscure the transcendent realities, regarding our eternal union with Jesus Christ; and, when we embrace being grammatically correct, we find ourselves struggling with sin and not understanding why we cannot find the victory. The rational precepts and commandments of western thinking, have robbed us of the transcendent victory, that we can have in Jesus Christ.
When we embrace the transcendental truths, regarding our eternal and present day, moment by moment union with Jesus Christ, we can have victory over all of the challenges of life. This victory, includes victory over the sin that so easily besets us. Thus, by recognizing, that "our old man IS (emphasis added for clarity) crucified with him (referring to Jesus Christ)," we can find ourselves in a daily and moment by moment position to stand firmly against sin and the challenges of life. Our old sinful nature, our flesh: "is crucified" with Jesus Christ. As it is written in another place: "I am crucified with Christ."
Let us be reminded of Romans 6:7: "For he that is dead is freed from sin." Our freedom, in Jesus Christ, destroys our bondage to the world (please see previous posting); and, our freedom in Jesus Christ, destroys our bondage to our own sinful flesh (our "old man"). In our next posting, we shall remind ourselves of the victory, that Jesus Christ has won, for us, over the third source of temptation. Until then, and forever here-after, let us proclaim the truth of the King's Book: "I am crucified with Christ."
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
I am crucified - The world is crucified unto me!
Hello To All:
Often, we are reminded about the dangers of the world, the flesh and the devil. Sin is what separates us from God; and the world, the flesh and the devil are, seemingly, constant sources of temptation that can lead us to sin.
We should also be reminded, that those of us who belong to Jesus Christ, have the promise of victory over sin; and, for those times, when we fall back into sin, we also have the promise of forgiveness for our sins. Consider these words, from the King's Book, found written at First John 1:9-10: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."
As we continue to examine the realities of - "I am crucified with Christ" - we begin, this day, to look very closely at the most foundational, of all of the benefits of being: "crucified with Christ." That reality, being our victory, in Christ Jesus, over sin.
Our text, from First John, promises us that: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins." Forgiveness is promised when confession is made. In this we should and need to rejoice. But, many of us struggle with on-going sinful things. We cannot find the victory; and we do not understand why. We cry out to God; and, seemingly, there is no answer to our dilemma; and we continue to sin. What is it that we are missing?
What is missing, is our understanding of, and our application of, this truth that we are: "crucified with Christ." Crucifixion brings death; and death, in Christ, brings victory. Consider these words from Romans 6:7: "For he that is dead is freed from sin."
Consider, also, these words from Galatians 6:14: "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Here, once again, the transcendent reality of the cross of Jesus Christ, is laid before us. Paul, very emphatically, reminds us of this transcendent truth, when he states: "the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Please note: Paul spoke in a real time, in an at the moment condition, of his being crucified to the world. Paul had victory, because the world no longer had a hold on him. The cross of Jesus Christ, and the real time effect, and on-going reality of - "I am crucified with Christ" - had freed Paul from the influence of, and the bondage to, the sinful influence of the world.
Thus, we should also embrace this affirmation of victory over the sinful influence of the world. Moment by moment, as we submit to this great truth, that we are - "crucified with Christ" - we can then say, with Paul, that: "the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Can we say thank you Jesus? Amen and Amen and Amen!
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
Often, we are reminded about the dangers of the world, the flesh and the devil. Sin is what separates us from God; and the world, the flesh and the devil are, seemingly, constant sources of temptation that can lead us to sin.
We should also be reminded, that those of us who belong to Jesus Christ, have the promise of victory over sin; and, for those times, when we fall back into sin, we also have the promise of forgiveness for our sins. Consider these words, from the King's Book, found written at First John 1:9-10: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."
As we continue to examine the realities of - "I am crucified with Christ" - we begin, this day, to look very closely at the most foundational, of all of the benefits of being: "crucified with Christ." That reality, being our victory, in Christ Jesus, over sin.
Our text, from First John, promises us that: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins." Forgiveness is promised when confession is made. In this we should and need to rejoice. But, many of us struggle with on-going sinful things. We cannot find the victory; and we do not understand why. We cry out to God; and, seemingly, there is no answer to our dilemma; and we continue to sin. What is it that we are missing?
