The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe
“Scriptural”
Should born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ view ourselves positively or negatively?
The answer is neither. We should rather view ourselves Scripturally. Certainly, this involves both positive and negative components in our current existence, with an emphasis on the former while not ignoring the latter. Indeed, even as the believer opens the Bible with the central question in mind - “Who are You, Lord?” - we also scan its pages to seek answers to the corollary question - “Who am I, Lord?”
How would God answer the question if we could hear Him audibly? How does He answer as we seek Him Biblically? A lifetime and eternity will be required for answers. From “fearfully and wonderfully made in the Old Testament, to gloriously born again in the New through the entrance of the indwelling Spirit of Christ, God’s children exist as a marvel of grace so wondrous that even angels desire to look into the mystery (Psalm 139:14; I Peter 1:12). The living, eternal God literally inhabits His people, a “hope of glory” made possible by His forsaking of the Lord Jesus on the cross of Calvary as He died for us (Colossians 1:27; Matthew 27:46). Whether we consider the most faithful or fallen believer, this truth abides of the most monumental grace and wonder: God is there. Even more, God is therein. This serves as the first and foremost truth regarding ourselves, and that which the Father would emphasize if we could have that audible discourse with Him. How could it be otherwise, considering the cost and sacrifice that made it possible? “He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (II Corinthians 5:21). In this holy and Christ-exalting light, the Scriptural view of ourselves (along with many companion truths) correlates with what can only be viewed in the most positive perspective.
It remains true, however, that believers are far from perfect in this present life. The Apostle Paul provides perhaps the most telling statement in the Bible concerning the challenge we face:
“If Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is life because of righteousness” (Romans 8:10).
A “law of sin” dwells in the flesh of born again believers, allowed to co-exist with our spirits alive in the life of Christ (Romans 7:23). Like the law of gravity in the physical realm, this law will ever direct us downward if we fail to avail ourselves of God’s promised enlivening of our earthly faculties and members (Romans 8:11). This explains the conflict that will be with us until we exit this present realm of temptation and ongoing challenge. “The flesh lusteth against the spirit” (Galatians 5:17). On our best days of faith and faithfulness, wherein our spirits rejoice and seem most vital in the life of Christ, we remain subject to the possibility of unbelief and disobedience. “I find then a law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me” confessed no less than the Apostle Paul (Romans 7:21). This certainly suggests a proper negative view of ourselves, or rather of the law of sin in our flesh allowed by God to remain with us in our present lifetime. “With the mind, I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh, the law of sin” (Romans 7:25).
As we rightly address the primary question of our existence - “Who are You, Lord?" - we also seek Biblical light regarding the companion inquiry - “Who am I, Lord?” The former inquiry serves as the 99.99% quest of our hearts and minds (John 17:3). The latter, however, also involves truth we must know in order to faithfully function in relationship and fellowship with God. Ongoing Biblical discovery of our spirits immersed in Christ as the scene of His presence, involvement, and working goes far in leading us to overcome the temptations we face in our flesh. Positive? Negative? As with all truth and every subject, Scriptural.
“In Thy light shall we see light.”
(Psalm 36:9)
“Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
(Romans 6:11)
Weekly Memory Verse
Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Romans 6:11)
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