Do We Follow

Do We Follow “Christ In You” Or, “Jesus of Nazareth,” Outside of You?

By Arthur J Licursi

In this paper I want us to consider the implications of what the Apostle Paul has to say in 2Cor 5:16b in reference to the Jesus of Nazareth, who lived in the flesh.

2 Cor. 5:16b … though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

Paul here on this matter tells us that we are to no longer know Christ after the flesh (as Jesus of Nazareth). How could Paul say this? It is because Paul’s mystery Gospel was in accord with the eternal plan of God – to have His life, that is in the resurrected Christ, come to indwell all believers, both Gentile and Jew; thus making one new body, of those who then are neither Jew nor Gentile (Gal 3:28). They are the members of the Body of Christ (Col 3:11), one new man. True to this, have you ever noticed that Paul never references in his many epistles anything Jesus of Nazareth did (e.g. no miraculous signs) or said (e.g., no beatitudes) during His terrestrial ministry to Israel, except regarding Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.

Paul tells us that Jesus, who is the Lord, is now the Spirit who indwells the believer’s spirit. 2 Cor. 3:17a Now the Lord is that Spirit: ... Col. 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Romans 8:8-10 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9But ye are not in the flesh, but in 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. 10And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Paul says we need to heed the “Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:2) who now is in us, in order to walk according to Christ's moment by moment leading. Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:25 If we (since) live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

This paper contains is a list of stark comparisons when we consider the characteristics of the life of two kinds of believers. One "way" issues in rest and peace, while the other “way” leads to frustration.

1) To the believers who follow Christ within their spirit as He now is (1Cor 6:17, Col 1:26-27), as the indwelling life of the believer, Christ is alive, right now, indwelling their spirit. They enjoy rest and peace. Romans 8:6b the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;

2) To those believers who follow the historical words of Jesus of Nazareth, trying to decipher WWJD and imitate Him, the Christian life seems a trial, an impossible task.

The historical Jesus of Nazareth was then, and is now, separate from people, outside of them – but we now have the resurrected “Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” within us, with His moment by moment leading. We are not to imitate Jesus of Nazareth, but rather we are to yield to the sense of Christ alive within us.

This paper may provide help for those who need to see the fallacy and impossibility of endeavoring to follow what Jesus of Nazareth said. Thankfully, resurrected Jesus is now the indwelling Christ. Acts 2:36b … God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. A change has happened - Jesus is now the Christ who is, "the life-giving spirit" (1Cor 15:45, Rom 8:2a) indwelling “as many as receive Him” (Jn 1:12), as “the Spirit of life” (Rom 8:2a)

Thus, the core of our subjective, personal, understanding of Paul’s mystery Gospel is seen in the truth of the mystery (secret) gospel revealed first (Eph 3:1-12) to Paul, Col. 1:26-27 Even the mystery (secret) which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

“Christ in you” is “the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” indwelling us individually, that He might also indwell His body, corporately. This indwelling of His body members, which we are, then makes us “the church, which is His body” (Eph 1:22-23), “the body of Christ.” The term “body of Christ” is spoken of by no other Bible writer. Christ possesses this body by His literal indwelling as the Spirit of life in each body member. Having Christ in is, we now have His life as our life (Col 3:4a, Gal 2:20). No denomination can confer His indwelling – He simply must be received via a believing faith (Acts 16:31). Having received Him by faith (Col 2:6), we are to walk daily in the very same manner, by faith, believing that He has come to dwell in us as our life. We, as Abraham was, are those who are not of works, but rather, of faith. Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

