Abiding in Christ — The Privilege

The connection we have in Christ is so strong that He transforms us into a new creation in Him. We came to Him in weakness, He is working in us in strength. We came to Him restricted, bound, and without life, but the Spirit of life in Christ has released us from the power of sin and has made us free. Since we are abiding in Him and He is abiding in us, the Spirit of life that is flowing through Jesus Christ is working mightily in us. God has achieved this even though we are limited by the weakness of our human nature. As we abide in Christ, we are privileged to have the Spirit of life, His anointing, and power working in us. In Him we are able to offer up fruit that is a testimony of His life within us. Through Christ we are able to offer the Father worthy praise and worship.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV84 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

By abiding in Christ, you are supernaturally brought into the family of God and many things change. You are made a new creature and the old way of life is gone and all is made new. You have eternal life working in you, (1 John 5:13). To all who received Him, He has given the right to become God’s children, (John 1:12). You are a partaker of the life and nature of God that is in Christ, (2 Peter 1:4).

Colossians 2:6–7 NIV84 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

As we continue living in Him, we experience a natural growth and strength. Grow in Christ by abiding in Him and in His word. Grow in Christ by allowing His Spirit to freely flow. Grow in Christ by surrendering and yielding to His  will and way.

Ephesians 6:10 NIV says: “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.”

Romans 13:14 NIV “…clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Practically, what does this mean in our lives?

Something happens to the old you.

Galatians 2:20 NKJV I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Consider the privilege of what has happened.

The old life source that corrupted, defiled and defined us was nailed to His cross. The life we now live is in Him. We are not what we were before Christ. We have become a new creation. We look the same on the outside. We have the same personality. We have the same clothes, family and house, but we are different. The Bible says: “All things have become new…” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

The same (IDENTICAL) life that is in Christ is in you.

When we are connected to Him, His Spirit and life works in us. The same Spirit of life flowing in Christ is in you. His nature and character is now working in you. The Holy Spirit is infusing you and filling you with life.  You are now Sons of God. This is strangely different to many people and it almost sounds wrong. This is a contradiction to everything that we have been until Christ came into our lives. You are not what you used to be. Holy Spirit power and life is in you.

You are a new you.

There is new joy, peace and hope in you. His grace and mercy is working in you. He has given you His patience, faith and love. His gentleness and kindness is in you. The power of God is working in you. A new optimism for life and a future is in you.

The life of Christ is working in you.

You may not realize you have it until you are challenged and evidence of this new life is demonstrated.

Consider what God’s Word says you are in Christ.

The Word of God unveils and reveals our new relationship to the Father. God’s Word will cause you to know the position, rights, and privileges that are in Christ. His Word will build you up and strengthen your faith. By the Word of God, you will come to understand the power of the Spirit that is made available to you. The Word of God exposes your position with God and the privileges you have in Christ. You are not what you were before you came to Christ. Those old things have passed away.

Stop identifying yourself with the way that you were before you came to Christ.

Stop saying: “That is just the way I am.” Stop giving yourself permission to be what you used to be.

That may have been true before, but now you have come to Jesus Christ.

If we always go where we have always gone, and if we always do what we have always done, then we will always be what we have always been. Something dramatic has happened to you.

Jesus Christ has come into your life.

Do you understand what that means? The King of glory has come. The name of Jesus is in you. You have been given the Name that is above all names in you.

John 14:13-14 NKJV Jesus said: “Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

You bear His name.

The fruit is known by the NAME that is in it. There are between 10,000 to 15,000 different varieties of grapes. Grapes are identified by their appearance, structure, characteristics, flavor and size. The fruit is a testimony of the VINE it came from. The name of Jesus in you gives you the ability to be different from what you were before. You can pray differently now. In His Name, you can approach the Father with bold confidence. His sweetness and power is working in you. The influence of Christ is in you. You have been redeemed from the weak and beggarly elements of your old life, (Galatians 4:9).

How can we release and walk in the fullness of Christ’s power?

In Acts 17, we are told that “we reach out for Him and find Him — for He is easy to discover.” How can this be?

Acts 17:28 NIV84 ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’

Acts 17:28 TPT It is through Him that we live and function and have our identity…

Listen closely to God’s Word and release the life of God’s Spirit in you.

Don’t draw back or resist the Holy Spirit in worship, prayer, praise and service. Don’t limit God’s working in you.

Philippians 4:13 NKJV I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

You have the Holy Spirit working in you. Allow the Spirit of God room to work mightily in you.

1 John 4:4 NKJV You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than He who is in the world.

Philippians 2:13 NKJV For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Don’t miss this fact that God is working in you! Start cooperating with the Word of God, the will of God, and the Spirit of God. Get started… You are a living testimony of the life-changing power of Christ. His faith, joy, peace is working within you.

Right now, start asking God to send the Holy Spirit’s power, love, and sound mind into you.

Start asking God to remove any fear and doubt. Start asking God to send the Spirit of life into you. Ask Him to remove anything from you that would defile, degrade, or corrupt you. Ask Him to reveal Christ in every aspect of your life.

John 14:13-14 NKJV Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.