Part 4 of 12 – Believers Need to Intimately Know the Indwelling “Spirit of Christ”

This Article is part of a multi-part Study Series called The Spirit Of Life In Christ Jesus.

The Apostle Paul uses the terms “the Spirit” and “the spirit” ninety times in his thirteen epistles. Actually, punctuation and capitalization in our Bibles were added by the translators as they do not appear in the oldest manuscripts except for the names of God. These terms are among the most misunderstood by Christians. Correctly, the term “the spirit” with the lower case “s” always refers to the human “spirit of man” (Zech 12:1). Most often when Paul uses the term “the Spirit,” as seen with the “S” capitalized, he is not always referring not to “the Spirit of God” or “the Spirit of Christ” alone, but rather he often is referring to what may be called the intermingled Spirit” – that is the human spirit of the believer that is indwelled and intermingled with the resurrected “the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.” These two have become forever “one spirit” (1Cor 6:17). “The Spirit” referred to here below is “the intermingled Spirit,” as also seen in what might be called “the Spirit” chapter of Romans 8 (see verses 8:4, 5, 9-10, 13, 14, 23 and 27).

Galatians 5:25 (NIV) Since we live by (have life in) the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

As we see in this study series, “the Spirit” is most vital to the practical daily life experience of the Christian. In Gal 5:25 (above) the Apostle Paul is telling the Galatian believers the Christian’s life and walk is to be conducted in accord with (“in step with”) and according to “the intermingled Spirit,” which is where we find “the supply,” which is “of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Philipp 1:19). Christians must ultimately come to know personally and experientially, “the Spirit of Christ” (Rom 8:10) who dwells within them if they are to live by and in accord with His indwelling “Spirit of life.”

Also in Galatians 5:25 we should note the words “we” and “us.” These refer to the individual believer himself as an individual soul-self; as one who has received “the Spirit of Christ” and now needs to walk in accord with “the intermingled Spirit” that he possesses by Christ’s resurrected “Sprit of life” in union with his human spirit (1Cor 6:17). Christ lives in believers as their new life (Col 3:4a) and nature (2Peter 1:4).

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I (as a soul-self) live; yet not I, but CHRIST LIVETH IN ME: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

“The Spirit” is hid by the body and soul. God is the “one spirit”; then it is nothing less than the fullness of the “one God and Father of all,” now as “the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus,” who indwells believers.

Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 ONE GOD AND FATHER of all, who is above all, and through all, and IN YOU ALL.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and MY FATHER will love him, and WE WILL COME UNTO HIM, AND MAKE OUR ABODE WITH HIM.

I am always amazed at how supposed mature Christians are surprised when I show them the above verses. They most often don’t realize that God is absolutely “one” and that both the “Father” and “Christ” dwell within them. I believe one problem that prevents many Christians from seeing that Godhead in its entirety literally indwells believers stems from the traditional teaching of the “Trinity.”

The word “Trinity” does not appear in the Bible; it was first used by Tertullian (155-230 AD). Not until the fourth century did the teaching of the Trinity become part of church dogma. Common “Trinity” dogma says God consist of three individual persons who are one, seeming to suggest they are nearly “three individual gods.” This “three gods” idea leads many to falsely consider the “One Lord” and “One God” who is the “One Spirit” of Ephesians 4:4 as though He were “three individual eternal Gods” who are simply agreeable and closely related in purpose. This traditional inference of the Trinity creates more questions than it answers in many Christians’ minds. They seem to slice and dice the Triune Godhead, trying to assign differing duties to the three persons of the Triune Godhead as though they were not really “One.” Yet, Paul tells us in very clear literal terms that there is but “one God and Father” and “one Spirit.”  

The dogma of the Trinity as three individual persons leads many to consider God fragmented, distant, and away up there. Yet Paul writes of “the Spirit” who is “the Spirit of God” and “the Spirit of Christ” as being the “one” who abides within the believer – not being fragmented or “away up there.”

Romans 8:8-9 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But YE ARE not in the flesh, but IN (UNION WITH) THE SPIRIT, if so be that the SPIRIT OF GOD DWELL IN YOU. Now if any man have not the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, he is none of his.

