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Written by Peter Youngren on June 27th 2008I know you all have heard of Dr. Phil. He has a lot of insights into human relationships and he gives helpful advice. I’m sure many are able to enjoy self-improvements as a result of listening to Oprah’s favorite doctor.
Well, we have a “Phil” working in our ministry. Phil Van Tol is married to Lisa, the Registrar of Celebration Bible College, and he is our IT Manager. Once in a while he sends me a nugget of Jesus-revelation. Now, our Phil comes from a different perspective than Dr. Phil. He is discovering the realities of the Gospel of the grace of God, and the New Covenant Jesus has provided for us. The other day he sent me this note:
I was thinking over the New Covenant and the following came to my mind: it is easy for most believers (myself included) to see God in the majesty of creation and to see Christ in an eloquent speaker or affluent Christian businessman. However, what we, as believers, really need to learn is how to see Christ in ourselves - warts, freckles, ugly second toes and all. I have heard preachers ask “Who is Jesus to you?“ but that isn’t really the question that should be asked: the real question that we need to address is “Who is Jesus IN you?“ When we truly begin to see Christ in ourselves, the reality of the power available to us will come to light. I sincerely believe that this is the key to every believer walking in total victory; the power to overcome sin, the power to become prosperous, the power to receive healing - unless we begin to see Christ in us at a personal level, all of these things appear as an outside intervention and, therefore, something we must yet attain. If we don’t eventually see Jesus in ourselves, even the best New Covenant teaching can become just another layer of theology relegated merely to the soulish realm.
Recently I have made a conscious endeavor to see Christ in myself when I look in the mirror - sometimes it can be hard to do when you see all your faults and shortcomings at the same time; however, over the last few weeks it has begun to sink in more and more. What a difference it has made in day-to-day life! I have noticed that as I focus on the fact that Christ is in me and that He is part of every aspect of my day-to-day life, that day-to-day life becomes more enjoyable and less stressful. CHRIST IN ME is my hope of glory; not Christ on the throne of Heaven, not Christ on the cross, not Christ healing the multitudes or feeding the 5 thousand, but Christ in ME -that must be my perspective. He is my ever PRESENT help in time of need. Christ is, of course, those other things and more, but I, and all believers, need to keep the fact that His life is in us at the forefront of our thinking. In reality we are more than conquerors, we are already blessed and God is already happy with us; however, if we lose sight of the fact that Christ is IN us—not just FOR us—we run the risk of losing our grasp on that reality.
When you look in the mirror do you see Jesus looking back? That is the question I have been asking myself and that is the question believers needs to honestly ask themselves. We all need to see Him in our own eyes.
I sure would love to hear your comments on the issues Phil is dealing with. Now, I think Dr. Phil makes a lot of sense, but if you have discovered that self-improvement has its limitations, you may find Phil’s comments even more helpful. There is only so much change available through self-discipline, willpower and good intentions. Jesus in YOU can really bring about transformation. It seems Phil is discovering that. If anyone else feels the same way, or for that matter, if anyone disagrees, let me know your thoughts.
-Peter
Alexandra
I agree with Phil’s direction of thought. In our society of ‘self-improvement’ and with the wide range of ‘knowledge’ and ‘wisdom’ offered to us through many mediums it is very easy and often unknowing (ironic, considering our very thurst for ‘knowing’) of us to slip into modes of thinking along the lines of, ‘if I can just’ or ‘if I continue’. With the best intentions we, both Jesus believers and non-believers, forget or exclude the underlying principle that ‘I’ can’t be any part of ‘self-improvement’ to actually see a life-long and lasting change to my quality of life.
No matter what I learn, about any topic, ‘I’ am completely at a loss to be able to implement it without the grace and KNOWLEDGE of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sure, I see changes here and there or for a few weeks at a time but when I talk to Jesus about my ‘self-improvement’ He always reminds me that over 2000 years ago He took that upon Himself so that my only job (which at times takes great effort) is to REST in knowing that He has done it all. He reminds me that the parts of me that need ‘changing’ are parts of the old me - pre-trusting in Jesus - and are not the new me, which is Jesus in me. When ever I do or say something that I wish I hadn’t, I don’t waste time beating myself up. This started when I was talking with a wonderful lady one day after church and I said something…ummm, rather competitive and harsh…and she just looked at me with such love and said, ‘but that’s not you honey.‘ That simple statement made more impact on me than any rebuke would have. She did what Galatians 6:1-4 says, ‘...gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.‘
By reminding ourselves and others who we are in Christ and who He is in us, suddenly we start noticing, ‘wow, you know I don’t…anymore?‘ God’s gracious gift of Christ in us is the KNOWLEDGE of self-improvement.
