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 (brought 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 born of God and His Word, just as surely as Jesus was when God raised Him from the dead. Hebrews 1:5-6 (Amplified) says, "For to which of the angels did (God) ever say, You are My Son, Today I have begotten You (established You in an official Sonship relation, with Kingly dignity) And again, I will be to Him a Father and He will be to Me a Son? Moreover, when brings the First Born Son again into the habitable world, He says, Let all the angels of God worship Him."
Hebrews 2:9-10 (Amplified) says, "But we are able to see Jesus, Who was ranked lower than the angels for a little while,crowned with glory and honored because of His having suffered death, in order that by the grace (unmerited favor) of God (to us sinners) He might experience death for every individual person. For it was an act worthy (of God) and fitting (to the divine nature) that He, for Whose sake and by Whom all things have their existence, in bringing many sons into glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect (should bring to maturity the human experience necessary to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest) through suffering."
Notice the Word says, "Again into the habitable world," along with "God says, You are My Son, Today I have begotten You (established You in an office Sonship relation, with Kingly dignity)." When did God ever need to say (like in Hebrews 1:5) "And Again, I will be to Him a Father, and He will be to Me a Son?"
When Jesus was raised from the dead, He was "reestablished" into Sonship with the Father, that He might be the "First Born among many brethren." In Romans 8:29 (Amplified), we see that "Jesus (Who is the Word and the Son of God) was in the beginning with God, before anything was made." The Angel Gabriel came to Mary in Luke 1:35 (Amplified) proclaiming the virgin birth, saying, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you (like a shining cloud) and so the Holy (pure, sinless) thing (Offspirng) which shall be born of you will be called the Son of God."
Now, we can understand Hebrews 1:5, when God says, "Again I will be to Him a Father and He will be to Me a Son." This was said after Jesus was raised from the dead and was was separated from the Father, because of our sin. Jesus was born again, as a new creation and restored back into God's Presence, where He brought us with Him as the First Born of many brethren."
Jesus died in the sinners' place and was separated from His Father, because of our sins. We see this in Hebrews 5:7 (Amplified) which says, "In the days of His flesh (Jesus) offered up definite special petitions (for that which He not only wanted, but needed) and supplications with strong crying and tears to Him Who was (always) able to save Him (out) from death, and He was heard because of His reverence toward God (His Godly fear, His piety, in that He shrank from the horrors of separation from the bright Presence of the Father)."
That's why God said, "Again I will be to Him a Father, and he will be to Me a Son." When Jesus was separated from the Father with our sin, He became separated from Himself (like we were) and was raised again as "the First Born from the dead." Colossians 1:18 (Amplified) says, "He also is the Head of (His) body, the Church seeing He is the Beginning, the First Born among the dead, so that He alone in everything and in every respect might occupy the Chief Place (stand first and be preeminent)."
Many of us struggle to understand the meaning of "First Born among the dead." Some today, ask if this means spiritual death. If He was to be the First Born from the dead, then it must be Spiritual death, otherwise He isn't the First Born. Jesus raised several people from the dead (including Lazarus, the widow's son), during His earthly ministry. We even find that in the old covenant, people were raised from the dead.
These people were raised physically from the dead. Jesus was the First Born and the Seed from spiritual death (separation from the Father), because we were "dead in trespass and sin." If this doesn't mean spiritual death, then He isn't the First Born from the dead. That's why Paul calls us "the new creation." We were created from the Seed of an entirely new Being, Who is the First Born of many brethren.
For too many years, we've seen ourselves as merely forgiven sinners and haven't seen ourselves as new creation son and daughters of God. God didn't only forgive our sins, but paid fro the penalty of it, which was separation from Life, which comes from God Himself. Once Jesus was raised from the dead and was declared to be "again the Son of God," our sin is not only forgiven (when we received Him as our Lord and Savior), but is paid for and done.
In the new creation, we are sons and daughters in God's family. God didn't make covenant with me, He made covenant with Jesus. I was "ingrafted" into a covenant that cannot be broken, when I received Jesus. If God made covenant with man (like He did with Adam), then it wouldn't stand the test. God made covenant with flesh and blood man, but the Word says that, "the flesh was weak and sinful" and "could not live up to its end of the covenant." Now though, because He has made covenant with Jesus (and not us), if we sin, then the covenant isn't annulled and void. Jesus is the "Surety and Guarantor of this new creation family covenant. Hebrews 7:22 (Amplified) says, "In keeping with (the oath's greater strength and force). Jesus has become the Guarantee of a better (stronger) agreement (a more excellent and more advantageous covenant)." We've lived under the teachings of the Law, for so long, that we focus on our failure to uphold the covenant, the way we feel we should. I don't mean that we should live without applying ourselves to righteousness, but we must understand that we're not the ones who uphold our new creation covenant..Jesus is.
He is our righteousness, not you in your righteousness. If we are "the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus," like 2Corinthians 5:21 says, and if it's His righteousness by which I stand, then I can't improve on His righteousness. If I fail, then He does not. If I falter, then He does not. If I quit, then He does not and He is the One in Whom God made covenant with, not me. Even in my own shortcomings, my family relationship with God is still intact, because Jesus if the Guarantor, not me. Hebrews 1:14 (Amplified) tells us, "In as much then as we have a Great High Priest Who has (already) ascended and passed through the Heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession (of faith in Him)." Our faith is in Him!
Friday, April 28, 2017
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Lesson 206 The New Creation
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 (brought 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)."
Galatians 2:20 (Amplified) says, "I have been crucified with Christ (in Him I have shared His crucifixion): it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
Our new creation faith is the faith we received by our new birth and it's the Very faith of Jesus, by which our life now exists. Paul spoke about this faith, in Galatians 3:25-27 (Amplified) saying, "But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a trainer (the guardian of our childhood) For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. For as man (of you) as were baptized into Christ (into a spiritual union and communion with Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah) have put on (clothed yourselves with) Christ."
Christ has not only entered into our new creation spirit, but our spirit has entered into Him. I, by myself, am only "one glass of water," but when I pour that water into Chaumont Bay, I'm joined into something much larger, than myself. Once this glass of water is mixed with Chaumont Bay, I can never retrieve that same water. I can fill my glass again, but it will never be the "same water." When my spirit is mixed with His Spirit, there's no way to ever separate it again. Now. My spirit is more than "just my spirit that is born-again," because my spirit is enhanced with His Own Spirit.
His Spirit is one with my spirit and my spirit is one with His Spirit. His righteousness has become my righteousness, His justification has become my justification. His holiness has become my holiness and His faith has now become my faith. Now "the just shall live by faith," because it's His Life and His faith we now live by. His faith is where my Father expects me to now live in and by. Romans 1:17 (Amplified) says, "For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith, that arouses to more faith) as it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith."
Learning to develop this God kind of faith, is a desire that arises to and through each individual being. One might simply be content to live right and be with the Lord, when he leaves this planet in physical death. Others desire much more while they're still in this mortal body, wishing to reveal Jesus in glory to the dying world. A baby has the same amount of muscles as an adult, with the difference comes by maturity and exercising those muscles. Every new creation being, has the very same ability in and through this new creation in Christ Jesus.
No one needs to be part of the five-fold ministry, in order to develop his faith and walk in faith and he doesn't have to walk in the Gifts of the Spirit, in order to operate these Gifts. You have the Holy Spirit, Who has and gives these Gifts or Operations of His Presence in our lives, "as He wills." All of these things work by faith. It requires time to develop this God kind of faith, to a place of trusting in God's Word, for the demonstration of His faith among mankind.
Romans 10:17 (Amplified) says, "So faith comes by hearing (what is told) and what is heard comes by the preaching (of the Message that comes from the lips) of Christ (the Messiah Himself)." It's been difficult for us to exercise and develop our faith on the things we've been taught and have heard, because so many things have been taught and it confuses the Truth.
Satan might by insane, but he isn't stupid. He knows that if he can keep the new creation from actually receiving Truth, then he can still control the outcome, here on earth. Jesus said that, "A house divided cannot stand." Having the Church divided from and in Truth, has resulted in our not develop our faith beyond "we will go to Heaven when we die." We've heard and still hear, numerous and various gospels being taught, today. If we dislike what's being preached in one church, then we can search until we find a gospel we're comfortable with. This doesn't develop our faith, but actually undermines it and keeps us carnally minded.
Thank God for preachers, but let's all preach the same Gospel. 1Corinthians 14:7-8 (Amplified) says, "If even inanimate musical instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone (listening) know or under what is played? And if the war bugle gives an uncertain (indistinct) call, who will prepare for battle?" If the Gospel being preached doesn't have a "distinct sound," then we remain in confusion. You cannot develop faith in a confused Word. Every individual has the responsibility before God, to listen to the Holy Spirit and determine Truth for himself.
1John 2:20,27(Amplified) says, "But you have been anointed by (you hold a sacred appointment from, you have been given an unction from) the Holy One, and you all know (the Truth) or you know all things." Verse 27 goes on, "But as for you, the Anointing (the Sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides (permanently) in you (So) then you have no need that anyone should instruct you. But just as His Anointing teaches you concerning everything and is True and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him (being rooted in Him, Knit to Him) just as (His Anointing) has taught you (to do)."
We are each responsible to hear and determine Truth, as it comes to our spirit. We weren't designed by this new creation, to simply believe everything we hear, but to discern by our new spirit and by His Word, whether it is true or not. In order to develop our faith in the Word, we must learn the Nature of God, the will of God and the Word of God, before we can release faith in it and move in it for ourselves. You cannot always live on someone else's study and faith, but you must build your own faith in God.
Galatians 2:20 (Amplified) says, "I have been crucified with Christ (in Him I have shared His crucifixion): it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
Our new creation faith is the faith we received by our new birth and it's the Very faith of Jesus, by which our life now exists. Paul spoke about this faith, in Galatians 3:25-27 (Amplified) saying, "But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a trainer (the guardian of our childhood) For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. For as man (of you) as were baptized into Christ (into a spiritual union and communion with Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah) have put on (clothed yourselves with) Christ."
Christ has not only entered into our new creation spirit, but our spirit has entered into Him. I, by myself, am only "one glass of water," but when I pour that water into Chaumont Bay, I'm joined into something much larger, than myself. Once this glass of water is mixed with Chaumont Bay, I can never retrieve that same water. I can fill my glass again, but it will never be the "same water." When my spirit is mixed with His Spirit, there's no way to ever separate it again. Now. My spirit is more than "just my spirit that is born-again," because my spirit is enhanced with His Own Spirit.
His Spirit is one with my spirit and my spirit is one with His Spirit. His righteousness has become my righteousness, His justification has become my justification. His holiness has become my holiness and His faith has now become my faith. Now "the just shall live by faith," because it's His Life and His faith we now live by. His faith is where my Father expects me to now live in and by. Romans 1:17 (Amplified) says, "For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith, that arouses to more faith) as it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith."
Learning to develop this God kind of faith, is a desire that arises to and through each individual being. One might simply be content to live right and be with the Lord, when he leaves this planet in physical death. Others desire much more while they're still in this mortal body, wishing to reveal Jesus in glory to the dying world. A baby has the same amount of muscles as an adult, with the difference comes by maturity and exercising those muscles. Every new creation being, has the very same ability in and through this new creation in Christ Jesus.
No one needs to be part of the five-fold ministry, in order to develop his faith and walk in faith and he doesn't have to walk in the Gifts of the Spirit, in order to operate these Gifts. You have the Holy Spirit, Who has and gives these Gifts or Operations of His Presence in our lives, "as He wills." All of these things work by faith. It requires time to develop this God kind of faith, to a place of trusting in God's Word, for the demonstration of His faith among mankind.
Romans 10:17 (Amplified) says, "So faith comes by hearing (what is told) and what is heard comes by the preaching (of the Message that comes from the lips) of Christ (the Messiah Himself)." It's been difficult for us to exercise and develop our faith on the things we've been taught and have heard, because so many things have been taught and it confuses the Truth.
Satan might by insane, but he isn't stupid. He knows that if he can keep the new creation from actually receiving Truth, then he can still control the outcome, here on earth. Jesus said that, "A house divided cannot stand." Having the Church divided from and in Truth, has resulted in our not develop our faith beyond "we will go to Heaven when we die." We've heard and still hear, numerous and various gospels being taught, today. If we dislike what's being preached in one church, then we can search until we find a gospel we're comfortable with. This doesn't develop our faith, but actually undermines it and keeps us carnally minded.
Thank God for preachers, but let's all preach the same Gospel. 1Corinthians 14:7-8 (Amplified) says, "If even inanimate musical instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone (listening) know or under what is played? And if the war bugle gives an uncertain (indistinct) call, who will prepare for battle?" If the Gospel being preached doesn't have a "distinct sound," then we remain in confusion. You cannot develop faith in a confused Word. Every individual has the responsibility before God, to listen to the Holy Spirit and determine Truth for himself.
1John 2:20,27(Amplified) says, "But you have been anointed by (you hold a sacred appointment from, you have been given an unction from) the Holy One, and you all know (the Truth) or you know all things." Verse 27 goes on, "But as for you, the Anointing (the Sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides (permanently) in you (So) then you have no need that anyone should instruct you. But just as His Anointing teaches you concerning everything and is True and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him (being rooted in Him, Knit to Him) just as (His Anointing) has taught you (to do)."
We are each responsible to hear and determine Truth, as it comes to our spirit. We weren't designed by this new creation, to simply believe everything we hear, but to discern by our new spirit and by His Word, whether it is true or not. In order to develop our faith in the Word, we must learn the Nature of God, the will of God and the Word of God, before we can release faith in it and move in it for ourselves. You cannot always live on someone else's study and faith, but you must build your own faith in God.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Lesson 205 The New Creation
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 (brought us into favor, brought us into favor 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)."
We in this world, have had "the measure of faith" dealt t us by God, from the beginning. Romans 12:3 (Amplified) says, "According as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith." If would be unfair and unjust, for God to tell us that we are "saved by faith" and then not give us the faith by which to be saved by grace. It's not a matter of our having faith, but by our developing this "God kind of faith." Mark 11:22 (Amplified) tells us, "Jesus said to them, Have faith in God (constantly)."
