Previously, Theology 101 considered the topics of the Christ’s incoming and His indwelling. This week takes the idea a step further with the consideration of what we may term the outworking of Christ.
Christian experience is more than one’s personal and internal relationship with Christ. It also involves what others may perceive of us. This might be thought of as the external evidence of the outworking of Christ by which others observe the difference He makes in our lives.
The thought expressed in Philippians 2:12 furnishes us with the terminology for this week’s theme:
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
Since the presence of Christ in us is experienced through the Holy Spirit’s indwelling, what the Bible describes as the fruit of the Spirit might be perceived as a manifestation of the outworking of Christ. This fruit cluster includes love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, according to Galatians 5:22–23.
The outworking of Christ not only includes Christlike graces and attitudes, but also actions and ambitions. Is our goal that of praising of others or building our reputation? If so, we need to revisit the truth that the goal of a Christian is the glory of God, not the praise of people.
A word of caution concerning this truth about the indwelling and outworking of Christ:
These are a result, not a means. Our reflection of Christ is not the means by which we gain or maintain our Christian experience. It is the result or reflection of saving faith.
In my high school, a poster often carried a weekly thought for all who passed by.
One of them spoke an unforgettable truism that read, “What you are speaks so loudly, I cannot hear what you are saying.” Or as it is sometimes abbreviated, “Actions speak louder than words.”
What others see
What others observe in our conduct may be a message that overshadows what we think we communicate by our speech.
The sentiment expressed in a hymn is a fitting prayer for every believer:
“Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me / All His wonderful passion and purity. / O Thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine / Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.”
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