Jesus Christ is my God!
Issued 06.04.2002
Godīs form
Shape of a body is not as important as the form of character expressed by thoughts and words coming out of the heart. Looking at the form of God is nourishing the mind of man. If a Christian lives as Christ lived he has the form of Christ. The Bible's Jesus shows the beauty of God's form. He is the exact representation of His being and the radiance of His glory. Look at the loveliness of His form, and fall in love with Him!
God's image in us
God created us in His own image, but because of the sin we have lost His likeness. Now He again wants reveal Himself in us. He sent His Son to the world so that we would be changed into His likeness.
The form of Christ is missing in many Christians, because they have not nourished their souls by looking at the form of Jesus. They don't walk as Jesus did, because they are not one with Him in spirit. Because they have nourished their soul by following religious manners, they have got the form of their denominations. Many Christians have the form of Catholicism, Lutheranism, Baptism or Pentecostalism. If they knew Jesus, they would have His form.
Paul, the apostle said about himself: "God was pleased to reveal His Son in me." Gal.1:16 . He said to the Galatians bewitched by their religiousness: "My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you." Gal.4:19
Who would like to have the form of Jesus! Isaiah saw already hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus that people did not like His form. "Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him." Isaiah.53:1-2
People consider the biblical Christianity gloomy and repulsive. They look at it like a little and insignificant plant pushing out from the dry ground. They don't wonder how life is coming up from the dry ground, but they despise its insignificance.
God created us in His own image, but because of the sin we have lost His likeness. Now He again wants reveal Himself in us. He sent His Son to the world so that we would be changed into His likeness.
The form of Christ is missing in many Christians, because they have not nourished their souls by looking at the form of Jesus. They don't walk as Jesus did, because they are not one with Him in spirit. Because they have nourished their soul by following religious manners, they have got the form of their denominations. Many Christians have the form of Catholicism, Lutheranism, Baptism or Pentecostalism. If they knew Jesus, they would have His form.
Paul, the apostle said about himself: "God was pleased to reveal His Son in me." Gal.1:16 . He said to the Galatians bewitched by their religiousness: "My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you." Gal.4:19
Who would like to have the form of Jesus! Isaiah saw already hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus that people did not like His form. "Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him." Isaiah.53:1-2
People consider the biblical Christianity gloomy and repulsive. They look at it like a little and insignificant plant pushing out from the dry ground. They don't wonder how life is coming up from the dry ground, but they despise its insignificance.
Mystery of the true Christianity
However someone stops beside the tender Shoot and finds a treasure. The secret of the true Christianity is only opened for those who know personally Jesus Christ. God uncovers His secret to them: "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Col.1:27
God has ordered believers to be like Jesus: "For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers." Rom.8:29
If you love Jesus, you want to be changed into His likeness. By looking at Him you will be conformed. If your love for Jesus grows cold, you will be arrested by your sinful nature. If you lose your identity in Jesus, then the identity of your denomination overwhelms you. Therefore the world is full of Christians without Christ. Turn to God and ask to look at the form of God in Jesus Christ. "We, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2Cor.3:18
However someone stops beside the tender Shoot and finds a treasure. The secret of the true Christianity is only opened for those who know personally Jesus Christ. God uncovers His secret to them: "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Col.1:27
God has ordered believers to be like Jesus: "For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers." Rom.8:29
If you love Jesus, you want to be changed into His likeness. By looking at Him you will be conformed. If your love for Jesus grows cold, you will be arrested by your sinful nature. If you lose your identity in Jesus, then the identity of your denomination overwhelms you. Therefore the world is full of Christians without Christ. Turn to God and ask to look at the form of God in Jesus Christ. "We, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2Cor.3:18
The form of the submission of Jesus
Submission to God is the first quality of Jesus that must be adopted by a believer. Jesus said: "My teaching is not my own. It comes from Him who sent me." John.7:16 Jesus operated as an errand boy of His Father. He asked glory to His Sender, not to Himself. He represented His Father, not Himself. Jesus didn't think about what He would like to do with His life. He didn't have any plans for His future. "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me." John.6:38 Do in the same way and Christ will be formed in you.
