“…as God has said, ‘I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.'” 2 Corinthians 6:16
Dear Ones:
When one seeks to know the basic reasons for which we need revival, restoration, and renewal, we may find that we are no longer in alignment with Christ as our cornerstone, nor are we in sync with Him, by the Spirit. An example of this is found in the gospels with regard to the ministry of John the Baptist. In the book of Isaiah, we read of John’s ministry and purpose: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth.'” (Luke 3:4,5) The ministry of John the Baptist was to bring the people back, in mind and heart, into alignment with God, His purposes and ways. It is as this “way” is prepared, leveled, straightened, and made smooth, and embraced, that the promise will be realized: “And all flesh shall SEE the salvation of God.” (v.6) It is when the heart and mind of man is aligned with God’s thoughts and ways, that the blessing, and salvation will come.
In the book of Acts, the gospels, and in Paul’s and Peter’s writings, Christ is declared to be the “cornerstone.” That “head of the corner” is depicted as such because the whole structure of the building to be built, depends on being aligned with it. In 1 Corinthians 3:11, we discover that not only is the Lord Jesus the cornerstone, but the very foundation of “God’s building.” The whole of the structure is to rest wholly upon Him. This “building of God,” His church, Christ’s body, is of Divine origin, to be built by Divine hands. After all, the Lord did say, “I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18) It is imperative to realize that not only will He build it, but He will do so ONLY according to His ways, and for His glory. The amazing thing is that He has called us to be “workers together with Him.” (2 Cor. 6:1) How can this be? The answer lies in part, in the word, “synchronization.”
“Synchronization,” means “…the operation or activity of two or more things at the same time and rate.” From a spiritual standpoint, we are called to walk WITH God, and abide, IN Christ. Spiritually speaking, another word for synchronization in this relationship of a believer with the Lord, is “communion.” It speaks of alignment, dependence, oneness of purpose, means, and resource. Paul’s words are so applicable here, in laying a basis for the realization of such a relationship: “…as God has said, ‘I will dwell in them, and walk in them.'” (2 Cor.. 6:16) Jesus basically told His disciples the same thing: “If any man love Me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and WE will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (Jn. 14:23) He goes even farther in speaking of the life of abiding in Him: “Abide in Me, and I in you.” (Jn. 15:4) What is He saying here? It is that God the Father has placed every believer IN Jesus Christ, not only from a positional standpoint, being justified by faith, but also, with regard to a living union with Him, as a new creation, by the Spirit. The believer has been placed in a oneness with the Son of God, to live by HIS Spirit, for the glory of God. It is out of such a relationship, based upon the finished work of Christ, that the believer is called upon to BELIEVE HIM, and trust Him for all that is now true of him in this relationship.
Dear Father, in light of the fact that You have placed us in Jesus Christ, to be aligned with Him in mind and heart according to Your Word, give us grace to truly abide in Him, believing Him to abide in us. Accomplish in and through us Your blessed purposes for Your glory and honor. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Love, Dad