Christ in us

Acts 4:13-14 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (14) And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

The leaders recognised that Peter and John were with Jesus.  This could be a physical recognition of having seen Peter and John with Jesus at different times.  John 18:15-16 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. (16) But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in.

They may have also seen John at the crucifixion of Jesus.  John 19:25-27 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. (26) When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” (27) Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

Nevertheless, the recognition that the leaders were having now of Peter and John, regarding them having been with Jesus, was more than just the physical recognition.  They could sense the very presence of Jesus in these two disciples.

This is the testimony of His church.  We are carrying in us, at all times, the presence of Jesus. I John 4:17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

Jesus had become a torment to these leaders.  They did not know what to do with Him. John 11:47-48 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. (48) If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”

When the Jews saw the signs done by Jesus, they were perturbed, for the Jews seek signs.  Jesus had confronted and castigated these leaders openly, on several occasions, and now the torture was starting all over again, for them. 

The world must see the resemblance of Jesus in us Romans 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.  This is the purpose for which God has predestined us.  We are to conform to the image of His Son.  This is the mandate for us as His church.   

This is the reason why we are a new creation in Christ Jesus. Colossians 3:10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,  We were created in the image of God and we must surely live out His image. 

This work of being conformed to the image of Jesus is the work of His Holy Spirit in us.  II Corinthians 3:17-18 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (18) But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

As we yield to His Holy Spirit by being sensitive to His leading.  The Holy Spirit brings out from us the resemblance of Christ. 

As the Holy Spirit has more and more sway over us, the power of Christ is displayed through us.  It becomes evident to everyone that the excellence of the power is of God and not of us.  II Corinthians 4:6-7 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

This is our intentional exercise, to be conformed to Christ, and this is what we seek to bring about in the life of others.  We are here to make disciples of Christ.  Apostle Paul’s ministry was to present everyone perfect in Christ.  Colossians 1:27-28 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (28) Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

This task of establishing people perfect in Christ was a passion that consumed Paul.  Galatians 4:19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,_*

Our witness is Christ in us.

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