2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
In this new creation, we've been now created from the same Seed (the Word of God) as the Last Adam, Who is Jesus. We were created new in His Likeness and Image. Jesus was the first to be infused with the Holy Spirit and actually had the Holy Spirit dwelling in Him. The Holy Spirit dwelt within a born-again human spirit for the first time ever and Jesus was the First Born of many brethren. We've been born anew by the Holy Spirit Himself.
Jesus said in John 14:17 (Amplified) that, "The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart) because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you (constantly) and will be in you." Jesus was saying something about the new creation, that He couldn't explain in full at the time. He was speaking about the new creation man, who was to come into being after His death and resurrection. Jesus couldn't fully explain this, because He didn't want the enemy to understand and prevent His crucifixion and no play into the Father's plan. In 1Corinthians 2:7-8 (Amplified) Paul says, "But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden (from the human understanding) and now revealed to us by God-(that wisdom) which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification (to lift us into the glory of His presence). None of the rulers of this age or world perceived and recognized and understood this; for if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of Glory."
Jesus could only reveal small segments of the new birth and new creation to His disciples, at that time. If God revealed the entire plan in the enemy's presence, then that would be inviting the enemy to prevent Jesus' death and resurrection and all would be lost before it began. Jesus was speaking about the new creation people, who would be born after His ascent to the Father in John 14:12 (Amplified) saying, "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and even greater things than these, because I go to the Father."
Jesus went on speaking about the new creation, saying, "It's not Me, but the Father in Me that does the work." He was telling His followers that the same things that enable Him to do the work, is going to be in them. And, He went on to tell them that through the Holy Spirit, they would be empowered by the same Holy Spirit of God. We've been taught and have believed that Jesus could perform miracles and healings, simply because He was Jesus, but He said that "It's not Me, but the Father in Me that does the work." He was revealing how he same force and power (the Father), Who lived in Him, would make His home in us too.
In Acts 1:8 (Amplified) Jesus says, "But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth."
Satan has tried his be to keep this revelation about the new creation, hidden from the Church. He has no defense against those who will walk in the Spirit and who will take this warfare into the Heavenlies. If satan can keep us bound by simple human understanding, he can maintain a hold over us. Ephesians 6:10-12 (Amplified) says, "In conclusion, be strong in the Lord (be empowered through your union with Him) draw your strength from Him (that strength which His boundless might provides. Put on God's whole armor (the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies) that you may be able successfully to stand up against (all) the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood (contending only against physical opponents) but against the powers, against (the master spirits who are) the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the Heavenly (supernatural) sphere."
We've been trying to fight against the "spirit forces" in the "super-natural," with simple, carnal weapons and have been limited by "satan's strategies and deceits." What do you suppose would happen in a bullfight, if the bull stopped chasing the red cape and came after the matador? The bull is deceived into thinking the red cape is his problem and he doesn't concentrate his efforts against the matador. If the bull ever figured this out, then the bullfight would last only a few minutes. This is the same sort of deception, that satan employs against us. He causes us to keep our eyes on the problem, instead of the answer. We become so enthralled with the red cape, that we don't see the one who is holding the cape and we look foolish chasing it. Jesus always addressed the spirit and not the natural.
Paul spoke to the Church in Corinth in 2Corinthians 13:4 (Amplified) saying, "For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He goes on living by the power of God. And though we too are weak in Him (as He was humanly weak), yet in dealing with you (we shall show ourselves) alive and strong in (fellowship with) Him by the power of God." In the flesh, Paul was just a man, but in fellowship with the Father, Paul was walking in the power of his new creation relationship, through the Holy Spirit. In the natural, Paul was no stronger than any other man, but in the union of his spirit with the Holy Spirit, he had power over satan and the world around him.
Many view Paul's trials and have concentrated more on those things, than with his victories. Of course, you will be opposed by the enemy (while we're here on earth), but we are to go beyond them onto victory. Paul was never defeated in his calling, despite whatever rose against him. In 2Timothy 4:6-7 (Amplified) Paul says, "For I am already about to be sacrificed (my life is about to be poured out as a drink offering) the time of my (spirit's) release (from the body) is at hand and I will soon go free. I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith." Paul never viewed death as a defeat, but as a release from his work on earth and as his entry into the Father's Presence.
Throughout the struggles satan put against him, Paul never stopped to look only upon his circumstances, but upon the Lord. And, as a result, he was given as revelation directly from the Lord. We've majored on his trails, instead of Paul's great faith. Some even believe that the trials he endured, came from God, Who was trying to discourage Paul from doing his ministry. This is one of the main deceits and strategies, a cunning and lying enemy uses against God's people. Why would God give Paul a revelation about the new creation, commission him to take this revelation to all the world, hold him responsible for the preaching of this Gospel, and then, try stopping Paul at every turn? We act like God lost sight of what He called Paul to do.
What kind of God would it take to give you a task and then try vehemently to stop you and even go as far as chastising you when you failed? Really? Paul was forewarned about the enemy's trying to prevent the completion of his God-given ministry, even before he accepted his calling, according to Acts 9:16 (Amplified) which says, "For I will make clear to him how much he will be afflicted and must endure and suffer for My Name's sake." 2Corinthians 12:10 (Amplified) says, "So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities, and distresses; for when I am weak (in human strength) then am I (truly) strong (able, powerful in divine strength)."
If we do nothing, then we are more deceived than anyone and the afflictions still come anyway. They come simply because we are "not of this world" any longer. You're already a target of the enemy, because you bear the Name and Likeness of Jesus. The more we do for God's Kingdom, the greater the trials will be, that come against you. If anyone thinks he can make a peace treaty with satan (one that says,"I will leave you alone, if you leave me alone"), then he has already fallen for one of satan's greatest deceits. You were created to rule and not be ruled. You were created new to walk as Christ's ambassador of God's Kingdom and not to "hide your light under a bushel."
If you do not know which side you're on, then you have a problem waging a warfare on the enemy. The world would have you believe that everyone is God's children, but this is not so! Only those who have been born-again into His Kingdom, are His. The entire world is at warfare against the Lord, whether of not they understand it. Sometimes, it seems like we don't see satan as the enemy, but would rather trying to make a peace treaty with him, in order to further our cause. No one can make peace with the devil and still walk in clear conscience with our Father.
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