The ABCs of Not I but Christ

In my post What’s in it for me?, Irene commented and essentially asked how does Not I but Christ play out practically.  This is the Holy Grail of all questions.  “How do I let Christ live my life?” Well, though it should be practically lived out in every aspect of our lives, there is no 1-2-3 methodology to walking this out.  There’s no fixed set of ABC’s into union with Christ. The fruit of methods is animatronic death.

Not I But Christ

So all this being said, I am going to share some tips that I have gleaned along the way. First, “Not I but Christ” is a mystery.  It is one of the most mysterious things in the universe. I believe the Word of God is filled full from cover to cover about this.  And recently I heard it said that every promise in the Bible is about the incarnation.  This is simply amazing and I believe it wholeheartedly! So, if it is a mystery, then it must also be revealed.  I have to receive from God the revelation of “Not I but Christ.”  It is a deep spiritual mystery, so Wisdom Himself must give it to me.  I must ask, knock, even beg for it—and then wait for it to be given.

Now if it is a mystery, and it must be grasped by revelation, then it also must be received by faith.  Faith is the only thing that will accept something so otherworldly. And there is only one type of person that will release himself to the realm of the remarkable, and that is the little child.

Being A Child: Not I but Christ

Christ said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it,” (Mark 10:15) and “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).

So achieving “Not I but Christ” or mastering this reality is impossible. But I believe that it is important enough to God, that if you abandon yourself to receiving Him in it, He will do the work of getting you there.

For it is God who is at work in you,
both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Philippians 2:13 NASB

God is by no means attempting to frustrate us in this.  It is not an unobtainable or just-out-of-our-reach reality.  But it is impossible to make it happen.  I won’t study my way into it (I’ve got a stack of books if you want to borrow them.). I won’t work my way into it (Anyone have a pummel stone? My calluses are rough!). I won’t say the right mantra to make it a reality (Could you pick me up some throat spray?). No, I will let go, become a little child, with all my wonder and fascination, and Christ will bring forth His satisfaction and delight. Yes, His good pleasure is that we would know “the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).