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John 17:23 The Lord Jesus Christ is in us in a distinctive, unique, saving way. Obviously, as the omnipresent God, Christ is in all the world. As the Creator of all men, He is in all men, giving all the light of conscience, by which all are found guilty and condemned from within themselves. As the incarnate God, as a man, our Lord Jesus was once here, dwelling among men. — “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us!” These things John tells us in chapter one (John 1:1-5, 9-11, 14). But when our Lord says, “I in them,” he is telling us that he is in every believing sinner in a special, gracious manner.
Christ in Us “I in them” — In regeneration, the new birth, he is revealed in us and to us. Christ is formed in us when we are born of God. He enters into the chosen, redeemed soul, taking possession of his ransomed one by almighty grace, establishes his throne in the heart, communicates his grace, and grants fellowship with himself, and dwells in the heart. He is to every heaven born soul, “Christ in you, the hope of glory!” He is in us by his Spirit, yes; but this text says more. He is personally in us! We are, in the new birth, “made partakers of the divine nature.” The Lord Jesus Christ himself is formed in us and dwells in us. He is in us as the King in his kingdom, as the Master in his house, and he is in us as the Head in his body. What wondrous, condescending grace! Christ is in us! Therefore, because he who is Holiness dwells in us, we have holiness within, that Holy Thing which is born of God and cannot sin. Because he who is Light dwells within, we have light and shall never walk in darkness. Because he who is Life dwells within, we have life, eternal life, within and shall never perish. Because Christ dwells within us now in grace, he shall dwell in us forever in glory!
God in Christ “I in them, and thou in me” — God the Father is in Christ, not only as one with him in the Holy Trinity, but also as our God-man Mediator. The Father is in the Son, communicating all grace to us through him. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are in Christ the Mediator in all the fulness of the eternal Godhead. — “In him dwelleth all the fulness of the godhead bodily!” The Father is in the Son graciously now, and will show himself in and through him and by him alone forever. The Father will show himself glorious in the Son throughout the endless ages of eternity!
Our Perfection Now, hear the reason for this and rejoice. — “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one.” God is in Christ and Christ is in us that we might be made perfect in him by God’s saving mercy, love, and grace!
Don Fortner
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Pastor Fortner’s
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