Writing is both an outlet and an inlet. I let go of unnecessary weight and take in an easy yoke. Writing slows down my inner world so that perceptions that were just beyond my reach come close enough to access. I grasp the inner nature of things more intuitively when I put pen to paper. Clear (and often sudden) understanding of emotions and impulses that were rejected from my awareness (but still able to influence my behavior) is an advantage I experience when I write.
The mental retrieval of my resources in Christ Jesus are quickened when I write. Scripture bears that I have the mind of Christ, for I am joined to Him in spirit. Writing awakens my awareness of His thoughts. I tap into His character as my very own. He uses pen and paper to guide me to an inner sanctum of intimate dialogue. As I write, I am conscious of our union. I see myself in Him. He becomes more tangible in my daily life as His nature begins to dictate moral and ethical actions and reactions.
Trusting my union with Christ became a pivotal point in my Christian walk. Progressively grasping that the “old man” was crucified with Christ (Romans 6:6,7) allowed me to receive (and act upon) His life as my own with greater consistency. A correct view of who I am is making a clear path for my actions to align with my new heart. As a new creation (in union with Christ), I have no desire or natural movement toward sin or disobedience. In spirit (the defining part of my being) holiness is an established fact. I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
Sin still happens but its occurrence is both outward and temporal. Earth, flesh, the physical realm, and bodily members are no longer fixed points of reference or my eternal reality. I live, move, and have my being in Christ. I do not draw meaning from that which is temporary and fading away. Life and meaning are in Him. The nature of sin does not have control over me. I died, was buried, and rose again with Christ. My relationship to sin was severed at the cross. I live in newness of life. The nature of sin cannot touch who I am in Christ. It can touch the flesh and sway the mind – but it has no control over me.
The key is to remember who I am. I am not my mind or my flesh. I am not my feelings or my emotions. I am a new creation in spiritual union with Christ. When I remember that, I walk away from the occasion to sin unscathed. Sin lost its connection with me in the very core of my being; it no longer has an anchor point in me. It cannot touch my permanence (the “me” born from above). Born of the spirit, I now draw life from the eternal, unseen, heavenly realm. As I continually call those things that “be not” as though they were, and let go of old identifications that no longer apply to a new creation in Christ, then my life will increasingly evidence the contrast that the world longs to see in believers.
I am asked to live a life of faith. I do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). I live by faith and not by sight. I identify by faith and not by sight. It is a lack of mind renewal that will cause me to make logical or casual connections with outward thoughts and feelings. In this way, it will feel like it is “me” that wants to sin when I am tempted.
It is also in this moment that religious thought would have me conclude that there is an “I” apart from Christ and that this “I” has two natures – an old nature (old man) and a new nature (new man). Outward signs provide false evidence to confirm the assumption. It is faulty and circumstantial evidence – and it will never support a conviction or a guilty verdict in the eyes of God. According to God, I am innocent – cleansed by His blood, sealed by His Spirit, and joined to Him in Christ.
Little by little, the Lord is proving His ability to bring me to full faith and right action through nothing more than a radical trust in His character (in me). This new heart and new life is God’s master plan for taking over the land (personally and collectively). This “Leaven”, when trusted, moves me into holy living and being. I am learning to trust the freedom as He reassures me that He will manifest Himself as I cling tightly to faith in our union.
Come, Lord Jesus, come. Make a triumphant reappearance in, through, and as each of those whom the Father has given you. Let your love story supersede all the notions of man. Open the eyes of our heart so that when we see You, we shall be like You. All glory and honor be Yours…
Hi Susan,
I just found this posting. Thank you for continuing to put these things into such eloquent, clarifying words, calling us back to what really matters. This is all thought provoking but I especially like this paragraph:
“It is also in this moment that religious thought would have me conclude that there is an “I” apart from Christ and that this “I” has two natures – an old nature (old man) and a new nature (new man). Outward signs provide false evidence to confirm the assumption. It is faulty and circumstantial evidence – and it will never support a conviction or a guilty verdict in the eyes of God. According to God, I am innocent – cleansed by His blood, sealed by His Spirit, and joined to Him in Christ.”
I love the way you put it, that all these things WE come up with will never support a guilty verdict in the eyes of God! I am filled with awe all over again as this paints a new viewpoint of the grace of God to me and the completeness of His salvation. Keep writing dear one!
Love
Sara