Experiencing Christ vs. Enjoying Christ
"For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body... and have all been made to drink into one Spirit" (1 Cor. 12:13)
Aspect |
Experiencing Christ |
Enjoying Christ |
---|---|---|
Primary Realm |
In spirit (Phil. 1:27 "...stand firm in one spirit") |
In soul (Phil. 2:2 "...make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit") |
Types |
- Manna in wilderness (Ex. 16:14-15) - Water from struck rock (Ex. 17:6) - Bronze serpent (Num. 21:9) |
- Good fruit of Canaan (Deut. 8:8) - Land flowing with milk and honey (Ex. 3:8) - Land of rest (Deut. 12:9) |
Significance |
- Christ as life (Col. 3:4 "Christ who is our life") - Living out Christ (Gal. 2:20 "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me") |
- Christ as satisfaction (Ps. 36:8 "They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Your house") - Tasting Christ's sweetness (Ps. 34:8 "Taste and see that the Lord is good") |
Characteristics |
- Union with the Lord in spirit (1 Cor. 6:17 "He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit") - Living in the mingled spirit (Rom. 8:16) |
- Enjoying the Lord in soul (Ps. 63:5) - Renewal of mind (Rom. 12:2) |
Distinctions |
- Can experience Christ in suffering (2 Cor. 4:7-10) - Exercise spirit to contact the Lord (1 Tim. 4:7) |
- Requires soul healing (Ps. 23:3) - Requires mind renewal (Eph. 4:23) |
Illustration |
- Like Paul experiencing Christ in prison (Phil. 1:20-21) - Counting all things loss (Phil. 3:7-8) |
- Like David resting in green pastures (Ps. 23:2) - Like Mary sitting at Jesus' feet (Luke 10:39) |
Examples |
- Paul knowing the secret in all circumstances (Phil. 4:11-13) - Stephen's martyrdom experience (Acts 7:55-56) |
- Psalmist enjoying God's presence (Ps. 16:11) - Bride enjoying the Beloved (Song 2:3) |
Application |
- Deny self (Matt. 16:24) - Walk according to spirit (Rom. 8:4) - Pray in everything (Phil. 4:6-7) |
- Set mind on spirit (Rom. 8:6) - Praise and thank (Ps. 100:4) - Meditate on Word (Ps. 119:15) |
Key Verses |
- "That I may know Him..." (Phil. 3:10) - "Christ lives in me" (Gal. 2:20) - "Stand firm in one spirit" (Phil. 1:27) - "For to me to live is Christ" (Phil. 1:21) |
- "Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Ps. 34:8) - "Make my joy complete" (Phil. 2:2) - "Rejoice in the Lord" (Phil. 4:4) - "Bless the Lord, O my soul" (Ps. 103:1) |
Relationship |
Biblical testimony of their unity: 1. "I count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord" (Phil. 3:8) 2. "That your joy may be full" (John 15:11) 3. "Joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Pet. 1:8) |
Additional Notes:
- Balance of Experience and Enjoyment:
- * "Your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless" (1 Thess. 5:23)
- * "Worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24)
- Path to Deepening:
- * "To be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Rom. 8:6)
- * "In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving" (Phil. 4:6)
- Complete Experience:
- * "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight" (Ps. 19:14)
- * "Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart" (Jer. 15:16)
*Please refer to the 2024 International Thanksgiving Conference 'Living the Christian Life and Church Life under God's Government for God's Economy' Chapter 4 Becoming a Replica of Christ and Experiencing Christ as the Shepherd of Our Soul