Jesus was speaking to Old Testament people, who hadn't been born-again yet, but Jesus expected them to have "faith in God." We are a faith people. Both saved or unsaved persons have faith. It's not a matter of having faith, but it's what we place our faith in. We instinctively and constantly place our faith in something. We have faith that the sun will come up every morning and it doesn't need us in order to do so. Some call this a natural faith, but it is the Gift of God, according to Ephesians 2:8 (Amplified) which says, "For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through (your) faith." God tells us to have faith and man would need to get faith from some other source other than God, if He didn't supply man with faith when He created him. We have natural faith, even when we sit down in a chair. If we didn't have faith that the chair would hold us up, then we wouldn't sit down on it. This faith is a Gift from God.
Man has used faith to get along in this earth for millennium, but never developed that faith beyond our natural needs. We put faith in our currency, having faith that we will be able to purchase something with it. Your boss gives you a paycheck and by faith you receive it "as good." You take that check to the bank, where you receive a promissory note (the US dollar) and you have faith that it is good. Then, you take this money to the store, where you believe by faith, the store will accept it, in exchange for their goods. Everything we do, is by faith.
We placed our faith in God and were saved, but we must develop that faith into a higher degree. We've used faith in various ways, but we must now grow that faith, into a realm we're not accustomed to. Romans 1:19-21 (Amplified) says, "For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their inner conscience, because God (Himself) has shown it to them. For ever since creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity have been made (intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So (men) are without excuse (altogether without any defiance or justification). Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor Him or glorify Hi as God or give Him thanks; But instead they became futile and Godless in their vain thinking (with vain imaginings, foolish reasonings and stupid speculations) and their senseless minds were darkened."
So, we have no excuse for not having faith in God, Who has called us unto Himself. We haven't developed our faith, in order to believe beyond where we've always walked in until now. We continue trying to hold God in the same realm of faith, in which we've always relied on. We still struggle with the Super-natural realm of God (even though we're born-again into this realm through Jesus), because we haven't developed our faith. The Church divides itself about things found in God's Word, because of undeveloped faith.
Some have developed their faith from salvation and have come to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and now are speaking in tongues. Some believe that this "is not for today" or that these things are "passed away." Every person in the Body of Christ, has the potential to do whatever Jesus has sent the Church to do, in these last days.
We are a new creation people, who haven't just been born-again, but have been born-again by the same Seed that Jesus was born of (the Word of God). 1Peter 1:23 (Amplified) says, "You have been regenerated (born-again) not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm) but from one that is immortal by the Ever Living and Lasting Word of God." The potential for developing a higher degree of faith, come from God's Spirit, Who now lives in us.
We initiated this form of believing this greater faith, by believing we were forgiven of our sin and were born-again in Christ Jesus. This is the beginning of our developing faith, for God's children. We've used or placed this new and greater faith on Him and are called to be mature or adults in that faith. Many in the Church have been content with the degree of faith used to become saved, but our faith is supposed to grow into the completed form of God's children. Don't allow yourself to become discouraged and have your growth be stunted. Be determined to continue in growing up, in Him.
Some believe that these things aren't for everyone, but God has never said that about His children. The people we call "giants of the faith" in the Word, are just men and women who continued in faith, beyond simply being born-again. They developed their faith to grow into a maturity with God, while others didn't. God has never limited His children and He will never desire anything more other than our growing into a deeper relationship with Him. God has always challenged us to go "from faith to faith" and from "glory to glory." This is a progressive faith that won't be denied, until it sees Him face-to-face.
Many say this is "radical and crazy," but God calls our getting to know Him better, LOVE. We search our DNA, trying to discover who our family was and where they came from. Many go to great lengths, trying to do so. Some discover their heritage and adopted the culture of their family lineage. We should be this serious about our new creation family in God. You have so much potential in this new creation, so much untapped ability in Him, so much ability to change yourself and the things around you. Even Jesus had a forerunner in John the Baptist. We are the forerunners, preparing for His soon coming return.
We in this world, have had "the measure of faith" dealt t us by God, from the beginning. Romans 12:3 (Amplified) says, "According as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith." If would be unfair and unjust, for God to tell us that we are "saved by faith" and then not give us the faith by which to be saved by grace. It's not a matter of our having faith, but by our developing this "God kind of faith." Mark 11:22 (Amplified) tells us, "Jesus said to them, Have faith in God (constantly)."
Jesus was speaking to Old Testament people, who hadn't been born-again yet, but Jesus expected them to have "faith in God." We are a faith people. Both saved or unsaved persons have faith. It's not a matter of having faith, but it's what we place our faith in. We instinctively and constantly place our faith in something. We have faith that the sun will come up every morning and it doesn't need us in order to do so. Some call this a natural faith, but it is the Gift of God, according to Ephesians 2:8 (Amplified) which says, "For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through (your) faith." God tells us to have faith and man would need to get faith from some other source other than God, if He didn't supply man with faith when He created him. We have natural faith, even when we sit down in a chair. If we didn't have faith that the chair would hold us up, then we wouldn't sit down on it. This faith is a Gift from God.
Man has used faith to get along in this earth for millennium, but never developed that faith beyond our natural needs. We put faith in our currency, having faith that we will be able to purchase something with it. Your boss gives you a paycheck and by faith you receive it "as good." You take that check to the bank, where you receive a promissory note (the US dollar) and you have faith that it is good. Then, you take this money to the store, where you believe by faith, the store will accept it, in exchange for their goods. Everything we do, is by faith.
We placed our faith in God and were saved, but we must develop that faith into a higher degree. We've used faith in various ways, but we must now grow that faith, into a realm we're not accustomed to. Romans 1:19-21 (Amplified) says, "For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their inner conscience, because God (Himself) has shown it to them. For ever since creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity have been made (intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So (men) are without excuse (altogether without any defiance or justification). Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor Him or glorify Hi as God or give Him thanks; But instead they became futile and Godless in their vain thinking (with vain imaginings, foolish reasonings and stupid speculations) and their senseless minds were darkened."
So, we have no excuse for not having faith in God, Who has called us unto Himself. We haven't developed our faith, in order to believe beyond where we've always walked in until now. We continue trying to hold God in the same realm of faith, in which we've always relied on. We still struggle with the Super-natural realm of God (even though we're born-again into this realm through Jesus), because we haven't developed our faith. The Church divides itself about things found in God's Word, because of undeveloped faith.
Some have developed their faith from salvation and have come to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and now are speaking in tongues. Some believe that this "is not for today" or that these things are "passed away." Every person in the Body of Christ, has the potential to do whatever Jesus has sent the Church to do, in these last days.
We are a new creation people, who haven't just been born-again, but have been born-again by the same Seed that Jesus was born of (the Word of God). 1Peter 1:23 (Amplified) says, "You have been regenerated (born-again) not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm) but from one that is immortal by the Ever Living and Lasting Word of God." The potential for developing a higher degree of faith, come from God's Spirit, Who now lives in us.
We initiated this form of believing this greater faith, by believing we were forgiven of our sin and were born-again in Christ Jesus. This is the beginning of our developing faith, for God's children. We've used or placed this new and greater faith on Him and are called to be mature or adults in that faith. Many in the Church have been content with the degree of faith used to become saved, but our faith is supposed to grow into the completed form of God's children. Don't allow yourself to become discouraged and have your growth be stunted. Be determined to continue in growing up, in Him.
Some believe that these things aren't for everyone, but God has never said that about His children. The people we call "giants of the faith" in the Word, are just men and women who continued in faith, beyond simply being born-again. They developed their faith to grow into a maturity with God, while others didn't. God has never limited His children and He will never desire anything more other than our growing into a deeper relationship with Him. God has always challenged us to go "from faith to faith" and from "glory to glory." This is a progressive faith that won't be denied, until it sees Him face-to-face.
Many say this is "radical and crazy," but God calls our getting to know Him better, LOVE. We search our DNA, trying to discover who our family was and where they came from. Many go to great lengths, trying to do so. Some discover their heritage and adopted the culture of their family lineage. We should be this serious about our new creation family in God. You have so much potential in this new creation, so much untapped ability in Him, so much ability to change yourself and the things around you. Even Jesus had a forerunner in John the Baptist. We are the forerunners, preparing for His soon coming return.
Monday, April 24, 2017
Lesson 204 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) tells us, "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 (brought 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 Luke 10:20 (Amplified), Jesus said, "Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in Heaven."
All who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, have their "names enrolled in Heaven." This is the greatest thing that can happen to any person. Even if you're a baby Christian, you're still part of God's family and have your name enrolled in Heaven. When we arrive in the Father's Home, we are "all one in Him." There might be baby Christians who will never get the chance to grow into mature Christians on earth, but others should be mature Christians already.
It's not only a matter of being grown up in Christ for our own sake, but in order to care for those who are not. Paul instructs those who are mature in the Word and faith, to show the babies in Christ, how to behave as Christians in Titus 2:1-15. Paul instructs the older, more mature women to teach the younger women, how to be wives and mothers in the faith. He also instructs the older men to train the younger men, in the faith.
This doesn't mean acting like dictators, but acting in love and maturity in the faith. Many teachers are given in today's churches, that have very little to do with growing up in the Lord. Some believe it matters little about how we believe, as long as we believe. This might be true, as far as our "getting to Heaven someday." Most of what we've been taught about the new creation, is for "when we get to Heaven," but in truth, as new creation people we have already reached the other side, in the spirit. Our mortal bodies aren't home with the Lord yet, but there's no need to exercise authority when we get there.
The things we've been learning, are for our growing and maturing here, on earth. The anointing to bring sons and daughters into salvation, is for here. The faith to lay hands on the sick, is for here. The power of prayer is for here. The training up of the Church, is for here and the authority for the believer, is for here. All these things are given for God's family to function on earth. Most of the things we're supposed to grow up into, are not so much for ourselves, but for leading others to God.
We can do little for the world, other than leading them to salvation, without maturity in Christ. Many have never learned about righteousness, faith, healing of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues or the Power of His Presence. Some believe they don't need these things, in order to get to Heaven and they are right. Most of these things are to demonstrate the glory and manifestation of God, to the unsaved masses.
For nearly two-thousand years, the Church has remained infants in Christ, but the Coming of the Lord is at hand and His glory is about to be revealed, in a manner the earth has never seen. I want to be ready to move, when He is ready to move. Once the glory is revealed, we won't have two-thousand years to mature, so we must be ready when He is ready. This is a time for training and growing into vessels, to be used by the Master.
Most of us have been primarily concerned with our family members (and we should be), but we must reach out to others too. Simply going to Church, isn't what we're all about, we can't miss out on what the Lord needs us to do. We've become like babies who need to be constantly entertained, in order to be content. One of the most urgent and important lessons we must learn, is how to hear the Voice of the Lord. When God speaks to us, He doesn't speak in generalities, but in the specifics of His Truth and Spirit. When God spoke to Noah about the Ark, He didn't say to "Build a boat," but He gave specific instructions concerning the dimensions, wood, and every part of it. If Noah didn't build the Ark according to God's instructions, then it would never has sustained the flood. When God spoke to Moses about the Tabernacle, He gave very specific instructions for it's construction. If Moses chose to ignore these instructions, then anyone who entered the wrong way, would have died.
When we pray, we pray in generalities, instead of specifics and send mixed messages to Heaven. We excuse praying in generalities, saying, "God knows what I mean." This isn't how Jesus taught us to pray. If you phoned my house and left out a number, then would that call go through? Relying on the operator to "know my number," doesn't work. God's Kingdom functions on specifics and not generalities. This is how Christians are supposed to pray and to teach others to pray.
We pray, "Thy will be done" and leave it at that. Did you notice that the Word says, "Jesus came to do His will?" It was God's will to heal, but He needed One that would "Do His will" here on earth. This is our most important role, as God's sons and daughters. We are to do His will on "earth as it is in Heaven." We know it's God's will to heal, because Jesus healed the people. Jesus commanded us to "Go into all the world and heal the sick." If it wasn't God's will, then Jesus would never have instructed us to do so. This is a part of our earthly ministry.
I've prayed general prayers that didn't work, but when I asked the Father why they didn't work, He gave me instructions that brought results. Once I prayed for an elderly person who suffered with arthritis in her hands. As I prayed for her hands to be healed, nothing happened. After seeking the Lord's guidance in this matter, He said that, "She required loosing and not healing", like Jesus loosed a woman in Luke 13. I returned to this woman and commanded that she be loosed from her infirmity. I watched as her hands immediately straightened, moving like they were supposed to. My specific prayer worked.
We've been afraid to trust God's Word, because we've seen or heard that, "It doesn't work." What might not work for one person, might work for another, because we didn't give specific instructions. The difference is walking in relationship, instead of religion. We are family and are to receive instructions from the Father, about what He wants done. No one can hear from God for you, all the time. We might be able to hear from Him, as we preach the Word to the Church, but this is a general Word for many people. To receive from what is preached to the Church and in order to operate in it, we need specific instructions. Both are good, but one is a faith that you can move on.
Jesus spoke about two houses that were built. One house was built on the sand, while the other was built on rock. Both were hit by a storm. The house built on sand fell, while the house built on rock did not. Jesus likened these to a "Doer of the Word" and a "Hearer of the Word." One heard in generalities, while the other heard specific instructions. The "Parable of the Sower" in Mark 4, says the same thing. One heard in general, while one person heard specifics.
Each person is responsible for "how he hears" and the amount of thought and study to what we "hear," is measured back to you, according to Mark 4. Every believer is responsible for what they hear and mature in the things of God. We are supposed to "have ears to hear." These are the ears of your spirit man, to hear spiritual Truths. Human ears don't hear spiritual things, but the eyes of our new creation spirit, "see" into the things of the spirit world.
In Luke 10:20 (Amplified), Jesus said, "Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in Heaven."
All who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, have their "names enrolled in Heaven." This is the greatest thing that can happen to any person. Even if you're a baby Christian, you're still part of God's family and have your name enrolled in Heaven. When we arrive in the Father's Home, we are "all one in Him." There might be baby Christians who will never get the chance to grow into mature Christians on earth, but others should be mature Christians already.
It's not only a matter of being grown up in Christ for our own sake, but in order to care for those who are not. Paul instructs those who are mature in the Word and faith, to show the babies in Christ, how to behave as Christians in Titus 2:1-15. Paul instructs the older, more mature women to teach the younger women, how to be wives and mothers in the faith. He also instructs the older men to train the younger men, in the faith.
This doesn't mean acting like dictators, but acting in love and maturity in the faith. Many teachers are given in today's churches, that have very little to do with growing up in the Lord. Some believe it matters little about how we believe, as long as we believe. This might be true, as far as our "getting to Heaven someday." Most of what we've been taught about the new creation, is for "when we get to Heaven," but in truth, as new creation people we have already reached the other side, in the spirit. Our mortal bodies aren't home with the Lord yet, but there's no need to exercise authority when we get there.
