Christ Manifest in Us - UBM [David Eells]

(2 Thes. 1:10-12) when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day. (11) To which end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfil every desire of goodness and [every] work of faith, with power; (12) that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(2 Cor. 3:18) But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.

(Col. 3:4) When Christ, [who is] our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory.

(Gal. 4:19) My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you.

(Col. 1:27,28) to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (28) whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ;

(2 Cor. 4:10,11) always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. (11) For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

(Eph. 3:14-19) For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, (15) from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, (16) that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; (17) that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (18) may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, (19) and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.

(Eph. 4:11-15) And he gave some [to be] apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: (13) till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; (15) but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, [even] Christ;

Maturity is having Christ manifest in you. 1 John 2:28 says "And now my little children, abide in him; that if he shall be manifested (the three most ancient manuscripts of the New Testament, the Nestles text, the A.S.V., the R.V., and the Numeric New Testament agree to this translation) we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming." "If he shall be manifested" in us, we won't be ashamed when we see him.

1 Jn 3:2 says "Beloved now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, ("in us" 2 Cor 4:10,11)(the three most ancient manuscripts of the New Testament, the Nestles text, the Received Text, the A.S.V., the R.V., and the Numeric New Testament agree on this translation) we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is".

2 Cor 3:18 above shows us that if we see him as he is in the mirror (by faith) then we will manifest his glory. Christ exchanged his life for ours at the cross. (Col. 1:22,23) yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before him: (23) if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven;) That's why we must see him in the mirror by faith in order to manifest him. (Gal. 2:20) I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that [life] which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, [the faith] which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. This kind of faith is accounted as righteousness until righteousness is manifested (bearing fruit). He who sees his natural face in the mirror will not have power to obey (James 1:23).

(Col. 3:4) When Christ, [who is] our life, shall be manifested (in us-same as above), then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory. Notice the life of Christ is his glory and it is manifested in our mortal flesh (2 Cor 4:11) For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. Notice: mortal flesh, not glorified bodies.

The false prophet has told us that we have to settle for being forgiven sinners in this life instead of overcoming sons of God. For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, [even] they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. (the true believers flesh) (2 Jn 7). Note: "is come" or "has come in the flesh" has no foundation in the ancient manuscripts, the Received Text or the Nestles Text. Paul prayed in Epe 3:18,19 that they "may be strong to apprehend (not comprehend-ancient manuscripts, Received Text and Nestles Text agree) ...the breadth and length and height and depth ...of Christ ...and be filled unto all the fullness of God".

According to Paul in Eph. 4:11-15 the five-fold ministry is "for the perfecting of the saints...unto a full-grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ". Through faith in the promises we "cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Cor 7:1).

(2 Thes. 1:10-12) when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day. (1:11) To which end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfil every desire of goodness and [every] work of faith, with power; (1:12) that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Be diligent in this work of faith beloved till He comes and you will bear fruit and have great reward.

Question

I received this question from a sister. "I have a hard time understanding the word 'manifest' -just what does it mean to be made manifest in him?"

My Answer

Manifest here means to appear in the physical realm. When we come to Christ we accept all of His benefit by faith (faith is the substance of the thing hoped for while the evidence is unseen) until the sacrifice is manifest in our lives as fruit. According to the parable of the sower, the seed is sown in the heart but only one out of the four is good ground and brings forth fruit 30, 60, 100 fold. The fruit here is Christ, not other souls. The fruit of the Spirit. He is the seed (sperma = Greek) of the word and each seed brings forth after its own kind.

(Rom. 8:24,25) For in hope ( Greek = a firm expectation) were we saved. But hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth? (25) But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. In other words we wait for the full manifesting of our salvation. When we come to Christ, we receive a new spirit but our soul (mind, emotions, etc.) needs transforming. (Rom. 12:2) And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

By faith we say with Paul (Gal.2:20) I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. As we make this confession of our faith, it will be continually manifested in us for we are justified by faith. The Holy Spirit gives power to those who believe.

If we don't repent and believe the word, we cannot have what it says. As long as we are walking by faith in the word, we are acceptable to God for "faith is accounted as righteousness".

Jesus told his disciples in (Lk 6:40) The disciple is not above his teacher but every one when he is perfected shall be as his teacher. Christ wants to live and be seen (manifest) in us. As we repent, when we see the word we permit this to happen. We give good ground to the seed and bear fruit.

(Lk 9:23,24) And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (24) For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

(2 Pet.1:19) And we have the word of prophecy made more sure; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts. This is the manifest glory.

(2 Cor. 3:18) But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. This transforming into his image is manifesting Him.

(2 Cor. 4:10, 11) Always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested (be seen) in our body. (11) For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested(be seen) in our mortal flesh.

