"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