Let’s now compare the terms “Trinity” and “Triune God.” The “Trinity” is typically defined as “a union of the three (individual) persons of the Godhead.” Thus some describe the structure of the Godhead as “three distinct personalities” that are individually deserving of reverence. On the other hand, “Triune” is defined as “three in one,” I believe this refers to “three states of the one God.” First God is the “invisible God” (Col 1:15) who “is spirit” (John 4:24); then we note God incarnated in Jesus of Nazareth as “the Son of God” and “Son of man.” Today we each may come to know Him as “the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:2a). The idea of “three individual persons” prevents believers from seeing God as He now is; as The “One God”… who is in Jesus Christ, who now is “the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:9), in whom even now dwells “the fullness of the Godhead.” (Colossians 2:9).

We must admit that unanswerable questions persist about the Triune God. Ultimately, only faith can help us to see and accept the truth of the Triune Godhead – “Triune” meaning “three literally being in and one with Jesus Christ simultaneously.” As we ponder the unanswerable we should consider these verses and their implications. They confirm the union of the Father and Son.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a CHILD is born, unto us a SON is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The MIGHTY GOD, The everlasting FATHER, The Prince of Peace. We know this “child” is “the son” Jesus Christ, who was and is at the very same time “the mighty God” and “the everlasting Father.”

Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be RULER IN ISRAEL (THE CHRIST); WHOSE GOINGS FORTH HAVE BEEN FROM OF OLD, FROM EVERLASTING.

John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHICH IS IN THE BOSOM OF THE FATHER, he hath declared him.

John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify Me (Jesus) with Your own self (the Father), with the glory which I had WITH YOU BEFORE THE WORLD WAS.

Given Isaiah 9:6 (above), we could then conclude that the “child” who is “the Son,” who was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane the night of His betrayal and death, was also “the Father” in heaven hearing that prayer. It’s no surprise that He is also calledwonderful.” Yet, this is the fact of the inerrant Scripture.

I cannot entirely explain such “three in oneness” in natural terms, but I can accept its truth… by faith. How could one accept the prophetic truth of Isaiah 9:6 except by faith? But then neither can I fully explain in natural earthly terms how it is that, as believers, “the Spirit of Christ” who indwells you also indwells me, and at the same time Christ, who now is “that Spirit,” is simultaneously seated at “the right hand of God” (Rom 8:34, Heb 12:2). These are the wonders of “the Spirit.”

The point is that, due to common misunderstandings of the Triune God and the unwillingness of many to simply accept the truth of the “three literally in one” by faith, many believers miss out on knowing the fullness of “the Spirit of Christ” that dwells within them as their new and eternal life. The fact is that Jesus now is “the Lord” and “that Spirit.”  2Cor 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit. The Jews, in Hebrew, called God “Adonai,” rendered “Lord” in the Bible, with a capital L” followed by lower case letters.

We can say the believer’s union is with God the Father who eternally existed in union with the Son (John 1:1-2, 8:58, 17:5, Micah 5:2), who now may be personally experienced in and through “the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:2a) within the believer’s own spirit.

 

Part 5 of 12 – “If any man have not the SPIRIT OF CHRIST he is none of his” (Rom 8:9b)

God is the eternal (invisible) Spirit” (Heb 9:14) that became clothed in the human flesh body of Jesus of Nazareth (John 1:14). Then He became purely spirit again by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead when “the Lord” Jesus became “that Spirit” (2Cor 3:17a), but Jesus was not a naked spirit, He was now “clothed” in a spirit-body, just as all believers will one day be likewise “clothed.”

