In Christ Alone I Stand
[Admin Note: Here is another article submitted to us. As various conversations continue here, we hope to remember Jesus and take some time to reflect on honoring Him.] At the last supper, the disciples disputed about who was greatest, but Jesus taught them the spiritual way: Luke 22:25-26 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.”
In Christ alone we live and move. He alone is our Head. We are the Body. The parts of the body have different function but shared value. The Holy Spirit guides and grows. Fruit of the Spirit blesses and enables. God the Father alone is worthy to be praised. He alone may be worshiped and glorified. To do otherwise is to our own detriment.
The father of the prodigal son is an exact representation of God. We proudly demand our inheritance early and squander it quickly on wild living. But God loves us more than money, so he not only accepts us back, he welcomes us. All we have to do is come to our senses and return to God.
We are not (and never were) worthy of God’s forgiving love; however, God is full of loving concern. When he sees us, he runs to hug us. He robes us and declares a feast to celebrate our return. We were led astray by the enemy, but then rescued by God. The older brother doesn’t understand the father’s love.
The enemy is sin, especially self-righteousness. The prodigal son sought pleasure, possessions, and especially position in a faraway place.
God planted a vineyard and let us cultivate it. But we want to own the vineyard and use it for our own purpose/benefit. We are not worthy/able to rightfully manage anything without God’s help. Servants/prophets come to collect God’s fruit, but we abuse/kill them. God sends his son thinking surely we will respect him. However, we do not, for we desire worldly benefits instead.
Regardless, God marvelously makes Jesus, the rejected stone, the living cornerstone of his building. By grace he helps us repent and believe so we can be built into his spiritual house. Let’s produce fruit for God through his Holy Spirit working in and among us! Let’s be part of God’s vineyard.
Thanks for this manifesto-style article, Mark. The phrase “in Christ” stood out to me when I read this again today. I did a search and found the phrase “in Christ” appears 90 times in the bible. I find it liberating to reflect on the mystery of the gospel, both Christ in you and you in Christ.
One of my favorite “in Christ” passages of Scripture is still 1 Corinthians 15:12-22
“12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.”
“20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
Amen. I think the “body of Christ” is developing more practice of God’s ways with Holy Spirit help, which goes beyond good ideas & intentions.