What is the Hidden Life?

At salvation we received two benefits. The first benefit is Justification. That is freedom from the penalty of sin. We no longer have to go to hell. We can spend eternity in heaven. The second benefit is sanctification. This is freedom from the power of sin. The book of Romans tells us that sin should no longer have dominion over us, for we are not under the law (where man does the work) but we are under grace (where God does the work).

Of course we understand that Justification (freedom from hell and the privilege of heaven as our eternal destiny) is a benefit that cannot be enjoyed until we die or Christ returns. In other words, the benefit of justification is a future benefit of the heaven bound believer.

Yet, the benefits of Sanctification are intended by God to be enjoyed here on earth. The future benefits of justification are sealed when we accept information about Christ, but the benefits of sanctification are enjoyed when we develop a personal relation with Christ.
It is sad but true that many Christians today do not enjoy this personal, intimate relationship with Jesus. Without it, we will find our Christian life to be characterized by ups and downs. Victory coupled with long bouts of defeat. Christ promised an abundant Christian life. This is nothing more than the redundant Christian life.

The reason we find ourselves missing out on the benefits of our sanctification (which are the fruits of the Spirit in the face of adversity) is because we overlook the value of our personal relation while finding contentment in the acquisition of more information. Like Adam and Eve in the garden, we want to know more about God rather than to develop our walk with God.

The Hidden Life is a term that I have designed to describe what I believe is the Truth about victorious Christian living. It’s not about information; it’s about a personal relation.

But how do you have the intimate personal relation? Well, thanks to the prince of the world and his powers and authorities, that information is hidden! Just like the devil hides justification from the unbeliever, he hides the benefits of sanctification from the believer.

Simply put the “Hidden Life” is best described as exercising a measure of confidence (that’s faith) in God’s ability to do the work (that’s grace) necessary in my life to conform me to the image of His Son (that’s fruit) through a daily walk with Him. I will not do the work (that’s performing) I will allow the work to be done in me (that’s transforming). I must realize that God did not come to change my life (that’s self-righteousness). He came to exchange it (that’s righteousness)! As a result, I will die daily through confession and repentance of all sin that is brought to my conscience by the Holy Spirit during my daily walk and throughout the day. As I do this, I will experience a greater enlightenment in my worship. My enlivened worship will then provide me with the most coveted act of the Spirit, and that is intuition. With Holy Spirit intuition, I will be a clean vessel and qualify for God’s power on my walk and work.

At Steve Curington Ministries we have dedicated our lives and our various ministries to exposing the Hidden life for all believers to enjoy. God intends for our relationship with Him to be a catalyst for proper actions and reactions in the adversities of life. It is called conforming by transforming. However, when you are merely learning about God and not getting to really know God you will find your life is more focused on conforming by….performing!

Print This Page

fergmeister

This teaching is critically needed in our fellowships. Believers often are told they need to “work out their salvation in fear and trembling” but are not encouraged to see and believe that a faithful God will provide the power “to will and to do” by grace through the Holy Spirit's enablement. Phil 2:12-13

Conformed to the image of the Son by transformation (by grace) rather than performance (by self-willed effort). Being willing to be made willing is what God asks of us.

Thanks for your faithful exegesis of God's Word and proclaimation to God's People!
http://donaldmgilbert.com Donald Gilbert

Thanks for this comment fergmeister! I am glad to see christian brothers recognizing the necessity of these truths!
http://donaldmgilbert.com Donald Gilbert

Thanks for this comment fergmeister! I am glad to see christian brothers recognizing the necessity of these truths!
douglas

isn't doing challenges in the RU workbooks a form of obtaining more information about Christ? about developing a more intimate relationship with him? because if i don't know how, then telling me to, is futile. those great people in the bible didn't have workbooks or a bible.i don't think i am wrong for desiring more information about developing a better relationship with Christ.with almost 50 years of misinformation jammed in my head, i tend to desire strongly with renewing the mind through the power of God's Word and thru seeking Godly counsel about “HOW”. my old man is huge, and he keeps popping up without my consent, so am i just doing good in the flesh?? repitition seems to have some merit. i welcome any responses to this comment.
douglas

isn't doing challenges in the RU workbooks a form of obtaining more information about Christ? about developing a more intimate relationship with him? because if i don't know how, then telling me to, is futile. those great people in the bible didn't have workbooks or a bible.i don't think i am wrong for desiring more information about developing a better relationship with Christ.with almost 50 years of misinformation jammed in my head, i tend to desire strongly with renewing the mind through the power of God's Word and thru seeking Godly counsel about “HOW”. my old man is huge, and he keeps popping up without my consent, so am i just doing good in the flesh?? repitition seems to have some merit. i welcome any responses to this comment.
juanduran