The things we've been learning, are for our growing and maturing here, on earth. The anointing to bring sons and daughters into salvation, is for here. The faith to lay hands on the sick, is for here. The power of prayer is for here. The training up of the Church, is for here and the authority for the believer, is for here. All these things are given for God's family to function on earth. Most of the things we're supposed to grow up into, are not so much for ourselves, but for leading others to God.
We can do little for the world, other than leading them to salvation, without maturity in Christ. Many have never learned about righteousness, faith, healing of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues or the Power of His Presence. Some believe they don't need these things, in order to get to Heaven and they are right. Most of these things are to demonstrate the glory and manifestation of God, to the unsaved masses.
For nearly two-thousand years, the Church has remained infants in Christ, but the Coming of the Lord is at hand and His glory is about to be revealed, in a manner the earth has never seen. I want to be ready to move, when He is ready to move. Once the glory is revealed, we won't have two-thousand years to mature, so we must be ready when He is ready. This is a time for training and growing into vessels, to be used by the Master.
Most of us have been primarily concerned with our family members (and we should be), but we must reach out to others too. Simply going to Church, isn't what we're all about, we can't miss out on what the Lord needs us to do. We've become like babies who need to be constantly entertained, in order to be content. One of the most urgent and important lessons we must learn, is how to hear the Voice of the Lord. When God speaks to us, He doesn't speak in generalities, but in the specifics of His Truth and Spirit. When God spoke to Noah about the Ark, He didn't say to "Build a boat," but He gave specific instructions concerning the dimensions, wood, and every part of it. If Noah didn't build the Ark according to God's instructions, then it would never has sustained the flood. When God spoke to Moses about the Tabernacle, He gave very specific instructions for it's construction. If Moses chose to ignore these instructions, then anyone who entered the wrong way, would have died.
When we pray, we pray in generalities, instead of specifics and send mixed messages to Heaven. We excuse praying in generalities, saying, "God knows what I mean." This isn't how Jesus taught us to pray. If you phoned my house and left out a number, then would that call go through? Relying on the operator to "know my number," doesn't work. God's Kingdom functions on specifics and not generalities. This is how Christians are supposed to pray and to teach others to pray.
We pray, "Thy will be done" and leave it at that. Did you notice that the Word says, "Jesus came to do His will?" It was God's will to heal, but He needed One that would "Do His will" here on earth. This is our most important role, as God's sons and daughters. We are to do His will on "earth as it is in Heaven." We know it's God's will to heal, because Jesus healed the people. Jesus commanded us to "Go into all the world and heal the sick." If it wasn't God's will, then Jesus would never have instructed us to do so. This is a part of our earthly ministry.
I've prayed general prayers that didn't work, but when I asked the Father why they didn't work, He gave me instructions that brought results. Once I prayed for an elderly person who suffered with arthritis in her hands. As I prayed for her hands to be healed, nothing happened. After seeking the Lord's guidance in this matter, He said that, "She required loosing and not healing", like Jesus loosed a woman in Luke 13. I returned to this woman and commanded that she be loosed from her infirmity. I watched as her hands immediately straightened, moving like they were supposed to. My specific prayer worked.
We've been afraid to trust God's Word, because we've seen or heard that, "It doesn't work." What might not work for one person, might work for another, because we didn't give specific instructions. The difference is walking in relationship, instead of religion. We are family and are to receive instructions from the Father, about what He wants done. No one can hear from God for you, all the time. We might be able to hear from Him, as we preach the Word to the Church, but this is a general Word for many people. To receive from what is preached to the Church and in order to operate in it, we need specific instructions. Both are good, but one is a faith that you can move on.
Jesus spoke about two houses that were built. One house was built on the sand, while the other was built on rock. Both were hit by a storm. The house built on sand fell, while the house built on rock did not. Jesus likened these to a "Doer of the Word" and a "Hearer of the Word." One heard in generalities, while the other heard specific instructions. The "Parable of the Sower" in Mark 4, says the same thing. One heard in general, while one person heard specifics.
Each person is responsible for "how he hears" and the amount of thought and study to what we "hear," is measured back to you, according to Mark 4. Every believer is responsible for what they hear and mature in the things of God. We are supposed to "have ears to hear." These are the ears of your spirit man, to hear spiritual Truths. Human ears don't hear spiritual things, but the eyes of our new creation spirit, "see" into the things of the spirit world.
Friday, April 21, 2017
Lesson 203 The New Creation
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)."
We continue viewing ourselves the way we were, before being born-again. The Word tells us that we were "crucified with Christ" and that God considers our old man "dead and buried," but we persist in being more familiar with the old man, rather than with the new creation. This is why Paul instructs us to "renew our minds with the Word." Paul also says we are to "pull down strongholds, bringing every one of our thoughts that exalts themselves against the Truth and knowledge of God, into captivity."
Religious teachings have taught us to focus more on our sins, instead of who we were born-again to be. We've been erroneously taught that if we don't feel guilty, then we're not really saved, and many view it as being "sinful" to teach otherwise. This makes us the "double-minded" man that James speaks about. We profess to be a new creation, and walk in the memory of our old, unsaved, and sinful past.
In order to be family with the Father, we must learn how to approach Him as His child, instead of as strangers and sinners. This doesn't mean we're to live anyway way we wish, without having any concept of wrong doing, but we're to govern ourselves by the Word and bring the senses into submission to the spirit.
We've looked to our pastors and elders to keep us "in line with the Father," by reminding us how sinful our ways and thoughts are. The Holy Spirit is supposed to be our Teacher, working through them, not reminding us of our past, but by the "washing of water, by the Word." We continue trying to make the flesh do like we want it too, through willpower. This might help to some extent, but even in using willpower, we must surrender our will to God's will.
Children learn using consistency and if we teach them to fear (not reverence, but fear) their parents, then we won't raise good adults. The time will come when they are grown and we can no longer send them to bed without the iPhone or take away the car keys for a week. Soon enough, they will own a car and provide for themselves and then both parent and child, must rely on what they've retained from their training as children.
My children made mistakes while growing up, just like everyone does. Some of us had a good and Godly teachings, while others didn't. Many have based their entire character and life, by the past. Sometimes, even when we're adults, we blame our failures on the past. There comes a time for everyone (saved or unsaved), when we are required to take responsibility for ourselves.
2Timothy 2:21 (Amplified) says, "So whoever cleanses himself (from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contaminating and corrupting influences) will (then himself) be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work."
Paul speaks to Christians who haven't grown into adulthood, are still on "milk of the Word," and haven't taken responsibility for their relationship with the Father, in Hebrews 5:14 (Amplified) saying, "But solid food is for full grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to distinguish and discriminate between what is morally good and noble and what is evel and contrary either to Divine or human law."
We come into sonship with the Father, by training ourselves by His Word and His instructions. As we hear His instructions and are obedient to them, we can govern our adult lives, without someone needing to tell us what is right, wrong, moral and immoral. I've never required anyone to tell me how to sin, but I listen to the Holy Spirit's instructions on how to live right before my Father.
Our walk with the Father should be one of respect and reverence and we should do what is right, out of respect for His Name and for His Sake. We are to be careful not to being reproach on the Father, by our actions and words. It's not about our being good, but everything we do and say reflects on Him, because we are called by His Name. When a Christian is doing wrong, we know he is still a child of God while doing wrong, but the world sees that Christian as being phony and superficial and this reflects on Him.
My children are scrutinized more than others, because their daddy is a preacher. We sometimes fail to understand that God doesn't have one way for preacher's kids and another way for someone else's kids. His ways apply to both sets of kids equally, because we are all His kids. As we grow into being mature Christians, we must know what the Father expects of His, through His Word and the Holy Spirit. The expectations others have of us, aren't really important, but we must strive to live upright before them. The religious teachings of the Church have laid out certain laws and rituals for us, that have very little (if anything) to do with our being family.
All of the things God's Word Promises to His family, are true and they've already been made ours. We don't need to earn the right to come before Him, but we must always be respectful of the right to be in His Presence. My siblings and I grew up with the "Old School" teachings about family. I knew who my daddy was and I understood his ways and teachings. We were taught to respect our elders and were taught to have good manners at all times. I either addressed him as "Dad" or "Sir." This wasn't a military term (as some would believe), but it was one of respect. When he spoke to me or gave me instructions, I gave him my full attention, listened carefully and then followed through with those instructions. We addressed our mother as "Mom" or "Ma'am." We answered her questions with, "Yes, ma'am" or "No ma'am," out of respect. We weren't trying to get something from our parents by using these terms, but were showing respect for all they gave us and who they were to us. We bore our father's Sir name and we knew better than to bring reproach on his name. It would hurt me more than it did him, if I brought shame on him. He would have bore that shame for our sake and never allowed it to diminish the love He had for us.
When Jesus told us to "Love the Lord with all our hearts and to Love our neighbor as ourselves," He meant more than our just being nice. When we truly love Him with all of our hearts, we are very conscience of His Name and His reputation before others. There will always be trials and tests, while we've in this life, despite how well we walk with the Lord. We are to be His representatives, even while going through these things.
The world lives in adultery and openly sins and no one seems to notice, but everyone notices when a Christian does these things. It's not because of who you are, but because of Who your Father is. I don't stay away from certain venues or things, because I am "so holy," but because I am God's son and don't want His Name to be connected with these things.
I don't need to try and be His son, He has already taken care of that, according to James 1:18 (Amplified) which says, "It was of His Own (free) will that He gave us birth (as sons) by (His) Word of Truth, so that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures (a sample of what He created to be, consecrated to Himself)." 1Peter 1:17 (Amplified) says, "If you call upon Him as (your) Father, Who judges each one impartially according to what he does, (then) you should conduct yourselves with true reverence throughout the time of your temporary residence (on the earth, whether long or short)."
This is how we "govern" ourselves, by His Word and the witness of His Spirit within us. Another preacher once scolded me, for not "preaching enough about sin and conviction." I believe, that if the Holy Spirit (Who lives in you) can't convict you of sin in your life, then what do you expect from me? We must follow Paul's instructions from Hebrews 5:14 (Amplified) and "Train your senses and mental faculties to discriminate between what is right and wrong." The Father doesn't only tell us when we do something wrong, but He will tell us it's wrong, before we do it. This is governing ourselves, by His Word.
My children didn't need to ask if something was "wrongful" to do, because they were raised to know what whether something was right or wrong, before deciding to do it. This is what maturity is. Both my sons are married and have sons of their own now, but they too have raised and are raising their children into adulthood. There comes a time in every person's life (both saved and saved), where he/she is solely responsible for their decisions and actions. We are supposed to apply the things we learned as children, governing our own lives and change other's lives.
1Corinthians 13:11 (Amplified) says, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child, now that I have become a man, I am alone with childish ways and have put them aside." We have varying ideas about how a child of God should walk, but I'm more interested about the way God says I'm to walk. I don't do things in order to impress others, but to please my Heavenly Father. I've heard many say, "I don't believe you have to do these things to get to Heaven." This might be true, but I do them in order to honor God. I do these things, that "by words and deeds, I might bring others to Him."
We continue viewing ourselves the way we were, before being born-again. The Word tells us that we were "crucified with Christ" and that God considers our old man "dead and buried," but we persist in being more familiar with the old man, rather than with the new creation. This is why Paul instructs us to "renew our minds with the Word." Paul also says we are to "pull down strongholds, bringing every one of our thoughts that exalts themselves against the Truth and knowledge of God, into captivity."
Religious teachings have taught us to focus more on our sins, instead of who we were born-again to be. We've been erroneously taught that if we don't feel guilty, then we're not really saved, and many view it as being "sinful" to teach otherwise. This makes us the "double-minded" man that James speaks about. We profess to be a new creation, and walk in the memory of our old, unsaved, and sinful past.
In order to be family with the Father, we must learn how to approach Him as His child, instead of as strangers and sinners. This doesn't mean we're to live anyway way we wish, without having any concept of wrong doing, but we're to govern ourselves by the Word and bring the senses into submission to the spirit.
We've looked to our pastors and elders to keep us "in line with the Father," by reminding us how sinful our ways and thoughts are. The Holy Spirit is supposed to be our Teacher, working through them, not reminding us of our past, but by the "washing of water, by the Word." We continue trying to make the flesh do like we want it too, through willpower. This might help to some extent, but even in using willpower, we must surrender our will to God's will.
Children learn using consistency and if we teach them to fear (not reverence, but fear) their parents, then we won't raise good adults. The time will come when they are grown and we can no longer send them to bed without the iPhone or take away the car keys for a week. Soon enough, they will own a car and provide for themselves and then both parent and child, must rely on what they've retained from their training as children.
My children made mistakes while growing up, just like everyone does. Some of us had a good and Godly teachings, while others didn't. Many have based their entire character and life, by the past. Sometimes, even when we're adults, we blame our failures on the past. There comes a time for everyone (saved or unsaved), when we are required to take responsibility for ourselves.
2Timothy 2:21 (Amplified) says, "So whoever cleanses himself (from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contaminating and corrupting influences) will (then himself) be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work."
Paul speaks to Christians who haven't grown into adulthood, are still on "milk of the Word," and haven't taken responsibility for their relationship with the Father, in Hebrews 5:14 (Amplified) saying, "But solid food is for full grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to distinguish and discriminate between what is morally good and noble and what is evel and contrary either to Divine or human law."
We come into sonship with the Father, by training ourselves by His Word and His instructions. As we hear His instructions and are obedient to them, we can govern our adult lives, without someone needing to tell us what is right, wrong, moral and immoral. I've never required anyone to tell me how to sin, but I listen to the Holy Spirit's instructions on how to live right before my Father.
Our walk with the Father should be one of respect and reverence and we should do what is right, out of respect for His Name and for His Sake. We are to be careful not to being reproach on the Father, by our actions and words. It's not about our being good, but everything we do and say reflects on Him, because we are called by His Name. When a Christian is doing wrong, we know he is still a child of God while doing wrong, but the world sees that Christian as being phony and superficial and this reflects on Him.
My children are scrutinized more than others, because their daddy is a preacher. We sometimes fail to understand that God doesn't have one way for preacher's kids and another way for someone else's kids. His ways apply to both sets of kids equally, because we are all His kids. As we grow into being mature Christians, we must know what the Father expects of His, through His Word and the Holy Spirit. The expectations others have of us, aren't really important, but we must strive to live upright before them. The religious teachings of the Church have laid out certain laws and rituals for us, that have very little (if anything) to do with our being family.