Let's abandon our own opinions and plans and let's seek only the glory of Jesus and the will of God in all our decisions. Jesus said: "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." John.20:21 We cannot be sent by Jesus, if we live according to our own plans. Dependence on God, submission to His plans and seeking of His interests express the form of character of Jesus.
This world is not pleased with this kind of form! It looks scornfully at the submission of Jesus and will perish with the chaos created by its selfishness.Independence, self-sufficiency and seeking of own benefit express the form of our sinful nature. Turn your back to the self-will of the world and see the beauty of the submission to God in the words and deeds of Jesus. In this way also you can become submissive to God in everything.
Submission to God is the first quality of Jesus that must be adopted by a believer. Jesus said: "My teaching is not my own. It comes from Him who sent me." John.7:16 Jesus operated as an errand boy of His Father. He asked glory to His Sender, not to Himself. He represented His Father, not Himself. Jesus didn't think about what He would like to do with His life. He didn't have any plans for His future. "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me." John.6:38 Do in the same way and Christ will be formed in you.
Let's abandon our own opinions and plans and let's seek only the glory of Jesus and the will of God in all our decisions. Jesus said: "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." John.20:21 We cannot be sent by Jesus, if we live according to our own plans. Dependence on God, submission to His plans and seeking of His interests express the form of character of Jesus.
This world is not pleased with this kind of form! It looks scornfully at the submission of Jesus and will perish with the chaos created by its selfishness.Independence, self-sufficiency and seeking of own benefit express the form of our sinful nature. Turn your back to the self-will of the world and see the beauty of the submission to God in the words and deeds of Jesus. In this way also you can become submissive to God in everything.
The form of the humbleness of Jesus
Humbleness is the most important quality of Jesus which must mould a Christian. "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man." Phil.2:5-7
Although Jesus did miracles He didn't pose as a super preacher but an ordinary man. He didn't allow any outward thing to express that He is the Son of God. He didn't come to be served but to serve, although He was the Lord of everything.
He didn't seek publicity and respect or worship of people. When He became too famous He fled to a wilderness and hid from publicity. When the people wanted to make Him a king, He refused to take political power. When some praised Him He said that only God is good. He said that His deeds were done by His Father. "It is the Father, living in me, who is doing His work." John.14:10 A Christian in the form of Christ says: "It is Jesus, living in me, who is doing His work."
The faces of the self-opinionated darken before the humbleness of Jesus. How could it be possible that a proud one could see any beauty in Jesus the Nazarene! It is just because of the humbleness of Jesus that many do not believe that He is God. Instead anyone touched by God's grace puts Jesus' humbleness into practice. He makes himself nothing and takes the very nature of a servant. The one full of one's own importance is without the form of Christ.
Humbleness is the most important quality of Jesus which must mould a Christian. "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man." Phil.2:5-7
Although Jesus did miracles He didn't pose as a super preacher but an ordinary man. He didn't allow any outward thing to express that He is the Son of God. He didn't come to be served but to serve, although He was the Lord of everything.
He didn't seek publicity and respect or worship of people. When He became too famous He fled to a wilderness and hid from publicity. When the people wanted to make Him a king, He refused to take political power. When some praised Him He said that only God is good. He said that His deeds were done by His Father. "It is the Father, living in me, who is doing His work." John.14:10 A Christian in the form of Christ says: "It is Jesus, living in me, who is doing His work."
The faces of the self-opinionated darken before the humbleness of Jesus. How could it be possible that a proud one could see any beauty in Jesus the Nazarene! It is just because of the humbleness of Jesus that many do not believe that He is God. Instead anyone touched by God's grace puts Jesus' humbleness into practice. He makes himself nothing and takes the very nature of a servant. The one full of one's own importance is without the form of Christ.
The form of the impartiality of Jesus
Truth is impartial. God's impartiality is expressed in the life of Jesus. It is the foundation of the saving gospel, because God gave Jesus as a sacrifice for everyone. Without favourites God judges everyone according to one's deeds. In the same way He doesn't show favouritism when He gives mercy on a person, who believes in the gospel. Jesus is an unbribable messenger of truth in judgement as well as in mercy. He handled all people equally, whether Jews or Gentiles, rich or poor, men or women, slaves or free.
