The Mystery of Christian Life: The Magnification of Christ in Us

 

The Mystery of Christian Life: The Magnification of Christ in Us

• Colossians 1:27 "Christ in you, the hope of glory"

• Galatians 2:20 "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me"

• Philippians 1:20 "Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death"

• Philippians 1:21 "For to me, to live is Christ" 

Item	The Mystery of Christian Life: The Magnification of Christ in Us
Reasons	• The mystery of Christian life is centered in Christ Himself • Christ lives in believers as their life • Christian life is not merely human life, but Christ living through us • Magnifying Christ means endlessly expressing Christ's infinite nature • Without this mystery, our life would be merely human, not Christian
Explanation	• Christian life differs from worldly life as it manifests the mystery of Christ • Worldly people live for themselves, Christians let Christ live in them • Christian life qualities (love, humility, patience) are mysterious, transcending human limitations • Magnifying Christ reveals to the universe that Christ as our life is infinite • The world considers Christ finite, but when we live by Christ, His infinity is revealed • Virtues displayed by Christians surpass limited human virtues • This mystery is the essence of life, not performance or imitation
Examples	• Being thankful in favorable circumstances, praising in adversity, causing wonder • Paul's unlimited patience in prison magnified Christ • No matter how long Paul was imprisoned, his patience could not be exhausted • True Christian patience is inexhaustible • Christian humility differs essentially from Confucian humility • Christian love appears different yet is unlimited • The more circumstances deplete patience, the more patience increases, never exhausted<br>• Jesus taught forgiveness seventy times seven, showing endless forgiveness
Applications	• Manifesting Christ's mystery in all circumstances (positive, negative, enjoyable, suffering) • Living out mysterious love, humility, patience, and forgiveness • Our faithfulness, patience, humility, and forgiveness should be infinite • Not relying on our limited strength but on Christ's infinite life • Magnifying Christ in all environments • Making our life a mysterious testimony unexplainable by common sense • This mystery can conquer the devil, evil spirits, wicked angels, and convince people
Related Scriptures	• Matthew 18:21-22 "Forgive seventy times seven" • Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" • Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind"

 

Conclusion:

The mystery of Christian life lies in Christ Himself living in believers and being expressed through them. This mystery enables Christians to manifest life qualities that transcend human limitations in all circumstances, such as endless patience, unlimited love, and forgiveness. When Christians live by Christ, Christ is magnified as the infinite One, testifying to the universe of the richness and mystery of Christ's life. This is not achieved through human effort but by allowing Christ's life to flow naturally through us.

 

*Please refer to the July 2024 Anaheim, California, USA training Experiencing, Enjoying and Manifesting Christ (II) Week 21 The Mystery of the Church