Editor’s Note: This is the continuation of a short series written to the church of this hour. On a recent podcast episode we gave a seven-year prophetic word about the “Rachel Church” coming forth in this season. This series is written to all who are part this rising and shining company of believers. In case you missed it, click here to see the podcast episode.

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Dear Rachel,

One of the marks of the church rising in this hour is a renewed sense of the victory Christ already accomplished on the world’s behalf 2000 years ago. The days are passing where Christians see themselves as poor and helpless sinners apart from Christ. The gospel declares we are in union with Jesus, and that he has shared his victory with us. When he died, we died (Romans 6). When he raised, we raised with him (Ephesians 2). Our inheritance is rich. We no longer need to listen to the voice of sin in our lives. 

With this victory comes a real sense of joy, faith, and hope. We’re called to be a happy people! Many believers are becoming more and more convinced of the victory Christ purchased for us. Theologies that keep people under the lie of bondage and addiction are passing away. Satan has corrupted some church teachings and convinced people that Jesus didn’t really finish the work for us. Many have lived under the delusion that they still have to work hard to get close to God. 

The church is waking up to the reality that God came close to us. He gets us. We are in union with him. We are one with God! Wild words, I know. But the words of the New Testament indeed (John 14:20; 1 Corinthians 6:17; Galatians 2:20). If Jesus is living in us, there is nothing we can’t handle. We aren’t striving after union with God, we are living our lives from union with God. This is what Christ purchased for us. 

This represents a radical shift for believers in many places as well as a shift in our evangelistic call to the world. As we lead people in a “sinner’s prayer” of repentance, we are also telling them to wake up and discover the mystery of Christ within them (Colossians 1:27)!  

Practically Speaking

Paul had to spend much of his letters breaking down this radical gospel of victory and union, and make it practical for his communities… So and so is sleeping with his mother in law? Since we are in union with Christ, he should not be doing that! (See 1 Corinthians) This is the power and center from which we address any and every issue that comes up! 

Your 8 year old nephew is disrespectful toward his mom? Hey buddy, if Christ is in you, you shouldn’t act that way! Be respectful toward your mom. She loves you! Your neighbor’s husband passed away and she is living with grief? Let Christ’s love pour out from inside you and bake her some cookies. Your budget is out of control and your family is struggling financially? Christ in you is the wisdom to plan a better budget. Or perhaps Christ in you will lead you to someone who can help you. Or maybe Christ in you is perfectly trusting the Father to provide and you just need to quiet yourself and come in tune with that reality!

You get the point. The mystery of Christ in us is the foundation from which we sort out the details of our lives. This gospel is both mystical (we’re talking about union with God!) and practical, as it expresses itself in very ordinary ways in the day to day (with frequent miracles to boot).

I believe I’m only explaining what billions of people are already experiencing every day. Christ is indeed the mystery hidden in all people. He is the One drawing all people to himself. He is the One who provides help to people everywhere, all the time. He does in fact cause the sun to shine on all people, even if they’re still living in sin. (See Matthew 5)

And it’s our purpose, as believers, the ones who have awakened from the slumber of the enemy, to point people to Christ in both word and deed, through conversations, writings, teaching, good works, generosity, and the way we live our lives. And everything we do, we do first and foremost for the audience of the One God who is eternally loving one another in the persons of Father, Son, and Spirit. The happy God lives to bless us with his joy. (See Hebrews 1:9)

We are living in exciting times. Let’s open our eyes to this glorious God and this glorious purpose he has laid before us. Until next time… I love you Rachel Church! 

Sincerely, 

Pastor Dylan