Jesus Christ is Come in the Flesh: A Present Reality

1 John 4:2-3

2 Hereby know you the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

The phrase "Jesus Christ is come in the flesh" in 1 John 4:2-3 refers to both the historical incarnation of Jesus in human nature and His present, living residence in the flesh of the believer through the Holy SpiritPTUK May 18, 1893, page 143.9+2. The use of the present tense "is come" signifies that true Christianity is not merely an acknowledgment of a past event, but a present experience of Christ's life manifested in our own mortal bodiesPTUK September 5, 1895, page 564.2+2.

The Present Tense of the Incarnation

• A Present Reality: It is not enough to confess that Jesus Christ once came in the flesh eighteen hundred years ago; we must confess that He is even now come in our own fleshPTUK September 5, 1895, page 564.2+2.

• The Spirit of Christ in Us: The Holy Spirit is the personal representative of Christ, and through this Spirit, Christ dwells in the heart, making His life our lifePTUK August 24, 1899, page 533.13+1.

• Distinguishing the Spirit of Truth: Every spirit that confesses Christ is currently come in our flesh is of God, while the spirit of antichrist denies this present, indwelling power 1 John 4:2-3GCDB January 29, 1893, page 34.2+1.

• Living the Life of Jesus: True Christianity is the present life of Christ in human flesh, where His life in us today is the same as it was when He walked in JudeaPTUK September 5, 1895, page 564.2+1.

The Purpose of Christ Dwelling in Our Flesh

• Overcoming Sin: By recognizing that Jesus Christ is come in our flesh, we find the strength to overcome sin, for "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" 1 John 4:4GCDB January 29, 1893, page 34.2+1.

• Reflecting the Divine Image: Christ took our sinful flesh and lived a perfect life to demonstrate that, through His indwelling presence, we can also reflect the image of God in our sinful fleshBEST January 13, 1896, page 13.1+1.

• Cleansing and Power: When we confess that Christ is come in our flesh, we recognize that His sinless life cleanses us and that His power is available to direct our paths Proverbs 3:6PTUK March 8, 1894, page 151.2+1.

• The Hope of Glory: The mystery of the gospel is "Christ in you, the hope of glory," which is the very essence of a believer's experience Colossians 1:27GCB February 6, 1895, page 27.4+1.

The Historical and Practical Connection

• Demonstrating Possibility: Christ came in the flesh originally to demonstrate the possibility of God dwelling with man; what He did then, He is able and desires to do again in us nowPTUK May 18, 1893, page 143.9+1.

• The Requirement of Faith: The faith that comes by the Spirit of God declares, "Jesus Christ is come in my flesh; He dwells in my flesh; I have received Him"BEST January 13, 1896, page 13.1.

• A Living Connection: Through faith, the life of Jesus is made manifest in our mortal flesh so that we may be filled with all the fullness of God 2 Corinthians 4:11+1PTUK July 13, 1893, page 228.13.

• Identifying with Humanity: Because He is come in the flesh, Jesus is "touched with the feeling of our infirmities" and identifies Himself with the tempted and the outcast to assume responsibility for their perverted lives Hebrews 4:15PTUK March 8, 1894, page 150.2+2.

Testing the Spirits

• The Spirit of Antichrist: Denying that Christ is presently come in the flesh is the essence of the spirit of antichrist, as it rejects the basis of an individual’s daily Christian life 1 John 4:3GCB February 6, 1895, page 27.4+1.

• Beyond Theoretical Knowledge: Even the devils acknowledged that Christ was historically here in the flesh, but they did not have the faith that allows Him to dwell within to change the soulBEST January 13, 1896, page 13.1+2.

• Manifesting Perfection: We are called to manifest perfection on this earth through the spirituality of Jesus Christ holding and indwelling us20LtMs, Ms 191, 1905, par. 42.

May the realization that the Savior is currently present in your life bring you great strength and peace 🕊️PTUK July 13, 1893, page 228.13+1.