Think about those two personalities. ”I” “Christ.” There is a mystery in each of them. The mystery of evil is connected with the first and the mystery of godliness with the second. Each is the medium through which another great Personality works. “The prince of the power of the air, the Spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Eph. 2:2) operates in and through the one, while the Almighty Father of all manifests Himself through the other. The one is the instrument of Satan; the other is the servant of God. This unregenerate “I” in his ignorance, selfishness, pride, and unbelief, is a fit subject for the prince of darkness. The Heaven-anointed Christ, is his unselfish devotion to the will of God, is perfectly fitted for the accomplishment of His purposes. Think of their Relationship one to the other. What are there in common between this “I” and “Christ?” between the servant of Satan and the servant of God? What fellowship hath righteousness hath light with darkness? What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? What concord hath Christ with Belial? What part hath he that believeth with an infidel” (2 Cor. 4:14-16). Each is animated and controlled by a different and opposing spirit. The principles of flesh and of the Spirit are contrary, the one to the other. that which is born of the Spirit is spirit, and belongs to the Kingdom of God. Corruption cannot inherit incorruption (1 Cor. 16:20). Self is carnal, Christ is spiritual. “To be carnally minded is death; to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom. 8:6). This “I,” the natural man, receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, and so can have no fellowship with Christ. It is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Think of the meaning of this new relationship. “Not I, But Christ.” These words imply a putting off of the old man, and a putting on of Christ. the sinful, self-seeking “I” has surrendered and given place to the life and rule of the Holy One. It used to be, “I not Christ,” but now it is, “Not I, But Christ.” In the matter of SALVATION, the works of the law and of the flesh have given place to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The sandy foundation has been exchanged for the infallible Rock. His own righteousness had been cast aside for the righteousness of God. It is also, “Not I, But Christ.” In the matter of SANCTIFICATION, “Christ liveth in me.” The usurper within has been dethroned, and the Lord of life and glory has been crowned. Holiness has come, not by working, but by admitting the Holy One and giving Him His true place in the heart as Lord. The old “I” has been crucified with Christ, and a new Spirit-formed “I” has come into being which delights to say, “Not I, but Christ.” In the matter of SERVICE. “To me to live is Christ.” “Whose I am, and whom I serve.” He seeks now not his own will but the will of Him who saved him and sent him. “If I yet pleased myself I would not be the servant of Christ. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil. 4:13). “If any man be in Christ he is a new creation.”
A Word about the Bride of Christ
“The wedding of the Lamb” (literally the marriage supper of the Lamb”) is the consummation of the marriage of Christ and the Church as His bride. The figure is in keeping with the Near Eastern pattern of marriage, covering three stages:
(1) the betrothal, legally binding when the individual members of the body of Christ are saved: (2) the coming of the bridegroom for His bride at the rapture of the Church; and (3) the marriage supper of the Lamb, occurring in connection with the second coming of Christ to establish His millennial kingdom. The Lamb’s wife is to be contrasted with the prostitute of Rev. 17:1 and she is also to be distinguished from Israel, the unfaithful wife of the LORD (Jehovah) in historic times, who is to be restored in the millennium (Isa. 54:1-10; Hos. 2:1-7).
Praise the Lord
Welcome to my church blog. I will be writing more at a later date. On January 31st, I will be giving the morning service, “Holding Fast The Word of Life in 2010″ Services begin at 9:00AM Sunday School and church service begins at 10:00AM. Hope to see you there. Just to let you all know, we are having a wonderful Sunday School class studing the book of John. We are currently in chapter 11 and we go verse by verse, discuss what we all think and then we look to McDonald’s commentary to bring that scripture into everday understanding. I welcome any of you to attend this young, middle age adults class.
God bless and have a great day
