“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” Romans 8:11
Riding home from being out late last night I was listening on the radio to the conclusion of a sermon from a well-known area pastor. The topic? Well, the Christian, Sin and what happens when the two of them coexist. Now, in all likelihood this is not one of those topics that people are too excited about listening on. It’s often convicting or worse, convicting! The Truth has a gentle way of doing that doesn’t it?
Clearly, sin comes in a number of shapes and sizes, but sin is sin, right? Our society has placed considerable levels and degrees of sin through our law, tolerance and acceptability. This can be an easy way to justify sin when there’s little or no personal conviction or a blurry edge between right and wrong. In a world of little or no absolutes, it’s far more easy to disregard the Truth — both through Who (Christ) and What (Word of God).
Here’s what I heard that I wish I heard years ago. And maybe I did hear it, but then I wish I’d listened. And maybe I did listen, but then I wish I’d been living like I heard it, like I listened and like it meant something.
I heard last night about Christ who lives in me. Who, as a follower of Christ, has the power and life of Christ dwelling within me. My life IS Christ! Christ in me! This means that where I walk, He walks . . . what I say, He says . . . what I touch, He touches . . . where I rest, He rests . . . who I speak with, He speaks with . . . what I see, He sees. Get it? He is my life! It’s o.k., I didn’t get it for a very long time.
I see it now . . . I’m a reflection of the One who lives within me. Where I go — He goes!
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:16-17
by: Mark Cruver