What the Spirit Says to the Church

Jesus says to all the seven churches in Revelation, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 2 and 3.

There is a difference between what the Spirit says when He draws people from the world to God—to the atoning death of Christ—and when He speaks to the church. When the Spirit speaks to the church, He speaks about deeper things; He speaks about the form of doctrine, the mystery of the faith, and the dying of Christ. We need to have an exercised ear so we can understand this.

Jesus came on account of sin (Romans 8:3), “so that through death He could destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Hebrews 2:14. When the veil in the temple was rent in two, Jesus was finished with “His death.” Romans 6:10. Then the propitiation for our sins was made effective (1 John 2:1-2), and the way through the flesh was consecrated (Hebrews 10:19-20). Our Lord Jesus, that great Shep­herd, was brought up from the dead through the power of the blood of an everlasting covenant by the glory of the Father. Hebrews 13:20. Everything has now been made ready, so we can walk in newness of life “in the death of Christ.” Romans 6:4.

Therefore, it is very important—after we have been born again and have received the Holy Spirit—to believe that we are crucified with Christ. Then His dying will become effective in our bodies, as will His life. 2 Corinthians 4:10-11.

We were reconciled to God through a work of grace that was done for us. However, in order to be personally crucified with Christ we have to give our life voluntarily. Something radical has happened in our life when we can give this testimony, “I am crucified with Christ.” Galatians 2:20. Then the old man has been put out of action. Temptation and sin are no longer synonymous, as in the life of an un­godly person. A separation has come about through the cross be­tween being tempted and sinning. We are no longer under the law, but through the cross we have become a member of the body of Christ. The law can chasten us to Christ—to the forgiveness of sins­but not to be crucified with Christ. We need the power of the Holy Spirit for that. Acts 1:8.

In 2 Corinthians 13:5 we are exhorted to examine and prove our­selves whether we are in the faith, whether Christ lives in us or whether we live for ourselves. The evidence of being crucified with Christ—of being one flesh with Him—is that sin (through temptation) is not allowed to enter the mind, giving birth to sin. James says it with these words in chapter 1:14-15: “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin . . . .” Sin is not born if there is no “then.” Temptation is overcome in the flesh; thus the conscience and the heart are kept pure, and we are aware of the anointing and the oil of gladness in our lives. Hebrews 1:9 and James 1:12. This is the same as “resisting to bloodshed, striving against sin.” Hebrews 12:4. Then the Spirit witnesses that we no longer live for ourselves, but that Christ lives in us.

By having this spiritual attitude, we do not “look around” in our ministry in the church in order to blame and criticize. A servant of the Lord “looks within”—into the body. Then we will come into need, and we will have food to give from the Holy of Holies, so that the in­dividual member can have a share in the growth of the body up to the Head. Ephesians 4:15. Before we are crucified, all our ministry is out­side the body of Christ where it does not lead to sanctification. We can have all knowledge (1 Corinthians 1:5-6), but if it has not become the life of Christ, we are puffed up. 1 Corinthians 8:1. Then we cannot comprehend, together with the saints, the love of Christ and the laws that pertain to fellowship in the Spirit. Ephesians 3:18.

We can belong to the people of God without bearing in our bodies the dying of Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:10); but to be in Jesus’ bride (Revelation 19:7-8), we must bear in our bodies the dying of Jesus, so that His life can be manifested.

If we hear what the Spirit says in the church, we can be led into the form of doctrine “crucified with Christ”—and into perfection. This means out of the old and into the new life. Therefore, when we are tempted, it is no longer necessary to have a “then” in our life, so that sin is born. This better hope of the new covenant is a tremendous word of faith (Hebrews 7:19) which leads us into Christ manifested in the flesh. 1 Timothy 3:16. Jesus has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 2 Timothy 1:10.

Jesus came with a “dying,” and this dying must be carried about by His disciples in their bodies until He comes again.