Adrian
Rogers
Pastor/Teacher of Love Worth Finding
Ministries and Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN
Dear Friend of Love Worth Finding:
This year I have been burdened to show you how to grow in
Christ. But this letter may contain the
most important truth so far. So I hope
you will read it carefully. In fact, I
hope it changes your life.
Because I want to explain one of the most encouraging, powerful
truths any Christian can learn. And it
is simply this: Real salvation is not just about getting man out of earth and into
heaven. Real salvation is also about
getting God out of heaven…and into man.
This explosive truth is taught all through the Bible – but not
understood by most Christians. I
know, because for years, I misunderstood
it! Let me tell you about that…
I came to Christ for salvation as a teenager. My young heart was filled with zeal and a
love for the things of God. Yet there
was very little victory in my daily walk.
My small conquests of overcoming sin and living victoriously were rare
moments in my continuing struggle.
Oh yes, I would rededicate my life and make sincere
promises. But resolve, resolution, and
repentance were not enough.
“Gutting it out” may have worked for me on the football field, but not
in my spiritual walk. Perhaps you can
relate!
Today, I realize that there is only One who has ever lived the
Christian life. His name is Jesus, not
Adrian. And today, I realize that the
Christian life is lived not by me,
but through me, for indeed it is not
me but Christ who is living in me.
Do you see the power in that truth? Paul wrote about this, saying, “I live; yet
not I, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). He referred to “Christ in you, the hope of
glory” (Colossians 1:27). Jesus Christ
living inside your body? What a
staggering thought!
You need to let this reality sink in deeply. You see, it is possible to be a Christian
like I was and not be aware of this. Paul had to remind the
struggling believers in Corinth, “What?
Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in
you” (1 Corinthians 6:19).
In the Old Testament, God had a temple for His people. His Spirit dwelt inside the temple, which
stood in the middle of Israel. But in
the New Testament, He has a people for His temple. Our very bodies are holy
temples containing the very presence of God.
When you understand that you are a residence of the living God,
then you begin to grasp that living supernaturally is the most natural thing
any Christian can do! Tragically, this
powerful realization is hidden from the hearts of so many believers.
Yet God meant it to be a bright, living reality in our daily
lives. God wants to change the mundane
into the momentous and drudgery into delight.
He wants to turn struggle into victory.
May God bless you as He opens your understanding to the power of His
divine presence in you.
Adrian Rogers
Pastor/Teacher