Ignatius
So true isn’t it? when you look at the mirror what do we really see? It’s so easy to start looking at ourselves and then immediately see all the lack and inadequacies we have. A voice comes and says. You are not good enough. or rather i should say we start saying hmm… i don’t look good enough, I’m imperfect. sometimes a memory of a mistake or something we did wrong comes and well the condemning voice becomes even louder. I think some people would not even look at the mirror because they are ashamed. And it doesn’t really help when the media and all the world around us says, we need this and that for self-improvement and self-esteem. and in our futility to make one’s self better outside of the cross, we in vain come to the conclusion that nothing really helps at least not permanently. Because Jesus is the chieft architect, i’m sure he has the last word about us. And I’m sure that word to us as His Children are, you are perfect because I paid for that perfection with my life. and since our life is now hidden in christ, what we see is a beauty, the beauty of grace. Therefore we should judge no man after the flesh…..He that is in Christ is a new creation, the OLD has gone, the new has come.
Thank You Jesus.Amen
Jeffrey Teo
As He is,so are we in this world.Jesus was supernaturally born by the Spirit (virgin birth),we wre born again by the Spirit.1 Jn 4:17,Jn 3:3
He was crucified.We have been crucified with Him.He ascended and was seated at the right hand of the Father.We have been raised and seated with Christ in the heavenly realms.Gal 2:20,Ep2:6
He did miracles.Greater things than these shall we do in His name and in Him!Jn 14:12
For me to live is Christ not for me to live like Christ!
Greater is He in me than he that is in the world!
Rather then emphasizing the exchange life,Christ in us,the Christ life and His finished work and our identity in Christ;denominations have emphasize what we must do.The focus is on us rather than on Christ .
Jeff
Wendy
I love Jeffs comment-‘For me to live is Christ not for me to live like Christ.‘ It is not about us, it is about Jesus in us. I abide in you and you abide in ME. I love John 15. I wrote a poem concerning this:
The Pathway To Eternity
I abide in you and you abide in me
On that straight and narrow pathway to eternity
Though temptations in this world may lead me astray
I can always repent and begin a fresh new day
Though man will turn against me and make me feel alone
I will lift my head and thank you Lord that you will not forsake your own
Though the path is sometimes hard to see when my eyes get filled with tears
I will call upon you Lord to deliver me from all my fears
And though in trying to do right I end up doing wrong
I lay down and say I’m sorry Lord and sing an old familiar song
Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay
Close by me forever and love me I pray
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care
And fit us for heaven to live with thee there
Jeffrey
Many times we are told to change or improve ourselves,even in church.
But the fact is that if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation! 2 Cor 5:17
We are not trying to change or trying to become.Change says ‘I am not and I must become or change.‘
Transformation says,‘I am,and I am yielding to Him.‘Rom 12:2
By demanding change or commitment on us by leaders,we become sin conscious and in a continual state of self effort to reach the next level.
But by hearing preaching of Christ and Him crucified (His finished work),we realized our identity in Him.We realized the Christ in us,our Hope of Glory!
We come to a place of rest and being righteous conscious.2 Cor 5:21
Faith is spelled ‘R-E-S-T.‘
Faith please God.
Faith is a trust in Christ finished work on the cross!
It is knowing who we are because we know Whose we are !
Agape,
Jeff
Vanderweyden
Jesus Christ, through Grace, has given us eyes to see, and a portion of our conscience that we call ourselves, the rest is His and Heavens for their use as our reasonable service. Awareness is a good thing but not a requirement, as we are earthly vessels.
As in Collosians 1 23’If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; ...., to fulfil the word of God;....26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:‘
We are like a tent that houses Heaven, and Saints and Jesus and God live in us and all creation really , giving us Life while our ‘old man’ passes away - we are replaced by Heaven and creation indwelling in our renewed bodies, new wine in new wine skins. If you are looking for Jesus in you you must first have some grounding and settlement in the Faith, probably to manifest awareness of this, but otherwise this is the way it is, the Gospel, if we are aware of it or not. I would not recommend a fleshly desire for awareness as that would be like not trusting God, and He and Heaven wouild give awareness by Faith and Grace.
Paula Vanderweyden
I just wanted to add to what I said in my last sentence. When the Angel Gabriel told John the Baptist’s father that John was going to be born, the father did not believe Gabriel at first. Of course John was born, but the father’s unbelief to the Archangel was immediately dealt with by making him mute till the birth. Manifestations are easy to do for the Kingdom of Heaven but if a human, the lowest in the Kingdom due to our unbelief by now, if a human asks for manifestations 2000 years after the clear fact then that is even more contemptable.Much humbling will probably follow because all of creation would be offended that lowly humans still need a sign and you would see much weeping and knashing of teeth, even within yourself as you succumb to the humbleness of the Gospel, be glad, rejoice and rest in the knowledge that Christ died for you and rose again and all of creation also, by Him and for Him and by Grace, insjide, literally, of us. Believers and non.
