WHAT A CHAMPION YOU ARE! ( PART 2)

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" - 1 Corinthians 3:16 (See also 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16)

For God to take His abode in us is a great mystery! But all glory to Jesus for this wonderful feat that is far beyond human comprehension. Indeed, that He lives in us marks a remarkable difference between the old dispensation and the new.

         In the old dispensation, God dwelt among Israel, in the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8-9; 29:43-46) and later in the temple (1 Kings 6:11-14). To them, at that time, the concept of God dwelling in man was strange and incomprehensible. This was one of the things that the prophets of old signified would happen to us, being part of the glory that should follow the sufferings of Christ; which the angels of God desired to look into (See 1 Peter 1:9-12). In the old dispensation, the Holy Spirit came upon men at specific times and for specific purposes. For example, when kings were anointed into office (King Saul: 1 Samuel 10:1-7; King David: 1 Samuel 16:13), the Spirit of the Lord would come upon them. God, in those days, would also anoint men to speak His word to the people (2 Chronicles 20:14-17) or anoint men to perform certain functions (See Exodus 31:1-3; Judges 13:25). This was the order of things in those days.

       But in Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26-27; 37:14, God began to speak of putting His Spirit in man. This was a completely novel concept altogether! It signified a moment when Jehovah-God would come into man, making it possible for man to be led, guided, helped, taught, comforted and strengthened and empowered by God. But glory be to Jesus, for this is part of the glory that should come to us following the suffering of God's Christ (See 1 Peter 1:9-12). Therefore, that we are the temple of God, and that His Spirit dwells in us is a remarkable improvement upon the old dispensation and what it stood for. It turned us into God-like champions! Hallelujah!

       Consequently, for a Spirit filled Christian to pray and ask God to make him like Moses, Samson, Elijah or to possess Elisha's double portion of anointing amounts to a "spiritual misfire" occasioned by ignorance! Under this current dispensation, you and l are far greater than all the saints of old who lived before Christ. Indeed, these old prophets and saints look down from heaven at us with a "holy envy", desiring that they had what we now possess!

      Jesus told us in Matthew 11:11 that "... Among them that are born of women ( including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Samson, Elijah, Daniel, etc) there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven ( ie, including you and l) is greater than he." (Emphasis mine).

 Notwithstanding, we see a Church so ignorant of her inheritance. We see Christians who aren't only ignorant of who they are in Christ, but are daily victims of satanic onslaughts and oppressions, which things shouldn't be so. Jesus overcame the devil and made us "more than conquerors"  (Rom 8:37). Regarding the anointing, "of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace" (Jn 1:16). Being Children of God, we are "filled with all the fullness of God" (Eph 3:19). The Church is "the  fulness of Him that filleth all in all" (Eph 1:23). Actually, "as  He (Jesus) is, so are we in this world" (1Jn 4:17, emphasis, mine). No doubt, it's the Holy Spirit that made Jesus' life and ministry thick; and we have that same Spirit in us! Praise the Lord!

May God give us understanding, in Jesus name. If anyone reading this devotional is not filled yet with the Holy Spirit, do make your baptism in the Spirit a matter of utmost importance, even as we begin the new year. If you're filled already, strive to make your experience one of practical application by speaking more in tongues and developing a daily fellowship with God's Spirit. By doing so, you'll be amazed how the Champion in you will arise for your benefit.

Have a happy New Year!

PRAYER:

Father, l thank you for making me a beneficiary of this new dispensation wherein you choose to abide in man. May you enable me not to receive the grace of God in vain, but to take adequate advantage of it,  in Jesus name,