Vertical Divider
|
Vertical Divider
|
Vertical Divider
|
Vertical Divider
|
Concordant with the restoration of His intrinsic authority, Jesus Christ initiated the fulfillment of His promise to “build” the New Testament church on earth. (Matthew 16:18) It is noteworthy that He did not ask for human assistance. It was an endeavor that Christ alone could fulfill.
Living Organism The New Testament church, the body of Christ, was created as a living (zoe) organism. It was comprised of human beings in shared life union with the head of the church, Jesus Christ: |
Vertical Divider
|
|
Vertical Divider
|
Life with God
The life of the New Testament church is not lived by man for God. It is lived by God with man. His indwelling life alone is capable of directing the practice of the church on earth and ensuring the fulfillment of its purpose and mission. Living together with God, the New Testament church was designed to be animated by divine life (zoe). More specifically, it is animated by the indwelling life (zoe) of Jesus Christ. Consequently, it is not only representative of divine law on earth but also representational of divine life (zoe). Both representative and representational of God, the New Testament church was not created to perform dead religious activity for God. Instead, it was graciously privileged to cooperate with Him through faith alone. Church life lived for God by man is quite different from church life lived by God with man: |
Vertical Divider
|
|
Vertical Divider
|
Dependent Life
The incarnate Christ did not work for His heavenly Father as an employee. Instead, He lived His life on earth as a son, a privileged family member. Living as a son, Jesus provided a perfect example of living the Christian life (zoe). He chose to empty Himself of His own authority and live in unwavering submission to the authority of His indwelling Father. (cf. Matthew 4:1; 12:28; Luke 4:1) By His indwelling life (zoe), the New Testament church was designed to follow the example of Christ. Therefore, it is a continual necessity for the church to live dependently on His indwelling life (zoe). The dependent life is fulfilled by grace through faith alone. Law or Life Concordant with its heavenly life (zoe) source on earth, the New Testament church is presented with a privileged choice. It must choose to live according to law or life (zoe). The church can remain under the rule of law (“the law of sin and of death”) and work for God as an employee or hireling. However, attempting to work for God as an employee is not only contrary to the will of God but demanding. Never fulfilled, it is an exhausting treadmill of endless performance that is eternally insignificant. Working for God under the rule of law is a choice that led the Apostle Paul to respond, “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24) Conversely, the New Testament church can choose life (zoe) and therefore, live in dependent cooperation with the indwelling life (zoe) of God. As a result, it has the privilege to rest in the gracious, immediate presence of God as His beloved children. Paul’s realization of this amazing truth motivated him to proclaim, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25) Childlike rest in God's unconditional plan and provision is fulfilled through dependent faith alone. Historically, when the New Testament church has chosen to dependently rest in Christ and cooperate with Him by grace through faith alone God has mightily blessed it. He has demonstrated that He will not only provide but also perform every work necessary to fulfill its purpose and mission on earth. © 2023 James Hiatt |
Vertical Divider
|
Vertical Divider
|
|