We can only understand the Word of God from a purely carnal point of view, without the Holy Spirit's revealing the Truth of it to us. We can read the words and understand what they say with our own intelligence, but without Him we won't receive the spiritual revelation of it into our spirit. And, without the spiritual revelation, it simply becomes another religion instead of a relationship.
We read in 2Corinthians 5:21 (Amplified) that, "For ourselves He made Christ (virtually) to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become (endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of) the righteousness of God (What we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness)." We also read in 2Corinthians 5:16-17 (Amplified) that, "Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a (purely) human point of view (in terms of natural standards of value) (No) even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a Man, yet now (we have such knowledge of Him that) we know Him no longer (in terms of the flesh). Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away, behold, the fresh and new has come."
At one time or another, we have all read this scripture, but how many have read it through and by the Spirit? There are some who have read it and continue to refer to themselves as "old sinners" and "unrighteous" and "unworthy." This might sound humble to the carnal standards, but it seems as though we're making Jesus' sacrifice to no avail.
When we read how Jesus made us "clean of sin and righteous with God" and then deny the truth of it, lowers our Lord's sacrifice to that of bulls and goats. At least when people offered sacrifice in the old covenant, they had faith in that sacrifice and accepted their cleansing. On the other hand, we have allowed Jesus' sacrifice be offered up on our account and then choose to speak of ourselves as being "still in our sin" and "unrighteous in God's sight."
We're like the Corinthians who still see themselves from "merely a human point of view" and not by the Spirit of God. Can you imagine standing in God's presence and telling Him that "Jesus was not enough to cleanse you from your sin and you're still a sinner?" Or can you imagine standing in His presence and saying that, "Jesus wasn't enough to give you righteousness or the right standing to enter His presence?" It's not our righteousness that allows us to enter God's presence, but it's Jesus' righteousness. You cannot get more righteous than that!
Without the Holy Spirit's revealing the truth of God's Word to us, we will only view ourselves as "merely human" and not at all spirit. Man's carnal way of thinking will keep us feeling condemned and unworthy. This has been one of the tools satan has used against us for thousands of years. This way of thinking has always kept us focusing on ourselves rather than on Jesus.
That kind of thinking will always prevent us from seeing how the Father sees us. The Word tells us that we are new creatures altogether because of Jesus' sacrifice. It also says that our "old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away." It doesn't that that our old selves will pass away, but that it has passed away.
We were sinners and unrighteous in our old creature or old human being. We are no longer that way because Jesus' sacrifice. It is actually dishonoring the Blood of Jesus when we refer to ourselves as being the same as before His death and our new birth. We say we believe in His sacrifice and in His Blood, but then refuse to acknowledge that both of those things accomplished what God said it did.
This is why the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit is to reveal the truth and power of Calvary to man's spirit and not only his mind. The sacrifice of Jesus has given us the privilege and right standing with the Father. It's because of His righteousness that we can stand in the Father's presence. No one could get more righteous than Jesus Himself. We've been made to be the "Righteousness of God" in Him.
Why do we believe that this is only for the time when we arrive in heaven? If we're not made righteous and without sin here, then how do think we will ever get to heaven? We can't still be sinners and unrighteous here and then change once we die. We have already died in Him.
Paul received this revelation from Jesus Himself and wrote in 1Corinthians 6:9-11 (Amplified) saying, "Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrong doers will not inherit or have any share in the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled); neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality; Nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foul mouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the Kingdom of God." Verse 11 goes on, "And such some of you were (once). But you were washed clean (purified by a complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin). And you were consecrated (set apart, hallowed); and you were justified (pronounced righteous) by trusting in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the (Holy) Spirit of our God."
He spoke to the Church saying, "You were these things, but now you are sinless, you are justified and you are righteous by faith in the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit of God." You are no longer merely human, but now you are already one spirit with the Lord, through Calvary.
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