Hidden in Christ

[Cassia]

Hidden in Christ

Colossians 3:1-4
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Matthew 4:16-17
Others are like the seeds sown on rocky places. They hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But they themselves have no root, and they remain for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.…​

One type of soil used to represent those who hear the Word is rocky ground, a condition that produces no root. Rooted means having growth that occurs beneath the soil, the hidden life. The difference between letting your light shine and praying or alms-giving in secret. It's that place where God and person have communion, a place where the outside world doesn't see because it's a secret place, His garden. The vertical vs the horizontal. Hezakiah showed all the treasures of the temple but the bible tells us that in doing so the enemy stole it all away.

Our treasures are things that we have received from fellowship with the Lord. They have come from that secret place and they are to be cherished. Paul waited 14 yrs before telling about his 3rd heaven experience and even at that he did so only for others edification so as not to boast. Jesus did many things that He said to tell no one about. I think that's for the growth of roots deep in God.

Other times the Holy Spirit prompts us to speak or act. Fellowship of the Body is part of the outer growth like branches of the vine, intertwined with each other. In doing so "deep calls out to deep" and the inner life edifies others richly. While deep responds to deep in turn.

If our life has no depth, our superficialness will only affect other lives superficially.

If everything that was known about you from others was erased how much would be left? Or is their an abundance of experience with the Lord that is treasured inside?

 

[MoreCoffee]

"When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

I wonder how that is meant to be understood?

 

[Cassia]

"When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

I wonder how that is meant to be understood?

Could be scripture to describe the rapture. The Spirit that dwells in you will quicken your mortal body.

 

[MoreCoffee]

Could be scripture to describe the rapture. The Spirit that dwells in you will quicken your mortal body.

"When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." could have a surprising meaning considering how it is written.

 

[Cassia]

"When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." could have a surprising meaning considering how it is written.

If it's revealed to you, you have to tell us. Jkg

 

[Cassia]

1 John 5:4 NKJV
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.​

Some people think that in receiving the new birth (in becoming a new creation) that there is an end of sinning in one's life and that they can do no wrong. But the fact is that even tho we have received a new heart and a revived spirit we are still very much in a soulish body. The flesh is still capable of sinning and the mind can be unrenewed. (it's that part that needs dividing, soul and spirit, by the Word of God)

Whatever is born of God has been applied to our spirit, that which cannot sin because it is that part of us that has received His Life. Our hearts ARE renewed but still encased within that which is fleshly and worldly. Romans 8:4 tells us that we are not to “walk according to flesh, but according to spirit.” Choosing to walk therein (within that which is born of God) overcomes the world, keeps us from the evil one, loves what God loves and cannot sin. When we sin it's because we have chosen to be fleshly or worldly. For that we have an advocate who lives at the throne of grace Who is there to apply His blood to cleanse of us our sins in repentance.

Having roots that go deep consists of spending a lot of time at the throne of grace, covered by Him, within our secret place. Most of us know when we're acting or thinking from flesh or the world. The key then is to become familiar with our secret garden and to return to that abiding (turning to God away from idols) so as not to sin; a return to that place that cannot sin and to remain in the abiding.
These are things that I've been studying lately and trying to apply to my own life. And what I find is that it's within Romans 12:1-3 of sacrificing self at the throne that a renewing happens.

Now that we've been born of God and living in His garden within (taking up the cross daily to deal with the flesh and the world) it's foolishness to attempt to do anything from our unregenerated mind or body lusts/emotions or fallen will. Only the human spirit that is renewed by God into His life has the divine life and new nature. For this reason He must increase and I must decrease.

Fixing our eyes on Jesus prevents us from taking action outside of that place. We must keep coming back to the spirit until this becomes our abode because He is our high tower.

ray: :amen:

 

[MoreCoffee]

If it's revealed to you, you have to tell us. Jkg

Some things cannot be told, right?