What is the Christ Consciousness?

What is the Christ Consciousness?

The Christ Consciousness

What is Consciousness?

Consciousness, as defined by the Cambridge Dictionary, is "the state of understanding and realizing something." Similarly, the Oxford Living Dictionary describes it as "the state of being aware of and responsive to one's surroundings" and "a person's awareness or perception of something." At its core, consciousness is the experience of awareness and the ability to process and respond to stimuli from the environment. It is a mental phenomenon that enables us to reflect, think, and act based on our perceptions.

Crucially, consciousness is not an ethereal, otherworldly concept, but rather is closely tied to the physical brain. It is a biochemical process, a product of the brain's workings, and as such, it is a physical property of the brain. This understanding helps ground our exploration of the Christ Consciousness within the context of the physical reality of the human mind.

The Concept of Christ Consciousness

The term "Christ Consciousness" refers to a higher state of awareness rooted in spiritual development, particularly through the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is the transformation of the mind and spirit that comes from cultivating a deep, personal understanding of God’s Word and a continual practice of prayer. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17), and through the study of scripture, one engages in a mental renewal. The Apostle Paul urges believers to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2), acknowledging that the mind—while a physical process—is capable of spiritual renewal.

The Christ Consciousness is not merely an abstract or mystical ideal; it is a transformative process that has a profound, practical impact on one's life. Studying the scriptures is akin to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a method that helps reshape thought patterns. As Christians engage with the Word of God, they train their minds to align with the spiritual realities described in the Bible, ultimately developing a mindset that reflects Christ’s teachings.

The Christ Consciousness as the Spiritual Man Within

The Christ Consciousness can also be understood as the "hidden man of the heart" (1 Peter 3:4), a term used to describe the spiritual self. This hidden man is not an abstract or divine essence, nor is it an immortal soul as commonly conceived. Instead, it is an attitude of mind that resides deep within, representing the spiritual person being cultivated through relationship with God.

The hidden man, or the Christ Consciousness, is unseen by the world, and as such, it is often misunderstood by others. The world cannot comprehend this inner transformation because it is not of the visible, material realm. The Gospel itself is a "mystery," something hidden that will ultimately be revealed (Matthew 10:26). This hidden aspect of the believer’s spirituality is the dynamic power within, and it will be fully manifest when the Lord returns.

The Apostle Paul explains that "the inward man" (Romans 7:22) is the true spiritual self. The term used in the Greek Septuagint (LXX) in Leviticus 3:14-16, describing the fat surrounding the intestines, reflects the idea that God values what is hidden, what is developed in secret and unseen. The fat was not significant in itself, but it symbolized the most intimate and spiritual parts of a person, just as the hidden man reflects the essential spirituality that is nurtured within.

The Manifestation of the Christ Consciousness

The process of developing the Christ Consciousness is not merely an intellectual exercise but a transformative one, with physical implications for the believer. Romans 8:11 promises that the spirit of God, which raised Jesus from the dead, will also "quicken your mortal bodies." This spiritual power, which dwells in the believer, will one day be fully revealed, as the hidden spiritual man is made manifest in the believer’s body.

The life of the believer is "hid with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3), and will only be fully revealed at the return of Jesus. Even after death, the believer’s spiritual essence is preserved and recollected by God (Hebrews 12:23). The true, spiritual self—Christ in us—will be fully revealed at Christ’s return.

The Hidden and Revealed Nature of the Christ Consciousness

Romans 2:28 suggests that the true believer will circumcise their heart "inwardly," emphasizing the hidden nature of the spiritual life. The works of the flesh are manifest, but the works of the Spirit remain unseen (Galatians 5:18-19). Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 6:4, 6, and 18 emphasize that God sees in secret, and it is in this hiddenness that the true spiritual life is developed.

The Christ Consciousness is therefore not something that is only to be realized in the afterlife; it is something that is already at work in the believer, hidden yet powerful. The spiritual man, as Christ in us, will be revealed both to the believer and to others in the final judgment.

The Christ Consciousness, in its fullest sense, is the equivalent of the Christ-self, the hidden man of the heart, and the new man who is being transformed by the renewing of the mind. This transformation is both a present reality and a future promise, and it is through the cultivation of this consciousness that the believer aligns more fully with the will and spirit of Christ.