The Life and Work of Christ Part II

THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF YESTERDAYS MESSAGE THE LIFE AND WORK OF CHRIST PART I

With the basic foundation laid out We may now get into the length, depth, breadth, and height figurative of the "Four Dimensions of the Work of Christ."

The first dimension/precept/phase is the Crucifixion. It is easy to understand Jesus died on the cross for our sins; there is no mystery in that. However; there is more to it. The first phase a Christian must go through is self-death. Romans 6:6-8, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him” When one dies to self, only then may life in Christ be achieved. Romans 6:10-11, "For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This confirms the need to die to self. Christ' work on the cross initiated salvation, when we invite Him into our lives we must learn how to die to self. Matthew 16-24 "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me."

Following Jesus is a necessity and Colossians 3:1-3 tells us the basic truth as to how, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” To aid us along in Christ we should live Philemon 1:6 "That the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." According to the great commission we should share the gospel with others, if we are focused on "things above not on things on earth," we will be effective ministers for the Kingdom.

The second dimension/precept/phase is Christ' "Descension, confrontation with, and subsequent stripping of the power the devil had over man." (TSF Four Dimensions of the Love of Christ.) Jesus had to have descended into hell to defeat Satan; this is shown in God's infallible Word: Ephesians 4:9-10, “Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.” In dimension one; Jesus had to die as Sin so He could deal with, and defeat it in dimension two of His work. Colossians 2:15, "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” This will bring us into the third dimension of His work.

The resurrection marks the third dimension. Now there has been atonement for sin and the defeat of Satan, Jesus conquers death itself. Romans 6:9, “Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.” If we die to sin, put trust in Christ' defeat of Satan we too, being in Christ, need not to worry about death for it has no dominion. The Resurrection also marks our rebirth as a new creation. When we take up our cross and die to self, Jesus defeats Satan and we are born annew of incorruptible seed. 1 Peter 1:23, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." We are born again as new creations free of the bonds of sin, perfect and white as snow. How worthy of praise is our Lord who creates in us a new creation!

Finally we have the Ascension. Ephesians 2:6, “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” This is the rest we are to "labor towards." The final result of the Christian life is REST dwelling with Jesus in the "heavenly places." When we walk in The Way and claim the promises and works of Christ on our lives; we may obtain rest. How marvelous!

Tomorrow I will Have the Complete wrap up of the message, please check it out, otherwise there are too many loose ends in the message.