All of the things God's Word Promises to His family, are true and they've already been made ours. We don't need to earn the right to come before Him, but we must always be respectful of the right to be in His Presence. My siblings and I grew up with the "Old School" teachings about family. I knew who my daddy was and I understood his ways and teachings. We were taught to respect our elders and were taught to have good manners at all times. I either addressed him as "Dad" or "Sir." This wasn't a military term (as some would believe), but it was one of respect. When he spoke to me or gave me instructions, I gave him my full attention, listened carefully and then followed through with those instructions. We addressed our mother as "Mom" or "Ma'am." We answered her questions with, "Yes, ma'am" or "No ma'am," out of respect. We weren't trying to get something from our parents by using these terms, but were showing respect for all they gave us and who they were to us. We bore our father's Sir name and we knew better than to bring reproach on his name. It would hurt me more than it did him, if I brought shame on him. He would have bore that shame for our sake and never allowed it to diminish the love He had for us.
When Jesus told us to "Love the Lord with all our hearts and to Love our neighbor as ourselves," He meant more than our just being nice. When we truly love Him with all of our hearts, we are very conscience of His Name and His reputation before others. There will always be trials and tests, while we've in this life, despite how well we walk with the Lord. We are to be His representatives, even while going through these things.
The world lives in adultery and openly sins and no one seems to notice, but everyone notices when a Christian does these things. It's not because of who you are, but because of Who your Father is. I don't stay away from certain venues or things, because I am "so holy," but because I am God's son and don't want His Name to be connected with these things.
I don't need to try and be His son, He has already taken care of that, according to James 1:18 (Amplified) which says, "It was of His Own (free) will that He gave us birth (as sons) by (His) Word of Truth, so that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures (a sample of what He created to be, consecrated to Himself)." 1Peter 1:17 (Amplified) says, "If you call upon Him as (your) Father, Who judges each one impartially according to what he does, (then) you should conduct yourselves with true reverence throughout the time of your temporary residence (on the earth, whether long or short)."
This is how we "govern" ourselves, by His Word and the witness of His Spirit within us. Another preacher once scolded me, for not "preaching enough about sin and conviction." I believe, that if the Holy Spirit (Who lives in you) can't convict you of sin in your life, then what do you expect from me? We must follow Paul's instructions from Hebrews 5:14 (Amplified) and "Train your senses and mental faculties to discriminate between what is right and wrong." The Father doesn't only tell us when we do something wrong, but He will tell us it's wrong, before we do it. This is governing ourselves, by His Word.
My children didn't need to ask if something was "wrongful" to do, because they were raised to know what whether something was right or wrong, before deciding to do it. This is what maturity is. Both my sons are married and have sons of their own now, but they too have raised and are raising their children into adulthood. There comes a time in every person's life (both saved and saved), where he/she is solely responsible for their decisions and actions. We are supposed to apply the things we learned as children, governing our own lives and change other's lives.
1Corinthians 13:11 (Amplified) says, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child, now that I have become a man, I am alone with childish ways and have put them aside." We have varying ideas about how a child of God should walk, but I'm more interested about the way God says I'm to walk. I don't do things in order to impress others, but to please my Heavenly Father. I've heard many say, "I don't believe you have to do these things to get to Heaven." This might be true, but I do them in order to honor God. I do these things, that "by words and deeds, I might bring others to Him."
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Lesson 202 The New Creation
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)."
The day my children were born to my wife and myself, they were a new creation. These children had never existed before that time. There had never been one like and there would never be another like them in all the world, they were new creations. I never had a covenant or contract with them, saying that if they held up their end of it, then I would "be their father," but by my own volition, I created them out of love.
My children never had anything to do with their being "family," because they were born into the family and would always be family. Through our children, we have grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who are also family. They aren't hirelings or servants, but family. This is their birthright and it belongs to them, for as long as they live. As God's new creation family, we have a birthright through Jesus, that separates us from all others on this planet. We aren't observers of the Law, like the old covenant people, nor are we covenant people who have God's Blessing and protections fall upon us, if we perform certain rituals and traditions. We are family.
Most of us call ourselves "children of the Most High God" and even refer to Him as "Father," but we continue acting and living like we are the old covenant servants of God, instead of His family. We still try operating in what the old covenant people walked in and have made Grace of no avail, in many areas of our lives. Grace works through faith in the Father's ability to provide for His children, but we continue trying to earn His grace.
We were "Saved by grace through faith and this is not of ourselves, but it was the Gift of God," according to Ephesians 2:8 (Amplified). This "Grace" to accept and live in faith with our Father, was His Grace before we were ever born-again. The Love that grave the Grace and faith, was extended towards us while we were yet sinners. We didn't need to earn it then and we don't need to earn it now. God's Grace has already given everything needed to take care of His children, His family. And, God has already given us the faith, by which to receive it.
We've failed to differentiate between covenant and family. Since man didn't and could never hold up his end of the covenant, God established a covenant with Himself, through Jesus. God promised and prophesied His Blessing to Abraham, that through Jesus, His children or family would be assured of receiving that Blessing, without works, but by faith.
God gave these things freely, as an inheritance through Jesus, to His family. My children inherited my sir name, when they were born. I watched over and provided for them as "mine" and for "my name's sake." No one will ever be able to point out one of my children and say, "Their father didn't take care of them" or that "Their father abandoned them." This is the eternal Promise our Heavenly Father has made to us, through Jesus. Psalm 23:3 (Amplified) says, "He refreshes and restores my life (my inner self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness (uprightness and right standing with Him-not for my earning it, but) For His Name's sake."
We are His "Name's sake" and we are called by His Name, because we are His. Proverbs 22:1 (Amplified) says, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches and living favor rather than silver and gold." We don't need to be concerned about riches or the things sought by the world, because we bear "the Name that is above all names" and God's favor is upon us forever. It is this Name, that has brought about all the persecution in our lives. It's not our denomination or our own name, but His Name. As family, we bear the Name and resemblance to our Father. The world condemns that Name and rejects Jesus. The world hates doesn't hate the Church, because we are so different, but because He is so different. We might not always do the things we're supposed to do, but we are always His family. The only way satan can bring hurt to God's heart, is through the hardship he places on God's family.
Being in God's family, gives us privileges and Blessings and an inheritance, that the world doesn't have. Those of the world can be born-again and enter into God's family too. Until then, though, we have all the advantages, but don't know it. Even the old covenant people were considered "special" because of God. How much more special are we, being family and not just servants?
As our inheritance, and being God's family, we have access to the greatest Source of power, wealth, dominion, authority and ability. We've never really seen it as being obtainable now, but always look towards the future. Understanding the great difference between being covenant and family, will change everything in our walk with the Father. Because God made covenant with Himself (through Jesus), there's nothing we must do in this covenant, but receive what has already become our inheritance as God's children.
The day my children were born to my wife and myself, they were a new creation. These children had never existed before that time. There had never been one like and there would never be another like them in all the world, they were new creations. I never had a covenant or contract with them, saying that if they held up their end of it, then I would "be their father," but by my own volition, I created them out of love.
My children never had anything to do with their being "family," because they were born into the family and would always be family. Through our children, we have grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who are also family. They aren't hirelings or servants, but family. This is their birthright and it belongs to them, for as long as they live. As God's new creation family, we have a birthright through Jesus, that separates us from all others on this planet. We aren't observers of the Law, like the old covenant people, nor are we covenant people who have God's Blessing and protections fall upon us, if we perform certain rituals and traditions. We are family.
Most of us call ourselves "children of the Most High God" and even refer to Him as "Father," but we continue acting and living like we are the old covenant servants of God, instead of His family. We still try operating in what the old covenant people walked in and have made Grace of no avail, in many areas of our lives. Grace works through faith in the Father's ability to provide for His children, but we continue trying to earn His grace.
We were "Saved by grace through faith and this is not of ourselves, but it was the Gift of God," according to Ephesians 2:8 (Amplified). This "Grace" to accept and live in faith with our Father, was His Grace before we were ever born-again. The Love that grave the Grace and faith, was extended towards us while we were yet sinners. We didn't need to earn it then and we don't need to earn it now. God's Grace has already given everything needed to take care of His children, His family. And, God has already given us the faith, by which to receive it.
We've failed to differentiate between covenant and family. Since man didn't and could never hold up his end of the covenant, God established a covenant with Himself, through Jesus. God promised and prophesied His Blessing to Abraham, that through Jesus, His children or family would be assured of receiving that Blessing, without works, but by faith.
God gave these things freely, as an inheritance through Jesus, to His family. My children inherited my sir name, when they were born. I watched over and provided for them as "mine" and for "my name's sake." No one will ever be able to point out one of my children and say, "Their father didn't take care of them" or that "Their father abandoned them." This is the eternal Promise our Heavenly Father has made to us, through Jesus. Psalm 23:3 (Amplified) says, "He refreshes and restores my life (my inner self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness (uprightness and right standing with Him-not for my earning it, but) For His Name's sake."
We are His "Name's sake" and we are called by His Name, because we are His. Proverbs 22:1 (Amplified) says, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches and living favor rather than silver and gold." We don't need to be concerned about riches or the things sought by the world, because we bear "the Name that is above all names" and God's favor is upon us forever. It is this Name, that has brought about all the persecution in our lives. It's not our denomination or our own name, but His Name. As family, we bear the Name and resemblance to our Father. The world condemns that Name and rejects Jesus. The world hates doesn't hate the Church, because we are so different, but because He is so different. We might not always do the things we're supposed to do, but we are always His family. The only way satan can bring hurt to God's heart, is through the hardship he places on God's family.
Being in God's family, gives us privileges and Blessings and an inheritance, that the world doesn't have. Those of the world can be born-again and enter into God's family too. Until then, though, we have all the advantages, but don't know it. Even the old covenant people were considered "special" because of God. How much more special are we, being family and not just servants?
As our inheritance, and being God's family, we have access to the greatest Source of power, wealth, dominion, authority and ability. We've never really seen it as being obtainable now, but always look towards the future. Understanding the great difference between being covenant and family, will change everything in our walk with the Father. Because God made covenant with Himself (through Jesus), there's nothing we must do in this covenant, but receive what has already become our inheritance as God's children.
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Lesson 201 The New Creation
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)."
I've only thought of myself as being a "covenant man" with God, throughout my entire Christian life. I knew that God was now my "Father," and I am His son, but I still thought of myself as covenant. However, the Lord recently spoke to me, while I was in prayer and very gently He said, "You are not covenant, you are family." When God made covenant with mankind before, the covenant depended upon man's upholding his end of the covenant. Since man couldn't do this, God instituted different kinds of sacrifice and rituals, to cover man's inability to carry out his end of the covenant.
In this new creation, we are not covenant people, but are the family of God. God could no longer depend on any covenant in which man could uphold his part of the covenant, so He made a new covenant and swore by Himself to make this covenant unbreakable. Hebrews 6:17-20(Amplified) says, "Accordingly, God also, in His desire to show more convincingly and beyond doubt to those who were to inherit the Promise the unchangeableness of His purpose and plan, intervened (mediated) with an oath. This was so that, by two unchangeable things (His Promise and His Oath) i which it is impossible for God to ever prove false or deceive us, we who have fled (to Him) for refuge might have mighty indwelling strength and strong encouragement to grasp and hold fast the hope appointed for us and set before us." Verses 19-20 go on, "(Now) we have this (hope) as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul (it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever steps out upon it-a hope) that reaches farther and enters into (the very certainty of the Presence) within the veil, Where Jesus has entered in for us (in advance). A Forerunner having become a High Priest forever after the Order of (with the rank) of Melchizedek."
Hebrews 9:22 (Amplified) says, "In keeping with (the Oath's greater strength and force) Jesus has become the Guarantee of a better (stronger) agreement (a more excellent and more advantageous covenant)." This covenant wasn't made with us, but with Jesus. God couldn't lie and break it, Jesus wouldn't lie or break it (even unto death, He wouldn't quit and break it). Now this covenant between God the Father and Jesus the Son, was ironclad forever. By faith, we entered into a sonship relationship with the Father through Jesus and His obedience to this Oath.
This covenant doesn't depend upon our own ability to keep it, but upon the Oath that God and Jesus settled for us. We've not covenant, but family. Hebrews 2:10-11 (Amplified) says, "For it was an act worthy (of God) and fitting (the the Divine nature) that He, for Whose Sake and by Whom all things have their existence, in bringing many sons into glory, should make the Pioneer of their salvation perfect (should bring to maturity the human experience necessary to be perfectly equipped for His Office as High Priest) through suffering. For both He Who sanctifies (making men holy) and those who are sanctified all have One (Father). For this reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren."
Hebrews 2:12-13 (Amplified) says, "I will declare Your (the Father's) Name to My brethren; in the midst of the (worshiping) congregation I will sing hymns of praise to You. My trust and assured reliance and confident hope shall be fixed in Him. Here I am, I and the children Who God has given me." Jesus made the covenant with the Father and not with man. That covenant was ratified by Jesus' death and resurrection and there is no need for another covenant with fallible men. By faith, man only needs to enter into the family of God, by the Promise in that covenant. We simply believe in this eternal agreement and enter into the Father's House as family, through Jesus.
The Promise that was made to Abraham, was by faith and under grace, before the Law was brought into place by Moses. Now, the fulfillment of this Promise is made eternal, by the Covenant between the Father and the Son. Romans 8:16-17,18 (Amplified) tells us, "The Spirit Himself (thus) testifies together with our own spirit, (assuring us) that we are children of Go d. And if we are (His) children, then we are (His) heirs also; heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ (sharing His inheritance with Him) only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory." Paul goes on in Verse 18 saying, "(But what of that?) For I consider that the suffering of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us, and in us, and for us, and conferred on us."
As family, we have a relationship with the Most High God, as "Father." Even those who only know Him as "God," can receive from a certain extent, but are hindered by the lack of ability to "fulfill" what we think our part of this covenant entails. If we fail in any part of this covenant, then our hearts condemn us and we feel like we cannot receive from God. When we understand that Jesus has already fulfilled this covenant and has already brought into family with God, it changes our faith in prayer and fellowship with not God, but Father.
John writes about this in 1John 3:20-21 (Amplified) saying, "Whenever our hearts in (tormenting) self-accusation make us feel guilty and condemn us (For we are 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). And beloved, if our hearts do not accuse us (if they do not make us feel guilty and condemn us) we have confidence (complete assurance and boldness) before God."