The implications of Paul’s revelation of the mystery (Rom 16:25) of the indwelling of the life of the resurrected Christ in the members of His body members, “the church, which is His body” on earth, stands in stark contrast to the core of the teachings that are taught by most all so-called “Christian” churches, denominations (sects). Most ignore Paul’s revelation of the indwelling Spirit of Christ and rather they promote Jesus of Nazareth, “according to the flesh,” as He was as a man when He came to be the “minister of the Circumcision” (To the Jews, Rom 15:8). This Jesus of Nazareth was, and still is now, outside of those He spoke with, yet they preach Jesus of Nazareth is to be followed by the members of His body by attempting to mimic Him and to do all the things Jesus said the Jews must do in order to gain the Messianic Kingdom on earth. This sets up the Christian to try and follow the Jesus of Nazareth, who is outside the believer, as one being yet separate from the believer. Christ came to be our spontaneous indwelling life, not a pattern for Christians to imitate, except in His trust of the Father’s life that was in Him. Most ignore the literal union we already have with Christ, by “Christ in you.” We see this error clearly in religion’s promotion of the concept of WWJD (What would Jesus do?) We rather should be walking daily by “the spirit of life in Christ Jesus” who is alive in us, right now.

Thus, Paul admonishes us to “walk in the Spirit,” “walk according to the Spirit,” and to “yield” to the Spirit alive in us, empowering us. Since Jesus came to die and rise as “the life-giving spirit” (1Cor 15:45), wouldn’t it be wise to deny self-effort and yield to His indwelling Spirit of life?

The following table lists many characteristics that contrast the view of two types of Christians.

1. Those who walk by Christ as the Spirit of life, in them as their life (Gal 2:20).

2. Those who walk by trying to obey and imitate Jesus of Nazareth, who is outside of them.

The implication of a believer not seeing the truth of Paul’s gospel, of Christ’s indwelling the members of His body, which we are, is that they are prevented from enjoying the benefits of Christ who is their overcoming, powerful and righteous life of peace. Such ignorance of this truth limits the believer to the cycle of trying and failing, because, since they do not yet know and trust the resurrected ascended Christ who indwells them, they “try to do” and live “for” God by their impotent self-effort. My prayer that all believers may come to see “the revelation of the mystery (Rom 16:25),” which is “Christ in you the hope of glory (Col 1:27)”

I pray in agreement with Paul’s prayer of Ephesians 1:17-18, that as Paul had a revelation of Christ in Paul (Gal 1:16), so should every believing child of God needs a revelation of Christ in them. That revelation is the singular most important key to living the Christian life. Consider Paul’s prayer.

Ephes. 1:17-18 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. ^{18I pray also that the eyes
of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to
which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in
the saints, (NIV)}

Contrasting View of People Related According to Either of the Following

CHRIST IN YOU as the Spirit of Life

- JESUS OUTSIDE of YOU. the man

^{Christ is all (Col 3:11b), as we simply
submit to His lordship as He reigns from within.} ^{Self is trying to be like Jesus of
Nazareth. Thus, self’s effort thereby is the center & focus}

^{Based upon revelation to Paul (Gal 1:6,
Eph 3:3)} ^{Based on Old Testament Scripture (Act
3:24)}

^{Follow Paul’s revelation of “Christ
in you” (1Cor 4:16, 11:1)} ^{Follow the Law of Israel & Jesus of
Nazareth’s instruction to the Jews, while He was on earth.}

^{Makes us living members of “the
body of Christ” (1Cor 12:27), His Temple} ^{Basis is the church systems of men’s
traditions and religions}

^{Relationship based on Christ indwelling
each and all believers as His temple (2Cor 6:16b)} ^{Relationship based upon the traditions
of the organizations, institutions, and systems of men}

^{Believers are organically born into God’s
literal family (Eph 3:15)} ^{People join or are voted into
membership}

^{Based upon a living organism (1John
5:11-12)} ^{Based upon an organization}

^{Take the name of Christ (Rev 2:13)} ^{Take the name of their denomination or
sect}

