If I am to be a worthy disciple of Jesus Christ, I must come to terms with my inside. Jesus Christ is not out there; He is in me, as far as my discipleship is concerned. This means that no matter how I love books, revere people, and admire nature, in the last analysis I must.confront the Christ who resides within. Too often I have lined up my life according to the outer lights instead of with Christ, the inner light, and this has only led to confusion.
Since Christ is within me, I must adopt two stances. First, I must listen to Him, and that involves a degree of turning inward, which my friends may often misunderstand. Second, I must allow Him expression, which is more than “following Jesus” or “walking in His steps.” As the Spirit “clothed” Himself with Gideon, so I must let Jesus Christ clothe Himself with me. This is what Paul meant in 2 Corinthians 4:10, “that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”
It is in me, not out there, that need and supply meet. Despite the beauty of the figure, Jesus does not walk beside me, for an “outside” Savior cannot meet the needs generated in my inmost being. That is why Paul says he did not know Christ “according to the flesh” anymore (2 Corinthians 5:16). The only Christ Paul knew was one inside him, a supreme Lord and Master, and not an outside figure whom he was trying to follow. Jesus Christ meets my need of guidance by propelling me from within.
With an inside Christ, I can rest; I will never lose my Guide. His presence is no farther than my heartbeat, His power no farther than my thought. “How precious also are Thy thoughts to me, O God! … When I awake, I am still with Thee,” for You will “lead me in the everlasting way” (Psalm 139:17–18, 24).
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you” (Romans 8:11).
Daily with the King 