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.
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