Sunday, November 15, 2009
Christ is formed
My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,....(Gal 4:19)
Paul was indeed consternated over the Galatians' return to the law. This group of fresh believers had accepted Christ by faith, but now someone had told them that they needed to watch their steps. Sanctification called for hard work, they learned from these wolves who had infiltrated their church. Now that they were saved it was required of them to keep the law. What an evil lie!
The Galatians had obviously been formed in Christ the day they received Christ by faith. Otherwise Paul wouldn't have used the word "again". They had experienced wonderful miracles by simply hearing the faith. They had also been given the Spirit by faith.
What we can infer from this is that it is the law which in fact impedes Christ being formed in us! Since the tree of good and evil represents the law and consequently separation there is no wonder that observance of the law has this effect. It is by faith that God can do His work in us! Christ in us is the mystery Paul discloses in Col 1:27. What a wonderful mystery this is!
Jesus faced the same limitations and temptations as we do, but Peter recognized Him as Christ anyway. When we live by faith people will recognize us as Christ in the same manner as Peter recognized Jesus as Christ. Let the Holy Spirit lead you to this level of faith and you will see it being manifested in your life. Yes, there will be some faith struggles along the way, but their purpose is to ground you in this truth.
Before we were born again we were nothing, and in an instant when we receive Christ we become Christ. From nothing to everything. This is indeed a mystery. If we assume that the garden in Eden is a type of Christ, then we now have returned to our original state, which is union with Him.
What a generosity! What a love! Our father is awesome!
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. (Gal 2:20)
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