Christ In You The Hope Of Glory

Jimmy Pope

There is a great controversy among Christians. Church leaders have risen up and taken sides against each other! Many are declaring the words of Apostasy over certain ministries. Some individuals aren’t so kind in their approach. They speak forth judgments and cursings believing they are sharing the heart and mind of God!

How can we tell the real from the false today! The gift of discernment is only a partial revelation of the truth to the individual possessing such an anointing. We can see something false or true and not have the whole picture of what is taking place. The body of believers must come together in unity with fasting and much prayer to find the perfect will of God.

Apostle Paul wrote an Epistle to the church in Galatians warning them about the problems in their midst. It seems the real problem was that these people didn’t have the nature of Christ formed in them. They weren’t born again. The Apostle writes; My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, Gal 4:19 (KJV)

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Gal 5:14-16 (KJV)

Christians proclaim BY FAITH they are born again! The Apostle Paul writes that we obtain the righteousness of God from Faith to Faith! For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:17 (KJV)

Perhaps we have confessed our sins with bitter tears. We may be Baptized with the Holy Spirit speaking forth an utterance of the heavenly language! Our spirit, once dead, may now be alive unto God. We still must be sanctified from the sin nature. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Continue in Sin) Matt 7:22-23 (KJV)

These people had the power and anointing of God on their lives. Without any hesitation, at the judgment, they looked Jesus in the eyes and declared they were ministering by his authority! Jesus doesn’t deny anything they said. He replies, “I never knew you.” They didn’t overcome the sin nature! They weren’t born again! Christ in you, the hope of Glory! They had some gifts but were still in sin!

Sin isn’t about human failures, character weaknesses, normal mistakes, but rather the grieving of the Holy Spirit and failing to walk in love. How many times did you feel like reading the bible, praying, or was given some corrections of the Holy Spirit that you ignored. Were you being led by the Holy Spirit? Being a person with frailties isn’t a sin! Of course God expects us to mature!

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.

Eph 4:30-32 (NKJV)

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 1John 3-9 (KJV)

The anointing may be upon our lives; Until we are filled with the Holy Spirit, that is to have the nature of Christ formed in our beings! We are believing something that isn’t so (being born again) expecting it to happen at some point in time! God has given gifts to men for the purpose of transforming them into saints. The gifts of God and His Holy Spirit are upon us to give us the ability to flow in the supernatural while we are overcoming the carnal nature!

Sanctification begins by purifying our minds. Asking God for forgiveness doesn't remove the sin nature. The root of all sin begins in our adamic spirit. We have to be born again. I had to understand that fighting the good fight of faith meant just that. I was to die out to the old nature and allow God to transform my life into righteousness.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2 )

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things - Phil 4:8 (KJV)

Oil is a type of the Holy Spirit. The five wise virgins had the oil (Holy Spirit) in their lamp. The foolish virgins didn’t have the oil. People may be saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. But only those that overcome the world will rule and reign with our Lord and Savior!

In the fall of 2007, I was attending a Pentecostal fellowship. Messages were being given through the gifts of the spirit telling how God was willing to perform miracles and healings if the people would fast and pray! These people would shout and dance in the spirit speaking in the language of angels.

People were rejoicing loudly and shouting in the isles. Wonderful testimonies of God’s blessings were being told during a time of praising. Folks were telling about the miraculous things taking place in their lives and families. I marveled at the prospects of finding a glorious church in my community. The Spirit of the Lord seemed present among the people. God was certainly willing to save these people from their sins!

I was in the front of the church looking out over the congregation. God opened my eyes in a vision. In the a vision I saw the people all dressed in their wedding garments. These garments were almost black as coal with many spots and blemishes. I looked at the minister and beheld a man that was anointed of God. God was trying to do something special in this individual’s life. He wasn’t in darkness but a spirit of lust hindered this man’s spiritual growth. The love of money was the snare that Satan was using to control him.

The people continued in their sins never realizing the need to overcome their fallen nature. The cares of the world was their foremost concern. They weren’t seeking Jesus with a whole heart. They didn’t allow themselves to be transformed into righteousness by the renewing of their minds.

Entering into a period of fasting and prayer earlier that lasted many months seeking God eventually culminated in a visitation from our Lord. Jesus ever so kindly, flowing in an anointing of love, walked toward me smiling, emanating true compassion. Our Lord's presence surrounded me with the glorious peace that passes knowledge.

Here in my presence was the divine majesty of the universe treating me like a good friend. This was my elder brother and I felt just like family. Jesus spoke insightful words illuminating my life with wisdom. I learned from his very character the nature of divine truth and love. Until we have experienced the Holy presence of God do we truly learn about a Love so pure it radiates through your whole being! Words alone fail to communicate the reality of such an emotional and spiritual experience.

Unfortunately most of us are a mixture of righteousness. We are still in the process of overcoming the darkness and allowing the glorious light of Jesus Christ to enter our hearts. Too many Christians linger on the journey to righteousness. We are to be transformed by having the nature of Christ formed in us. Apostle Paul said he died daily! From Faith to Faith we overcome the world, receive the love of God into our lives and become born again.

Sin may hinder our spiritual growth but doesn’t necessarily cause the gifts of God to fail in it’s function to bring us into righteousness. Mercy and patience are virtues of the Holy Spirit. Satan comes to deceive us and many people come to reason that their place in the body of believers is secure because the anointing and gifts are still working in their lives.

Everybody seeking righteousness with their whole heart is treated as born again by faith! All who accept the blood of Jesus for their atonement and continue walking in the paths of purity afterwards are on the journey to the Kingdom of Heaven. Those who procrastinate, live in a compromise of godliness, continue in willful sin, and fail to overcome the sin nature will find themselves very disappointed some day.

Jesus Christ gave me a message many years ago. That message was not to neglect my own salvation. The Holy Spirit came to lead and guide us into all truth. You can’t seek God with all your heart and not find the paths of righteousness.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 (NKJV)

Only the Holy Spirit can lead and guide us into all truth. Jesus declares that in the day you seek him with a whole heart you shall find me. Most of us need to enter our prayer closet and wait until the still small voice of the Lord becomes as distinguishable as an audible voice to our spirit. Only then will we know the true direction God wants for our lives!