Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries |
The Shekinah glory or the manifestation of Christ within us: the indwelling of Christ.
Friday, February 15, 2008
The indwelling of Christ relates to the predesigned plan of God and the believer’s escrow blessings.
Stewardship - okoinomia - dispensation = the mystery dispensation never known to Old Testament saints.
There was the invisible Shekinah glory and the visible manifestation in the theophany of a cloud.
When Jesus Christ came in the flesh, the incarnation, He came as the God-man.
We have the Shekinah glory indwelling humanity in order to achieve impeccability and be qualified to go to the cross and die for our sins.
When the Church-age came we have the Shekinah glory indwelling the body of every believer.
The Shekinah glory indwelling our bodies is not visible because the Shekinah glory is Christ and Christ is God and God is invisible.
The manifestation or the reflection of His glory was seen in the cloud and the pillar of fire and other Theophanies.
While Jesus Christ indwelling our bodies cannot be seen, there are certain conditions in which the manifestations of His glory can be seen.
The one apostle who knew all about the dispensation of Israel was chosen by God to communicate one of the greatest dispensations of all, the Church-age.
He even warned pastors not to make the mistake of mixing dispensations in 2TI 2:15.
There will be pastors who will be embarrassed at the bema seat or the judgment Seat of TLJC because they have not learned to rightly divide the word of truth.
1. The baptism of the Spirit.
2 The predesigned plan of God.
3. Mystery doctrine.
4. Escrow blessings.
5 .The equality factor.
6. The royal commissions.
7. The indwelling of the Trinity.
8. The availability of divine power.
9. The absence of prophecy.
10. Invisible heroes.
Saints - dative of advantage - hagios.
You are a hagios, a saint, or someone who has been set apart for God for a special purpose.
That special purpose is to bring glory to God.
1CO 12:7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
1JO 4:9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.
COL 1:27 to whom God willed to make known what is the glorious riches of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you
God wanted everyone, not just Jews but even the Gentiles to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing.
JOH 1:11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.
From your point of view as you hear and embrace the good news of the Message, it looks like the Jews are God’s enemies. But looked at from the long-range perspective of God’s overall purpose, they remain God’s oldest friends.
The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory.MAT 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Just like the Jews could not see the Shekinah glory in the Old Testament but could see a manifestation of His presence, so we can reveal the Shekinah glory or the indwelling of Christ to the world and to each other through our body, the temple of the living God.
It is our privilege and responsibility to rest in Him where He is, because that is where we are positioned in Him.
At the same time He abides in us here below, by means of the Spirit.
Reciprocal union = we are in Him, He’s in us, the ultimate oneness.
God has one primary way of revealing Himself today; it is “Christ in you.”
He has no other way of showing Himself to men except as Christ lives in us; not by the Shekinah glory in the temple built with hands of men, but in lives redeemed and freed as they walk about in this dark world with Christ living in them.
1PE 1:8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
1JO 2:6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
This means we are to love our enemies, MAT 5:44.
We are to forgive as Jesus forgave, COL 3:13.
Be kind towards those who hate us, MAT 5:44.
We are to be overcomers - more than conquerors, ROM 8:37.
We are to give thanks in all things, believing that all things, even those which shatter our hopes and dreams, are working together for our good,
ROM 8:28; EPH 5:20.
We are to be anxious for nothing, PHI 4:6.
We are to rejoice in the Lord always, PHI 4:4.
PHI 4:8 From now on, members of the Royal Family of God, whatever is true [doctrinal], whatever is honorable [noble or worthy of respect], whatever is just [fair or right], whatever is pure [of proper motivation], -
- Whatever personal loves exist, whatever is commendable, if there is any virtue [and there is for the mature believer says the first class condition] and if anything worthy of praise [and there is for the mature believer says the first class condition], be concentrating on these things.
ISA 6:5 “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips,”
PSA 46:10 Cease striving and know that He is God;
MAT 11:28-30 Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
MAT 11:29 Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.
MAT 11:30 “For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.”
Your health is based on your genetics, metabolism, allergies, environment, common sense, mental attitude, but it has nothing to do with your spiritual life.