Christ Becomes a Rich Supply to us for Our Growth unto New Jerusalem
By confessing that we were sinners and turning to receive Jesus Christ, we became children of God. Then He became a rich supply to us so that we could participate in the accomplishment of God’s purpose which climaxes with the appearing of New Jerusalem. Here are a few verses about what Christ has become to us.
First Corinthians 1:30 tells us that we “are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom to us from God: both righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” These three aspects of Christ as our wisdom fully prepare us for New Jerusalem. Christ is our:
(1) righteousness (for our past), by which we have been justified by God, that we might be reborn in our spirit to receive the divine life (Rom. 5:18); (2) sanctification (for our present), by which we are being…transformed…with His divine life (Rom. 6:19, 22); and (3) redemption (for our future), the redemption of our body (Rom. 8:23), by which we will be transfigured…to have His glorious likeness (Phil. 3:21).*
According to 2 Peter 1:4, “He has granted to us precious and exceedingly great promises that through these you might become partakers of the divine nature.” This partaking is necessary for New Jerusalem which is a city of gold, a spiritual symbol of God.
Also, Hebrews 3:14 tells us, “we have become partners of Christ, if indeed we hold fast the beginning of the assurance firm to the end.” We cooperate with Christ’s work in us to build God’s habitation, the church, which becomes New Jerusalem. In the context of Hebrews 3, to “hold fast the assurance” is to keep our heart turned to the Lord, soft toward Him, hearing, believing, and obeying His word.
* A portion of footnote 2 on 1 Corinthians 1:30 in the Recovery Version Bible, published and © by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim CA, 2003.
Photo courtesy of pixabay.com.
Posted by Don on March 21, 2022
Christ Becomes a Rich Supply to us for Our Growth unto New Jerusalem