What is missing, is our understanding of, and our application of, this truth that we are: "crucified with Christ." Crucifixion brings death; and death, in Christ, brings victory. Consider these words from Romans 6:7: "For he that is dead is freed from sin."
Consider, also, these words from Galatians 6:14: "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Here, once again, the transcendent reality of the cross of Jesus Christ, is laid before us. Paul, very emphatically, reminds us of this transcendent truth, when he states: "the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Please note: Paul spoke in a real time, in an at the moment condition, of his being crucified to the world. Paul had victory, because the world no longer had a hold on him. The cross of Jesus Christ, and the real time effect, and on-going reality of - "I am crucified with Christ" - had freed Paul from the influence of, and the bondage to, the sinful influence of the world.
Thus, we should also embrace this affirmation of victory over the sinful influence of the world. Moment by moment, as we submit to this great truth, that we are - "crucified with Christ" - we can then say, with Paul, that: "the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Can we say thank you Jesus? Amen and Amen and Amen!
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
Friday, November 11, 2011
I am crucified - Always delivered unto death!
Hello To All:
Our text, for our continuing examination, of the application of, "I am crucified with Christ," comes from Second Corinthians 4:11, where we find written: "For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh." There is much, in this text, that warrants extensive examination; but, for today's posting, we are focusing on: "always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake."
A couple of years ago, during a time of prayer and quiet communication, with our Lord Jesus Christ, I was considering the implications of the above text; and I was challenged by the question of: How was I always delivered unto death? Was there something that I must be doing, in order to ensure that I was "always delivered unto death?" As soon as I considered that possibility, that I must be doing something: the Spirit of God filled me with the reality of: "I am crucified with Christ."
For most of my journey, with my Lord Jesus Christ, the Galatians 2:20 text, and the reality that, "I am crucified with Christ," has been a foundational part of all that I have taught and preached; and yet, during this time of prayer, I was not making the connection between "I am crucified" and "always delivered unto death." It was not until the Spirit of God broke through and shattered the thought that I must do something, to ensure that I was "always delivered unto death," that I was able, by the same Spirit of God, to make the connection; and to comprehend and to apprehend the truth of the King's Book. Coming to know the truth, had set me free.
The certain knowledge that the transcendent reality of "I am crucified with Christ," is the means, whereby the Lord our God causes me to "always be delivered unto death," was life changing. The bondage of looking for some work that I must do, in order to make this happen, was broken and shattered; and Jesus Christ had set me free, with the truth of His Word, with the truth contained in His Book: The King's Book - what we commonly call the Bible.
We should, once again, be reminded of the truth, that apart from Jesus Christ, we can do nothing. We are always set free, when we submit to the truth of the King's Book. Can we say Amen, as we embrace the truth, and submit to the truth, that we are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake: because we are crucified with Christ, in the here and now, day by day and moment by moment! Amen and Amen and Amen!
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
Our text, for our continuing examination, of the application of, "I am crucified with Christ," comes from Second Corinthians 4:11, where we find written: "For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh." There is much, in this text, that warrants extensive examination; but, for today's posting, we are focusing on: "always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake."
A couple of years ago, during a time of prayer and quiet communication, with our Lord Jesus Christ, I was considering the implications of the above text; and I was challenged by the question of: How was I always delivered unto death? Was there something that I must be doing, in order to ensure that I was "always delivered unto death?" As soon as I considered that possibility, that I must be doing something: the Spirit of God filled me with the reality of: "I am crucified with Christ."
For most of my journey, with my Lord Jesus Christ, the Galatians 2:20 text, and the reality that, "I am crucified with Christ," has been a foundational part of all that I have taught and preached; and yet, during this time of prayer, I was not making the connection between "I am crucified" and "always delivered unto death." It was not until the Spirit of God broke through and shattered the thought that I must do something, to ensure that I was "always delivered unto death," that I was able, by the same Spirit of God, to make the connection; and to comprehend and to apprehend the truth of the King's Book. Coming to know the truth, had set me free.
