Just Basic Stuff

By Author: Terry Dashner
Total Articles: 105
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Faith Fellowship ChurchPO Box 1586Broken Arrow, OK 74013Pastor Terry Dashner

Some Basic Stuff

This particular scripture fascinates me. The scripture is Colossians 1:27 (NIV) and reads, To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. The words, ...Christ in you, blows my mind. How is it possible for God's only begotten Son, the Second Person of the Godhead Trinity, to live inside me? Why would He, God of all creation, want to live inside me anyway? He's taking a big risk hanging out with me. I blunder too easily. I've been known to blurt out caustic diatribes at inopportune times, especially when things don't go well for me. And I certainly break down too easily when I should be standing up to be counted. Why would He bother Himself baby-setting me? After contemplating this scriptural truth for some time, I have come to this conclusion: It's a mystery to me, known only to God. But I believe it is truth; therefore, I accept it by faith. Oh the wonders of God's amazing grace!

I accept it by faith because I'm ...
... viewing it from God's perspective, from His Word. His Word (Romans 16:25-27) defines the term—mystery—this way: according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, (26) but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him—(27) to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. According to the Apostle Paul, a mystery is something God wanted to reveal to His people, but it was held back until an appointed time. At the appointed time, God revealed these hidden truths (some of these revealed truths to the Church are: Gentiles and Jews being one people by faith in Christ Jesus, the physical body of the Christian becoming the temple of the Holy Spirit, the last Trumpet or the snatching away of the Church, and Christ in us) to the Apostles through prayers, visions, and spiritual revelations for the New Testament Church.

I accept this truth by faith because, according to God's perspective, Christians relate to God as complete in Christ Jesus (Colossians 2:10). The Old Testament saints were waiting for Messiah and the fulfillment of the Law. In the Old Testament, which means Old Covenant, the nation of Israel had to look forward to the Cross of Calvary in faith. In other words, the Old Covenant given to Moses at Mount Sinai stated that God would, for a time, accept the blood (life) of a designated, first born animal as a propitiation (sin covering) for the people of Israel. All the articles of the Tabernacle, including the Tabernacle's design would teach, by its symbolism, the coming of Messiah and His death on a cross. When Jesus came into the world, the ones who received Jesus as their Messiah by faith got what they believed for—spiritual deliverance. However, there were many of the so called higher class of Israel who stumbled over Jesus because He didn't fit their expectations. They, like all of Israel, had been taught about Messiah by Israel's annual festivals, the Temple worship, the Mosaic Law, and the prophets, but they were so blinded by their expectations that they missed God.

We, the New Testament or New Covenant people, look back to the Cross of Calvary and receive its work of Redemption by faith and are gloriously saved to the utter most. The life, death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus make Redemption possible to anyone who will receive it by faith. In other words, I am born again because I believe with all my heart that the Cross of Calvary is a historical fact and that Jesus lived, died, and rose from the dead for my justification (free of all guilt from sin). Yes, the Cross is a historical fact, and Jesus is alive and living inside me. I confess this often through prayer, conversation, praise, and testimony, but mostly—I live like I believe it, with the help and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Glory! Everything I have as a believer is in Jesus Christ. He, alone, is more than sufficient for me in this life and throughout eternity. When I need something, I go to Jesus. He supplies to the uttermost. I will never, ever say, Lord, I have everything I need in you. But, dear Jesus, I need in addition to you—a couple hundred dollars for spending. I never want to say in error, Lord, I know that you are my joy, but I'm not very happy in you. No! God supplies—has supplied already before I even ask Him. I AM COMPLETE IN HIM—PERIOD.

I accept the truth that the object of my existence is not food, water, nor even faith. The object of my faith, the point of my believing, the target of my aim, the end to the means, and the catch of my pursuit is Jesus Christ Himself.

I'm not trying to become a Bible scholar. I'm not trying to be religious. I have one desire. His name is Jesus. Let's test this. Can you say, beyond a doubt and in all honesty, that you have everything you desire in your present relationship with Jesus? You aren't currently unhappy and seeking the world's entertainment for solace. You aren't currently discouraged and impoverished, miserable, or distant, but you are satisfied in Him. If you answered that you are having the time-of-your-life in Jesus, then glory to God. However, if you seem incomplete in your relationship, then listen up. Because there is so much more to come in this life and beyond, the Bible says that we are saved by hope (Romans chapter eight). We are born again in Christ Jesus. We are justified in Christ by faith. We are being sanctified in Him by the power of the Holy Spirit daily as we yield ourselves to Him. These are positional truths, relevant to us now. However, one day we will lay down this body in death and receive the salvation pledge in total. So, knowing this truth, I press on toward the final goal, which is a glorified body—this is complete salvation in Christ.

I accept the scriptures that speak about positional truths by faith. Because I am still in this frail body, I am still subject to its physical limitations and weaknesses. Sometimes my experience in life is quite different from my position in Christ. This dilemma is experienced by many Christians. If we don't know the difference between positional truths and experiential truths, we may never grow in our relationship with Jesus as well as we should. Let me explain. In Christ I am positionally held secure in Him throughout eternity—eternal security. Although I am positionally secure in Him, my current experience of circumstances might find me depressed and thinking that Jesus is far from me. Instead of despairing, I begin to say what the Bible says about my position in Christ. As I meditate and claim these truths by faith, Jesus becomes magnified in my soul, and my experience begins to align with my position in Christ. Therefore, when I say that I lack nothing in Christ, I am speaking a positional truth. If my experience at that time says otherwise, well, I continue to believe the Bible over temporal experiences. And before long, my need turns around to the glory of God. At that time, I begin to praise God for His glory. He gets the glory. I get the joy! Praise the Lord!

Before I leave you, I want to list some of the positional truths for believers. These truths are found only in Christ. In other words, in Christ I am Here again, the aim of my focus, in spite of my circumstance, is Jesus. As I live, move and have my being in Him, I am full even when my circumstances declare otherwise. As I think on Him daily, pray to Him without ceasing, I am never far from Him, but alive and satiated in Him. I sense that I need nothing because He is so much a part of my reality. As I draw near to Him, He draws near to me. He never, ever fails me. I feel like a millionaire in Him although my bank account says otherwise. When I'm conversing with Him in fellowship, the world could stop, but I'd still be spinning in excitement. Can you relate? Every believer should stop trying to work for God. Every believer should begin praising
Him with a joyful noise, and God will work through the believer. This is basic stuff.
Keep the faith. Stay the course. And keep looking for Jesus to appear soon.

Pastor T


About the Author Pastors a small church in Oklahoma. U.S. Navy veteran, retired police officer with the city of Tulsa, father of three grown children, and grandfather of two.