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 Father designed the new creation people to be a "Super-natural" family, who would reveal God again into the midst of the earth. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was never intended to be a "religion," but a reality to the people. Jesus made a declaration in Acts 1:8 (Amplified) that both amazed and bewildered those He was speaking to, saying, "But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth (the very bounds) of the earth."
Then, Jesus' Words were revealed in Acts 2:43 (Amplified), which says, "And a sense of awe (reverential fear) came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were performed through the apostles (the special messengers)." The "signs and wonders" were to continue throughout the very "bounds of the earth." These weren't only for the starting of the Church, but to identify the Church (the new creation) until the time when Jesus would return for His Body.
Many believe that these signs and wonders have "passed away," and were for only starting the Church. But, as the Body of Christ, we are to continue these things and reveal the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth. Through the centuries, we've been told repeatedly that these signs and wonders have ceased. Hebrews 13:8 (Amplified) says, "Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is (always) the same, yesterday, Today (yes) and forever (to the ages)." So, according to the Word, this Promise and Jesus' instructions from Acts 1:8, are still the same as they always have been.
When we fail to demonstrate God's Presence in the earth, the eyes of the world see us as "just another religion." What sets Christianity apart from all other people, is that God Himself was to made manifest to the world, through His people. No other group of people on this planet, could do the things our God was manifesting through the new creation. Even those in the old covenant who followed Jesus' instructions, manifested God's Presence to the people.
We've majored on preaching how Jesus loved us so much that He died on the cross for our sins, but Jesus demonstrated His Love by being "moved by compassion" and delivering the multitudes from even their physical torments, sickness, and disease. His Love went far beyond what we're preaching today.
Although it's true concerning Jesus' redemptive work on the cross and He did this on our behalf, Jesus didn't just leave us to endure the same things that plague mankind, but through the indwelling Holy Spirit, relieved us of even the natural works of sin. The signs and wonders were "proof" of His Love, being demonstrated for all the world to see. Jesus' Love went beyond just being forgiven and it reached into the Super-natural realm, according to Acts 10:38 (Amplified) which says, "How God anointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with strength and ability and power; how He went about doing good and, in particular, curing all who were harassed and oppressed by (the power of) the devil, for God was with Him."
The Very Same God is now with us, to do the same works that Jesus did. This demonstration of His Love, is something that His Body (the Church) brings to the world. Jesus said in John 17:22 -23 (Amplified), "I have given them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one (even) as We are One. I in them, and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and (definitely) recognize that You have sent Me, and that You have Loved them (even) as You have Loved Me." This Love was to be demonstrated by the Father working through us and is to be something the world can see, through His Body. The world would know that we were sent by the Father and that He loved them.
In a very short period of time, the early Church brought more converts to Christianity, than we've managed to make with all the things we have at our disposal, to do so. Even with radio, satellites, and the internet, we haven't moved the people as much as the early Church did, with their demonstration of God's power. We've accomplished bringing Christianity to the world by natural means, but this isn't what Jesus had in mind, when He sent the Holy Spirit to empower the Church.
We are challenged to "get back to basics," in Romans 1:17 (Amplified) which 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." Our faith is supposed to grow "from faith to faith." His Love is supposed to be manifested for the unbeliever, by our faith, through signs and wonders. We see God's Love being manifested in 1John 4:16-17 (Amplified), which says, "And we know (understand, recognize, and are conscious of, by observation and by experience and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the Love God cherishes for us; God is Love, and he who dwells and continues in Love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him. In this (union and communication with Him) Love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us; that we may have confidence for the day of judgment (with assurance and boldness to face Him) because as He is, so are we in this world." This manifestation of God's Love, has long since been neglected to be revealed to the world. If we found them sick, then we left them sick. If we found them addicted, then we left them addicted and left them to the world's means of ending that addiction. The Love we're to display to the world, is to loose the people from not only sin, but from the effects of sin in their lives.
We see the effects of misunderstanding God's Love, when many in today's Church still fear God's anger and judgment, in 1John 4:18 (Amplified) which says, "There is no fear in Love (dread does not exist) but full grown (complete, perfect) Love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and (so) he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of Love (and is not yet grown into Love's complete perfection). We Love Him, because He first Loved us."
