Natives of Christ.

As Christ is concerned, the least you could do is rest in what he said, what he did, and who he is. The most you could do is be thankful to him in your praises for what he had said and done. The fact that he’s not dead but alive again gives you just what you need to not only praise his name and deed, but also praise him and glorify him.

You can’t praise somebody who’s dead or absent. You can maybe praise their name in trying to show recognition for their achievements.

But as soon as you try to use that person’s name in the present tense, someone will remind you that he’s dead, “was…not is”, you’d often hear.

But Jesus is alive again, so you can praise him and speak of him in the present tense. You can’t glorify a spirit-less body. But Jesus is alive again and well, and is therefore glorified by such. Yes, the one who rose again, that’s him.

When Jesus came to live in you, he’s not just the one who rose again. He’s now the one who rose you again with His spirit bound with your spirit. We’re glorifying him not by the former things he did thousands of years ago, by the good news of His Spirit living now in us in good companionship with our spirit.

“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” (Romans 8:16)

“Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23)

“Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us, placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come.” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

These are the words who came from one who heard about Christ, who heard about his deeds, and yet was highly offended of Christ until he met Christ in person himself:

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

We are Christians, natives of Christ. We are Christ-in-me’s

“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)

That’s our glory for now. And this is what we profess and confess: Christ in us. Though many may see our exterior as Adam-in-us, but our hope, our joy, our peace speaks differently. Our hope, joy and peace speaks Christ-in-us. Such is our testimony, for we are witnesses unto him.

Praised and Glorified in us, through us, Jesus. Amen.