 |
| Source: Unsplash, Sarah Millar |
I've been reflecting quite a bit about the reality that I am united to Christ.
One way I picture this is as a set of Matryoshka dolls, also known as Russian nesting dolls.
Here's how I see it: I am the small doll, and once I placed my faith in Jesus and was born again, I was opened up and the Holy Spirit was placed inside of me (see 1 Corin 6:19, Rom 8:9). At the same time, I became united to Christ, so it's as though the second doll (Jesus) opened up and I was placed inside. Paul uses the phrase "hidden in him" in Colossians 3:3 to describe this phenomenon. And then we three were placed inside the largest doll, God the Father. So, in effect, I am in Christ, the Holy Spirit is inside me, but we are both in the Father, and we are all one. I don't become a deity or share in the godhead in a divine way, but I am a co-heir with Christ and all of Christ's righteousness has been inputed to me, so that when God sees me, He sees Christ.
Yes, even with a man object lesson, it can make your head hurt!
But this is the profound mystery, the glorious inheritance and daily identity that we live and move in, every moment of every day as believers.
Jesus says it like this, as recorded in the Gospel of John:
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” John 14:18-21 (emphasis mine)
And as Christ goes on to explain, this position that we have works itself out in obedience. Because I am in Christ, and God lives in me, I can think, act, and serve differently.
Consequently, I am also protected from the enemy in this Matryoshka dolls configuration.
Nothing can get to me that has not gone through the Father first. See Lam 3:37-38
Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ. See Romans 8:38-39
What a promise! What a position! May we bask in the beauty and security we share as believers in Christ today. I pray it would impact your day, dear friend, and may this beautiful truth work itself out in the way you work, serve, think, and act today.
No comments