Phil Van Tol
~ Canada
Hello Paula, you state in your email that ‘...I would not recommend a fleshly desire for awareness as that would be like not trusting God, and He and Heaven wouild give awareness by Faith and Grace…‘. Are you saying that people don’t need to be personally aware that the life of Christ is in them and that they are instead to rely on doctrine alone? That kind of mentality will not breed a personal relationship with God and will not bear the fruit of the Spirit - that kind of mentality will breed a cold, heartless religion.
You also state that humans are ‘...the lowest in the Kingdom due to our unbelief by now…‘. What creature do you suppose God places a higher value on? Value is determined by the price someone is willing to pay for something. God determined our value 2000 years ago at Calvary(even before that if you take linear time out of the equation). While we were yet His enemies, He sent His only begotten Son - our belief or unbelief has nothing to do with how God views us.
Perhaps you need to see Jesus in you Paula. If you have accepted Him as your Saviour - He is there - take a good look and you will see Him:)
Jeffrey Teo
Yes Phil,
The Gospel is THE power of God for salvation to whosoever shall believe. Rom 1:16-17
The problem today is that there is the tendency to replace the Gospel of grace and peace which is THE power of God with methods and formulas.
God has made it simple for us, but we want to complicate things. Indeed, it is foolishness to man but exalt JESUS and demonstrates His wisdom!
The Gospel means GOOD NEWS but the church by large has underestimated the goodness of God. Rom 2:4
We have resorted to focus our attention on what man must do and on man’s sins rather than what Christ has done and is doing through us and our righteousness in Christ. 2 Cor 5:21
As a result we rely on our own strength instead of the grace and love of Christ that compels us to action!
Christianity is not about our good behaviour. It’s about the Christ life! Gal 2:20
No wonder the bible says that we are to make every effort to enter that rest! Heb 4
Jeff
Phil Van Tol
Jeffrey - I couldn’t have said it better myself 
I would say ‘God bless you’ but in reality He already has
Chinedu
Thank you for preaching Jesus and Him
crucified.It’s a shame that the gospel is a scarce commodity in today’s church. More of the true gospel.
Chinedu
Samuel Goh
Dear folks-in-Christ,
I enjoy the writings here very much! I see grace and I believe it! Glory to God!
Luke 11:20b - But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (NIV)
Jeffrey
Gal 1:6,8
In Galatians a different Gospel is a mixture of law and grace.What some may called it balance theology, it is actually not the true Gospel.It is mixture !
Law is Judaism.
Mixture of law and grace is a different Gospel that Paul warns about.Which brings a curse.Gal 3:10
Grace is the true Gospel that Paul preached.The revelation he received from the resurrected Christ !
Grace
Those of us who understand the grace message, we need to learn how to be a little patient with people who do notunderstand it.
I think through our love, patient and longsuffering may be we’ll help people to see the truth.
1 Cor. 8:1. encourages us to do the same. ‘Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies’.
Have a great day all!
Jeffrey
Christians have been mistakenly taught the Lord’s prayer and the sermount on the Mount as applicable to us today.‘If you do not forgive anyone their sins,neither will your Heavenly Father forgive you.‘ ‘Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect.‘
Jesus had not died yet when He preached on the sermount on the mount and the new covenant wasn’t established yet.
The law demands perfection.It demands righteousness from us.Grace imparts righteousness to us.
Our Father who art in heaven.Hallowed be Your name.Your kingdom has come within us.Your will has been done in Christ finished work.You have given us our Bread of Life.We forgive others as you have already forgiven us in Christ.You have put Christ to the test and He has delivered us from the evil one.
In the old covenant,man had to fulfill the law.In the new covenant Christ has fulfilled the law and finished it at the cross!
That’s GOOD NEWS!!!
Agape,
Jeffrey
Catherine
~ nl
While contemplating Christ in me the hope of glory——I realized that many of the things we do daily to ourselves we would never advocate doing to Jesus—-yet we are growing into the fullness of Christ—-living stones. Isn’t it time to treat ourselves like the precious gems we are—-and love our neighbours as ourselves
Scott Blake
Scripture backs up Phil’s thoughts…~
2 Corinthians 3:18
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord”
Dennis Shearer
~ USA
There you have it! The new creation reality of who Jesus Christ is in us the recreated person! A new creation mind-set according to Colossians 3 is to be thinking about who Jesus is in our life! Who is He is in our thinking, who He is in our emotions - believers need a new-creation mind set!