We have so misunderstood God's Love and have reduced it to our own natural way of love. God's Love extends to every realm and area of our lives. God's Love extends from the redemptive work of removing sin to the very effects of sin, to those who will believe. This is the Gospel that Jesus preached and demonstrated. This is also the Gospel that He instructed His disciples to preach and demonstrate to the world, in Mark 16:15-20 (Amplified), "And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the Good News (the Gospel) to every creature (of the whole human race). He who believes (who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth) and is baptized will be saved from the penalty of eternal death, but he who does not believe (who does not adhere to, and trust in, and rely on the Gospel and Him it sets forth) will be condemned. And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe. In My Nae they will drive out demons, they will speak in new languages (tongues) They will pick up serpents, and (even) if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them, and they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well." Verses 19-20 go on, "So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoke to them, was taken up into Heaven and He sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the Message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied it. Amen (so be it)."
Do we understand God's Love this way?
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Sunday, May 28, 2017
Friday, May 26, 2017
Lesson 224 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)."
To understand the new creation being, we must go to God's Word and discover who we've been made to be in Him. The Church has mainly functioned the way previous generations taught, but while some of these teachings still hold to the Truth, many do not. We've operated in traditions and religious orders those before us held too, but these things don't allow the new creation to function like God intended.
The new creation have government and Spiritual Laws that govern it, coming from the Kingdom of God we now belong to. These Spiritual Laws govern our new life in Him, and operate on a different level than the spiritual laws governing earth, since Adam's fall. Proverbs 16:25 (Amplified) tells us, "There is a way that seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death."
I don't believe that anyone who is now born-again, isn't trying to walk with God like they should and truly desire to. I don believer however, that we're walking in a way that seems right to us. Most of what we know comes from things taught through the years, by man. Some of these things are correct, while other things aren't. We've held to traditions, instead of the Truth of who we've become in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit says in Proverbs 29:18 (Amplified), "Where there is no vision (no redemptive revelation of God) the people perish; but he who keeps the law (of God, which includes that of man)-blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he."
Many believe this "redemption" comes only after we leave earth, in death. God's "vision of redemption" includes the time we are here as ambassadors for His Kingdom. We've never really exercised our new creation redemption on earth. This redemption is not for ourselves only, but for us to use and gain back what was stolen from us and bring the unsaved world back into covenant with the Redeemer. So many of the brethren, who have been redeemed from the curse through Jesus, have no idea of what this redemption entails.
We are to take the knowledge that things have been restored to us through Jesus, to the world in Truth and favor. Jesus preached this message, everywhere He went. His message to the world was, "The acceptable year of the Lord" was now here, through Him. Isaiah 61:2 (Amplified) says, "To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord (the year of His favor)." Jesus completed the unfinished scripture and closed the scroll after speaking. Everyone present during the meeting (and every meeting to come) knew that the "acceptable year of the Lord" was the Year of Jubilee. This year of Jubilee meant that everything that had been lost or taken from someone, was to be restored.
The Gentiles had no idea of what this "acceptable year of the Lord" was about. We only understood what we'd learned from the previous generations. This doesn't disqualify what He preached as being Truth, just because we don't understand it. The things Jesus spoke weren't only "True" for those who heard Him preach it, but also for the Gentiles who would believe in Him, in the future, us. Many us us have lost relationship with our children or parents, because of past things. Jesus was saying to all of us, "Trust Me and walk in the Light of My Redemptive power, then this vision will come to pass in your lives." We've never had a clear vision of that redemption, because of a "lack of knowledge." We've walked in the way that seemed "right" to us, but this didn't restore things that had been lost to us. The way that seemed "right," still led to death.
Too many of our children were as good as dead to us, by the curse that still holds them and us. Without understanding the power of Blessing that was now on us, we've accepted things that are, believing they couldn't be changed. We've tried making our children attend church and to be better persons (which was the way that seemed "right"), but these things haven't worked. Instead of bringing liberty to our children, we've bound them with the laws and traditions of men, which caused them to rebel against God.
Jesus came to set men free, while religion binds them. The message that we can fellowship with the Creator of the Universe, should be the most exciting news anyone could ever hear. We've held to things that seemed right and have portrayed God as never being pleased with mankind, no matter how hard we might try. Many gave us and quit trying, believing God could never be pleased with them anyway.
We've mostly tried to please God by our own ways, because we learned this from previous generations. Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) says, "But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come to God must (necessarily) believe that God exists and that He is the Rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him (out)."
