Note: The following is an excerpt from a great chapter in Dylan’s book “Made Perfect.” This is a throwback from a previous edition of Elisha’s Riddle, which we felt impressed to bring up again… Enjoy!
I am going to reveal to you the greatest secret in the universe. I pray that when you hear it, you will learn to savor it above everything else in this life. I pray that this simple truth will transform every aspect of your thinking, emotions, and behavior. I pray that this secret causes an explosion in your heart like you’ve never experienced before and that the sheer force of it carries you the rest of your life into glory and more glory.
Here is the secret: You are one with Jesus Christ.
The King of kings and Lord of lords lives with His almighty power inside of you. The Messiah, the Chosen One, the Christ; He has made His residence within you, and He has swallowed up your old separated and isolated identity.
You have no idea who you are. Most likely, your whole life you have identified yourself with your own random thoughts and emotions. And because of this, you have probably begun to believe that you are crazy, bipolar, or at least a little off. You have been taught to believe that you are totally separated from Jesus. That you, your “self,” is over “here,” and Jesus is up “there” in heaven. But it’s not true. Jesus is right here, living within you, and totally one with you.
 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). These words remind us that Christ is the deepest and most accurate truth of who you are. Your “self” was crucified on the cross. The sweet Savior delivered you from having to save yourself and He has given you His very life. You no longer have to live life on your own! Christ is your life, hidden inside you, living with power and love!
The Foundation of Everything
Paul used the phrase “in Christ” at least 75 times in the New Testament. Many theological books have been written about the concept of union with Christ. Theologians have argued that the phrase “in Christ” is the very foundation of Paul’s theology, as well as the foundation of the New Testament church. Let me explain a little bit more how this theme of being one with Christ is the heartbeat and power of the gospel.
There’s something you need to see clearly when reading the stories found in the four gospels. Oftentimes you will see people comparing their lives to the journey of the disciples in the stories of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It’s easy to think of ourselves in relation to people like Peter, James, or John—as those who have also been called by Jesus, and are learning to follow Him and obey His commands.
But here’s the deal: All of the disciples ultimately failed. There was no successful disciple. Even the disciple whom Jesus loved “deserted” his Teacher, forsaking Him at His most needful hour (Mark 14:50). The reality is, nobody can simply “follow Jesus.” The lives of the disciples help teach us this. Left to ourselves, we all fail at being a “disciple of Jesus.”
Yet Jesus didn’t come to earth to merely call disciples and teach them how to live. He came to do so much more than that……
Editor’s Note: Made Perfect is available at Amazon!