Christ in Us, the Hope of Glory
Jesus declared: That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6). To be born from above is to become a dwelling place of Almighty God. Through the Holy Spirit, the eternal Son lives within the reborn human spirit of the believer.
This is the central reality of the New Covenant. Jesus Himself declared that new life is not produced by fleshly effort, but by the Holy Spirit of Almighty God. This must become a living reality in our lives that Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, who existed before all things, through whom all things were made, has taken up His purposeful residence within those who believe.
John testifies that the eternal Word “was in the beginning with God,” and that “all things were made through Him” (John 1:1–3). This same Word “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14), and through His death and resurrection Jesus Christ has now made His abode within us by His Holy Spirit.
Therefore, the life of the believer is not to be lived through dependence upon our human resolve, endeavour, or moral effort, but through participation in the very life of Christ Himself. The life of Jesus Christ within us is our source of victory. Jesus taught that true freedom from sin is found in abiding in Him: “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).
This is of Great Importance.
Sin is no longer meant to reign or have dominion in our lives, because a greater life should now govern our lives from within. Herein is a vital truth that must never escape us: where Christ reigns inwardly, sin loses its authority outwardly.
The power and presence of the Holy Spirit of Almighty God, who raised Jesus Christ from the dead, now lives and actively works within those who believe. Jesus promised this indwelling power when He said, “I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever… He dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:16–17).
This indwelling of the Holy Spirit is intended to break the dominion of sin and empower our total obedience from the heart, not through compulsion, but through transformation. Victory in our lives as believers is therefore not achieved by striving to imitate Christ externally, but by yielding to Christ who lives and reigns internally.
Jesus made this unmistakably clear when He said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4). Therefore fruitfulness in our lives is meant to flow from our union with Jesus Christ.
The Person of the Holy Spirit dwelling in our inner man reshapes our understanding, perception, and judgment according to the truth of God. Jesus promised that the Spirit would not merely comfort, but instruct and guide our lives: “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26).
Through the Holy Spirit.
We are given the mind of Christ, enabling discernment that surpasses natural reasoning and aligns our hearts with the will of the Father. As a direct result of experiencing the new birth, His nature has become our new identity. We must therefore walk in the firm knowledge and understanding that our old man, defined by Adam, sin, and separation, has been put to death in Christ, and a new creation now lives by His life and character.
Jesus spoke of this inward transformation when He said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him” (John 14:23). We do not strive to become someone new; in Christ, we already are.
This indwelling of Jesus Christ is the heart of the gospel and the hope of glory. To live our lives as believers is to live from Him, through Him, and unto Him, allowing His life to be expressed in thought, word, and deed. Anything less reduces what is supposed to be a living, vibrant faith to descend to just being religious.
Where Christ Truly Lives Within Us By His Spirit.
His life will be made manifest through us, to the glory of God. We are to no longer have to live for Him from a distance; we live by Him from within. Herein is a revelation: it is Jesus living His life through our lives. The new creation life is not driven by human effort, emotion, or external motivation—it flows from the indwelling Christ. Jesus Himself declared, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). There are four vital truths we must understand and experience in our walk with Him:
Jesus Christ is the Vine (John 15:1).
We are the branches (John 15:5).
Jesus Christ is the life within (John 6:57).
We can do nothing of ourselves (John 15:5).
Therefore, the life of Jesus Christ within us is not passive or symbolic it is active, powerful, and ever-present. This divine life does not need to be summoned; it must be yielded to. The same Holy Spirit of the Father who raised Jesus from the dead now lives within our reborn human spirits, giving life and strength to our mortal bodies.
Jesus promised this living reality when He said, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). Within us abides the fullness of Almighty God’s presence and power. We should not be waiting for revival—the glorious truth of the gospel is that the Reviver Himself lives in us.