“…let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of faith.” Hebrews 12:12,13
Christianity is not only the creation of something new, but a call to live by faith in a Savior and Lord who is before us, and in us. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews speaks of Christ before us, in that he says that we are to look unto Jesus. It was Stephen, being full of the Holy Spirit, though feeling the antagonism, and wrath of those whom he accused as being “stiff necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears,” looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:55) It was because of this vision of the Lord Jesus before him, that Stephen was strengthened to endure the murderous opposition of the Sanhedrin. Stephen was stoned that day, calling on the Lord to receive his spirit, but also, kneeling down, and crying out with a loud voice, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” (7:60) Stephen had learned the great lesson of setting the Lord before him as did David. David had written many years before: “I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” (Ps. 16:8) The Christ “without” is the living, victorious Christ at the right hand of the Father. He is that One to whom we are to look as we run this race. It is in looking at this Author and Finisher of faith, that faith is strengthened to follow Him faithfully, “until the race is won, until the journey’s done, until the crown is won.”
The other great truth and spiritual reality with regard to the position, power, and provision of Christ, has to do with His indwelling. Paul writes of this in his epistle to the Romans: “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (8:10) What is Paul saying here? When one is born again of the Spirit, Christ by the Spirit comes to make of him or her a new creation, in which He dwells. The same Spirit that moved upon the waters of creation, brought about the birth of Christ, anointed Him as He came out of the waters of the Jordan at His baptism, is that one by whom He endured the cross. It is the Spirit of Pentecost, God the Holy Spirit, who is come to make all things new, and communicate the very life of Christ to the believer. It is as Christ, by the Spirit, dwells in the heart by faith, that the fragrant aroma of His life is known. The righteous fruits of His holy life are known and revealed as the fruits of the Spirit. Thus, His love, joy, and peace are truly received and revealed in the members of His body on this earth. With regard to the power of such a life, Christ’s Spirit within, John the Apostle writes: “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is within you, than he that is in the world.” (1 Jn. 4:4) What does this mean, and how does it apply to the life of the believer?
To grasp something of the greatness and the relevance of this glorious truth, we go back to a declaration by the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians: “But of God are ye IN Christ Jesus.” (1 Cor. 1:30) He speaks of a spiritual union of the believer with Christ by the Spirit. In essence this is the new creation in Christ. The call of God to the believer is to lay hold of this eternal Life. Christ speaks of abiding in Him, deriving all from Him, since we are complete in Him. Every answer for every need is found in Him. It speaks of a deliberate appropriation of Christ by the Spirit for every need. His victorious, overcoming life is embraced.
Dear Father, Strengthen us to look upward, trusting the Spirit of Christ within. In Jesus’ name, Amen.