| Form Of God |
|
We now see the reflection of Christ in us. In our spirit, there is that form, that imprint, that pattern, that mould, that perfect model image of Christ. Continue in meditation (beholding as in a mirror) on Him within and the Spirit of God will change you into Him, His expression, His purpose, His will all becomes yours. That word "changed" in the Greek is metamorphoo, where we got the word metamorphosis. Remember we covered that back in the Sound Of God chapter. Meaning to be transformed, completely remade. From a caterpillar who could only walk, into a butterfly who can fly. Notice one other thing, it doesn't happen all at once. Again it is a step-by-step process from Glory to Glory. Read the above translations again, look at what they say here: “from one degree of glory to another”; “are daily made more like him”; “from one degree of radiant holiness to another”. This is the culmination of all I've been writing. The entire book can be summed up in this one verse. Everything that I have said, everything that I pray has been communicated to you in this. It doesn't get much clearer. Although there is a world of light in this one scripture passage and I could go on seemingly forever in it's exposition, I won't. Let the Holy Spirit reveal the truth in your heart. Let God work in you and show you Himself. Allow yourself to see Christ In You. Allow yourself by faith to accept this fact and begin to walk in the light of this glorious truth. Now, let us continue to strive for the best of all He has, as we learn to obey from the heart that which has been initially stamped, within our spirit, the very image of Christ Himself! PHILIPPIANS 2:12-16
(KJV)
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
(TLB)
Dearest friends, when I was there with you, you were always so careful to follow my instructions. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to do the good things that result from being saved, obeying God with deep reverence, shrinking back from all that might displease him.
For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him, and then helping you do what he wants.
(Cressman)
My dear people, you have always obeyed me. Live the way saved people should live. You must live that way, not only when I am with you, but much more now that I am not with you. Think of how bad it will be if you do not. Try hard to do it.
It is God who helps you do this. He helps you want to do it. And he helps you do what he wants you to do.
(Parker)
Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed me, not only when I have been present but even more so in my absence, show forth the salvation within you with fear and trembling, lest you fail,
remembering that it is God Himself Who wishes to work in you and through you His own good pleasure
(Way)
Therefore, my dear ones, in accordance with the obedience you have always rendered, do you—not merely with such enthusiasm as you would display if I were among you, but since I am far away, with much more—work out, with fear and self-distrust, your own salvation. You have not to do it in your own unaided strength: it is God who is all the while supplying the impulse, giving you the power to resolve, the strength to perform, the execution of His good-pleasure
(Johnson)
Because of Jesus Christ, my friends, I want you to be obedient to the Father as he was, whether I am present or absent. Keep discovering your wholeness in Him. Take full responsibility for the choices you make.
But remember in all your choices God is at work fulfilling his intention in you
Not much more I can add to that. That is the pure Word of God there, isn't it? God is working in us, let Him work. That is Soul Salvation. Don't work to get someone else's attention, work to get God's attention.
OBEY IN THE LITTLE THINGS, AND HE WILL MAKE US RULER OVER MUCH
|