Who would take to the absoluteness of Jesus! A sinner has the form of a diplomatic plotter, who doesn't know any absolute truth. Everything is relative to him. A sinful nature is practised in flattery and slander. Instead a Jesus' own is equally unbribable as God to witness for truth. A believer can put the impartiality of Jesus in practice in countless situations of his life.
Truth is impartial. God's impartiality is expressed in the life of Jesus. It is the foundation of the saving gospel, because God gave Jesus as a sacrifice for everyone. Without favourites God judges everyone according to one's deeds. In the same way He doesn't show favouritism when He gives mercy on a person, who believes in the gospel. Jesus is an unbribable messenger of truth in judgement as well as in mercy. He handled all people equally, whether Jews or Gentiles, rich or poor, men or women, slaves or free.
Who would take to the absoluteness of Jesus! A sinner has the form of a diplomatic plotter, who doesn't know any absolute truth. Everything is relative to him. A sinful nature is practised in flattery and slander. Instead a Jesus' own is equally unbribable as God to witness for truth. A believer can put the impartiality of Jesus in practice in countless situations of his life.
The form of the self-sacrifice of Jesus
Sharing one's own and self-sacrificing serving express the form of Jesus in us. "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." 1John.3:16 Inspect how patiently Jesus treated all people! He gave His time and attention to those who needed it. He took care of poor and sick people and gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins to redeem us from the slavery of sin.
A sinner has the form of a selfish pleasure-lover. How could an egoist see any beauty in the Redeemer who suffers for others! A self-confident person sees the form of weakness in a vicarious sacrifice. Instead the one who knows that he's going to be judged because of his sins, sees, that it is the only way to peace with God. The form of the self-sacrifice of Jesus appears in the person who has got the forgiveness of his sins through the sacrifice of the Calvary.
Sharing one's own and self-sacrificing serving express the form of Jesus in us. "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." 1John.3:16 Inspect how patiently Jesus treated all people! He gave His time and attention to those who needed it. He took care of poor and sick people and gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins to redeem us from the slavery of sin.
A sinner has the form of a selfish pleasure-lover. How could an egoist see any beauty in the Redeemer who suffers for others! A self-confident person sees the form of weakness in a vicarious sacrifice. Instead the one who knows that he's going to be judged because of his sins, sees, that it is the only way to peace with God. The form of the self-sacrifice of Jesus appears in the person who has got the forgiveness of his sins through the sacrifice of the Calvary.
The form of the pacifism of Jesus
Refusing violence is an essential part of the form of Christ. He didn't resist evil with evil, but committed the defence of Himself to God. The non-violence of Jesus was more than refusing armed defence. He also didn't defend the interest of God with mental violence. "He will not quarrel or cry out; no-one will hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, and a smouldering wick He will not snuff out, till He leads justice to victory." Matthew 12:19-20
Jesus doesn't shout and demonstrate in the streets. You can see His peaceful being passing you. He doesn't preach His message to those who don't want to listen to Him. Jesus doesn't impose and doesn't manipulate. If someone commands Him to go away, He will go and doesn't come back without invitation. He doesn't attack against you with His words trying to persuade you into a friend of God. How could those, who are intensely fighting for their rights, take to His gentle form?
A sinner has the form of a selfish defender. Although it is very obvious that he is guilty he doesn't confess it, but excuses himself in every way and wages war for his legal rights. How could it be possible that a man acting with clenched hands could see that the justice wins in Jesus, who doesn't resist evil!
The one who has shared God's mercy is worried about those living under the wrath of God. He doesn't want to injure them, because he knows how great a destruction is waiting for them after they have died. They have enough to endure in God's wrath. Who would have the heart to add their pains with his revenge?
The pacifism of Jesus means also that we don't bring any matter before the court, but we rather allow us to be wronged. "The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?" 1Cor.6:7 Quarrels of believers prove that Christ has not taken His form in them.
