March 17 ~

Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him ... the mystery that was kept secret for long ages ... and generations but now made manifest to his saints ... which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning ... and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ ... that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith ...
Rom.8:9; 16:25 (RSV); Col.1:26,27,28 (RSV); Eph.3:17 (NAS)

What is it, then, to be a Christian, Lord?
A man who daily reads Thy Holy Word,
who goes to church, believes Thou art God's Son,
strives e'er to make sure that Thy will be done
in his own life, and doth Thy Name adore?

All these it is, child; but there's something more,
without which these might be of no avail.
The term, a Christian, doth the secret tell,
defines what b'lievers - all of them! - should be:
The suffix i-a-n means of -- of Me!
(Of Boston's spirit are Bostonians!)
My Spirit should all Christians have -- the Son's!
'Tis a relationship, this faith of thine,
not a religion! Come, child. Now! Be Mine!

Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you? -- unless indeed you fail to meet the test ... My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you ...
2Cor.13:5 (RSV); Gal.4:19 (KJV).

Christ - The Better Way Home Page / Devotional Contents Page / Calendar Table for Devotions / Index of Devotions by Title