^{Christ centered (John 6:57)} ^{Self-centered}

^{Live by the Spirit (2Cor 3:6)} ^{Live by fleshly self-effort}

^{Heaven oriented (Philip 3:20)} ^{Earthly oriented, “thy kingdom come”}

^{Based upon pure grace and faith (Eph
2:8-9)} ^{Based upon grace Plus works}

^{Overcomes sin (1John 5:4-5)} ^{Empowers Sin (1Cor 15:56b)}

^{Issues in the enjoying His life (Zoë,
Spirit)} ^{Issues in death (1Cor 15:56a)}

^{Based on faith alone (Gal 3:11)} ^{Based upon faith plus works}

^{“Being” who we are in Christ (2Cor
5:17)} ^{“Doing” to try to be like Jesus}

^{Issues in “rest” (Heb 4:8-11)} ^{Promotes “works,” a “burden”}

^{Issues in light (1John 1:17)} ^{Leaves one in darkness}

^{Makes one dependent, humble (2Cor
1:8-9)} ^{Feeds pride, haughtiness}

^{Liberty (2Cor 3:17, Gal 5:1)} ^Bondage

^{Has Christ as Head (Col 1:18)} ^{Has religious Authorities}

^{Spirit-led (Rom 8:14)} ^{Led by regulations and principals}

^{Spirit-sensitive (Gal 5:16, 25)} ^{Deny the Spirit – preferring
non-rightly divided Scripture (2Tim 2:15)}

^{Authority is the Word & the Spirit
(2Cor 3:6)} ^{Authority is man-made doctrine}

^{Work by obeying the lead of indwelling
Holy Spirit (Rom 8:16)} ^{Work according to the planned program
of the organization}

^{Accomplish by the Holy Spirit (Gal
5:22)} ^{Accomplish by Self-effort, vowing and
trying}

^{Makes One Body (1Cor 12:27)} ^{Makes many divisions, sects,
denominations}

^{Worship in Spirit & Reality (John
4:24)} ^{Program, liturgy & outward praise}

^{Preach Christ crucified, resurrected
and now “in you” (Col 1:27-28a), according to the revelation of the
mystery (Rom 16:25)} ^{Promote WWJD, “How to” seminars,
workshops, traditions, personal views, opinions}

^{Answer to God as Father} ^{Answer to religious authorities}

^{Gain revelation of the spirit (Eph
1:15-18)} ^{Have imagination darkened (2Cor 10:5)}

^{People conformed to image of Christ} ^{People conformed to image of men’s
doctrine}

^{Count all things loss for the knowledge
(experiential knowledge) of Christ (Philip 3:8)} ^{Counts numbers of people and money}

^{Lay down their life (1John 3:16)} ^{Organization protects itself}

^{Members decrease (John 3:30)} ^{Increase in power, position, reputation}

^{Wait upon the Lord (Gal 5:5)} ^{Organizes and work the program}

^{Seek and gather unto the Lord (Col 3:1)} ^{Seeks numbers and a people to gather
unto itself, “our church”}

^{Seek the eternal habitation of the Lord
in the heavenlies (Col 3:1)} ^{Seek to build buildings, organizations
“to make a name.” (as with Babylon)}

^{Follow Paul’s commission “to
make all men see the revelation of the mystery” (Eph 3:9), and the
ministry of reconciliation. (2Cor 5:18-19)} ^{Erroneously follow the Great Commission
given to the Jews for the Jews.}

