Like Layers of an Onion

Jesus Christ manifests himself completely in all who have claimed Him as Lord and Savior.  In the moment in which the believer in brokenness and piety repents of their sin and trusts in the resurrection of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins God places in that person the complete righteousness, purity and beauty of Jesus Christ.  


The believer does not go on life trying to be more like Jesus so that they can "get more of Jesus", no, for Christ has already fully manifested Himself in that person and is in the process of making them a new man.  As the believer lets go of the old life more and more, the old self starts to fade away, it starts to be pulled back like layers of an onion to reveal a new creation, one full of light, one full of the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ.  


Do not go on thinking that you just need to try harder to get more of Jesus.  Instead proclaim that inside of you lives Jesus Christ, fully manifested by the power of the Holy Spirit.  It is His righteousness that makes you acceptable to God.  For when God looks at you He sees what is behind that old man and He sees Christ, the pure, sinless lamb of God that lives inside of you.


I say to you, follower of Jesus, live a victorious life in Jesus Christ and let the light of Christ that already lives inside of you shine.  Let go of the old life, draw closer to the Father through prayer and time in His word and watch Him peal back the old self as you allow Christ to show Himself more and more complete in you.  

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."- Ephesians 4:22-24