We haven't stressed that faith in what God says in His Word, is Truth for our lives today. We've made excuses for why His Word doesn't work, instead of stressing that His Word is Truth and still does work today. This is the way that seems "right" to men, but the results aren't always Life to those who hear and do them. Many view God's Word as "The history of what God used to do," instead of what God still does today. We read about the things God did in the past and how He moved with His people, but forget that He is "The Same yesterday, today, and forever." God hasn't changed, we have. We must dare to step out in faith and believe that "HE IS" and that "HE IS still the Rewarder of those who seek Him out."
It doesn't matter what someone else does or believes. We must be like Abraham, who believed God when in the natural, there was no possibility the things God told him to do, could be possible. We must remember that, "With God, all things are possible and that all things are possible to he who believes."
To understand the new creation being, we must go to God's Word and discover who we've been made to be in Him. The Church has mainly functioned the way previous generations taught, but while some of these teachings still hold to the Truth, many do not. We've operated in traditions and religious orders those before us held too, but these things don't allow the new creation to function like God intended.
The new creation have government and Spiritual Laws that govern it, coming from the Kingdom of God we now belong to. These Spiritual Laws govern our new life in Him, and operate on a different level than the spiritual laws governing earth, since Adam's fall. Proverbs 16:25 (Amplified) tells us, "There is a way that seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death."
I don't believe that anyone who is now born-again, isn't trying to walk with God like they should and truly desire to. I don believer however, that we're walking in a way that seems right to us. Most of what we know comes from things taught through the years, by man. Some of these things are correct, while other things aren't. We've held to traditions, instead of the Truth of who we've become in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit says in Proverbs 29:18 (Amplified), "Where there is no vision (no redemptive revelation of God) the people perish; but he who keeps the law (of God, which includes that of man)-blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he."
Many believe this "redemption" comes only after we leave earth, in death. God's "vision of redemption" includes the time we are here as ambassadors for His Kingdom. We've never really exercised our new creation redemption on earth. This redemption is not for ourselves only, but for us to use and gain back what was stolen from us and bring the unsaved world back into covenant with the Redeemer. So many of the brethren, who have been redeemed from the curse through Jesus, have no idea of what this redemption entails.
We are to take the knowledge that things have been restored to us through Jesus, to the world in Truth and favor. Jesus preached this message, everywhere He went. His message to the world was, "The acceptable year of the Lord" was now here, through Him. Isaiah 61:2 (Amplified) says, "To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord (the year of His favor)." Jesus completed the unfinished scripture and closed the scroll after speaking. Everyone present during the meeting (and every meeting to come) knew that the "acceptable year of the Lord" was the Year of Jubilee. This year of Jubilee meant that everything that had been lost or taken from someone, was to be restored.
The Gentiles had no idea of what this "acceptable year of the Lord" was about. We only understood what we'd learned from the previous generations. This doesn't disqualify what He preached as being Truth, just because we don't understand it. The things Jesus spoke weren't only "True" for those who heard Him preach it, but also for the Gentiles who would believe in Him, in the future, us. Many us us have lost relationship with our children or parents, because of past things. Jesus was saying to all of us, "Trust Me and walk in the Light of My Redemptive power, then this vision will come to pass in your lives." We've never had a clear vision of that redemption, because of a "lack of knowledge." We've walked in the way that seemed "right" to us, but this didn't restore things that had been lost to us. The way that seemed "right," still led to death.
Too many of our children were as good as dead to us, by the curse that still holds them and us. Without understanding the power of Blessing that was now on us, we've accepted things that are, believing they couldn't be changed. We've tried making our children attend church and to be better persons (which was the way that seemed "right"), but these things haven't worked. Instead of bringing liberty to our children, we've bound them with the laws and traditions of men, which caused them to rebel against God.
Jesus came to set men free, while religion binds them. The message that we can fellowship with the Creator of the Universe, should be the most exciting news anyone could ever hear. We've held to things that seemed right and have portrayed God as never being pleased with mankind, no matter how hard we might try. Many gave us and quit trying, believing God could never be pleased with them anyway.
We've mostly tried to please God by our own ways, because we learned this from previous generations. Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) says, "But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come to God must (necessarily) believe that God exists and that He is the Rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him (out)."
We haven't stressed that faith in what God says in His Word, is Truth for our lives today. We've made excuses for why His Word doesn't work, instead of stressing that His Word is Truth and still does work today. This is the way that seems "right" to men, but the results aren't always Life to those who hear and do them. Many view God's Word as "The history of what God used to do," instead of what God still does today. We read about the things God did in the past and how He moved with His people, but forget that He is "The Same yesterday, today, and forever." God hasn't changed, we have. We must dare to step out in faith and believe that "HE IS" and that "HE IS still the Rewarder of those who seek Him out."
