OUR EVERYTHING

Let me start off with the good news, Christ is our everything, our all and in all. But do we believe this? I look around the nominal "Church" (organized religion and denominationalism and not the called out group or assembly of Believers of Christ) and wonder how did we Christians get it so wrong. How and when did we miss it? Well, Paul talked about the Body of Christ not the "Church." We will look at that point later. But in Acts 2:46 we see the lack of revelation and shear delusion the Apostles had that contributed to getting off track, "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart" (Acts 2:46) What were they doing at the temple? Well, they were good Jews and all good Jews keep the Mosaic Law. So, what were they doing at the temple? Answer, keeping the Jews commandments of animal sacrifice and ritual purification while at the same time trying to honor the Lord (Jesus). Little "Lord" in the Scriptures always refers to Jesus where big "LORD" always refers to God the Father. In verse 25 we see where the early "Church" (not the Body of Christ) "sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need." Some today would call this socialism. It was no wonder they were extremely poor and Paul in his travels had to keep sending money to the "Church" in Jerusalem. In so many areas the early "Church" missed it, but thank God for Paul who received the revelation "by grace are ye saved through faith" (Ephesians 2:8). Even in all of the Apostles Jewish worship God still used them to further His message to the world as God uses the "Church" today in spite of her waywardness and rebellion. It was not till the sixth chapter of Acts we begin to see the "Church" get off track from what Jesus wanted for His Children. Nowhere in the Scriptures did Jesus tell the Apostles or disciples to build a "Church," a denomination, any organized religious structure. After all, Jesus constantly railed on this type of man-centered religious system. Read the Bible my friend. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said, "I will build my church." Jesus is the master builder not man. In Psalms 127:1, Solomon said, "Except the LORD build the house they labor in vain who build it." Make no mistake my friend there is a lot of vain laboring especially in the American "Church." Now, not all "Churches" in the world, but most of them. We have been to some that was heaven on earth, but we too have been to some "Churches" in the world that God needs to (in my humble opinion) shut down to save souls. I believe the intent of the LORD for those called out of the world through His Son were to continue "breaking bread from house to house," and just living their life "with gladness and singleness of heart." But, sadly it is what it is. What we see on TV, on social media, and the message we hear from the pulpits every Sunday is what most "Churches" have evolved (some even apostate) into based on their belief statement and cultural practices and have not repeat not believed in the truth, what the word of God teaches. So, knowing God who is full of mercy and grace will work (like with the early "Church") with the people in their religion, self-centered, and selfish heart condition and hopefully bring some out of the spiritual lack they are in. This is one reason why we have a home group meeting (sometimes twice a month) in our home. Another reason is we cannot find a "Church" in our area that teaches the truth from the word of God. Oh, we have looked, but after we get to know the pastor and the people the pastor usually asks us to move on fearing we are trying to steal members from his flock to start a "Church" (laughable) or our writings are talking are hitting too close to home. After all the pastor has a rice bowl to protect. So, we move on "eating our meat with gladness and singleness of heart" and doing what the LORD wants. One of the biggest (maybe the biggest) areas where the "Church" missed it is with Christ. The "Church" has substituted Christ, the person for the "things" Christ gives us. After all what tastes better the fruit of the tree or the root? Well, the typical, normal person would say the fruit, but if you enjoy the fruit and care not for the root then your life is short lived. The life of the tree is in the root not the fruit. So too with Jesus. The life of being a Believer (and not just a Christian) is only found "in Christ" and not in the things Christ gives us. Now please pay attention here. God's end is Christ, so also God's means is Christ. It is through Christ to be "in Christ." In Colossians, Paul reveals that God has not only caused Christ to have first place "preeminence" in everything, but even more, Christ is to be our all and in all. Again Paul helps us, "And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." (Colossians 1:17-18) So Colossians discloses Christ as the means as well as the end of God. It is no doubt the Book of Colossians is my favorite Book of the Bible. God's end is to let Christ have the first place in all things. In order for us to realize this truth God must have Christ as all things. Only by Christ being all things and dwelling in all things can Christ sum up all things both in the heavens and upon the earth. And if Christ is all naturally then all things are summed up in Him. Now that we have this behind us we can now understand what Paul was saying in Ephesians, "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.4 here is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;5 One Lord (Jesus), one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ephesians 4:3-6) So if Christ dwells in all, and is above all, and in all what else can all things be? Okay let us take this thought of Christ being our everything a little further. According to our world and spiritual viewpoint there are affairs (things in our lives, even troubles, problems) and matters (things we focus on from our troubles, etc.) out from our day-to-day lives, but according to God's estimate Christ is all. And one day we will realize one thing which is, Christ someday will sum up all things into Himself. I believe this has already started to happen today in some lives, but it need not happen only in the future as the Bible foretells, nor only become true when God's eternal purpose is finally reached. Oh no, I believe God is opening eyes (who desire truth) to see that in the "Church" today that Christ is even both the affairs and matters. And as the "Church" begins to understand this point the more the "Church" will begin to move back into the spiritual realm. But if the "Church" continues to see matters and affairs (even spiritual matters and affairs) as being more important than Christ then it merely proves she has yet to behold Christ. You know there is a colossal problem which exists among God's children today. The Christianity which we have been taught, thus we know is quite fragmented. Now please pay close attention here my friend or you will miss the heart of the meaning of this article. Our concept today is we obtain a little grace, we receive a gifting, and we may speak a little in tongues. There may even be a change in our conduct, our measures of love and patience may increase, and we look and sound more gentle and humble. This commonly is called Christianity, but is this Christianity? Christianity is not a reward for changes in our behavior or lifestyle, neither is Christianity what Christ gives us. Now, here is the point Christianity is Christ Himself. Christianity is none other than Christ "in us." Did you get that my friend? For years (most of my life) the "Church" has based Christianity on what we do for Christ or what we get from Christ. I so hope you all see this truth. It was a real eye opener for me. But, Christianity is Christ giving Himself to us. It is Christ who becomes our humility, gentleness, our patience. It is Christ in us the living Lord and this is what truly Christianity is, Christ "in us." Now here comes the Biblical definition of Christianity, "Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" (Colossians 1:26-27) Okay let us go a little deeper. Please note that there is nothing at all impersonal to Christianity. Every matter in Christianity has to do with personality and the person involved with Christ. To put it another way our patience it is not a thing, is a Person, our sanctification is not an experience it is a Man, our justification is not things it is a personality, our righteousness is not a behavior, it is Christ Himself "in us." This is what Christianity really is: our patience, our humility, our gentleness, our love, and so on is the Lord Himself, not things. Many will ask how we can say Christ is all? Let me tell you that is when you truly know a living Christ then you would have no trouble acknowledging Christ as all. Most Christians and some Believers I know say they know Christ, but their lives reflect a life filled with a void of His words and character. Seldom do these folks mention their love for Him or His children. You know I love Karen my wife and I love telling her I love her. It is easy to see the love in our words because the love for someone or something will come out of our mouth. Lastly what is the Gospel we preach? We announce that God has given us the Savior, but after we pray and repent we say God has given us salvation. Let me tell you my friend God has but one Son and His Son is named Jesus, our salvation. Yes Christ is our salvation, our all and in all, He is our everything. Serve Him long enough, study your Bible, and open up your heart to truth and you too will come to the conclusion Christ is our all and in all, our everything. Written by David Stahl