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)."
Everything in this new creation family and covenant, is based on our faith in redemption and the finished work of Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit, John writes in 1John 5:4 (Amplified), "For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world even our faith."
Our faith is the "God kind of faith" which is in Christ Jesus and is everything needed to overcome the world. As new creation family, we are required to believe in what Jesus has done for us, by faith, and no longer believe in our works. Proverbs 29:18 (Amplified) says, "Where there is no vision (no redemptive revelation of God) the people perish; for he who keeps the Law (of God, which includes that of man)-blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he." Since we are no longer under the Law, but now under grace, we're required to have faith in grace provided by Jesus.
This grace still depends on faith, in order to receive what this grace has provided and that is "what overcomes the world, even our faith." If we have no revelation of this redemption, then we're still perishing (on the human part of our covenant). Our life (spiritual life of the new birth) is still sealed by our faith in the new birth, but our natural life is still subject to the lies of the enemy.
For example: If some (as it is preached) still believe for themselves that they're still not righteous before God, then their lack of faith in God's righteous makes them a target for condemnation and the guilt of the old man, even though it's a lie. Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified) that, "It is the Spirit Who gives Life (He is the Life-Giver) the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it). The Words (Truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life."
The faith that overcomes the world, is the faith we put into the Truth of God's Word and not the flesh. The flesh refuses to accept the Word as Truth and still tries bringing about its own righteousness by works. Paul said in Romans 3:24 (Amplified), "(All) are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His Grace (His unmerited favor and mercy) through the redemption which is (provided) in Christ Jesus."
A revelation or vision of redemption, will free us from laboring and working to provide our own righteousness, instead of accepting His righteousness by faith. This faith will hold us against the deceit of the world and free us from condemnation. Many even in today's Church, still oppose this "righteousness by faith" and hold fast to the old covenant that proclaims "As it is written, None is righteous, Just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one," Romans 3:10 (Amplified). Paul was speaking of those under the Law and those outside of the Law too, saying, "None are righteous." Our righteousness isn't based on the Law of our on good works, but on faith in His righteousness. Our faith in His righteous is received by faith and will overcome the world and its condemnation.
Our justification and the entire plan of salvation, rests on our faith in Christ Jesus. The new creation people have everything mankind needs to be righteous in God's eyes and to receive all that grace has provided for him. All are received by "the faith that overcomes the world." The world is carnal and has no faith in God or what He has done our man's behalf. Without the vision or revelation of redemption, even the Church (the new creation people) remain in the deceit of the world by a carnal mind.
If we still think as the world (with a carnal mind), then we cannot overcome that portion of our lives, without faith in God's grace for redemption. This vision comes by hearing, according to Romans 10:17 (Amplified) which says, "So faith comes by hearing (what is told) and what is heard comes by the preaching (of the message that came from the lips) of Christ (the Messiah Himself)." The faith that overcomes the world, doesn't come by seeing, but by hearing. As we hear it, we believe it and our faith (in what Truth we hear) will establish it. By this, we overcome the world.
When God called it a "vision of redemption," He gave revelation, which is a picture or vision of this plan, that you can actually see by your spirit. First comes the Word, then comes the faith, then comes the vision or revelation that causes us to see ourselves the way we are in Him. Without this vision, we continue walking in carnality and the world still holds an upper-hand over us in this world. Romans 3:3-4 (Amplified) says, "What if some did not believer and were without faith? Does their lack of faith and their faithlessness nullify and make ineffective and void the faithfulness of God and His fidelity (to His Word)? By no means! Let God be found true though every human being is false and a liar, as it is written. That you may be justified and show to be upright in what you say, and prevail when you are judged by (sinful men)."
The entire new creation is a product of faith in the finished work of Jesus. Without our faith being in Him, we simply do not overcome. Our level of faith in Him, has been eroded over the years, to the point that it's difficult for us to hear the Word preached in many circles. Without the Word being preached, we don't hear and without hearing, we have no faith and we don't overcome that part of the world and it's carnal way of thinking. We don't hear much preaching about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in many of today's churches. And, because it's not being preached, faith in it isn't being put into place, so that we receive this miraculous Gift of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said in Mark 16:20 (Amplified), "And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the Message, by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied (it) Amen (So be it)." When the Word is preached, vision comes, the Lord confirms it by the signs and miracles that faith hears and accepts. This faith, overcomes the world. Even if you don't receive anything other than just being born-again, then you've already overcome the world and Heaven is your Home. But, the overcoming strategies of the enemy, are still a major part of our "outward perishing," while we are still here on earth.
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