Christ Liveth in Me

Once far from God and dead in sin,
No light my heart could see;
But in God’s Word the light I found,
Now Christ liveth in me.

Refrain:
Christ liveth in me,
Christ liveth in me,
Oh! what a salvation this,
That Christ liveth in me.

As rays of light from yonder sun
The flow’rs of earth set free,
So life and light and love came forth
From Christ living in me.  Refrain:

As lives the flow’r within the seed,
As in the cone the tree,
So, praise the God of truth and grace,
His Spirit dwelleth in me.  Refrain:

With longing all my heart is filled,
That like Him I may be,
As on the wondrous thought I dwell
That Christ liveth in me.  Refrain:

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I 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. Galatians 2:20

Lyrics by Daniel W. Whittle, published in 1891

Copyright Status is Public Domain

Courtesy of Timeless Truths Publications – Copyright © 2002- 2020  Free Online Library

“Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You Richly”

What makes you and I think that we can live the Christian life without making the Word of God (our source of faith) the most integral part of our daily walk with the Lord?

Faith is a gift from God that comes from His written Word. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).

…let the word of Christ dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

Another Gospel

Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.              Galatians 1:1-9

The Children of Abraham

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?  Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.  Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.  So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.  And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.  Galatians 3:1-14

Faith is a firm persuasion or conviction brought about by hearing the Word of God.*  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for (confidently assured of), the evidence of things not seen.  Hebrews 11:1

*W.E. Vines Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, Copyright 1984, 1996, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN.

…let the word of Christ dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

The Law of God

Technicians use diagnosing tools to identify equipment problems.  However, these same tools are not able to resolve the problem or remedy the condition, they can only point out the problem.

Such is the Law of God.  The Law of God is a rule or measuring stick to show us that we fall short of God’s standard of righteousness.  For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

The Law of God cannot furnish the righteousness needed to meet God’s standard.  Is the law then against the promises of God?  God forbid (may it never be): for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. Galatians 3:21

Unfortunately many try to keep the law and deceive themselves into thinking that they can be saved by keeping the law (or a set of rules*)….by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20

So for what purpose does the law of God serve?  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  Galatians 3:24

Go ahead, make up your own set of rules to establish your own righteousness…..and you will fail to keep your own rules.

For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. Romans 10:3

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Philippians 3:9

…let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…

The Law demands what we cannot give, but Christ gives grace that by faith we live!

Nearer, Still Nearer

                                      Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart,                                                                          Draw me, my Savior—so precious Thou art!                                                              Fold me, oh, fold me close to Thy breast;                                    Shelter me safe in that “haven of rest”;
    Shelter me safe in that “haven of rest.”

Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring,
Naught as an offering to Jesus, my King;
Only my sinful, now contrite heart,
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart;
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.

Nearer, still nearer, Lord, to be Thine!
Sin, with its follies, I gladly resign,
All of its pleasures, pomp and its pride,
Give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified;
Give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified.

Nearer, still nearer, while life shall last,
Till safe in glory my anchor is cast;
Through endless ages ever to be
Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee;
Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee!

Leila N. Morris – 1898  Public Domain

But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works. Psalm 73:28

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James 4:8

Courtesy of Timeless Truths Publications – Copyright © 2002- 2020  Free Online Library