The certain knowledge that the transcendent reality of "I am crucified with Christ," is the means, whereby the Lord our God causes me to "always be delivered unto death," was life changing. The bondage of looking for some work that I must do, in order to make this happen, was broken and shattered; and Jesus Christ had set me free, with the truth of His Word, with the truth contained in His Book: The King's Book - what we commonly call the Bible.
We should, once again, be reminded of the truth, that apart from Jesus Christ, we can do nothing. We are always set free, when we submit to the truth of the King's Book. Can we say Amen, as we embrace the truth, and submit to the truth, that we are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake: because we are crucified with Christ, in the here and now, day by day and moment by moment! Amen and Amen and Amen!
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
I am crucified - I die daily!
Hello To All:
We come now, to the practical application of the truth: "I am crucified with Christ..." (Galatians 2:20). How is it that this truth effects our daily lives? What is the great work, that is being accomplished, because of the truth: "I am crucified with Christ..."?
Our text, for today's posting, comes from First Corinthians 15:31 (NKJV), where we find written: "I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily." The King James Text, of the King's Book, often contains old world English words and phrases, that are sometimes difficult to understand, in a contemporary setting. Thus, for today's text, I have chosen the New King James Version, of the King's Book.
"I affirm ... I die daily." When you read the fifteenth chapter of First Corinthians, if you do not read carefully, you will miss the full impact and meaning of this, seemingly, off hand comment of: "I die daily." We must ask: how does this relate to the context of the fifteenth chapter? We must also ask: How does Paul, and thus us, die daily? The answers will help us, to more fully comprehend, the relationship between the natural realms and the supernatural realms. The answers will take us deeper, into our understanding, of our eternal union with Jesus Christ.
In this fifteenth chapter, Paul is writing about the supernatural reality, of the resurrection of Jesus Christ; and the reality of our own, future resurrection; and of the importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, to the here and now of our daily lives. In the midst of this great teaching, we have our text of today.
With his statement: "I affirm ... I die daily" - he is connecting the realities of the supernatural to the realities of the natural. With his statement: "I affirm ... I die daily" - the supernatural reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ was, and is, connected to the daily realities of the natural realms. When Paul wrote these words of verse 32 (NKJV): "If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me - if the dead do not rise..?" - he gave us insight into the benefits of this connection.
Paul's reference to his having: "fought with beasts at Ephesus," can easily be regarded, as being representative of all of the challenges, that we face, in our service to Jesus Christ. Paul makes it very clear: there is no advantage to him, or to us: "if the dead do not rise." Our struggles, in the natural realms, are without any purpose, if there is no connection to the supernatural realms; and to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In verse 19 (KJV), we find written: "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."
Thus, as Paul makes the case for the truth of the resurrection: he also makes the case, for the benefits of the resurrection, in the here and now, in the realities of our day to day challenges. When he wrote, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, these words: "I die daily" - he shows us the absolute connection between the supernatural realms and the natural realms. He not only shows us the connection; but, he also gives us insight into how and why we are benefited by that connection.
Thus, we come to the first application of: "I am crucified with Christ." Paul, and us, was and is able to "die daily," because, all of us, that is, those of us who are in Christ, can say: "I am crucified with Christ." In our daily death, we have reason to, and empowerment for, undertaking and engaging the challenges that all of us face, in our service to Jesus Christ. Our daily death, moves us to and empowers us for service to Jesus Christ, because of the promise of our eternal union with Jesus Christ, that is affirmed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In our next posting, we shall continue with our examination of the practical application of: "I am crucified with Christ."
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
We come now, to the practical application of the truth: "I am crucified with Christ..." (Galatians 2:20). How is it that this truth effects our daily lives? What is the great work, that is being accomplished, because of the truth: "I am crucified with Christ..."?
Our text, for today's posting, comes from First Corinthians 15:31 (NKJV), where we find written: "I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily." The King James Text, of the King's Book, often contains old world English words and phrases, that are sometimes difficult to understand, in a contemporary setting. Thus, for today's text, I have chosen the New King James Version, of the King's Book.
"I affirm ... I die daily." When you read the fifteenth chapter of First Corinthians, if you do not read carefully, you will miss the full impact and meaning of this, seemingly, off hand comment of: "I die daily." We must ask: how does this relate to the context of the fifteenth chapter? We must also ask: How does Paul, and thus us, die daily? The answers will help us, to more fully comprehend, the relationship between the natural realms and the supernatural realms. The answers will take us deeper, into our understanding, of our eternal union with Jesus Christ.