If we try approaching Him as only covenant people, then we are always aware of our own failures and under guilt and condemnation. If we come before God as family, then we know that Jesus has already made us clean to the Father and we aren't obligated to make our own righteousness, because we have been made righteous, by His righteousness. If my own children fail in some way, then they don't need to work at trying to be my children, because they have always been my children. If they were covenant, then they would need to rectify the mistake, before we could move on the promise. This isn't so with family. I am God's son, despite what I think or others think about it. I am His family and a joint heir with Jesus, forever and always. My heart cannot stop this Promise, with its accusations. Jesus is greater than my heart. Amen.
I've only thought of myself as being a "covenant man" with God, throughout my entire Christian life. I knew that God was now my "Father," and I am His son, but I still thought of myself as covenant. However, the Lord recently spoke to me, while I was in prayer and very gently He said, "You are not covenant, you are family." When God made covenant with mankind before, the covenant depended upon man's upholding his end of the covenant. Since man couldn't do this, God instituted different kinds of sacrifice and rituals, to cover man's inability to carry out his end of the covenant.
In this new creation, we are not covenant people, but are the family of God. God could no longer depend on any covenant in which man could uphold his part of the covenant, so He made a new covenant and swore by Himself to make this covenant unbreakable. Hebrews 6:17-20(Amplified) says, "Accordingly, God also, in His desire to show more convincingly and beyond doubt to those who were to inherit the Promise the unchangeableness of His purpose and plan, intervened (mediated) with an oath. This was so that, by two unchangeable things (His Promise and His Oath) i which it is impossible for God to ever prove false or deceive us, we who have fled (to Him) for refuge might have mighty indwelling strength and strong encouragement to grasp and hold fast the hope appointed for us and set before us." Verses 19-20 go on, "(Now) we have this (hope) as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul (it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever steps out upon it-a hope) that reaches farther and enters into (the very certainty of the Presence) within the veil, Where Jesus has entered in for us (in advance). A Forerunner having become a High Priest forever after the Order of (with the rank) of Melchizedek."
Hebrews 9:22 (Amplified) says, "In keeping with (the Oath's greater strength and force) Jesus has become the Guarantee of a better (stronger) agreement (a more excellent and more advantageous covenant)." This covenant wasn't made with us, but with Jesus. God couldn't lie and break it, Jesus wouldn't lie or break it (even unto death, He wouldn't quit and break it). Now this covenant between God the Father and Jesus the Son, was ironclad forever. By faith, we entered into a sonship relationship with the Father through Jesus and His obedience to this Oath.
This covenant doesn't depend upon our own ability to keep it, but upon the Oath that God and Jesus settled for us. We've not covenant, but family. Hebrews 2:10-11 (Amplified) says, "For it was an act worthy (of God) and fitting (the the Divine nature) that He, for Whose Sake and by Whom all things have their existence, in bringing many sons into glory, should make the Pioneer of their salvation perfect (should bring to maturity the human experience necessary to be perfectly equipped for His Office as High Priest) through suffering. For both He Who sanctifies (making men holy) and those who are sanctified all have One (Father). For this reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren."
Hebrews 2:12-13 (Amplified) says, "I will declare Your (the Father's) Name to My brethren; in the midst of the (worshiping) congregation I will sing hymns of praise to You. My trust and assured reliance and confident hope shall be fixed in Him. Here I am, I and the children Who God has given me." Jesus made the covenant with the Father and not with man. That covenant was ratified by Jesus' death and resurrection and there is no need for another covenant with fallible men. By faith, man only needs to enter into the family of God, by the Promise in that covenant. We simply believe in this eternal agreement and enter into the Father's House as family, through Jesus.
The Promise that was made to Abraham, was by faith and under grace, before the Law was brought into place by Moses. Now, the fulfillment of this Promise is made eternal, by the Covenant between the Father and the Son. Romans 8:16-17,18 (Amplified) tells us, "The Spirit Himself (thus) testifies together with our own spirit, (assuring us) that we are children of Go d. And if we are (His) children, then we are (His) heirs also; heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ (sharing His inheritance with Him) only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory." Paul goes on in Verse 18 saying, "(But what of that?) For I consider that the suffering of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us, and in us, and for us, and conferred on us."
As family, we have a relationship with the Most High God, as "Father." Even those who only know Him as "God," can receive from a certain extent, but are hindered by the lack of ability to "fulfill" what we think our part of this covenant entails. If we fail in any part of this covenant, then our hearts condemn us and we feel like we cannot receive from God. When we understand that Jesus has already fulfilled this covenant and has already brought into family with God, it changes our faith in prayer and fellowship with not God, but Father.
John writes about this in 1John 3:20-21 (Amplified) saying, "Whenever our hearts in (tormenting) self-accusation make us feel guilty and condemn us (For we are 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). And beloved, if our hearts do not accuse us (if they do not make us feel guilty and condemn us) we have confidence (complete assurance and boldness) before God."
If we try approaching Him as only covenant people, then we are always aware of our own failures and under guilt and condemnation. If we come before God as family, then we know that Jesus has already made us clean to the Father and we aren't obligated to make our own righteousness, because we have been made righteous, by His righteousness. If my own children fail in some way, then they don't need to work at trying to be my children, because they have always been my children. If they were covenant, then they would need to rectify the mistake, before we could move on the promise. This isn't so with family. I am God's son, despite what I think or others think about it. I am His family and a joint heir with Jesus, forever and always. My heart cannot stop this Promise, with its accusations. Jesus is greater than my heart. Amen.
Friday, April 14, 2017
Lesson 200 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person in (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)."
Easter is the most important day of not only Christianity, but the most important day for the world as well. Without this day, the birth and death of Jesus would have been for nought. His Resurrection wasn't only the beginning of this new creation, but the hope for the lost.
We've been taught many doctrines of Christianity; some things are correct and other things are incorrect. The one things that is absolute about Christianity, is the resurrection from the dead. This isn't only about a future event, but for those who were brought back from spiritual death (separation from God through sin), it's about the resurrection of our mortal bodies too.
Those of us who have believed and been "ingrafted in Christ Jesus," were raised from the dead, when Jesus was raised from the dead. In our dead spirit, we were made alive in Him and restore back to God. We weren't just forgiven or cleansed from sin, but we were made alive in Him. We went from being covenant people (like the Old Testament believers), to being family by the One Sacrifice for all time. It's no longer a requirement that's been placed on us, but a fulfillment that was placed on Him. No longer are all of the requirements under the covenant between God with man, but the obedience of One Man for all men, met in Him. We are no longer just covenant men and women, but we are God's sons and daughters. We are heirs of God and fellow heirs with Jesus Himself.
Few of us have ever made the distinction of our going from covenant to family. This is the greatest part of this Resurrection Day. We're not only forgiven, but we're restored. We have no past to repent of, because in Jesus Christ we are a new creation. We've not only been forgiven, like the covenant people were, but we're new creations. There doesn't ever need to be anymore sacrifice made, in order to cleanse us, because "the wages of sin was death." Before Jesus, we had already received death by our separation from God (Who is Life), because of Adam's sin. Now, by His death and new life, we died with Him and were raised with Him. We also are redeemed by Him and He (as family) is the "Firstborn of many brethren."
We still try to function as covenant people, by doing certain things, in order to receive from God. This was a covenant made by man, that man could not keep. The new creation covenant, was made with One Man Who met all of the requirements for all who would believe. The only requirement now, is that we simply believe in Him.
As we celebrate this Resurrection Sunday, we need realize that this was the greatest miracle God has ever performed. He perfectly cleansed, redeemed, restored and created a new creation being in the midst of death itself. This was a "mystery" hidden in God, until now. The world, the devil, the angels, and all who witnessed what occurred on the Cross, couldn't understand this mystery, until the Lord rose from the dead. This mystery was that Jesus bore our sin and we could be made righteous with God once again.
Jesus never committed any sin. He took our sins upon Himself, but was not a sinner. Jesus separated Himself from the Face of God, on our behalf, so that we could be restored back in right standing with God, through Him. All of Heaven stood mute, as the Lord of Glory died and was sentenced to death (separation) from the Father. Even the angels had no insight into what was happening with Jesus. Satan and his fallen angels, rejoiced in the fact that they thought they had won over God, because Jesus was dead. None knew the plan God had about the Perfect Sacrifice that would change all of creation and make a new creation.
1Corinthians 2:8 (Amplified) says, "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." When Jesus was crucified, satan thought he had won and that all of mankind was doomed forever. This mystery or plan was in the mind and heart of the Father and the Son and was so legal and just by the Laws of God, that it was beyond anything the world could ever understand. It requires the Holy Spirit to convey it even now, to the spirits of the new creation. The new creation family, continues operating like the Old Testament people, instead of like God's family. Even though we call Him "Father," we still seem to think in terms of the Old Testament people.
Even though we can read and comprehend 2Cornthians 5:21 (Amplified) in our intellect, we seemingly fail to have the revelation of it, down in our spirits. Thus, it says, "For our sake 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 an in right relationship with Him, by His goodness)."
This is what we were always to have been, before sin came into the world or death came as a result of sin. We were to be "approved, acceptable, in right relationship and family by His goodness."
Praise God for His goodness and the new creation through Christ Jesus. Live like family.
Easter is the most important day of not only Christianity, but the most important day for the world as well. Without this day, the birth and death of Jesus would have been for nought. His Resurrection wasn't only the beginning of this new creation, but the hope for the lost.
We've been taught many doctrines of Christianity; some things are correct and other things are incorrect. The one things that is absolute about Christianity, is the resurrection from the dead. This isn't only about a future event, but for those who were brought back from spiritual death (separation from God through sin), it's about the resurrection of our mortal bodies too.
Those of us who have believed and been "ingrafted in Christ Jesus," were raised from the dead, when Jesus was raised from the dead. In our dead spirit, we were made alive in Him and restore back to God. We weren't just forgiven or cleansed from sin, but we were made alive in Him. We went from being covenant people (like the Old Testament believers), to being family by the One Sacrifice for all time. It's no longer a requirement that's been placed on us, but a fulfillment that was placed on Him. No longer are all of the requirements under the covenant between God with man, but the obedience of One Man for all men, met in Him. We are no longer just covenant men and women, but we are God's sons and daughters. We are heirs of God and fellow heirs with Jesus Himself.
Few of us have ever made the distinction of our going from covenant to family. This is the greatest part of this Resurrection Day. We're not only forgiven, but we're restored. We have no past to repent of, because in Jesus Christ we are a new creation. We've not only been forgiven, like the covenant people were, but we're new creations. There doesn't ever need to be anymore sacrifice made, in order to cleanse us, because "the wages of sin was death." Before Jesus, we had already received death by our separation from God (Who is Life), because of Adam's sin. Now, by His death and new life, we died with Him and were raised with Him. We also are redeemed by Him and He (as family) is the "Firstborn of many brethren."
We still try to function as covenant people, by doing certain things, in order to receive from God. This was a covenant made by man, that man could not keep. The new creation covenant, was made with One Man Who met all of the requirements for all who would believe. The only requirement now, is that we simply believe in Him.
As we celebrate this Resurrection Sunday, we need realize that this was the greatest miracle God has ever performed. He perfectly cleansed, redeemed, restored and created a new creation being in the midst of death itself. This was a "mystery" hidden in God, until now. The world, the devil, the angels, and all who witnessed what occurred on the Cross, couldn't understand this mystery, until the Lord rose from the dead. This mystery was that Jesus bore our sin and we could be made righteous with God once again.
Jesus never committed any sin. He took our sins upon Himself, but was not a sinner. Jesus separated Himself from the Face of God, on our behalf, so that we could be restored back in right standing with God, through Him. All of Heaven stood mute, as the Lord of Glory died and was sentenced to death (separation) from the Father. Even the angels had no insight into what was happening with Jesus. Satan and his fallen angels, rejoiced in the fact that they thought they had won over God, because Jesus was dead. None knew the plan God had about the Perfect Sacrifice that would change all of creation and make a new creation.
1Corinthians 2:8 (Amplified) says, "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." When Jesus was crucified, satan thought he had won and that all of mankind was doomed forever. This mystery or plan was in the mind and heart of the Father and the Son and was so legal and just by the Laws of God, that it was beyond anything the world could ever understand. It requires the Holy Spirit to convey it even now, to the spirits of the new creation. The new creation family, continues operating like the Old Testament people, instead of like God's family. Even though we call Him "Father," we still seem to think in terms of the Old Testament people.
Even though we can read and comprehend 2Cornthians 5:21 (Amplified) in our intellect, we seemingly fail to have the revelation of it, down in our spirits. Thus, it says, "For our sake 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 an in right relationship with Him, by His goodness)."
This is what we were always to have been, before sin came into the world or death came as a result of sin. We were to be "approved, acceptable, in right relationship and family by His goodness."
Praise God for His goodness and the new creation through Christ Jesus. Live like family.
Thursday, April 13, 2017
Lesson 199 The New Creation
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)."
Galatians 6:15 (Amplified) says, "For neither is circumcision (now) of any importance, nor uncircumcision, but (only) a new creation (the result of a new birth and a new nature in Christ Jesus (the Messiah)."
The new creation has been so misunderstood throughout the years and we have really missed what God did for us, through Jesus. Many of us have believed that being born-again meant we were forgiven of our sins and we will one day go to Heaven. I suppose that if we really understood what has happened to us through the new creation, then we would still find it difficult to accept.
Ephesians 1:20 (Amplified) says, "Which He (God) exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His (Own) right hand in the Heavenly (places)." Ephesians 2:5-6 (Amplified) continues, "Even when we were dead (slain) by (our own) short comings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and union with Christ (He gave us the Very Life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for) it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve), that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation). And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together (giving us joint seating with Him) in the Heavenly sphere (by virtue of our being) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."
The word "raised" from Ephesians 1:20, can be found in other Verses and means, "resurrected." The Strong's Concordance #1453,#1454 says "raised" means, "To awaken, or "to raise from sleep, from sitting, lying, from disease, from death, from obscurity, from inactivity, from ruin," "non-existence, awake, raise, up again, take up, resurgence from death, resurrection."
The same word "raised" from Ephesians 2:6, according to the Strong's Concordance #4891-#4862 means, "To rouse from death, in company with, to revive (spiritually) in resemblance, to raise up together, rise with, denoting union with, or together but much closer (example by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, completion, resurrection."
When Jesus was resurrected in the Spirit, we who believe in Him, were also simultaneously "resurrected in the Spirit." This is what He made the new creation to be. We were once dead in trespass and sin, but we were made alive and were raised (resurrected) from the dead with Him. We were "raised (resurrected) together with Him and seated together with Him in the Heavenly sphere." The new creation was resurrected together with Him and made alive through Him. We were raised from death into life with Him, in Spirit and companionship and resemblance in Jesus.
