In Christ

In Christ

Only in Christ can we find true and eternal glory. The treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him from eternity, but the riches in Christ were hidden to the prophets. They could clearly see in detail what pertained to Christ outwardly. They saw Judas betraying Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Zech. 11:12-13. David also saw Judas. Ps. 41:9; 55:13. He saw that they pierced Jesus’ hands and feet, that they divided His garments among themselves, and that they cast lots for His clothing. Ps. 22:16-18. He saw that not one of His bones was broken (Ps. 34:20), and that they gave Him gall and vinegar to drink. Ps. 69:21.

Isaiah saw that Jesus did not open His mouth in self-justification, that He was like a lamb led to the slaughter. Isa. 53:7. In fact, all of Chapter 53 is a clear vision of Jesus’ sufferings for us. Verse 9 says that He was buried in a rich man’s grave. See Matthew 27:57-60. In Isaiah 7:14 we read that He was born of a virgin. Abraham sat in his tent and looked for the city whose builder and maker was God. Heb. 11:10. Thousands of years ago the prophets saw the times we are living in, and beyond that. The Bible is truly to be believed!

What the prophets could not look into and partake of is now open to us. The apostles were the first ones to have the wisdom and the glory that was in Christ revealed to them. This wisdom had been hidden for ages. Col. 1:26; Eph. 3:9; Rom. 16:25-26.

The great mystery in Christ is the church of the living God—fellowship in the Spirit, the brotherhood. The prophets were chosen people from their mother’s womb; they were raised up at certain intervals to awaken Israel from their sins. However, fellowship in the Spirit in one body and brotherhood were foreign to them.

Only in Christ, in His body, can we grow up into Him who is the head, Christ, “from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” Read Eph. 4:15-16.

We cannot grow up as self-sufficient individuals—we can only grow if we are joined and knit together in an unfailing fellowship in the Spirit and in the brotherhood. Personal boasting and honor are excluded from this fellowship. Christ works everything in each person, and to Him belongs all the glory.

The ministry of death and condemnation resulted in an external glory that vanished, but the far greater glory in Christ never vanishes. 2 Cor. 3:7-12. “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.” 2 Cor. 4:1. In order to bring forth this inner and abiding glory, Paul admonished and taught every man with all wisdom to present every man perfect in Christ. “To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.” Read Colossians 1:26-29.

In Christ is true consolation, comfort of love, fellowship of the Spirit, compassion, mercy, and perfect joy. Phil. 2:1-2. Only in Christ do we have the possibility of growing up to the same life and the same virtues that were in Christ. Paul considered this matter of abiding in Christ so serious that he did not cease to exhort every one of them with tears for three years, both day and night. Acts 20:31.

The law of sin and death rules over us, and we are under condemnation before we come into Christ. The wages of sin is death. In Christ we have entered into obedience to the laws of the Spirit of life. By these laws, which are stronger by far than the laws of sin and death, we are made happy and free, and we are not under condemnation. Our mind is set free to serve the law of God; life and glory await us for time and eternity. However, if we should serve the law of sin, we do not serve it with our enlightened mind, but it is a manifestation of the law of sin in our members, in which case we do not do it consciously. In Romans 7:17 Paul says, “It is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” If Paul had either said or done any evil knowingly, then he would have done it, and he would have had to give account for it. As we continue to walk in an ever-increasing light, and as we become aware of things of which we had no knowledge before, the blood of Jesus can cleanse us from those things if we continue to grow in a deeper self-acknowledgment. 1 John 1:7.

In Christ it is light, peaceful, safe, and good, whereas darkness, including religious darkness, continues to increase outside of Christ. People do not believe that Christ is that great example whom we can follow unselfishly and faithfully; they are driven about by the winds of time after the fashions and customs of this world. This is true concerning songs and music as well. One does not pay attention to God’s Word: “And do not be conformed to this world.” Rom. 12:2. “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” Jas. 4:4. These are serious and clear words, and love for Christ will cause us to believe them as they are written.

Jesus will come at midnight, and those who are in Him will shine out of deep darkness by revealing the life of Christ and His nature. They will go forth to meet Christ to be with Him at the wedding.