Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Search Archive Print This Article Christ in me Sunday, December 18, 2005 Romans 16:25-27 Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him - to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. Here is what Ray Stedman, former pastor of Palo Alto's Peninsula Bible Church, says about God establishing me: Many people think they are established when actually they are simply stuck in the mud. Most of us think that being established means that all progress ceases. We sit down, camp there, and that is it. In that sense, there are a lot of Christians who are established. But when Paul speaks of our being established, he means putting us on solid, stable ground. Have you ever erected a picnic table and tried to find a place where all four legs touched the ground at the same time? You tried to establish it so that it would not rock, or become shaky, or uncertain. That is the idea that Paul has in mind in this word establish. God wants to bring you and me to a place where we are no longer rocking or shaky or unstable, but solid and secure. The idea is basically what all human beings look for -- an inner security from which you can handle all the problems of life. You become dependable, and have a true sense of worth, so that nothing gets to you, or shakes you up, or throws you off balance. No more lost temper, no more doubts about my existence or my purpose, no more misled fear of an evil, punishing God. I want to keep in mind that this is not my task alone, it is Christ's in me. Galatians 5:22 defines the good, established life. And again it is not my own effort but the fruit of the Holy Spirit within me. And out of this mysterious confluence come committed and unconditional love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Colossians 1:27 proclaims "this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Paul finds words in all his letters to diminish the efforts of man and praise the work of God. Jesus coming to us, Jesus with us ... in us ... Jesus says, "I am the way the truth the life." I am. I am. I am. The only wise God. Lord, you know me, you know everyone I will meet, you know the way for me to walk. I am loved. You are the lover of us all. "; Add      Edit    Delete