The only thing left to do in our salvation, is the final resurrection of our mortal bodies, according to Romans 8:11 (Amplified), which says, "And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead (resurrection) dwells in you (then) He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you."
1Thessalonians 4:13-18 (Amplified) tells us that those who were resurrected in the Spirit (created a new creation), and have been laid to rest here in their mortal short lived bodies, will have Jesus come to receive their fleshly bodies. Thus, it says, ""Now also we would not have you ignorant, brethren, about those who fall asleep (in death) that you may not grieve (for them) as the rest do who have no hope (beyond the grave). For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, God will also bring with Him through Jesus, those who have fallen asleep (in death) For this we declare to you by the Lord's Own Word, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall in no way precede (into His Presence) or have any advantage at all over those who have previously fallen asleep (in Him at death) For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with the blast of the Trumpet of God. And those who have departed this life in Christ will rise first. Then we, the living ones who remain (on the earth), shall simultaneously be caught up along with (the resurrected dead) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so always (through the eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord, Therefore comfort one another with these Words."
Paul tells us in Verse 15 that, "It was the Lord's Own Words" he was quoting to the Church. These early Christians were already with the Father by their resurrected spirits in the new creation, but Jesus had already paid for our mortal body and will raise it up (resurrect) it too. Paul goes on in 1Corinthians 15:51-52 (Amplified) saying, "Take notice! I tell you a mystery (a secret truth, an event decreed by the hidden purpose or council of God) We shall not all fall asleep (in death) but we shall all be changed (transformed) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the (sound of) the last trumpet call; For a trumpet will sound, and the death (in Christ) will be raised imperishable (free and immune from decay) and we shall be changed (transformed)." 1John 3:2 (Amplified) says, "Beloved, we are (even here and) now God's children; It is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be (hereafter), but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall (as God's children) resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He (really) is."
The final resurrection of our mortal body, will the final stage of our new creation man and we will be "made like Him" (spirit, soul and body), to live in the Father's House for eternity. We will celebrate Easter this Sunday and thank God for the resurrection of Jesus. We have the same new creation Spirit and have been resurrected in Him. We've been raised together with Him and seated together with Him. We are ambassadors of Christ and have been living in this world form our place with Christ, in order to reconcile the world to Him. Our new creation being has already experienced resurrection in Him.
Jesus prayed in John 17:16-18, 20 (Amplified) saying, "They are not of this world (worldly, belonging to the world) Just as I Am not of the world. Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." He went on in Verse 20 saying, "Neither for these alone do I pray (it is not for their sake only that I make this request) but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching." 2Corinthians 5:20 (Amplified) tells us, "So we are Christ ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We (as Christ's representatives) beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor (now offered you) and be reconciled to God."
This is the Great Commission Jesus gave, saying, "As You have sent Me into the world, I also have sent them." Even though we're here in this natural body like Jesus was, we are ambassadors from the Kingdom and are already "living spirits by His resurrection." When we were dead in trespass and sin, the resurrection power of (and through) Jesus, raise us up, gave us life and presented us to the Father as His brethren and sons/daughter in His family. We are new creation children!!!
Galatians 6:15 (Amplified) says, "For neither is circumcision (now) of any importance, nor uncircumcision, but (only) a new creation (the result of a new birth and a new nature in Christ Jesus (the Messiah)."
The new creation has been so misunderstood throughout the years and we have really missed what God did for us, through Jesus. Many of us have believed that being born-again meant we were forgiven of our sins and we will one day go to Heaven. I suppose that if we really understood what has happened to us through the new creation, then we would still find it difficult to accept.
Ephesians 1:20 (Amplified) says, "Which He (God) exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His (Own) right hand in the Heavenly (places)." Ephesians 2:5-6 (Amplified) continues, "Even when we were dead (slain) by (our own) short comings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and union with Christ (He gave us the Very Life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for) it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve), that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation). And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together (giving us joint seating with Him) in the Heavenly sphere (by virtue of our being) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."
The word "raised" from Ephesians 1:20, can be found in other Verses and means, "resurrected." The Strong's Concordance #1453,#1454 says "raised" means, "To awaken, or "to raise from sleep, from sitting, lying, from disease, from death, from obscurity, from inactivity, from ruin," "non-existence, awake, raise, up again, take up, resurgence from death, resurrection."
The same word "raised" from Ephesians 2:6, according to the Strong's Concordance #4891-#4862 means, "To rouse from death, in company with, to revive (spiritually) in resemblance, to raise up together, rise with, denoting union with, or together but much closer (example by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, completion, resurrection."
When Jesus was resurrected in the Spirit, we who believe in Him, were also simultaneously "resurrected in the Spirit." This is what He made the new creation to be. We were once dead in trespass and sin, but we were made alive and were raised (resurrected) from the dead with Him. We were "raised (resurrected) together with Him and seated together with Him in the Heavenly sphere." The new creation was resurrected together with Him and made alive through Him. We were raised from death into life with Him, in Spirit and companionship and resemblance in Jesus.
The only thing left to do in our salvation, is the final resurrection of our mortal bodies, according to Romans 8:11 (Amplified), which says, "And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead (resurrection) dwells in you (then) He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you."
1Thessalonians 4:13-18 (Amplified) tells us that those who were resurrected in the Spirit (created a new creation), and have been laid to rest here in their mortal short lived bodies, will have Jesus come to receive their fleshly bodies. Thus, it says, ""Now also we would not have you ignorant, brethren, about those who fall asleep (in death) that you may not grieve (for them) as the rest do who have no hope (beyond the grave). For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, God will also bring with Him through Jesus, those who have fallen asleep (in death) For this we declare to you by the Lord's Own Word, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall in no way precede (into His Presence) or have any advantage at all over those who have previously fallen asleep (in Him at death) For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with the blast of the Trumpet of God. And those who have departed this life in Christ will rise first. Then we, the living ones who remain (on the earth), shall simultaneously be caught up along with (the resurrected dead) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so always (through the eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord, Therefore comfort one another with these Words."
Paul tells us in Verse 15 that, "It was the Lord's Own Words" he was quoting to the Church. These early Christians were already with the Father by their resurrected spirits in the new creation, but Jesus had already paid for our mortal body and will raise it up (resurrect) it too. Paul goes on in 1Corinthians 15:51-52 (Amplified) saying, "Take notice! I tell you a mystery (a secret truth, an event decreed by the hidden purpose or council of God) We shall not all fall asleep (in death) but we shall all be changed (transformed) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the (sound of) the last trumpet call; For a trumpet will sound, and the death (in Christ) will be raised imperishable (free and immune from decay) and we shall be changed (transformed)." 1John 3:2 (Amplified) says, "Beloved, we are (even here and) now God's children; It is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be (hereafter), but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall (as God's children) resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He (really) is."
The final resurrection of our mortal body, will the final stage of our new creation man and we will be "made like Him" (spirit, soul and body), to live in the Father's House for eternity. We will celebrate Easter this Sunday and thank God for the resurrection of Jesus. We have the same new creation Spirit and have been resurrected in Him. We've been raised together with Him and seated together with Him. We are ambassadors of Christ and have been living in this world form our place with Christ, in order to reconcile the world to Him. Our new creation being has already experienced resurrection in Him.
Jesus prayed in John 17:16-18, 20 (Amplified) saying, "They are not of this world (worldly, belonging to the world) Just as I Am not of the world. Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." He went on in Verse 20 saying, "Neither for these alone do I pray (it is not for their sake only that I make this request) but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching." 2Corinthians 5:20 (Amplified) tells us, "So we are Christ ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We (as Christ's representatives) beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor (now offered you) and be reconciled to God."
This is the Great Commission Jesus gave, saying, "As You have sent Me into the world, I also have sent them." Even though we're here in this natural body like Jesus was, we are ambassadors from the Kingdom and are already "living spirits by His resurrection." When we were dead in trespass and sin, the resurrection power of (and through) Jesus, raise us up, gave us life and presented us to the Father as His brethren and sons/daughter in His family. We are new creation children!!!
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Friday, April 7, 2017
Lesson 198 The New Creation
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 has 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)."
The new creation beings have not yet understood the great miracle that the Father has done in Jesus. We've been taught, trained, preached to, and raised to see we are "just old sinners," and we've overlooked the truth of the new creation. What the Father did through Jesus, was a wholly Spiritual thing. We still identify more with our flesh and our senses, while overlooking the Truth of the new creation.
We were made to the "Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus," according to 2Corinthians 5:20-21. This righteousness is the Very Righteousness of Jesus Christ. It is complete and entire, that no one can improve upon it. It is the Very Right-standing of Jesus, in the Presence of God.
The new creation man is so perfect in Jesus, that God Himself can now indwell and tabernacle in us and walk in us. We know that God cannot/will never co-exist with sin in the same Temple and then declare it to be "Holy." We must accept what He did to declare us to be a new creation Temple for Himself. We can only receive and understand this Truth, in our spirits. Our unrenewed mind and senses only sees this as being carnal religion, and will not receive or walk in this Truth.
We are constantly reminded of who we used to be, instead of who we are. Many take one part of Romans 8:28 out of context and use it to include all the things our carnal minds and guilt ridden senses required from us, saying "All things work together for good." This isn't what this chapter says, but we've been taught to believe that "all things-good or bad, sick or well, early death or long life-work together for good."
If you will allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you when reading the above chapter of Romans, then you'll see that through Jesus, those who are in the new creation are clean, pure, holy, righteous, and justified by His Sacrifice and we're not just "forgiven," but have actually died, been resurrected, been raised up together with Christ and made to be sons after the Image of Jesus Himself.
When we fail to understand this Word of Truth in the Spirit, we will continue walking under the same guilt and condemnation as before being born-again. In Romans 8:1-2 (Amplified) Paul says, "Therefore (there is) now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live (and) walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. For the Law of the Spirit and Life (which is) in Christ Jesus (the Law of our new being) has freed me from the Law of sin and death.
Paul is simply stating how, "If we allow the Spirit to lead and teach us, instead of the world and the senses, then we can walk in the total liberty of the new creation." You are already free (even if you don't know it), but your senses will keep you from the liberty of operating in your new creation righteousness. Your sense will keep you from the liberty of enjoying your fellowship with the Father.
Allow me to pose a question to you and then let yourself answer truthfully. Romans 8:1 says, "We are in Christ Jesus," but do you believe this? If we are in Him, then we must be new creation who are without sin or iniquity, in order to truly be in Him. If we are what the senses tells us and are not "clean, pure, holy, righteous, and new in Him," then impurity, unholiness, uncleanliness and unrighteousness and sin would have to be in Him as well. We know that there is no sin or unrighteousness or "Shadow of turning" in Him.
This is what Paul says in Romans 8:1 (Amplified) which says, "Therefore (there is) now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live (and) walk NOT after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit." If you allow your flesh or senses (which are taught by the world) to dictate your walk, then you will continue walking in condemnation and guilt from the old man of the world. If you allow the Holy Spirit to dictate this new life to you, then you can walk in the perfect Law of liberty, which allows you to feel free to have faith in your new creation through Christ.
Satan and our senses will reduce the entire chapter of Romans 8 to saying that "All things work together for good" and keep us walking under the dictates of the flesh (senses). We've missed the Truth of our liberty in Christ and the new creation. If we read this chapter in the Truth of the Spirit, then we'll see how it's one of the most liberating scriptures in the entire New Testament. Paul explains the dictates of the senses as "carnally minded, the senses of the flesh and the guilt of religious worldly ideas about the scriptures." Through the Holy Spirit, Paul explains the difference concerning Verse 1 in Romans 8:7-8 (Amplified) saying, "(That is) because the mind of the flesh (with its carnal thoughts and purposes) is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God's aw; indeed it cannot. So then those who are living the life of the flesh (or as Paul described in Verse 1 "after the dictates of the flesh) (catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature) cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him."
"Catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature" doesn't mean "sinning," but also denying the full act of the new creation and living in the carnal act of not receiving the full cleansing of Jesus' Sacrifice. The carnal man remains more aware of his carnal nature, instead of the new creation cleansing of being in Christ and made pure. You can't be in Him, while still being in sin. The two are incompatible. When you understand this Truth in your spirit and not with your carnal mind, then you will be free to fellowship on a different level, with your Heavenly Father and you will be open to revelation knowledge and Wisdom. You'll have faith in the fact that He hears you and you will stop doubting yourself. You will begin trusting in who He has made you to be, instead of who the world and satan tells you, you are.
You will then realize that Romans 8:28, doesn't mean sickness, defeat and satan's intended misery, are "for your good." You will see receive the Truth of the Holy Spirit Who says, "God has deprived the power of sin over us, by the death of the flesh. The flesh no longer dictates our limits, but the Spirit, We now can set our minds and seek after the Spirit, the mind (now controlled by the dictates of the Spirit) is Life and (soul) peace now and forever. You are not living the Life of the flesh, but the Life of the Spirit," in Romans 8:3-9 (Amplified). Throughout this chapter, the Holy Spirit is speaking about the new creation and how when we understand this in our spirit, we will be set free. He is saying that "All these things are working together for the good to those who are in Christ Jesus." Let God lead you in the Truth of this Word. Romans 8:28 has nothing to do with all the carnal things that have been read into it, but with the Spiritual things of the Spirit of God. This includes our prayer lives too. When we don't know how to pray like we should, then the "dictates of the Spirit" or understanding of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus will release all guilt and condemnation of the flesh, allowing us to pray correctly. Our new creation spirit is filled with the Righteous Spirit of God and can pray through us, "The perfect prayer of faith," without the flesh holding us back by carnal reasonings of the old, dead man.
The new creation beings have not yet understood the great miracle that the Father has done in Jesus. We've been taught, trained, preached to, and raised to see we are "just old sinners," and we've overlooked the truth of the new creation. What the Father did through Jesus, was a wholly Spiritual thing. We still identify more with our flesh and our senses, while overlooking the Truth of the new creation.
We were made to the "Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus," according to 2Corinthians 5:20-21. This righteousness is the Very Righteousness of Jesus Christ. It is complete and entire, that no one can improve upon it. It is the Very Right-standing of Jesus, in the Presence of God.
