“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” Philemon 1:6
We all want our faith to become more effectual don’t we? Paul says that as we acknowledge every good thing that is within us, this desire will be fulfilled.
I think it’s a good discipline to stop every day and declare what the word of God says about you. To acknowledge what the word says rather than what you may be feeling or what your circumstances are telling you right now. Let God be true and every man a liar.
The way to overcome the world and all its pressure is to acknowledge that Christ is within you every day. The image of this truth will become more and more real as we keep speaking it out over our lives. Our faith will become more effectual, and its our faith that overcomes the world.
“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:4
David said that 7 times a day he would praise God for His word.
“I will praise you seven times a day because of your wonderful laws.” Psalm 119:164
You may praise God for all the material things He has given you in this life, but the most powerful and blessed thing to praise Him for, is His word. I love to declare that Christ (the word of God) is within me every day and even rise and do it in the middle of the night.
“At midnight I will rise to give my thanks to you for your good laws.” Psalm 119:62
I am finding that the picture within is becoming more vivid as I do this on a regular basis. I am now believing it in my heart more and not just my head. I am trusting that my faith will become more effectual over time and His life will flow out of me to others with more power.
The Devil doesn’t want us know this truth (really know) that Christ is within us. He doesn’t mind us believing that He is our ticket to heaven, but trembles when we understand that Christ is our everything and our all, and we are one with Him.
Paul said in Colossians 2:10
“so you have everything when you have Christ, and you are filled with God through your union with Christ. He is the highest Ruler, with authority over every other power.” TLB
Have you ever stopped to think about this amazing fact? You have everything because you have Christ within. EVERYTHING. We are joined to Christ through the new birth. Christ is God, so we are filled with God in our union with Him. There is no one higher than He is. There is no power greater than this power. This is truth, but we don’t believe it as Paul did. As we acknowledge this every day in the face of failure and disappointment our faith will become more and more effectual.
I don’t know about you but I want the life of Christ to be manifested in my life along with His power. To do the works that He did is my inheritance. John 14:12
Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is within us. Its not something out there but something we have right now within us. We have Christ within. Paul said that the essence of our new life is Christ, and we are filled with God in our union with Him. He has dispensed His life into ours. Galatians 2:20
That’s why Paul said in Ephesians 1:3
“Bless the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing that comes from heaven.” He has done it already.
“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” 2 Peter 1:2-4
He has given us all that we need for life and godliness and it becomes more real as we acknowledge Him and His life within.
I acknowledge that Christ the Healer is living in me. He is my medicine, my doctor and I have everything when I have Christ. Amen. This is a ‘Biggy’ and so necessary in these last days, when so much sickness around us and the health system is failing. I have saved myself $1000s by believing this truth and not rushing off to the doctor every time a symptom comes on my body. I have an on board doctor who tells me what to do and as I learn to trust His still small voice, I walk in divine health. Christ the Miracle worker is in me.
When I was young, if I wanted to make a phone call I needed to find a phone booth somewhere and make a call from there but now days I have a mobile phone and can make a call from anywhere at any time. (if appropriate) It’s the same with my understanding of Christ within. I don’t need to go to a Church to find Him or a spiritual leader as He is in me right now and longing to give me His guidance. He wants me to trust Him more and not man so much.
“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.” 1 John 2:20
Christ wants us to be off the grid knowing that we have His life within us. We have read and come across those who have chosen to live off the grid. These are those who have become self-sufficient and are not so reliant on the world’s system to sustain them. If the power goes off it doesn’t bother them as they have their own power. If the water supply is cut off they have their own water supply. If the supermarkets are closed they aren’t phased about that either. Some have a windmill to generate their electricity or a borehole to supply them with water and they grow their own vegetables and have a cow to supply them with milk. Not sure where they get their chocolates from though?
In a sense God wants us to be those who don’t rely on the system to meet all their needs either, but by trusting in the living God. The God of miracles within. The less we have to rely on the world the less we can be shaken but these changing times. Look at Elijah who was fed by ravens and had food multiplied to him by God in a time of famine. When Jesus sent the disciples out on a mission, He told them to be completely reliant on Him to meet their needs. Luke 10:1-3
This doesn’t mean that we cut ourselves off from other Christians, as networking makes us even more powerful. What it means is that if we find ourselves on our own it doesn’t phase us. Our strength comes from Christ within.
I love it when there is a delivery coming by courier and I’m really looking forward to opening the package. Unfortunately that cant happen every day, or month for that matter, but one thing I remind myself is that my heavenly package has already arrived. The ultimate unspeakable gift, the gift that keeps on giving is within me and that is Christ within. As we acknowledge Him He unveils more of Himself to us as our everything and our all.
He is also your wisdom. If you are not sure what to do, ask Him and wait on Him in faith and He will show you what to do. He is longing for us to ask Him and be involved in every detail of our lives.
“But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” 1 Corinthians 1:30
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6
Spend some time each day meditating on the wonderful truth that you have within you, the Christ who is the Hope of Glory.
“Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! This mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it!” Colossians 1:27