Reflections
When Paul said, “All things are of God,” he used Greek words that could have been translated, “all things are OUT FROM God.” He is stating that everything having to do with the new creation in Christ is OF God, and is OUT FROM God.
This statement is based on the fact that the new creature in Christ is what is born from above when Jesus Christ joins Himself to us – His Spirit becomes one with our human spirit. Our oneness with Him makes us a new creature – not because of anything contributed by ourselves – but because of our oneness with HIM. All that is contained in new life from above is FROM OUT OF GOD through Christ.
This is important to see because if, “all things,” that speak of new life in Christ are, “from out of God,” then this likewise means that NOTHING is from out from US. Christ is the Treasure – all the value is IN HIM. We are merely the earthen vessel — recipients by His grace of the Treasure.
Most Christians tend to define their Christian life by what they have given to God. But true Christianity is defined by what we have RECEIVED – Christ in us. Likewise, in this day and age, it is often taught that Jesus has joined Himself to us to bring out OUR greatness — to enhance our potential. Christ is made to be an adjunct power that is given to satisfy our desire for self-worth. These things are lies.
Jesus Christ did not come to enhance our sense of self-worth. Neither did He come to destroy self-worth. If I am living in either of these delusions, I am still a prisoner of SELF. Rather, He came to deliver us from self altogether. One who knows Christ is learning to leave themselves alone.
They will know they are nothing. But it will not matter because they will be living from out of Christ as their ALL.
This is absolutely impossible to accomplish through human means. You can take psychiatry, drugs, or intoxicate yourself with religion. But in the end, all you will have to deal with is YOU. It is only if we lose ourselves to Christ and leave ourselves alone into His hands, will we begin to realize Him — and through the Truth of knowing Him be delivered. And then we will see that as new creations in Christ that ALL things are out from God. Jesus Christ has given us life, yes, but more importantly, Jesus Christ IS our life. (Col. 3:4)