The new creation man is so perfect in Jesus, that God Himself can now indwell and tabernacle in us and walk in us. We know that God cannot/will never co-exist with sin in the same Temple and then declare it to be "Holy." We must accept what He did to declare us to be a new creation Temple for Himself. We can only receive and understand this Truth, in our spirits. Our unrenewed mind and senses only sees this as being carnal religion, and will not receive or walk in this Truth.
We are constantly reminded of who we used to be, instead of who we are. Many take one part of Romans 8:28 out of context and use it to include all the things our carnal minds and guilt ridden senses required from us, saying "All things work together for good." This isn't what this chapter says, but we've been taught to believe that "all things-good or bad, sick or well, early death or long life-work together for good."
If you will allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you when reading the above chapter of Romans, then you'll see that through Jesus, those who are in the new creation are clean, pure, holy, righteous, and justified by His Sacrifice and we're not just "forgiven," but have actually died, been resurrected, been raised up together with Christ and made to be sons after the Image of Jesus Himself.
When we fail to understand this Word of Truth in the Spirit, we will continue walking under the same guilt and condemnation as before being born-again. In Romans 8:1-2 (Amplified) Paul says, "Therefore (there is) now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live (and) walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. For the Law of the Spirit and Life (which is) in Christ Jesus (the Law of our new being) has freed me from the Law of sin and death.
Paul is simply stating how, "If we allow the Spirit to lead and teach us, instead of the world and the senses, then we can walk in the total liberty of the new creation." You are already free (even if you don't know it), but your senses will keep you from the liberty of operating in your new creation righteousness. Your sense will keep you from the liberty of enjoying your fellowship with the Father.
Allow me to pose a question to you and then let yourself answer truthfully. Romans 8:1 says, "We are in Christ Jesus," but do you believe this? If we are in Him, then we must be new creation who are without sin or iniquity, in order to truly be in Him. If we are what the senses tells us and are not "clean, pure, holy, righteous, and new in Him," then impurity, unholiness, uncleanliness and unrighteousness and sin would have to be in Him as well. We know that there is no sin or unrighteousness or "Shadow of turning" in Him.
This is what Paul says in Romans 8:1 (Amplified) which says, "Therefore (there is) now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live (and) walk NOT after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit." If you allow your flesh or senses (which are taught by the world) to dictate your walk, then you will continue walking in condemnation and guilt from the old man of the world. If you allow the Holy Spirit to dictate this new life to you, then you can walk in the perfect Law of liberty, which allows you to feel free to have faith in your new creation through Christ.
Satan and our senses will reduce the entire chapter of Romans 8 to saying that "All things work together for good" and keep us walking under the dictates of the flesh (senses). We've missed the Truth of our liberty in Christ and the new creation. If we read this chapter in the Truth of the Spirit, then we'll see how it's one of the most liberating scriptures in the entire New Testament. Paul explains the dictates of the senses as "carnally minded, the senses of the flesh and the guilt of religious worldly ideas about the scriptures." Through the Holy Spirit, Paul explains the difference concerning Verse 1 in Romans 8:7-8 (Amplified) saying, "(That is) because the mind of the flesh (with its carnal thoughts and purposes) is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God's aw; indeed it cannot. So then those who are living the life of the flesh (or as Paul described in Verse 1 "after the dictates of the flesh) (catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature) cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him."
"Catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature" doesn't mean "sinning," but also denying the full act of the new creation and living in the carnal act of not receiving the full cleansing of Jesus' Sacrifice. The carnal man remains more aware of his carnal nature, instead of the new creation cleansing of being in Christ and made pure. You can't be in Him, while still being in sin. The two are incompatible. When you understand this Truth in your spirit and not with your carnal mind, then you will be free to fellowship on a different level, with your Heavenly Father and you will be open to revelation knowledge and Wisdom. You'll have faith in the fact that He hears you and you will stop doubting yourself. You will begin trusting in who He has made you to be, instead of who the world and satan tells you, you are.
You will then realize that Romans 8:28, doesn't mean sickness, defeat and satan's intended misery, are "for your good." You will see receive the Truth of the Holy Spirit Who says, "God has deprived the power of sin over us, by the death of the flesh. The flesh no longer dictates our limits, but the Spirit, We now can set our minds and seek after the Spirit, the mind (now controlled by the dictates of the Spirit) is Life and (soul) peace now and forever. You are not living the Life of the flesh, but the Life of the Spirit," in Romans 8:3-9 (Amplified). Throughout this chapter, the Holy Spirit is speaking about the new creation and how when we understand this in our spirit, we will be set free. He is saying that "All these things are working together for the good to those who are in Christ Jesus." Let God lead you in the Truth of this Word. Romans 8:28 has nothing to do with all the carnal things that have been read into it, but with the Spiritual things of the Spirit of God. This includes our prayer lives too. When we don't know how to pray like we should, then the "dictates of the Spirit" or understanding of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus will release all guilt and condemnation of the flesh, allowing us to pray correctly. Our new creation spirit is filled with the Righteous Spirit of God and can pray through us, "The perfect prayer of faith," without the flesh holding us back by carnal reasonings of the old, dead man.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Lesson 197 The New Creation
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)."
The great Apostle Paul, received this Truth and revelation directly from the Holy Spirit, according to 2Corinthians 12 and Galatians 1:11-12 (Amplified) which says, "For I want you to know brethren, that the Gospel which was proclaimed and made known by me is not a man's gospel (a human invention, according to or patterned after any human standards) For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it; but (it came to me) through a direct revelation (given) by Jesus Christ (the Messiah)." Whether or not we agree with the above Gospel, it is a revelation given directly o Paul, from Jesus Himself.
There has been much debate in the Church, concerning the Great Gospel above, but the bottom line is this, Jesus in the One Who said it and it is True. Man's soul was to be the go between, for man's spirit and the brain, which is a storage and communication center for his physical body. The spirit was to transmit information (revelation) from the Spirit of God, to our spirit. The soul was to transmit this revelation (or information) to the brain and then mortal man could walk according to the Spirit of God.
Adam's transgression in the Garden of Eden, caused his spirit to be cut off from God, leaving man's soul to function on a different level of knowledge. The only other source of information came from man's fallen state and the world system fed man's soul, directing the brain and determining how to live.
The brain was educated by this world system and directed mankind for millennia. Our carnal teachings have omitted God, leaving mankind to drift further and further from the Truth of Him, in our lives. We fostered carnal understanding for spiritual things and have lost sight of God's original plan for both us and Himself.
Using human understanding, left us seeing God in a light, that He never intended for us. The Word tells us that, "The entrance of the Word, brings Light" in 2Corinthians 4:6 (Amplified) which says, "For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts (spirits) so as (to beam forth) the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God (as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed) in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah)." God didn't just "beam forth this Light," but He (Who is Light) has "shone in our hearts (spirits)."
When creating the new creation being, this Light Who is God Himself, has been joined in our spirit man once again. Our soul (which is the communicator to and director of our physical brain) must be trained to hear from our new source of direction for our physical man. Since all it has known is the world's information, we must renew it by revelation from God's Holy Spirit. Our soul isn't familiar to the Voice of God and has difficulty distinguishing between His Voice and the myriad of other voices that are trying to direct us.
After being born-again, we are still led by voices that are familiar to us and we end up in a man-made relationship with our Father. Even today, in some Christian circles, people will look at you very strangely, if you say, "God told me something." We've been taught that God "only talks to certain people." This is not true. God speaks to all of us, but our soul (which has been trained by our senses) discards His instructions and follows only what it's familiar with. Then our brain (which directs the human body) denies the revelation, because revelation only comes into our spirit and not the brain.
We've never seriously considered Paul's words, when he instructed us to "renew our minds by the Word of God and pull down the strongholds in our minds" about the Super-natural Word and Presence of God, in our spirits. Your brain is a flesh organ and has not part of God. It's an organ, like our liver is a physical organ. It can only function in and for the physical man. It only knows what you put into it, from your own search of knowledge. It is not spiritual or reconciled to God, but only in the natural world. The brain is the most important organ for the body and the body cannot function without it. It's there for a purpose, but that purpose isn't for walking with God. When a person is "brain dead," his body doesn't work. His live spirit leaves the body and goes onto God to live forever with Him. But, the body will not.
The soul's work is to take the Spiritual Wisdom from God, and transmit that to the brain, so that the body will learn to walk by its new instructions. Your body can only do what your brain tells it to do. It cannot rise out of bed by itself, without receiving instructions to do so from the brain When we renew our minds or our souls by the Word of God, the brain can learn a new way of operating in this physical realm. Jesus controlled His Body by His Spirit. He said, "I can only do and say what My Father says and does." He refused to allow His brain (or His Body) to do whatever it wished to do. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus' Body had to be disciplined by His Spirit, to prevent it from doing as it would.
The great Apostle Paul, received this Truth and revelation directly from the Holy Spirit, according to 2Corinthians 12 and Galatians 1:11-12 (Amplified) which says, "For I want you to know brethren, that the Gospel which was proclaimed and made known by me is not a man's gospel (a human invention, according to or patterned after any human standards) For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it; but (it came to me) through a direct revelation (given) by Jesus Christ (the Messiah)." Whether or not we agree with the above Gospel, it is a revelation given directly o Paul, from Jesus Himself.
There has been much debate in the Church, concerning the Great Gospel above, but the bottom line is this, Jesus in the One Who said it and it is True. Man's soul was to be the go between, for man's spirit and the brain, which is a storage and communication center for his physical body. The spirit was to transmit information (revelation) from the Spirit of God, to our spirit. The soul was to transmit this revelation (or information) to the brain and then mortal man could walk according to the Spirit of God.
Adam's transgression in the Garden of Eden, caused his spirit to be cut off from God, leaving man's soul to function on a different level of knowledge. The only other source of information came from man's fallen state and the world system fed man's soul, directing the brain and determining how to live.
The brain was educated by this world system and directed mankind for millennia. Our carnal teachings have omitted God, leaving mankind to drift further and further from the Truth of Him, in our lives. We fostered carnal understanding for spiritual things and have lost sight of God's original plan for both us and Himself.
Using human understanding, left us seeing God in a light, that He never intended for us. The Word tells us that, "The entrance of the Word, brings Light" in 2Corinthians 4:6 (Amplified) which says, "For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts (spirits) so as (to beam forth) the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God (as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed) in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah)." God didn't just "beam forth this Light," but He (Who is Light) has "shone in our hearts (spirits)."
When creating the new creation being, this Light Who is God Himself, has been joined in our spirit man once again. Our soul (which is the communicator to and director of our physical brain) must be trained to hear from our new source of direction for our physical man. Since all it has known is the world's information, we must renew it by revelation from God's Holy Spirit. Our soul isn't familiar to the Voice of God and has difficulty distinguishing between His Voice and the myriad of other voices that are trying to direct us.
After being born-again, we are still led by voices that are familiar to us and we end up in a man-made relationship with our Father. Even today, in some Christian circles, people will look at you very strangely, if you say, "God told me something." We've been taught that God "only talks to certain people." This is not true. God speaks to all of us, but our soul (which has been trained by our senses) discards His instructions and follows only what it's familiar with. Then our brain (which directs the human body) denies the revelation, because revelation only comes into our spirit and not the brain.
We've never seriously considered Paul's words, when he instructed us to "renew our minds by the Word of God and pull down the strongholds in our minds" about the Super-natural Word and Presence of God, in our spirits. Your brain is a flesh organ and has not part of God. It's an organ, like our liver is a physical organ. It can only function in and for the physical man. It only knows what you put into it, from your own search of knowledge. It is not spiritual or reconciled to God, but only in the natural world. The brain is the most important organ for the body and the body cannot function without it. It's there for a purpose, but that purpose isn't for walking with God. When a person is "brain dead," his body doesn't work. His live spirit leaves the body and goes onto God to live forever with Him. But, the body will not.
The soul's work is to take the Spiritual Wisdom from God, and transmit that to the brain, so that the body will learn to walk by its new instructions. Your body can only do what your brain tells it to do. It cannot rise out of bed by itself, without receiving instructions to do so from the brain When we renew our minds or our souls by the Word of God, the brain can learn a new way of operating in this physical realm. Jesus controlled His Body by His Spirit. He said, "I can only do and say what My Father says and does." He refused to allow His brain (or His Body) to do whatever it wished to do. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus' Body had to be disciplined by His Spirit, to prevent it from doing as it would.
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Lesson 196 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) tells us, "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 be word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him).
God created man in His Image and according to John 4:24 (Amplified), "God is a Spirit (a Spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth (reality)." From the beginning, God made man a spirit being, just like He Himself is a Spirit. Genesis 2:7 (Amplified) says, "Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of Spirit of Life, and man became a living being." I believe this is when God joined the body and soul with the spirit being named Adam and this body (which was formed from the ground), became a living being. Your spirit is alive, even after your body has died, but your body is only alive, as long as the spirit is within it.
Adam was already "alive" as a spirit man (like God), but the man or being God formed from dust, was simply a dead lump (like a mannequin), until God breathed the soul and Life into it. We have a spirit man that was made in God's Image and we also have a physical, soulish man, to rule over this earthly realm with. Man was led by God's Holy Spirit and learned through his spirit. Man learned and led this earthly man by the soul or senses and all these were to be subject to the spirit realm. The Blessing that was upon Adam, was an outpouring of God to subdue and have control over the things of earth. In the natural realm, man is to take dominion over natural things, and subject to God's Word through his soul, which was the middle ground between the natural and the Spirit.
Jesus is the Perfect Example of how Adam was supposed to walk. He lived in a natural, flesh and blood Body and took dominion over all the natural elements of earth, by saying and doing "Only what the Father said to do." Jesus had a will of His Own, but He subjected it (His soul and emotions) to the Spirit realm, as He walked here on earth. This was how the Father intended man to be, from the beginning. We are not puppets, but sons and daughters. God didn't create us to be "on a string" like puppets, but made us without strings, so He could walk in Love with Him as family.
Our soul is the middle ground, between our natural body and our spiritual body and is the unrenewed place of rebellion in our new creation man. Man's soul or senses, didn't get born-again. It still spoke, thought, acted and sifted God's Wisdom, deciding what he wanted to believe or not believe. The carnal mind or unrenewed soul of man, simply rejected the Super-natural or Spiritual, in order to maintain control of the body. Your soul or senses had totally controlled the body in the manner it wished and the senses try to maintain that control over what they allow to be dispersed from the senses to the spirit.
This is one of the most important part of our Christian walk, here on earth. We will either allow the senses or soulish man to educate our spirit, or we will allow our new creation man to receive revelation, through the Word. A carnal mind will develop religions, while the renewed mind or restored soul will build relationship. One is soulish and one is spiritual. One is carnal and one is restored.