(2 Pet 1:9-11) For he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. (10) Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things ye shall never stumble: (11) For thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

(Jas.1:23) For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror. If we don't see Jesus in the mirror, then that is not faith and we will not be a doer of the word. A doer of the word is manifesting Christ.

Question

I received this objection to my letter "Christ In You" from a brother. I believe the objection and the answer would benefit many. I am using the word perfection as the Greek word implies, to be mature, or fullgrown.

Dave, Are you suggesting that the Word teaches perfection can be attained in this life? your quote :".perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Cor 7:1). would seem to indicate strongly that it is an ongoing process (known in Scripture as Sanctification) not accomplished in this life. Paul said, "...not as if I had already attained "... - Paul continues that he is still pursuing that higher life which is found in Christ who is "in us". I John says that if we say we sin not we lie. We must be careful to differentiate between the goal we strive for (as close to the life of Jesus as possible) and claiming sinless perfection. Try as you may and believe as much as you wish does not erase the "old man" we must constantly fight against. That fight is by faith, of course. In Christ,

My Answer

I hope you will read this carefully because as you can see it is the Word of God. We can't reject any scripture and still say we have the truth. We can not pick the verses we like in order to justify our religion. "The sum of thy words is truth".

The whole verse says this: Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Cor. 7:1) All we have to do is believe what it says without invoking the curse for adding to the word. We are commanded here to use the word of God to separate from worldly thinking and actions.

Look at what the following scriptures say: (1 Thes. 4:3-8) For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication; (4) that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor, (5) not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who know not God; (6) that no man transgress, and wrong his brother in the matter: because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified. (7) For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification. (8) Therefore he that rejecteth, rejecteth not man, but God, who giveth his Holy Spirit unto you.

How can sanctification not be attainable in this life when scriptures says, (Heb. 12:14,15) Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord: (15) looking carefully lest [there be] any man that falleth short of the grace of God. Holiness and sanctification are the same Greek word. A person who does not believe it is attainable can not receive it because we receive it by faith.

(2 Cor. 4:11) For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

(Eph.3:18-20) ....may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, (in other words all of Christ ) (19) and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fullness of God. (20) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

(Eph. 4:12) for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: (4:13) till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (4:14) that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; (4:15) but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, [even] Christ;

(Col. 1:22,23) yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before him: (23) if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard,

(1 Cor. 15:1,2) Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, (2) by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain.

We are justified by faith in the sanctification given us at the cross and that faith continually brings us into manifest sanctification. Faith is accounted as righteousness until righteousness is manifested in us. In this way a person can continue under the grace of God as he bears fruit.

Faith is the "victory that overcomes the world" (1 John 5:4). Faith is "calling the things that are not as though they were" (Rom. 4:17), until they come to pass. We must be "seeing that His divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness...whereby He hath granted unto us His precious and exceeding great promises that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust" (II Peter 1:34).

Christ made you "free from sin" (Rom. 6:18,22) so why should you "live any longer therein?" (verse 22) for you were "delivered out of the power of darkness" (Colossians 1:13) so "reckon yourselves to be dead unto sin but alive unto God" and "let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body that you should obey the lusts thereof "(Rom. 6:11,12). "if you live after the flesh, you must die: but if by the Spirit (God's power) you put to death the deeds of the body, you shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God" (Rom. 8:13,14). Believe God's promises and escape the lusts of the flesh. "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2Cor. 7:1).

(1 Jn.2:1-6) My little children, these things write I unto you that ye may not sin. And lf any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (2) and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. (3) And hereby we know that we know him. If we keep his commandments. (4) He that saith. I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar. and the truth is not in him: (5) but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him: (6) he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.

The religions of this day have turned the grace of God into lasciviousness (a license to do what you want to do). As we can see from the above verses grace delivers from sin, not just covers it up. The blood covers our ignorance until we see the light.

(James 4:17) To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (Heb. 10:26) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, (10:27) but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. Some sins are done in ignorance and are therefore not willful. These are covered by the Blood. For the other sins we will obviously get chastening until we hopefully repent. (Rom.5: 13)... for until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law. You may have sinned a sin of ignorance (not knowing the law) but under Grace God does not reckon it as sin. That is why we cannot say, "we have no sin", (1 John 1: 8) We are ignorant of many things that are against His perfect will. When we get light, then we are responsible.

When does the Blood not just cover, but wash away the very nature of sin? (1 John 1:5-7) And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (6) if we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie. and do not the truth: (7) but if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

This is why the Gospel is the good news. Now we don't have to be content with forgiveness because Jesus is "the Lamb of God that taketh away (not just covers up) the sins of the world". Many of God's people are still living with Old Testament benefits because they don't believe the Gospel.

I hope this answer will benefit you in your walk with Christ.

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