Raised in His Likeness

"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection (life), and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;" Philippians 3:8-10 

The One who raised Christ from the dead desires to dwell in us. He’s accomplished and completed all that was required for us to be able to walk in freedom and have a new life in Christ. All we must do is believe by faith in the work that Jesus has already done for us on the cross. What's standing in the way of you allowing Christ in? It's not about trying to be a better person or appearing to have it “all together,” because we can’t and it’s useless even trying. In Christ, we no longer live to serve our flesh but to glorify the One who lives in us and the same Spirit that dwelt in JESUS, dwells in us.

We have access to all that is in Christ Jesus. All He asks, is that we get in Him and remain in Him, allowing His life to flow through ours. It's not about building Jesus into our lives but instead, building our lives around Jesus. He is the only true source of life and fulfillment that satisfies our souls deepest desires. As we focus on Him every moment of every day; the worries, cares and concerns of this life are minimized. He will conform us to respond as He would and see life from His perspective. Through His Spirit, He gives us the power to walk a new life in Christ Jesus!

“Trying to do the Lord's work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you.” ― Corrie Ten Boom

Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. This comes through dying to our selfish desires and allowing His thoughts and ways to take the throne of our hearts. It is then that the beautiful life of Jesus will begin to be revealed through our lives.

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken (revive) your mortal (dead) bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:11

In Christ Jesus you are clothed in the righteousness and holiness of Christ. All the promises of God are "yes and "amen" in Christ Jesus. He does not lie and His word is true. You can always count on him to follow through and do what He has promised. Don't doubt it! We can stand strong in that position (He is the victorious King, we don't need to give into the lies and fear that the enemy brings against us). All sin is rooted in unbelief and it no longer has dominion over us. We are in Him; He is immovable and secure, but we must choose to stand on the truth of God’s word.

Righteousness is allowing the Spirit of God to take control of our daily actions and attitudes, conforming them into the true nature of God. Holiness is responding to what Jesus Christ has revealed to us about Himself and allowing His Spirit to conform us into His image. Daily dying to the flesh and crucifying our desires, so that His LIFE can be more fully manifested through our lives. “God did it, God Does it, and God will Always Do it”. Your actions can either point others to see Jesus or turn them away from Him. That is the beauty of the resurrected life in Christ! May our one desire be to know Christ and then as we live through His resurrected life, may this world know what a great and mighty God we serve!