In the Torah (the old testament part of the Christian Bible), the import of the words of Yahweh (God) to his people was never vague. Moses made sure they knew that it was the very essence of their (spiritual and physical) existence.
One of several instances is in Deuteronomy 32:45 - 47
" When Moses finished reciting all these words to all Israel, he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”
The phrase "they are your life" means they are your state of living or existence.
In the new agreement that Jesus instituted by his sacrifice, He is the bread of life and the very word that determines our "state of existence" in the promised land. By the promised land here, I do not refer to the physical land of Israel but to the spiritual inheritance of oneness with God and his son in ALL they are and have.
"Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." Romans 8:17 NIV
That is the inheritance we have received. But as I said, the 'state' of our existence in this spiritual oneness is determined by how seriously we take the word of God manifested in the person of Jesus.
The word is our life: the state of our oneness with God and each other is determined by how much we take to heart this statement. The life Jesus brought is the message he delivered to us through his Apostle.
"but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Timothy 1:10
There is no Church without Jesus. There is no true Christianity without Jesus - the word- as the head. There is no life outside the life he brought.
The state of any Jesus congregation is reflected in the state of the word of God in their midst, likewise is the state of the life of any Jesus follower. By this, I do not mean a lack of suffering. On the contrary, I mean a lack of glory (there is glory in martyrdom) and conviction. I also mean a lack of power and love as seen in Jesus. The promised land will always have levels of attainment. We will not all be at the same level - even in heaven. Your state of attainment depends on your desire and pursuit of Christ by his word and spirit. Even Paul knew that there is a superior level of glory in Christ and set his goal as:
''Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
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:
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;" Philippians 3: 8 - 10
He knew there were levels and the state of your life in Christ is determined by your knowing the "word made flesh". The excellency of the word in our life is the state of life and church.
Jesus is the Head and that is the priority. It might seem like I keep repeating this but the Lord keeps stressing it. Promote Christ by promoting his words, that is our life.
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