IT IS A LIFE PERFECTED BY GOD’S HOLY PRESENCE

I hasten to this point because I would not have anyone think even for an instant that conformity to the image of Christ is affected by imitation of a pattern, no matter how perfect. Such conformity as the Bible speaks of is not wrought in the believer through the imitation of a pattern without, but through the presence of a Person within. It is only through the union whereby the Vine lives in the branch and the branch in the Vine that such conformity is found. Only the man who apprehends his position in Christ and Christ’s possession in him grows up into likeness to his Lord. Only the man who consistently can say, “Christ liveth in me” can say honestly, “To me to live is Christ.” It is not the imitation of the incarnate Son but the indwelling of the crucified, risen, ascended, exalted Son that perfects conformity to His image. I am to be what He was, because of what He did on the cross and now does from the throne. The Father’s answer to the last three words of His Son’s high-priestly prayer produces conformity to Christ in the believer. Oneness with the Lord makes likeness to the Lord.

John 15:5

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

John 17:26

“And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

IT IS A LIFE ENERGIZED BY GOD’S MIGHTY POWER

One has only to begin living on the highest plane to know that life can never be maintained on that level in one’s own power. Living steadfastly and habitually in the altitude of the heavenlies is the spiritual man’s greatest difficulty. Even after taking Christ Jesus as his perfect pattern and realizing His holy presence within, the believer often has periods of dismal failure and terrible defeat.

But the spiritually minded man has learned God’s way of maintaining his life in the heavenlies and his life is energized by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit whom God bestows upon every child of His. The Holy Spirit is given when the new nature is imparted to the believer to affect this growing conformity to the image of Christ.

Ephesians 3:16-17, 19-20

“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; That ye might be filled unto all the fulness of God . . . Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”

The energizing power of the indwelling power of the indwelling Spirit of God consistently and continuously maintains life on the highest plane. 

Source: “Life on the Highest Plane” by Ruth Paxson

Gracious Lord, thank You for making it clear that conforming my life to Your image does not mean imitating You; rather, I allow You, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to live within me.