19“In accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 … He (Father God) brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:19-23
All Christians declare: “Jesus is Lord”. But do we truly understand the nature of The Realm of Christ in light of the New Covenant? Are we even fully aware of that realm which Jesus governs by “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:2) – “the law of Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:21, Galatians 6:2 ) – “the perfect law”, “the law of liberty (James 1:25) – “the royal law” (James 2:8) – “the law of the king”?
The Realm of Christ extends beyond personal piety. It includes the whole of the life and functioning of the Church. How does “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” – govern the collective life of “the Church, which is His Body”?
Some Christians accept the doctrine (if not embracing the reality) that their personal piety should be governed by “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus”, rather than the Mosaic Law. But, in fact, most Christians continue to relate to the scriptures in a “law-keeping by self- effort” manner.
However, the point I wish to make here is that the realm of Christ – the realm which is governed by “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” – extends to the collective or corporate life of the Body of Christ, the Church.
The Realm of Christ extends beyond personal piety. It includes the whole of the life and functioning of the Church.
Most Christians accept the doctrine (if not embracing the reality) that Jesus is the Head of the Body, and therefore should be governing the activities and ministry functions of the Church. But, again, most Christians continue to relate to the scriptures in a “law-keeping by self- effort” manner regarding the collective or corporate activities and ministry functions of the Church. Specifically, being witnesses, preaching the gospel, making disciples, participating in the activities and functions of various types of church meetings, etc., etc. – all in a “law-keeping by self-effort” manner. Namely, through special, separated from everyday life, organized activities, and ministry functions at scheduled times in appointed places.
The Realm of Christ extends beyond personal piety. It includes the whole of the life and functioning of the Church.
In fact, The Realm of Christ also goes beyond what is visible – beyond what is external. It includes the realm of the spirit and the heart. (Jeremiah 31:33) AND – it includes ALL circumstances – everyday life – 24/7. What we have recorded in the New Testament are some “examples” – hermeneutically referred to as “descriptive”, rather than “prescriptive”.[1] Therefore, the realm of Christ includes – but goes beyond – what we see written in the New Testament scriptures.
That does not mean “anything goes”. The scriptures contain examples and principles, and are therefore, a guide and a canon – that is, a measure. The Holy Spirit has His ways. His ways are perfect; and His leadings will never contradict the scriptures He also inspired.
Never-the-less, Christ is “larger” than the examples and principles given in scripture. The Realm of Christ covers ALL space and time. It is cosmic, reaching universes yet undiscovered, DNA codes yet unanalyzed, the deepest recesses of the human heart and mind not yet understood, applicable every second in human existence, governing hearts, minds, and every aspect of the lives of both those within and outside of the Household of God.
In short, The Realm of Christ extends far beyond what the apostle Paul referred to as “the elementary principles of the world”.[2] The New Covenant reality of The Realm of Christ is that Christ Himself – “in whom we live and move and have our existence” (Acts 17:28) – is the Pattern and Principle, for God decreed concerning the Christ: “I Have Given YOU as a Covenant.” Isaiah 42:6
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FOOTNOTES
[1] For an in-depth discussion of this statement, see: “A New & Living Way: A Collection of Articles Investigating New Covenant Worship in Spirit & Truth” and “Concerning Gathering”.
[2] Again, for an in-depth discussion of this statement, see: “A New & Living Way: A Collection of Articles Investigating New Covenant Worship in Spirit & Truth”, “Elementary principles of the World in Worship praxes Past & Present”, “What’s the Harm?”.
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At Christ’s Table – ACTpublications
“Explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.”vb1 Corinthians 2:13
© 2021
W.D. Furioso, Writer ~ Frances Furioso, Editor ~ At Christ’s Table Ministries ~ ACTpublications ~ https://www.AtChristsTable.org
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