Knowing Jesus Christ

II Corinthians 5:16 “Therefore from now on, we recognize no man according to the flesh, even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.”

To put this Scripture simply, all the disciples walked with Jesus Christ by sight – they saw him in his physical body, spent three years with Him and literally saw and heard Him.

Yet the Lord said to them the Holy Spirit would come – that He was going back to his Father yet coming back as well by the Spirit to dwell in hearts.

Amazing about Paul – he was chosen by Jesus Christ by the will of God to reveal the RISEN CHRIST, not just the one who walked on the earth.  His other apostles were witness of His being here on earth.

But ALL of them had now become witnesses of Christ in them of His Resurrection Life.  This is clearly demonstrated through the Spirit’s coming!

Paul had his 3 years on the desert of Arabia as the other apostles had their 3 years with Jesus in His earthly ministry.  Yet ALL of them continued on with Christ after His ascension and continued to know Him in what Hebrews says about Him: “…He has obtained a more excellent ministry.”

What does this have to do with us?  Everything!  If there was anything that Paul, the Apostle stressed in his letters is that Christ now lives in us all.  “Christ is all, and in you all!” (Colossians 3:11).

The implications of this reality are wonderful, if we grasp it fully.  The Lord Jesus IS everywhere.  We do not have to moan because He’s not at our house like Zaccheus, Mary, Martha and Lazarus, the disciples, etc.

If He dwells in our hearts, He’s certainly at our homes.

More importantly, is what the Lord told us about His Holy Spirit’s coming for those who receive Him as Savior and Lord:

He will guide you into ALL TRUTH. He will teach you ALL things.

He will pray through you, groan through you, moan through you God’s will.

He will reveal the things given and done by the Lord Jesus Himself.

He will strengthen you in your inner person (spirit/heart) where Christ dwells.

He will guide the mind in life and peace, bring clarity, enlightenment.

He will convict, convince, persuade, work in and work out God’s good pleasure.

He will assure the heart of all the riches of grace in and of Christ, who is here in Spirit.

Now no slam on Martha, but if you remember that scenario, Jesus was at their home – physically the guest of their home.  And Martha as told by the Lord, was distracted by many things.

What is amazing, is that this incredible, living, risen Savior and Lord lives in our hearts and we’re off fixing dinner FOR Him, instead of sitting as His feet listening to Him. (As Mary)

I’m pretty sure, we’d fix an even better meal (and quicker) if we’d listen first, eat later!

And of course, the Lord is not there to condemn.  Nor are we to start being "nervous nellies" about activities.  BUT it is a call to realize the precious, priceless gift we have of His presence in our hearts just like we would if He was here in the flesh!  (And one day soon He will be again!)

Thoughts to ponder about WHO it is, WHO lives within our hearts!

Sue Gaither