Refusing violence is an essential part of the form of Christ. He didn't resist evil with evil, but committed the defence of Himself to God. The non-violence of Jesus was more than refusing armed defence. He also didn't defend the interest of God with mental violence. "He will not quarrel or cry out; no-one will hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, and a smouldering wick He will not snuff out, till He leads justice to victory." Matthew 12:19-20
Jesus doesn't shout and demonstrate in the streets. You can see His peaceful being passing you. He doesn't preach His message to those who don't want to listen to Him. Jesus doesn't impose and doesn't manipulate. If someone commands Him to go away, He will go and doesn't come back without invitation. He doesn't attack against you with His words trying to persuade you into a friend of God. How could those, who are intensely fighting for their rights, take to His gentle form?
A sinner has the form of a selfish defender. Although it is very obvious that he is guilty he doesn't confess it, but excuses himself in every way and wages war for his legal rights. How could it be possible that a man acting with clenched hands could see that the justice wins in Jesus, who doesn't resist evil!
The one who has shared God's mercy is worried about those living under the wrath of God. He doesn't want to injure them, because he knows how great a destruction is waiting for them after they have died. They have enough to endure in God's wrath. Who would have the heart to add their pains with his revenge?
The pacifism of Jesus means also that we don't bring any matter before the court, but we rather allow us to be wronged. "The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?" 1Cor.6:7 Quarrels of believers prove that Christ has not taken His form in them.
Don't imitate Jesus
We can try to follow the principles of Christian life, but we are not able to copy them from the Bible to our life. The focus of my efforts must be that I let Jesus freely live in me, not that I try with my own power to live like Him. If He lives in me, He can also express His form in me. It is not allowed only to imitate Jesus, but I actually have to be changed into His likeness.
If He doesn't show Himself to you, nothing can change you. He is the source of life that can flow from within you. I wish you would love Jesus because of His sacrifice and then He would make His home with you.
We can try to follow the principles of Christian life, but we are not able to copy them from the Bible to our life. The focus of my efforts must be that I let Jesus freely live in me, not that I try with my own power to live like Him. If He lives in me, He can also express His form in me. It is not allowed only to imitate Jesus, but I actually have to be changed into His likeness.
If He doesn't show Himself to you, nothing can change you. He is the source of life that can flow from within you. I wish you would love Jesus because of His sacrifice and then He would make His home with you.
Jesus lives in me
Jesus says: "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." John.14:23 . "For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose." Phil.2:13
When you obey the teachings of Jesus, it proves that you love Him. However your form will be not changed before He lives in you. If God lives in you, your struggle is what kind of a position you give to Him in your internal life. Our world of thoughts is the greatest battle field!
To be one soul with God or with the world? This is the very question!
The soul of the world hates God and the soul of God doesn't take to the soul of the world. "See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright - but the righteous will live by his faith." Hab.2:4 You can enter the grace of God through faith, but the energy to live new life comes from the faith of God. "To this end I labour, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me." Col.1:29
Is the common way of thinking affecting in you more powerfully than God? God has the possibility to win in your soul, if He can live in you.
Jesus says: "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." John.14:23 . "For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose." Phil.2:13
When you obey the teachings of Jesus, it proves that you love Him. However your form will be not changed before He lives in you. If God lives in you, your struggle is what kind of a position you give to Him in your internal life. Our world of thoughts is the greatest battle field!
To be one soul with God or with the world? This is the very question!
The soul of the world hates God and the soul of God doesn't take to the soul of the world. "See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright - but the righteous will live by his faith." Hab.2:4 You can enter the grace of God through faith, but the energy to live new life comes from the faith of God. "To this end I labour, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me." Col.1:29
Is the common way of thinking affecting in you more powerfully than God? God has the possibility to win in your soul, if He can live in you.
About my transformation
As we understand, the orthodoxy doesn't guarantee uprightness. It is needed deeper unity with God's thoughts. It is a well known fact how a theory becomes a part of our soul. Also in this matter it is true that without practical exercises a theory doesn't become merged in us. Looking at His form must lead to some practical deeds. "The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does." James 1:25
You have to do in practice what Jesus says and then the form of your soul is transformed. He only gives power for one step at a time. If you feel that you have not now the power to do something that you know that is God's will, don't get worried. It means that God wants that you first do something else. Resolve what God wants you to do just now. You will get the energy for it. Do it, and don't dream about other things.
