2Corinthians 5:16-17 (Amplified) has been the base scripture used in this teaching and indicates that we aren't "just forgiven sinners," but actually are new creations in Christ Jesus. Some might say, "I don't think I need to know all this stuff, in order to get to heaven." They are right about that fact, because the only requirement for going to heaven is receiving Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Whether or not anyone has noticed, we're not in heaven yet. These teachings aren't as much about getting to heaven, but about bringing heaven into our lives and the lives of others here on earth.
These are things we need to know here on earth, that allow heaven to work for us here. We must first realize what Jesus' Sacrifice has really done for us, so we can believe and receive from our Heavenly Father now. 2Corinthians 5:16 (Amplified) says, "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)."
This scripture alone, tells us just how much wisdom and knowledge the Holy Spirit has to reveal to the Church. There are so many things God wishes us to know now that Christ has risen to His rightful place in the Throne Room of God.
Paul writes to us about this "place" we share with Jesus, in our new creation position. Paul says, "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." Paul says that "we no longer know any man just in terms of a merely human viewpoint, this includes how we now see ourselves.
We continue to mostly be more conscious or our old selves, rather than of the new creation we've become. A new creation means that we have no past, as far as our Heavenly Father is concerned. If God is still aware of our past, then we're not new creatures at all. When we understand this one great truth, it releases faith in what we pray and how we come before the Father. 1John 20-22 (Amplified) says, "Whenever our hearts (tormenting, self-accusation make us feel guilt and condemn us) (For we are still in God's hands) For He is above and greater than our (consciences, our hearts) and He knows (perceives and understands) everything (nothing is hidden from Him)." Verses 21-22 go on, "And, beloved, if our consciences (our hearts) do not condemn us (if they do not make us feel guilty and condemn us) we have confidence (complete assurance and boldness) before God. And we receive from Him whatever we ask, because we (watchfully) obey His orders (observe His suggestions and injunctions, follow His plan for us) and (habitually) practice what is pleasing to Him."
If we do not understand 2Corinthians 5:16-17, then our hearts will keep us under condemnation and will hold back the plan of God for our lives. This is why it's so important to know His heart, as well as our hearts. You cannot come to the Father in faith, if you still see yourself from a purely point of view. You must see yourself like God sees you, in Christ.
In order to be righteous, you must see yourself totally after the Spirit and not after the flesh. The only way to see yourself as being righteous, is by faith in Jesus. We can never do enough good things or live a good enough life, to become righteous, it's only by faith in what God has declared you to be in Christ Jesus. Trying to become righteous by your own works, illustrates that your heart is still condemning you. Otherwise, we wouldn't have to work so hard at it. Should we avoid sin and walk in our new creation? Of course we should. But, we should put our faith in those works in order to gain or lose by them. We must not allow our own judgment to determine our righteousness, but must allow our faith in Jesus to do so.
Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) says, "But without faith it is impossible to please or be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must (necessarily) believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him (out)." The only way to come to God or be pleasing to Him, is by faith.
Paul spoke to those who were under the Law (as well as those who were under religious dictates) in Romans 10:2-3 (Amplified) saying, "I bear them witness that they have a (certain) zeal and enthusiasm for God, but it is not enlightened and according to (correct and vital) knowledge. For being ignorant of the righteousness that God ascribes (which makes one acceptable to Him in word, thought, and deed) and seeking to establish a righteousness ( a means of salvation) of their own, they did not obey or submit themselves to God's righteousness."
We can only be righteous by faith in Jesus and not of ourselves. If we base our right standing with God on our own performance, then we would (and do) continually fail. Romans 12:2 (Amplified) says, "Do not be conformed to this world (this age) (fashioned after and adapted to its external superficial customs), but be transformed (changed) by the (entire) renewal of your mind (by the new ideals and its new attitude) So that you may prove (for yourselves) what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God; Even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect (in His sight for you)."
Read the above scripture in the light of Hebrews 11:6, understanding that the only way to "prove and understand" the "perfect and acceptable will of God," is by accepting, by faith, what His righteousness is for your life. Stop worrying about your performance to gain your right standing with God, and accept by faith, His ascribed means of right standing for you. We don't base our walk with God on our performance, but on Jesus. I'm not sanctioning your going out and doing whatever you want, whenever you want, to whoever you want to do it to. But, we shouldn't allow our hearts to condemn us when we miss it (and we will). We must stay in faith as to how we become righteous and must allow that same faith to maintain your righteousness.
We are new creations. We were never before and have now been "cleaned up," but we our new. We must stay within the boundaries of this new creation and not allow satan to bring us back to having a "purely" human viewpoint of ourselves. If we only see ourselves from our own viewpoints and not the new creation viewpoint, then your very heart will condemn you to the point feeling like "God will never answer your prayer, because you don't deserve it." Thank God that we do not get what we deserve from Him, because if God gave us what we deserved, then we'd all burn in hell. We get from Him, the things His great Love has paid for by His Blood. We must receive what He has granted to us by His grace and Love. And, we must walk in what God's Word has declared for our righteousness and get out from under the burden of guilt our own weaknesses bring.
When we deny that we are righteous, through Christ Jesus, we deny that Jesus' Sacrifice and His Blood failed to do what He came to do. If you don't believe that Jesus' Blood and Sacrifice have done the job of making you righteous, then how do you think you can accomplish this through your own efforts? It sounds foolish when you look at it that way, doesn't it? That's because it is foolish! If Jesus didn't make you righteous, then you have no hope of ever being in right standing with a Holy God. Believe that you are now a new creation, created in His Image, His Likeness, His Child and in right standing with Him, in Jesus.
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