ORAMOS POR L FAMILIA DEL HERMANO STEVE CURINGTON, QUE DIOS TODOPODEROSO LES DE FORTALEZA Y LES AYUDE A PASAR ESTA TRAGEDIA PERO SABEMOS QUE EL HERMANO STEVE HOY HIZO EFECTIVO SU BOLETO AL CIELO QUE ADQUIRIO CUANDO EL ACEPTO A NUESTRO SENOR JESUCRISTO,GRASIAS HERMANO STEVE POR SUS ENSENAÑANZAS

NUESTRO SENTIDO PESAME ATENTAMENTE FAILIA

DURAN ,NORTH CAROLINA
Hugh Zimmerman

This brief description of the exchanged or hidden life is right on target. As a pastor and Biblical Christian Counselor, I learned this truth and experience 25 years ago. It is the ONLY possible way to live in continuous victory over the power of sin. It is not trying, it is trusting. It is not me living my life FOR Christ, it is Christ living HIS life in ME. God gave me Col. 3:1-3 as my life verses soon after I was saved, and I am alive IN Him NOW and for eternity!
Kimba7159

Here is what GOD himself taught me. The KINGDOM of HEAVEN is WITHIN YOU…Seek that first…..KNOW THAT YOU KNOW THAT YOU KNOW THAT…I too have a very personal relationship with GOD and hear him everyday. This business of bringing death into just does not compute with me. HE says there is no DEATH IN ME.. And if YOU are IN him and HE is IN you you will not be dead. Why is there so much emphasis put on this. LIVING is what everyone should be. Having UNMEASURABLE FAITH is something everyone should be asking GOD for. He says ask and you shall receive. That doesnt mean 40 years from now. HE SAYS YES AND AMEN to those who believe this!!!!! And douglas, you are NOT wrong for wanting more information from GOD he says to ask. His words. Don't let anyone tell you any different. HES ALIVE AND IN YOU not waiting for you to DIE to be with you. If he's in you how can he possibly not BE ALIVE??????
Freedomthreads

Douglas,
Let me encourage you to work through the very first workbook you describe in your comment above. That along with a 90 day use of the It's Personal Daily Journal will go along way in explaining the value of the material as you begin to develop a more intimate walk with Christ.
Also, I do not think you can go wrong with having a desire to know more about Christ but what better way to do that than to walk and talk with him daily?
http://DiscipleshipGuy.com/ Matthew E. Parrott

Great read and explanation!!! Recently I spent the weekend with my friend and we went to a Christian Conference. While the conference was great, it was a reminder that every group or movement wants us to do something or join something. My friend just kept saying that he isn't going to do anything or change anything that he doesn't see the Father doing. It was a great reminder that we should only do what we see Him doing or what He asks us to do. Anything else that we do or try to accomplish is all works and will be burnt up.
Shadowpuppet64

I was doing as snorted cocaine in the being lead then starting smoked crack. It lead made me doing as a hustler myself until I got end up in jail!
Guest1

How do you or anyone else know that it is God doing the work in you rather than you taking the decision and doing the work? For example, if I visit the sick, I might still feel pity/love for them, get in my car, reschedule, make sacrifices. How do I know that God did it in me, rather than that I just got off my backside and did it?
michaelm

I just didn’t want to share at this time. But I sure appreciated the article by Steve Currington ‘The Hidden Life ‘ It is so relevant …….. And that’s why I clicked the ‘Like’
michaelm

I just didn't want to share at this time. But I sure appreciated the article by Steve Currington 'The Hidden Life ' It is so relevant …….. And that's why I clicked the 'Like'
Pingback: best electric cigarettes
Pingback: best dui attorney San Diego
Pingback: house extension costs australia

What is the Hidden Life?

Comments