Dear Mike,

I just wanted to make a comment and ask you if my thinking is correct and that you might, God willing, either expound or correct.
You say quote, ” I cannot tell you how much it means to me to know that you really are praying for me.”
I think I might know how much it means to you that you are in my prayer. Correct me if I am wrong please.
For me, being in the prayers of the brethren is where we are made manifest and present to our Dear Loving Lord and Savior. THIS, is for me, the invisible place, separate to all carnality and worldliness, wherein the Family of the Lord and the Kingdom are made spiritually manifest as in the manifestation of the Sons of God. It is as a fulfillment and expectation that is coming true and the dawning in my heart of the manifestation of the Sons of God.

Rom 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

No longer being a “creature” but a member in the family of God, I am given to see the significance of being in the prayers of the brethren and likewise holding the brethren in my prayer. I am aware of the fact that is told to me by Paul.

1Co 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

So, Mike, consequentially, it means a lot to me to have you present in my prayers… but more that you have me in yours!
If this thinking is radical or twisted or incorrect, please, I would pray that you edify me accordingly..
I am very blessed to be in your prayers.

Blessings to you,
D____

Good morning D____,

Thank you for sending me your thoughts and for asking for my discernment concerning those thoughts. I agree with you. We are “in Christ” (Act 17:28), and Christ is “in us” (Col 1:27) if indeed He is there.
What I have had to fight is what the apostle Paul fought, and that is the mixing of the consummation with the present situation of being “sealed with the holy spirit of promise… the earnest of the spirit [ down payment] until the redemption of the purchased possession.”

Eph 1:13  In whom ye also [ trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

So we are “resurrected with Christ… in earnest” at this time, and even though we are also “resurrected with him in newness of life”, and even though “Now are we the sons of God”, we still cannot say “the resurrection is already past”. It is not past, and saying it is past “overthrows the faith of some”.

Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
2Ti 2:17  And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
2Ti 2:18  Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
2Ti 2:19  Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

We are “sealed with the holy spirit of promise” and “God knows them that… have this seal”. “We are saved by hope… but why does a man hope for that he already has?”

Rom 8:22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Rom 8:23  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit [ of promise], even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body “the purchased possession” Eph 1:14].
Rom 8:24  For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
1Jn 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

So yes, we are one with Christ already. Yes, “Now are we the sons of God”, but everything we have now, being one with Christ, being buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him in newness of life is only in earnest and not in fullness. So be very careful to avoid the ‘fullness now’ false doctrine which sometimes dominates many Christian fellowships.
I hope you find this edifying. It is intended to encourage you in your walk. I certainly believe that all you want is to know what is the mind of Christ and His Father because “this is life eternal”.

Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Your brother in Christ,
Mike