Two thousand years ago or so, a child was born in Bethlehem whose name was Jesus (Yeshua, in Hebrew). He was called the Son of God. He was both fully God and fully man, having been born of the Virgin Mary and conceived by the Holy Sprit.

The opening words in John’s gospel read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” John 1:1-3.  John proclaimed that, “the Word was God.”

Paul, the apostle, described Christ Jesus this way.  He, “being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:5-7.

As He grew, He increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52.  He died on the cross, was buried, rose the third day, ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God, the Father.

During His earthly ministry, Jesus told a Pharisee named Nicodemus that he had to be “born again.” John 3.  We learn from Galatians 3:26 and 4:6 that when we are born again by grace through faith, we become the sons of God.

Jesus was first born into the world.  Then, He is born in us when we are born again from on high by the Holy Spirit.  The same Holy Spirit that birthed Him, re-birthed us.  The new birth works both ways.  He is born into us, and we are born into Him.  Jesus claimed that we are in Him and He is in us, just as He is in the Father. John 14:20.

Awesome!  But don’t ask me how this works.  We take it by faith, and we come to know it is true, because we find Him working in and through us.  “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children (sons) of God.” Romans 8:16.  We just know!

Additionally, “we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Think about the numerous times we go through a checkout lane.  How likely are we to give much thought that, as we go, we carry within us the very presence of the Almighty?  Who can say what influence He may be having on others through us?  We may need to tie a little ribbon on our thumb to remind us.

Likewise, we are unlikely to give thought to the places and conditions into which we may drag Him.  We trudge through life with an awareness of our own weaknesses and strengths, but with little awareness of His divine presence and power within us.  If, indeed, Christ is in us, we are like little arks of His covenant, carrying about His Presence wherever we go.

Let us live with that glorious awareness that He is in us and we are in Him!  Ambassadors!  May our words and actions be those of the living Christ within us.

If, indeed, Christ is in you, the next time you give someone as simple a thing as a righteous hug, it will not just be you hugging.  That person will get a loving hug from Jesus as well.

Charles Elliott Newbold, Jr.   has served as pastor, teacher and is an author calling forth Christians to live the laid-down life for Jesus Christ.     He and his wife, Nancy McDonald Newbold, live in Knoxville, Tennessee, where Charles continues his writing.