Recently, I was told by a certain saint that he has been weaned, not only from watching TV, but from his newspaper and sports addictions as well. He is among many who are presently being drawn apart by the Lord to live their lives separated from non-essentials.
The Lord is preparing a people for the greatest event since Pentecost. The apostle Paul carried a burden for this event, which is “Christ in you.”
“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” Galatians 4:19
It is possible for us to be “in Christ” and not bear fruit. Our being “in Christ” is a judicial fact which relates to what Jesus has done for us.
“Every branch in Me that bears not fruit, He takes away….” John 15:2
But it is impossible not to bear fruit when Christ is in us.
Our having “Christ in us” means that we have made room for Him, and have invited Him within. His abiding presence has become an experiential reality and He is in control.
“I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Jesus desires to come within. In Revelation 3:20, we see Him standing at the door seeking to gain access. This particular “door” is that of the lukewarm Christian.
“So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth. Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Revelation 3:16-17
In general, the burden which Paul carried has not yet been fulfilled in the Bride of Christ, but it shall be. The Holy Spirit is now working toward its realization.
Consider the parable of the ten virgins in light of the fulfillment of “Christ in you.”
The foolish virgins took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels (Matthew 25:3-4). If there is to be room for oil in our vessels, they must first be emptied of the non-essentials. There must be room within us that has been made available for Jesus to enter and abide.
The Father plans to have a manifestation of the “Hope of Glory” in this earth. In context with the phrase “all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord” (Numbers 14:21), it is evident that He is referring to those who contain His glory.
“And the Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” Isaiah 60:3
Presently, these are being prepared.