Experiences with God get you closer to Him. You feel as if you were your spirit getting up to the mountain of God. You can look at the world with the eyes of God. It changes your soul. You start to hate the same things as God and to love the things He loves.
It is not easy to look at this world with the eyes of God. My soul is filled with pain and sorrow for the sake of godless people. Also it is grace from God when I can be sad together with Him, not only sharing His joy.
Who allows God's holiness to live with him? Many believers have turned away from the way of God, because they have been scared of their thoughts which were from God. He worked in them to will, but they hesitated to put it into practice.
When they stopped on the road of God they missed the refreshment of God. Disobedience to the will of God exposed them to seeking refreshment of the soul of the world. They stayed to listen to cheerful laughter, though what God heard was rejoicing with evil.
After they had been satisfied with the refreshment of the world they received unclean as clean. Their souls were united with the dissolute nirvana of the world-soul. Woe, I hope that they will come back! Remember what that matter was where you resisted the will of God and ask Him mercy just for it.
It is important to learn that we have a privilege and grace also to suffer together with Jesus. Without this attitude we easily drive Him out of our life.
As we understand, the orthodoxy doesn't guarantee uprightness. It is needed deeper unity with God's thoughts. It is a well known fact how a theory becomes a part of our soul. Also in this matter it is true that without practical exercises a theory doesn't become merged in us. Looking at His form must lead to some practical deeds. "The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does." James 1:25
You have to do in practice what Jesus says and then the form of your soul is transformed. He only gives power for one step at a time. If you feel that you have not now the power to do something that you know that is God's will, don't get worried. It means that God wants that you first do something else. Resolve what God wants you to do just now. You will get the energy for it. Do it, and don't dream about other things.
Experiences with God get you closer to Him. You feel as if you were your spirit getting up to the mountain of God. You can look at the world with the eyes of God. It changes your soul. You start to hate the same things as God and to love the things He loves.
It is not easy to look at this world with the eyes of God. My soul is filled with pain and sorrow for the sake of godless people. Also it is grace from God when I can be sad together with Him, not only sharing His joy.
Who allows God's holiness to live with him? Many believers have turned away from the way of God, because they have been scared of their thoughts which were from God. He worked in them to will, but they hesitated to put it into practice.
When they stopped on the road of God they missed the refreshment of God. Disobedience to the will of God exposed them to seeking refreshment of the soul of the world. They stayed to listen to cheerful laughter, though what God heard was rejoicing with evil.
After they had been satisfied with the refreshment of the world they received unclean as clean. Their souls were united with the dissolute nirvana of the world-soul. Woe, I hope that they will come back! Remember what that matter was where you resisted the will of God and ask Him mercy just for it.
It is important to learn that we have a privilege and grace also to suffer together with Jesus. Without this attitude we easily drive Him out of our life.
We shall be like Jesus
According to God's plan life here is not easy for us. A great part of all the promised good things will be given us in the new coming world. If we are imperfectly like Jesus in this age, in the future world we will be perfectly like Him.
"If we endure, we will also reign with Him." 2Tim.2:12 If God doesn't lead me to sufferings for Jesus, I will be left without a seat of His government. I am not sorry about that, for the most important thing in the likeness of Jesus is what I am for Him, not that what I do. The best thing is that I can say like He can say to God, "my Father".
I experience His presence when I follow Him in His footprints in this land of agony. These experiences encourage me to believe that His way leads me to the happy destination.
"We know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." 1John.3:2-3
The mind of Jesus is pure. Purify yourself by adopting His mind.
According to God's plan life here is not easy for us. A great part of all the promised good things will be given us in the new coming world. If we are imperfectly like Jesus in this age, in the future world we will be perfectly like Him.
"If we endure, we will also reign with Him." 2Tim.2:12 If God doesn't lead me to sufferings for Jesus, I will be left without a seat of His government. I am not sorry about that, for the most important thing in the likeness of Jesus is what I am for Him, not that what I do. The best thing is that I can say like He can say to God, "my Father".
I experience His presence when I follow Him in His footprints in this land of agony. These experiences encourage me to believe that His way leads me to the happy destination.
"We know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." 1John.3:2-3
The mind of Jesus is pure. Purify yourself by adopting His mind.
The Bible version used in references is NIV