It doesn't matter what someone else does or believes. We must be like Abraham, who believed God when in the natural, there was no possibility the things God told him to do, could be possible. We must remember that, "With God, all things are possible and that all things are possible to he who believes."
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Lesson 223 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 by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
We find the Holy Spirit looking to the cross and resurrection and speaking both to and about the new creation people of God. As Isaiah speaks forth God's Word, it is sown into the earth and cannot be removed. This is who and what we (the Church) are to know and understand now, about our relationship with our Father. This should be what distinguishes what the world has told us about God and what He has said about Himself.
Thus Isaiah 54:13-15 (Amplified) says, "And all your (spiritual) children shall be disciples (taught by the Lord and obedient to His will); and great shall be the peace and undisturbed composure of your children. You shall establish yourself in righteousness (rightness, in conformity with God's will and order) You shall be far from oppression or destruction, for you shall not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near you. Behold, They may gather together and stir up strife, but it is not from Me. Whoever stirs up strife against you shall fall and surrender to you."
Somehow, we (the new creation) have believed and been taught, that the strife and oppression which comes on us, is from the Father (just like in the old covenant). God Himself says this is not true, in the above scripture. Verses 16-17 go on, "God indeed created satan (the destroyer who blows on the fire of coals and who produces a weapon for its purposes, and I have created the devastor to destroy (God has taken responsibility for satan and what he has done to mankind) But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This (peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition) is the heritage of the servants of the Lord (those in whom the ideal servant of the Lord is reproduced); this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me (this is that which I impart to them as their justification) says the Lord."
Although God created satan and he is loosed upon this earth (in whatever way he tries bringing guilt, condemnation, or strife upon God's children), God says, "It is not from Me." As new creation family, we aren't subject to what the old covenant people were subject too. The Church has been in the dark and has failed to make this distinction, for many years. We've erroneously believed that all our problems comes from God, in order to teach us something. I'm sure we can learn from trials and hardships, but this isn't how the Father teaches His family.
Jesus tells us how the Father will teach His children, in John 10:10 (Amplified). Jesus clearly distinguishes the difference between satan and God, saying, "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy; I come that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)." We just read Isaiah 54:15 about the things that kill, steal and destroy and God says about these things, "Behold, they may gather together and stir up strife, but it is not from Me."
Let's distinguish the differences in our lives first of all, between the Father and "the thief." The "thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy," and not to teach, correct and enhance the Church. Jesus tells us how the Father will teach and correct His new creation family, in John 16:13-15 (Amplified) saying, "But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-Giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth) For He will not speak His Own Message (on His Own authority) but He will tell whatever He hears (from the Father; He will give the Message that has been given to Him) and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come (that will happen in the future). He will honor and glorify Me, because He will take of (receive, draw upon) what is Mine, and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you. Everything that the Father has is Mine. That is what I meant when I said that He (the Spirit) will take the things that are Mine, and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you."
This is one of the most dynamic ways that the Father teaches, corrects, guides and matures His family. Ephesians 4:11-12 (Amplified) says, "And His Gifts were varied, (He Himself appointed and gave men to us) some to be apostles (special messengers) some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders) some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries) some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers."
2Timothy 3:16 (Amplified) says, "Every scriptures is God breathed (given by His Inspiration) and is profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, (and) for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action)."
These three methods of teaching His "spiritual" children, are all by and through the Spirit and God's Word. In order to know and yield to God's will, we must know the Word of God, not man's interpretation of the Word, but the Holy Spirit's interpretation of it. After all, was it not the Holy Spirit and the Word, Who created us? Why then, would it not be the Holy Spirit and the Word, Who mature and train us up in righteousness?
If the thief can cause us to believe that all strife, confusion, trials and hardships befalling us, come from God, then we will not hear the Voice of God's Word to walk like He created us to walk. Jesus speaks about the Holy Spirit in John 16:8-11 (Amplified) saying, "And when He comes (speaking of the Holy Spirit) He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and righteousness ( uprightness of heart and right standing with God and about judgment. About sin, because they do not believe in Me (trust in, rely on, and adhere to Me). About righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God) because I go to My Father, and you will see Me no longer. About judgment, because the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world (satan) is judged and condemned and sentence is already passed upon him."
