The Christian believer who is dwelling in the life of the flesh most assuredly is not an integral part of Christ. It is only as Christ is abiding in us, and we in Him, that we are a genuine part of the One who is destined to plant the heavens, lay the foundations of the earth, and say to Zion, "You are My people."

The true saint of God already has been raised with Christ to the right hand of the Father in Heaven. Christ is his Life. He is dead but his life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ is revealed the members of His Body will be revealed together with Him (Colossians 3:1-4).

We saints are the Body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:27).

Christ is in us. This mystery was revealed to the Apostle Paul (Colossians 1:27).

Christ is being formed in us (Galatians 4:19).

Christ, who is the eternal Temple of God, the One who will bring justice to the nations of the earth, the One who will exalt national Israel, was born in a manger two thousand years ago. He shed His blood as a sin offering to make an atonement for the sins of the world.

But God raised Him from the dead!

After Christ rose from the dead He ascended to His Father in Heaven. He then sent down the powers and abilities of His anointing on His followers in the form of various ministries and gifts. The purpose of the several ministries and gifts is that He—the crucified and resurrected Christ—may be formed in His followers.

The Head of Christ is established forever at the right hand of God Almighty in Heaven and our life is there in Him. Now we, through the gifts and graces almighty God has given us through Christ, are growing in Him. We are partaking of the Divine Life of the Head. As a result we are being changed from human life to Divine Life. We are being brought down to participate in Christ's crucifixion and therefore are experiencing the Life of His Divine Substance and the power of His resurrection.

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ [maturity as measured by the fullness of Christ]: (Ephesians 4:13)

The members of the Body of Christ are called out from among the nations of the earth, including the Jewish nation, by election, by the predestination that works according to the foreknowledge of God.

But then we must give total diligence in order to make our election certain. Only those who come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, will participate with the Head, Jesus, in the work of Christ.

To be continued.