In this fifteenth chapter, Paul is writing about the supernatural reality, of the resurrection of Jesus Christ; and the reality of our own, future resurrection; and of the importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, to the here and now of our daily lives. In the midst of this great teaching, we have our text of today.
With his statement: "I affirm ... I die daily" - he is connecting the realities of the supernatural to the realities of the natural. With his statement: "I affirm ... I die daily" - the supernatural reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ was, and is, connected to the daily realities of the natural realms. When Paul wrote these words of verse 32 (NKJV): "If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me - if the dead do not rise..?" - he gave us insight into the benefits of this connection.
Paul's reference to his having: "fought with beasts at Ephesus," can easily be regarded, as being representative of all of the challenges, that we face, in our service to Jesus Christ. Paul makes it very clear: there is no advantage to him, or to us: "if the dead do not rise." Our struggles, in the natural realms, are without any purpose, if there is no connection to the supernatural realms; and to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In verse 19 (KJV), we find written: "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."
Thus, as Paul makes the case for the truth of the resurrection: he also makes the case, for the benefits of the resurrection, in the here and now, in the realities of our day to day challenges. When he wrote, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, these words: "I die daily" - he shows us the absolute connection between the supernatural realms and the natural realms. He not only shows us the connection; but, he also gives us insight into how and why we are benefited by that connection.
Thus, we come to the first application of: "I am crucified with Christ." Paul, and us, was and is able to "die daily," because, all of us, that is, those of us who are in Christ, can say: "I am crucified with Christ." In our daily death, we have reason to, and empowerment for, undertaking and engaging the challenges that all of us face, in our service to Jesus Christ. Our daily death, moves us to and empowers us for service to Jesus Christ, because of the promise of our eternal union with Jesus Christ, that is affirmed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In our next posting, we shall continue with our examination of the practical application of: "I am crucified with Christ."
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
Thursday, November 3, 2011
I am crucified!
Hello To All:
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20 King James Version).
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ, as a historical event, taking place at precisely the time of God's choosing, took place almost two thousand years ago; and yet, our text says: "I am crucified with Christ." The "I am," references the present moment - the here and now - the time and place of our present daily reality!
Once again, we are confronted with the deep mystery of God. This reality, that "I am crucified with Christ," cannot be understood with our natural minds. It is a reality, that cannot be comprehended from a purely academic or philosophical perspective. It is a reality that defies and challenges the paradigm of Western rationalism. It is a reality that is little understood in the Western Christian church.
This truth, that "I am crucified with Christ," is a reality that can only be understood from God's perspective. Consider this from the King's Book. We find written, at First Corinthians 2:14, the following: "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
In so many ways, as Western Christians, we are like that "natural man," to whom "the things of the Spirit of God," are "foolishness." We cannot understand, comprehend, apprehend and apply, these "things of the Spirit of God," with our "natural" minds. These are "things," that cannot be "discerned," from a purely academic or philosophical perspective. These are realities that can only be "spiritually discerned." (Please see the posting of 12/06/09 titled: "Let us repent of our sectarian ways." This posting more fully examines the relationship between the "natural man" and Western Christians.)
Thus, if we are to recognize the truth, that "I am crucified," as being an ever present reality, then we must look to the Spirit of God, for that recognition. The Spirit of God will remind us, that the reality of "I am crucified," can only be recognized from God's perspective. Let us be reminded: "...neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Creator of all things, including time; but, He, that is Jesus Christ, is not bound by time. The King James text, by stating: "I am crucified" - is reminding us of the transcendent reality of our relationship with Jesus Christ; and it is also reminding us of the transcendent reality of the cross and of the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, to say "I am crucified with Christ," is to speak the truth regarding the transcendent victory of the cross; and the cross's transcendent impact on our day by day and eternal relationship with Jesus Christ. Thus, to say "I am crucified with Christ," is also to recognize, that just as Jesus Christ is not bound by time, so is it true, that in our union with Jesus Christ, we are no longer limited, nor constrained, by the bounds of time.