2 Corinthians 5:1-6 (AMP) FOR WE (believers) know that if the tent (our physical body) which is our earthly home is destroyed (dissolved), we have from God a building, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Here indeed, in this [present abode, body], we sigh and groan inwardly, because we yearn to be clothed over [we yearn to put on our celestial body like a garment, to be fitted out] with our heavenly dwelling, 3 So that by putting it on we may not be found naked (without a body). 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan under the burden and sigh deeply (weighed down, depressed, oppressed)—not that we want to put off the body (the clothing of the spirit), but rather that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal (our dying body) may be swallowed up by life [after the resurrection]. 5 Now He Who has fashioned us [preparing and making us fit] for this very thing is God, Who also has given us the [Holy] Spirit as a guarantee [of the fulfillment of His promise]. 6 So then, we are always full of good and hopeful and confident courage; we know that while we are at home in the body, we are abroad from the home with the Lord [that is promised us].

In order to understand “the Spirit” as personally relating to the believer we must first clearly understand how God is eternally a “spirit” being. We must look closer at God who “is spirit.”

God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24 (NASB).

The translators of the NASB (New American Standard Bible) have here above properly used the lower case “s” for the word “spirit.” John is not here saying “God is the Holy Spirit,” but rather that God is made of “spirit” as His substance. The KJV has this verse “God is a spirit.” The KJV italicizes the word “is” because it was added and not in the Greek text. Actually still, this phrase is better seen as it appears in the NASB and NIV and in others versions that have the phrase “God is spirit.”

God, before Jesus was incarnated, was purely an invisible spirit, not physical; today, after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, God is again not a physical being per se’. Jesus now is the resurrected Lord God and today He possesses a spirit-body, one that can pass through doors (John 20:26). The word “spirit” in John 4:24 simply speaks of the substance of God, as wood may be the substance of a table, or as a ring may be made of gold. This verse simply indicates God’s material is spirit; and then that true worshippers must function in that spirit realm in order to commune with Him. That’s why God created mankind with “the spirit of man (Zechariah 12:1).

Also, “spirit” here is not a title. There is no basis here for capitalizing the word “spirit.” This text is simply telling us of God is not physical, but rather He is “spirit,” and… “those who worship Him must worship Him in and with their spirit” (paraphrased). We may offer reverence to the Lord by the attitude of our body, but actually, we do not and in fact cannot really worship or engage the Lord physically; it must be spirit to Spirit. Upon seeing this fact and truth, then we realize that our relationship with God must be as spirit to Spirit - our human spirit God’s Spirit, as seen in the verses here below. This spirit union was established in the news birth…Spirit to spirit.

God initiates communion with men Spirit to spirit. John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Reborn believers may then maintain ongoing communion with the Lord… spirit to Spirit. Thus John 4:24 says we as the real “worshippers of God must worship him in and by our spirit.” Then also live our lives ought to be lived in accord with Christ’s Spirit, living and moving within our spirit. Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Note here that Paul says he served God with his spirit; no doubt as he was led in life by the Spirit of Christ. Romans 1:9a For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son…

Paul also prayed and sang with His spirit and with his understanding also; no doubt as he was led by the Spirit. 1 Cor. 14:15-16I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Upon Jesus’ human experience of suffering and death, and then by His experience of resurrection as “the spirit of life in Christ,” He then had become well able to personally know and understand us in our human frailty and experiences, and to be to us all that we need in our living. Thus Paul wrote these words.

Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest (Christ) which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but (He) was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in (union with) me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

It is by the impartation of Christ’s resurrected Spirit into the believer’s spirit at the moment of their rebirth that their human spirit becomes reborn of Christ’s overcoming “Spirit of life.” A believer then is literally “one spirit” with Christ by the union of His Spirit and their spirit. 1 Cor. 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one (in) spirit.

When a believer initially believes to receive Christ they are “saved” from perdition (Act 16:31), and then simultaneously become the literal birthed “children of God,” born of God’s “Spirit-Seed” (1Peter 1:23).

John 3:6 (KJV) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed (Gk., sperma), but of incorruptible, by the word of God (“The WORD” and “Seed” is Christ, Jn 1:1, Gal 3:16)…

John 1:12 (NASB) But as many as received Him (Christ’s Spirit), to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

1 John 3:1 (KJV) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not..

1 John 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him (Christ), and he (Christ) in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

Romans 8:9b Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his

Thus it is conclusive that every re-born child of God possesses “the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” in their spirit.