Christ In Us (3)

(5) If Christ is in us, he transforms us to his own likeness; where he rules by the Spirit, he changes his people (2 Cor. 3:18). Christ renews and changes his spouse, the church. He is such a head as quickens his members; such a vine as puts life in the branches. You may know by this altering, changing, transforming power, whether he is in you or not. He alters and changes us to his own likeness. We should have the same disposition, the same mind, and the same will as him; for he will alter us to himself, that he may take the more delight in us. We will judge of things as he judges them. There will be a delight to do our Father's will, as it was his meat and drink to do his Father's will (John 4:34). We will have a spirit of obedience, as Christ had, to look to our Father's glory and to his commands in all things. We will have compassion and melting hearts to the misery of others, as he had deep yearning in seeing sheep without a shepherd. We will have humble and meek hearts, as he had. 'Come, learn of me, for I am humble and meek' (Matt. 11:29). For where he dwells and takes up his throne, he alters and changes the disposition in all things to be like himself. For when he comes to the soul, he takes up the eyes, the ears, the understanding, and the affections. Even as we shut up the doors and windows against all that is threatening to us, so the Spirit of Christ, where he is, shuts the door of the senses both to Satan and all his suggestions, and whatever else might hurt us.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Matchless Love and Inbeing, Works, vol. 6, pp. 404-05
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