When we come together, for our next posting, we shall examine the application of: "I am crucified."
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20 King James Version).
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ, as a historical event, taking place at precisely the time of God's choosing, took place almost two thousand years ago; and yet, our text says: "I am crucified with Christ." The "I am," references the present moment - the here and now - the time and place of our present daily reality!
Once again, we are confronted with the deep mystery of God. This reality, that "I am crucified with Christ," cannot be understood with our natural minds. It is a reality, that cannot be comprehended from a purely academic or philosophical perspective. It is a reality that defies and challenges the paradigm of Western rationalism. It is a reality that is little understood in the Western Christian church.
This truth, that "I am crucified with Christ," is a reality that can only be understood from God's perspective. Consider this from the King's Book. We find written, at First Corinthians 2:14, the following: "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
In so many ways, as Western Christians, we are like that "natural man," to whom "the things of the Spirit of God," are "foolishness." We cannot understand, comprehend, apprehend and apply, these "things of the Spirit of God," with our "natural" minds. These are "things," that cannot be "discerned," from a purely academic or philosophical perspective. These are realities that can only be "spiritually discerned." (Please see the posting of 12/06/09 titled: "Let us repent of our sectarian ways." This posting more fully examines the relationship between the "natural man" and Western Christians.)
Thus, if we are to recognize the truth, that "I am crucified," as being an ever present reality, then we must look to the Spirit of God, for that recognition. The Spirit of God will remind us, that the reality of "I am crucified," can only be recognized from God's perspective. Let us be reminded: "...neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Creator of all things, including time; but, He, that is Jesus Christ, is not bound by time. The King James text, by stating: "I am crucified" - is reminding us of the transcendent reality of our relationship with Jesus Christ; and it is also reminding us of the transcendent reality of the cross and of the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, to say "I am crucified with Christ," is to speak the truth regarding the transcendent victory of the cross; and the cross's transcendent impact on our day by day and eternal relationship with Jesus Christ. Thus, to say "I am crucified with Christ," is also to recognize, that just as Jesus Christ is not bound by time, so is it true, that in our union with Jesus Christ, we are no longer limited, nor constrained, by the bounds of time.
When we come together, for our next posting, we shall examine the application of: "I am crucified."
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
"I am crucified with Christ"
Hello To All:
It is time to go deeper in our understanding of, our comprehension of, our apprehension of and our application of, the reality of our eternal union with Jesus Christ. Throughout the course of this blog, this union, and it's importance, has been referenced on numerous occasions; and much groundwork has already been laid, to prepare us for going deeper. I encourage all of you, to take some time to revue previous postings.
Our beginning text; and certainly one of the foundational texts for this examination, comes from Galatians 2:20, where we find written: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." This text is quoted from the King James Version of the King's Book, which is the text that we typically quote from, unless otherwise noted.
For those of you, who are regular readers of this blog, you are aware of my preference for the King James Translation. (Please see posting of 01/30/10 titled "The King James translation and victorious discipleship" - see, also, the posting of 02/18/10 titled "Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.") This text is one of the reasons why.
In this text, the King James translation, differs from all other English translations, that I am aware of, in two very important ways.
1. The King James text states: "I am crucified with Christ" - the others say: "I was crucified."
2. The King James text references: "the faith of the Son of God" - the others say: "faith in the Son of God."
Clearly, there is a significant difference, in meaning, between the King James Version and the more contemporary English translations. I would argue that the contemporary translations are overly influenced by the rational thinking, of contemporary western academics and theologians.
I am neither an academic nor am I a theologian. I simply believe that God means what He says and that He says what He means. That belief, is what I am inclined to call: God inspired rational thinking. To believe God is the most rational thing, that I can think of doing. But, contemporary thinking seems to view rational, as being defined, only by what occurs in the natural realms. The supernatural realities, of our relationship, with Jesus Christ, are diminished and obscured by this contemporary rational thinking, that is very evident in most English translations.
Western rationalism, limits itself by the self-imposed limitations of the natural realms. The supernatural is becoming less and less a part of the matrix of Western thinking. We are supposed to walk by faith; but, more and more, we are walking by sight.