^<<END>>

CHRIST IN YOU as the Spirit of Life	- JESUS OUTSIDE of YOU. the man
^{Christ is all (Col 3:11b), as we simply submit to His lordship as He reigns from within.}	^{Self is trying to be like Jesus of Nazareth. Thus, self’s effort thereby is the center & focus}
^{Based upon revelation to Paul (Gal 1:6, Eph 3:3)}	^{Based on Old Testament Scripture (Act 3:24)}
^{Follow Paul’s revelation of “Christ in you” (1Cor 4:16, 11:1)}	^{Follow the Law of Israel & Jesus of Nazareth’s instruction to the Jews, while He was on earth.}
^{Makes us living members of “the body of Christ” (1Cor 12:27), His Temple}	^{Basis is the church systems of men’s traditions and religions}
^{Relationship based on Christ indwelling each and all believers as His temple (2Cor 6:16b)}	^{Relationship based upon the traditions of the organizations, institutions, and systems of men}
^{Believers are organically born into God’s literal family (Eph 3:15)}	^{People join or are voted into membership}
^{Based upon a living organism (1John 5:11-12)}	^{Based upon an organization}
^{Take the name of Christ (Rev 2:13)}	^{Take the name of their denomination or sect}
^{Christ centered (John 6:57)}	^{Self-centered}
^{Live by the Spirit (2Cor 3:6)}	^{Live by fleshly self-effort}
^{Heaven oriented (Philip 3:20)}	^{Earthly oriented, “thy kingdom come”}
^{Based upon pure grace and faith (Eph 2:8-9)}	^{Based upon grace Plus works}
^{Overcomes sin (1John 5:4-5)}	^{Empowers Sin (1Cor 15:56b)}
^{Issues in the enjoying His life (Zoë, Spirit)}	^{Issues in death (1Cor 15:56a)}
^{Based on faith alone (Gal 3:11)}	^{Based upon faith plus works}
^{“Being” who we are in Christ (2Cor 5:17)}	^{“Doing” to try to be like Jesus}
^{Issues in “rest” (Heb 4:8-11)}	^{Promotes “works,” a “burden”}
^{Issues in light (1John 1:17)}	^{Leaves one in darkness}
^{Makes one dependent, humble (2Cor 1:8-9)}	^{Feeds pride, haughtiness}
^{Liberty (2Cor 3:17, Gal 5:1)}	^Bondage
^{Has Christ as Head (Col 1:18)}	^{Has religious Authorities}
^{Spirit-led (Rom 8:14)}	^{Led by regulations and principals}
^{Spirit-sensitive (Gal 5:16, 25)}	^{Deny the Spirit – preferring non-rightly divided Scripture (2Tim 2:15)}
^{Authority is the Word & the Spirit (2Cor 3:6)}	^{Authority is man-made doctrine}
^{Work by obeying the lead of indwelling Holy Spirit (Rom 8:16)}	^{Work according to the planned program of the organization}
^{Accomplish by the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22)}	^{Accomplish by Self-effort, vowing and trying}
^{Makes One Body (1Cor 12:27)}	^{Makes many divisions, sects, denominations}
^{Worship in Spirit & Reality (John 4:24)}	^{Program, liturgy & outward praise}
^{Preach Christ crucified, resurrected and now “in you” (Col 1:27-28a), according to the revelation of the mystery (Rom 16:25)}	^{Promote WWJD, “How to” seminars, workshops, traditions, personal views, opinions}
^{Answer to God as Father}	^{Answer to religious authorities}
^{Gain revelation of the spirit (Eph 1:15-18)}	^{Have imagination darkened (2Cor 10:5)}
^{People conformed to image of Christ}	^{People conformed to image of men’s doctrine}
^{Count all things loss for the knowledge (experiential knowledge) of Christ (Philip 3:8)}	^{Counts numbers of people and money}
^{Lay down their life (1John 3:16)}	^{Organization protects itself}
^{Members decrease (John 3:30)}	^{Increase in power, position, reputation}
^{Wait upon the Lord (Gal 5:5)}	^{Organizes and work the program}
^{Seek and gather unto the Lord (Col 3:1)}	^{Seeks numbers and a people to gather unto itself, “our church”}
^{Seek the eternal habitation of the Lord in the heavenlies (Col 3:1)}	^{Seek to build buildings, organizations “to make a name.” (as with Babylon)}
^{Follow Paul’s commission “to make all men see the revelation of the mystery” (Eph 3:9), and the ministry of reconciliation. (2Cor 5:18-19)}	^{Erroneously follow the Great Commission given to the Jews for the Jews.}