The Proof of Christ In You

Introduction

We live in a time when practically everything can be imitated and faked.

Causes of proliferation of imitation:

complacency - loss of value of personal effort

price - genuine items are expensive

Worst imitations today

Fake foods - rice, cabbage, egg, chicken,

Fake jewels - imitations stones, fake golds

Fake news -

Fake Christianity - fake holiness, fake church, fake gospel, fake life, fake ministers

There’s a positive effect of the proliferation of fake things

the genuine stuff are “exalted” - imitation is the highest form of flattery

the genuine stuff becomes even more important - more sought after!

There is a need today for the true people of God to rise up and be visible!

But we need to show the proof Christ in us!

2 Corinthians 13.5

2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

Unless Christ is in you, you are “disqualified” - a phony, bogus!

Main Points

Genuine Christianity is Christ in His people!

It was His desire

John 14.18

John 14:18 NKJV

I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

John 17.23, 26

John 17:23 NKJV

I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

John 17:26 NKJV

And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

It is His life

Galatians 2.20

Galatians 2:20 NKJV

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Romans 8.10

Romans 8:10 NKJV

And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Genuine Christianity has proofs!

1. The body is dead to sin

Romans 8.10-11

Romans 8:10–11 NKJV

And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

We cannot be both alive to sin and to righteousness!

Christ in you means your “body” is now dead to sin.

We have “mortify” the flesh

Romans 8.13

Romans 8:13 NKJV

For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Colossians 3.5

Colossians 3:5 NKJV

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

2. His Word dwells richly

Colossians 3.16

Colossians 3:16 NKJV

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Where the Word of God is welcome, God is welcome!

Where the Word of God is abundant, God’s Presence is also abundant!

3. We have the mind of Christ

Philippians 2.5

Philippians 2:5 NKJV

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

Humble mind - Christ in you means you are wiling to lay down your will in favor of the will of God.

Obedient mind - Christ in you means your are willing to fulfill the will of God unto death!

4. His power is displayed

2 Corinthians 13.2-4

2 Corinthians 13:2–4 NKJV

I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare— since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.

Romans 15.19

Romans 15:19 NKJV

in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

powerful living is manifested in boldness to speak the truth

Colossians1.29

Colossians 1:29 NKJV

To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

powerful living is manifested in one’s labors in the ministry

5. We have the marks of Christ in our bodies

Galatians 6.17

Galatians 6:17 NKJV

From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

Paul’s physical marks of suffering in Christ’s name is of greater value than the circumcision under the Law!

Marks of Christ - we received because of, during, and through, our obedience of His will.

Conclusion

Why we need the proof of Christ in us?

1. It is our testimony to the world.

Abraham’s “tent-living lifestyle”

Jacob’s limping walk

Enoch and Noah’s preaching the coming judgment

Paul’s defective eyes, marks of beatings, etc.

2. It is our personal guarantee.

Colossians 1.27

Colossians 1:27 NKJV

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

2 Thessalonians 1.12

2 Thessalonians 1:12 NKJV

that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.