Our union with Jesus Christ transcends the limitations of the natural realms (please see posting of 02/04/10 titled: "The transcendental reality of victorious discipleship"). It is the King James translation, of the King's Book, that gives us the best opportunity to recognize the relationship between the natural realms and the supernatural realms.
The principal reason, that many of us are stuck in "entry-level discipleship," is directly related to the self-imposed limitations of Western rationalism and it's denial of any significant influence from the supernatural realms. This sort of rational thinking, has been embraced by much of Western Christianity; and this sort of rational thinking is a major contributor to the bondage of unbelief (see posting of 07/25/11 titled: "The Oppression of Unbelief"), that has robbed Western Christianity of it's power and it's authority.
Since, the principal purpose, of this forum, is to promote: "Victorious Discipleship In Jesus Christ" - then, it must be that we reject this Western style of rational thinking and embrace God's way of thinking. Our eternal union with Jesus Christ, can only be understood from God's perspective. It is this perspective, revealed in and through Jesus Christ, that we shall continue to seek to understand, to comprehend, to apprehend and to apply to our lives, as disciples of Jesus Christ.
In closing, let us consider this: "I am crucified (that is - here and now - in real time) with Christ."
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
It is time to go deeper in our understanding of, our comprehension of, our apprehension of and our application of, the reality of our eternal union with Jesus Christ. Throughout the course of this blog, this union, and it's importance, has been referenced on numerous occasions; and much groundwork has already been laid, to prepare us for going deeper. I encourage all of you, to take some time to revue previous postings.
Our beginning text; and certainly one of the foundational texts for this examination, comes from Galatians 2:20, where we find written: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." This text is quoted from the King James Version of the King's Book, which is the text that we typically quote from, unless otherwise noted.
For those of you, who are regular readers of this blog, you are aware of my preference for the King James Translation. (Please see posting of 01/30/10 titled "The King James translation and victorious discipleship" - see, also, the posting of 02/18/10 titled "Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.") This text is one of the reasons why.
In this text, the King James translation, differs from all other English translations, that I am aware of, in two very important ways.
1. The King James text states: "I am crucified with Christ" - the others say: "I was crucified."
2. The King James text references: "the faith of the Son of God" - the others say: "faith in the Son of God."
Clearly, there is a significant difference, in meaning, between the King James Version and the more contemporary English translations. I would argue that the contemporary translations are overly influenced by the rational thinking, of contemporary western academics and theologians.
I am neither an academic nor am I a theologian. I simply believe that God means what He says and that He says what He means. That belief, is what I am inclined to call: God inspired rational thinking. To believe God is the most rational thing, that I can think of doing. But, contemporary thinking seems to view rational, as being defined, only by what occurs in the natural realms. The supernatural realities, of our relationship, with Jesus Christ, are diminished and obscured by this contemporary rational thinking, that is very evident in most English translations.
Western rationalism, limits itself by the self-imposed limitations of the natural realms. The supernatural is becoming less and less a part of the matrix of Western thinking. We are supposed to walk by faith; but, more and more, we are walking by sight.
Our union with Jesus Christ transcends the limitations of the natural realms (please see posting of 02/04/10 titled: "The transcendental reality of victorious discipleship"). It is the King James translation, of the King's Book, that gives us the best opportunity to recognize the relationship between the natural realms and the supernatural realms.
The principal reason, that many of us are stuck in "entry-level discipleship," is directly related to the self-imposed limitations of Western rationalism and it's denial of any significant influence from the supernatural realms. This sort of rational thinking, has been embraced by much of Western Christianity; and this sort of rational thinking is a major contributor to the bondage of unbelief (see posting of 07/25/11 titled: "The Oppression of Unbelief"), that has robbed Western Christianity of it's power and it's authority.
Since, the principal purpose, of this forum, is to promote: "Victorious Discipleship In Jesus Christ" - then, it must be that we reject this Western style of rational thinking and embrace God's way of thinking. Our eternal union with Jesus Christ, can only be understood from God's perspective. It is this perspective, revealed in and through Jesus Christ, that we shall continue to seek to understand, to comprehend, to apprehend and to apply to our lives, as disciples of Jesus Christ.
In closing, let us consider this: "I am crucified (that is - here and now - in real time) with Christ."
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
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