Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me; and the which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
The famous quotes "Not I But Christ" has been in my head for all these days of my Christian life. I have not deeply experienced its depth, severity and subjectivity until lately. Thank God, at least I am beginning to unveil this mystery in real life.
Experiences these days have been proving to me that many things in my Christian life are "Not I" any longer. Prior to these experiences, though outwardly I have attributed many incidents to Christ, but deep within was the hidden and proud "I" that stole the glory with "Christ" as a mere outer layer covering. But no longer these days. Its the dawning of "Not I" now.
Spiritual or physical blessings and successes the Lord has graciously bestowed upon me and my family have nothing to do with the goodness of "I." But it has always been and will always be because of the Lord's mercy and grace mingled with His blessings. In experiences, when I am not as healthy or strong, my faith in the Lord for His work and blessings dwindles. But as things have transpired, I discovered that what the Lord wants to do does not really depends on how weak or strong I am. My "I" is not the deciding factor for the Lord's work. When my "I" is in the ebb of falling apart and at his weakest point, still the Lord carries out His work, for it is not my "I" but the Christ who lives in me. Whatever my situation may be, the Christ in me is still the same Christ who is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Yes, no doubt, who I am can affect the Lord's work, for the work of God is carried out in coordination with man, but the higher fact is, when in Spirit, it is no longer I, but Christ, and that Christ carries out the work in me and through me.
These days I have been experiencing the work of God being carried out through this "rotten worm." Every time I exercised my spirit and fellowshipped with anyone, the word of God as rivers of living water flowed out. I myself was the first to be so supplied with the riches of Christ's life flowing out through "my own speaking." Bible verses sprang up from no where and words of life just streamed forth as stream in the desert. With whomsoever I fellowshipped, it was just life and life and life flowing out. Had it been my own merit for this blessing, I doubt the most it would be such, for I know this "rotten worm" deep to the core with all my failures and weaknesses. In fact, the truth is, "Not I But Christ."
Many times my own presumptions deluded me of my weakness and I lost complete faith in being useful to God at all. But as the Lord graces me to learn and grow, His works continues in His pace and path, irrespective of how weak I am or I feel. My self "I" is in fact the "no longer I" but is now the "Christ!" That's why, things are happening as it ought to; shepherding, praying, gospel preaching, fruit bearing and churching...
O for more grace to learn more of "No I But Christ!"
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