I was a heavy smoker and drinker, before being born-again. When I allowed Jesus to "restore my soul," He brought me to a "place of innocence" in m soul. I didn't care about drink or nicotine, but was completely free. It was like I had never drank or smoked before. I wasn't repulsed or attracted by drink of nicotine, but was totally innocent again. This is what Jesus wants to do for us, when He restores our soul (Psalm 23:3). He wants to bring us to a place, where sin is no longer thought of, where righteousness is a place we simply walk in, and where forgiveness is such a part of our new creation man, that the soul or sense do not bring us to the place of guilt and condemnation.
God created man in His Image and according to John 4:24 (Amplified), "God is a Spirit (a Spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth (reality)." From the beginning, God made man a spirit being, just like He Himself is a Spirit. Genesis 2:7 (Amplified) says, "Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of Spirit of Life, and man became a living being." I believe this is when God joined the body and soul with the spirit being named Adam and this body (which was formed from the ground), became a living being. Your spirit is alive, even after your body has died, but your body is only alive, as long as the spirit is within it.
Adam was already "alive" as a spirit man (like God), but the man or being God formed from dust, was simply a dead lump (like a mannequin), until God breathed the soul and Life into it. We have a spirit man that was made in God's Image and we also have a physical, soulish man, to rule over this earthly realm with. Man was led by God's Holy Spirit and learned through his spirit. Man learned and led this earthly man by the soul or senses and all these were to be subject to the spirit realm. The Blessing that was upon Adam, was an outpouring of God to subdue and have control over the things of earth. In the natural realm, man is to take dominion over natural things, and subject to God's Word through his soul, which was the middle ground between the natural and the Spirit.
Jesus is the Perfect Example of how Adam was supposed to walk. He lived in a natural, flesh and blood Body and took dominion over all the natural elements of earth, by saying and doing "Only what the Father said to do." Jesus had a will of His Own, but He subjected it (His soul and emotions) to the Spirit realm, as He walked here on earth. This was how the Father intended man to be, from the beginning. We are not puppets, but sons and daughters. God didn't create us to be "on a string" like puppets, but made us without strings, so He could walk in Love with Him as family.
Our soul is the middle ground, between our natural body and our spiritual body and is the unrenewed place of rebellion in our new creation man. Man's soul or senses, didn't get born-again. It still spoke, thought, acted and sifted God's Wisdom, deciding what he wanted to believe or not believe. The carnal mind or unrenewed soul of man, simply rejected the Super-natural or Spiritual, in order to maintain control of the body. Your soul or senses had totally controlled the body in the manner it wished and the senses try to maintain that control over what they allow to be dispersed from the senses to the spirit.
This is one of the most important part of our Christian walk, here on earth. We will either allow the senses or soulish man to educate our spirit, or we will allow our new creation man to receive revelation, through the Word. A carnal mind will develop religions, while the renewed mind or restored soul will build relationship. One is soulish and one is spiritual. One is carnal and one is restored.
I was a heavy smoker and drinker, before being born-again. When I allowed Jesus to "restore my soul," He brought me to a "place of innocence" in m soul. I didn't care about drink or nicotine, but was completely free. It was like I had never drank or smoked before. I wasn't repulsed or attracted by drink of nicotine, but was totally innocent again. This is what Jesus wants to do for us, when He restores our soul (Psalm 23:3). He wants to bring us to a place, where sin is no longer thought of, where righteousness is a place we simply walk in, and where forgiveness is such a part of our new creation man, that the soul or sense do not bring us to the place of guilt and condemnation.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Lesson 195 The New Creation
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)."
The part of our new creation man that's been hardest to curb, is our soulish part. The spirit was made instantly new when we received Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We received the Life of God once again into our spirit and instantly became new creation. Our body (the fleshly, sensual man) is the house our spirit lives in, had been trained by our soul (or senses) since the fall of Adam.
As a result of Adam's transgression, our spirit was separated from God and dwelt in spiritual death, because God is Life and our soulish man was now controlled by only our soulish intellect and feelings. The most difficult part of walking out our new creation man, has been with the renewing our minds (which is part of our soulish man) by the Life of God's Word and bring it back into subjection to our spirit. We can read the Word with our intellect, but still not receive revelation into our spirit, where it would produce this new creation in wholeness.
Our minds (which were carnal or sensual), wouldn't receive the Word as Truth, because it was spiritual in nature and our minds (senses) were programmed by the world, senses and the carnal things of this fallen (lost) world. Paul writes in 1Corinthians 2:14 (Amplified) saying, "The natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart (spirit) the Gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to hi; and he is incapable of knowing them (of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them) because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated."
The thing that led us for centuries, has now that we are born-again, become our downfall and doesn't recognize the Truth of God's Word in our lives. Until being born-again, our soul, along with our senses and their outside directions, had been our teacher. After receiving the new birth, these have become our enemy, because they don't understand the new creation being (which is spiritual). All it knows, is what it has learned from the worldly realm and how we were raised. The things of the Spirit, are from the spiritual realm and cannot be understand by these things.
As born-again people of God, we must allow the Lord (by the Holy Spirit) to restore or renew our soul. Man's soul was to receive Wisdom from our spirit, which was to receive from the Spirit of God. And, as we receive guidance and Wisdom from God into our spirit, our spirit is to teach our soulish man and physical body how to live on earth, according to the Father's plan. We were spirit people, living in a natural body that we could contact this natural earth. But, our bodies were to be dominated and ruled by our spirit.
Adam's transgression caused his contact and union with God to be severed, leaving him with only his senses to guide him. His soul or senses could not longer guide him from within, but only from what they could come into contact with from the outside. The entire planet then came under the domain of the enemy, so all that could come from our soul or senses, was strictly of the sense realm.
Today, even though we're born-again, much of the Church still walks more in the senses, than in the spirit. Our new creation spirit man, is still being fed more from education, rather than by revelation. Educations comes into the mind and senses, while revelation comes into the new creation man by the spirit. This has caused separation in the Church, since it's birth. Many have denied the Super-natural things of God, because they are spiritually discerned and are "folly" or "nonsense" to the natural man. They make no sense to the sense-ruled Christian. The sense-ruled Christians has built our own traditions and our own religions from the Word of God (which is Spirit), because we don't receive the Word into our spirit by a renewed mind or restored soul.
Psalms 23:3 (Amplified) says, "He refreshes and restores my life (my self). He leads me in the paths of righteousness (upright and right standing with Him-not for my earning it, but) for His Name's sake." The King James Bible says, "He restores my soul." The unrenewed soul tries earning righteousness by acts of the flesh, while the restored soul or renewed mind receives the revelation of restored right standing through Christ Jesus, into the new creation spirit. This might seem like "splitting hairs" to some, but it's vital that our new carnal minds receive revelation and not education. Your carnal mind can be educated and can read the Bible and can comprehend the words, but only the renewed mind or restored soul can allow the Life of the Word to flow from your spirit, into the natural man and senses. Without the restoring of the soul, the Word is simply education.
Psalm 19:7 (Amplified) tells us, "The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the (whole) person; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." 3 John 1:2-3 (Amplified) says, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and (that your body) may keep well, even as (I know) your soul keeps well and prospers. In fact, I greatly rejoiced when (some of) the brethren from time to time arrived and spoke (so highly) of the sincerity and fidelity of your life, as indeed you do live in the Truth (the whole Gospel presents)."
There must have been some who were "living and walking" in what John called "the whole Gospel," and some who had not achieved the "soul peace" he wrote about in 2John 1:3 (Amplified) saying, "Grace ( spiritual blessing) mercy, and (soul) peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ (the Messiah) the Father's Son, in all sincerity (Truth) and Love."
Many consider the soul and spirit, to be one and the same, but God's Word divides the spirit, soul, and body into three separate parts of the same person. All of these parts must be brought back into the unity of the new creation, by the Word and the Holy Spirit. 1Thessalonians 5:23 (Amplified) says, "And may the God of Peace Himself sanctify you through and through (separate you from profane things, and make you pure and wholly consecrated to God) and may your spirit, soul, and body, be preserved sound and complete (and found) blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)."
According to Psalm 23:3, Jesus not only can, but will, restore our soul. To "restore" a house or building, means to bring it back to its original state. God doesn't just make us a new creation in our new, born-again spirit, but He fully intends to bring us back "wholly, spirit, soul, and body." He began in the new birth of our spirit, by the renewing of our minds and the training of our senses and by allowing our soul to be converted by His Word. And, according to 3John, He even brings back healing to our natural body. This is what John called the "whole Gospel" and it included the spirit, the soul, and even healing and health for the natural body.
The Life of God has flooded into our new creation spirit and now by restoring the soul or renewing our minds and sense by the Word, we allow this new Life to flow through the entire new creation being (spirit, soul, and body). We've allowed our unrenewed mind and fallen, worldly, soulish man to determine how much of the Truth of God's Word will be accepted in our lives. The restored soul, will allow the Truth of God's full Gospel to flow into our daily lives. The restored soul will transmit this Truth from us, into the healing and lives of others.
The part of our new creation man that's been hardest to curb, is our soulish part. The spirit was made instantly new when we received Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We received the Life of God once again into our spirit and instantly became new creation. Our body (the fleshly, sensual man) is the house our spirit lives in, had been trained by our soul (or senses) since the fall of Adam.
As a result of Adam's transgression, our spirit was separated from God and dwelt in spiritual death, because God is Life and our soulish man was now controlled by only our soulish intellect and feelings. The most difficult part of walking out our new creation man, has been with the renewing our minds (which is part of our soulish man) by the Life of God's Word and bring it back into subjection to our spirit. We can read the Word with our intellect, but still not receive revelation into our spirit, where it would produce this new creation in wholeness.
Our minds (which were carnal or sensual), wouldn't receive the Word as Truth, because it was spiritual in nature and our minds (senses) were programmed by the world, senses and the carnal things of this fallen (lost) world. Paul writes in 1Corinthians 2:14 (Amplified) saying, "The natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart (spirit) the Gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to hi; and he is incapable of knowing them (of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them) because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated."
The thing that led us for centuries, has now that we are born-again, become our downfall and doesn't recognize the Truth of God's Word in our lives. Until being born-again, our soul, along with our senses and their outside directions, had been our teacher. After receiving the new birth, these have become our enemy, because they don't understand the new creation being (which is spiritual). All it knows, is what it has learned from the worldly realm and how we were raised. The things of the Spirit, are from the spiritual realm and cannot be understand by these things.
As born-again people of God, we must allow the Lord (by the Holy Spirit) to restore or renew our soul. Man's soul was to receive Wisdom from our spirit, which was to receive from the Spirit of God. And, as we receive guidance and Wisdom from God into our spirit, our spirit is to teach our soulish man and physical body how to live on earth, according to the Father's plan. We were spirit people, living in a natural body that we could contact this natural earth. But, our bodies were to be dominated and ruled by our spirit.
Adam's transgression caused his contact and union with God to be severed, leaving him with only his senses to guide him. His soul or senses could not longer guide him from within, but only from what they could come into contact with from the outside. The entire planet then came under the domain of the enemy, so all that could come from our soul or senses, was strictly of the sense realm.
Today, even though we're born-again, much of the Church still walks more in the senses, than in the spirit. Our new creation spirit man, is still being fed more from education, rather than by revelation. Educations comes into the mind and senses, while revelation comes into the new creation man by the spirit. This has caused separation in the Church, since it's birth. Many have denied the Super-natural things of God, because they are spiritually discerned and are "folly" or "nonsense" to the natural man. They make no sense to the sense-ruled Christian. The sense-ruled Christians has built our own traditions and our own religions from the Word of God (which is Spirit), because we don't receive the Word into our spirit by a renewed mind or restored soul.
Psalms 23:3 (Amplified) says, "He refreshes and restores my life (my self). He leads me in the paths of righteousness (upright and right standing with Him-not for my earning it, but) for His Name's sake." The King James Bible says, "He restores my soul." The unrenewed soul tries earning righteousness by acts of the flesh, while the restored soul or renewed mind receives the revelation of restored right standing through Christ Jesus, into the new creation spirit. This might seem like "splitting hairs" to some, but it's vital that our new carnal minds receive revelation and not education. Your carnal mind can be educated and can read the Bible and can comprehend the words, but only the renewed mind or restored soul can allow the Life of the Word to flow from your spirit, into the natural man and senses. Without the restoring of the soul, the Word is simply education.
Psalm 19:7 (Amplified) tells us, "The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the (whole) person; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." 3 John 1:2-3 (Amplified) says, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and (that your body) may keep well, even as (I know) your soul keeps well and prospers. In fact, I greatly rejoiced when (some of) the brethren from time to time arrived and spoke (so highly) of the sincerity and fidelity of your life, as indeed you do live in the Truth (the whole Gospel presents)."
There must have been some who were "living and walking" in what John called "the whole Gospel," and some who had not achieved the "soul peace" he wrote about in 2John 1:3 (Amplified) saying, "Grace ( spiritual blessing) mercy, and (soul) peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ (the Messiah) the Father's Son, in all sincerity (Truth) and Love."
Many consider the soul and spirit, to be one and the same, but God's Word divides the spirit, soul, and body into three separate parts of the same person. All of these parts must be brought back into the unity of the new creation, by the Word and the Holy Spirit. 1Thessalonians 5:23 (Amplified) says, "And may the God of Peace Himself sanctify you through and through (separate you from profane things, and make you pure and wholly consecrated to God) and may your spirit, soul, and body, be preserved sound and complete (and found) blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)."
According to Psalm 23:3, Jesus not only can, but will, restore our soul. To "restore" a house or building, means to bring it back to its original state. God doesn't just make us a new creation in our new, born-again spirit, but He fully intends to bring us back "wholly, spirit, soul, and body." He began in the new birth of our spirit, by the renewing of our minds and the training of our senses and by allowing our soul to be converted by His Word. And, according to 3John, He even brings back healing to our natural body. This is what John called the "whole Gospel" and it included the spirit, the soul, and even healing and health for the natural body.
The Life of God has flooded into our new creation spirit and now by restoring the soul or renewing our minds and sense by the Word, we allow this new Life to flow through the entire new creation being (spirit, soul, and body). We've allowed our unrenewed mind and fallen, worldly, soulish man to determine how much of the Truth of God's Word will be accepted in our lives. The restored soul, will allow the Truth of God's full Gospel to flow into our daily lives. The restored soul will transmit this Truth from us, into the healing and lives of others.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)