We have sadly, never become the astute students of God's Word and the Spirit, like God intended us to be. We've followed the world's interpretation of God's Word, instead of listening to and learning the Truth of what the Father is saying to us. We've received religion over reality and have based our faith and trust in man's traditions, instead of the Truth from the Holy Spirit. Even satan couldn't keep the truth of the new birth confined, but he has managed to keep the Church carnal in most areas of our lives. We've based our teachings on sense knowledge and tradition, instead of on Spirit and revelation. We've allowed the Super-natural Presence of the Holy Spirit and Spiritual operations, to be stolen from us, leaving us functioning in the carnal. It's a waste of time, trying to defeat satan in the carnal realm and with carnal weapons.
Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12 (Amplified), "For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood (contending only with physical opponents) but against the despotisms, against the powers, against (the master spirits who are) the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the Heavenly (Super-natural) sphere."
1Corinthians 10:3-4 (Amplified) says, "For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical (weapons of flesh and blood) but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds." The Church must once again, learn who we are in the Lord, as new creation people. We must learn to use the ability that was granted us through our union with Jesus and learn to walk in the Spirit, by the Word. We must take our place as God's family, in this earth.
We find the Holy Spirit looking to the cross and resurrection and speaking both to and about the new creation people of God. As Isaiah speaks forth God's Word, it is sown into the earth and cannot be removed. This is who and what we (the Church) are to know and understand now, about our relationship with our Father. This should be what distinguishes what the world has told us about God and what He has said about Himself.
Thus Isaiah 54:13-15 (Amplified) says, "And all your (spiritual) children shall be disciples (taught by the Lord and obedient to His will); and great shall be the peace and undisturbed composure of your children. You shall establish yourself in righteousness (rightness, in conformity with God's will and order) You shall be far from oppression or destruction, for you shall not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near you. Behold, They may gather together and stir up strife, but it is not from Me. Whoever stirs up strife against you shall fall and surrender to you."
Somehow, we (the new creation) have believed and been taught, that the strife and oppression which comes on us, is from the Father (just like in the old covenant). God Himself says this is not true, in the above scripture. Verses 16-17 go on, "God indeed created satan (the destroyer who blows on the fire of coals and who produces a weapon for its purposes, and I have created the devastor to destroy (God has taken responsibility for satan and what he has done to mankind) But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This (peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition) is the heritage of the servants of the Lord (those in whom the ideal servant of the Lord is reproduced); this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me (this is that which I impart to them as their justification) says the Lord."
Although God created satan and he is loosed upon this earth (in whatever way he tries bringing guilt, condemnation, or strife upon God's children), God says, "It is not from Me." As new creation family, we aren't subject to what the old covenant people were subject too. The Church has been in the dark and has failed to make this distinction, for many years. We've erroneously believed that all our problems comes from God, in order to teach us something. I'm sure we can learn from trials and hardships, but this isn't how the Father teaches His family.
Jesus tells us how the Father will teach His children, in John 10:10 (Amplified). Jesus clearly distinguishes the difference between satan and God, saying, "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy; I come that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)." We just read Isaiah 54:15 about the things that kill, steal and destroy and God says about these things, "Behold, they may gather together and stir up strife, but it is not from Me."
Let's distinguish the differences in our lives first of all, between the Father and "the thief." The "thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy," and not to teach, correct and enhance the Church. Jesus tells us how the Father will teach and correct His new creation family, in John 16:13-15 (Amplified) saying, "But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-Giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth) For He will not speak His Own Message (on His Own authority) but He will tell whatever He hears (from the Father; He will give the Message that has been given to Him) and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come (that will happen in the future). He will honor and glorify Me, because He will take of (receive, draw upon) what is Mine, and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you. Everything that the Father has is Mine. That is what I meant when I said that He (the Spirit) will take the things that are Mine, and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you."
This is one of the most dynamic ways that the Father teaches, corrects, guides and matures His family. Ephesians 4:11-12 (Amplified) says, "And His Gifts were varied, (He Himself appointed and gave men to us) some to be apostles (special messengers) some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders) some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries) some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers."
2Timothy 3:16 (Amplified) says, "Every scriptures is God breathed (given by His Inspiration) and is profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, (and) for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action)."
These three methods of teaching His "spiritual" children, are all by and through the Spirit and God's Word. In order to know and yield to God's will, we must know the Word of God, not man's interpretation of the Word, but the Holy Spirit's interpretation of it. After all, was it not the Holy Spirit and the Word, Who created us? Why then, would it not be the Holy Spirit and the Word, Who mature and train us up in righteousness?
If the thief can cause us to believe that all strife, confusion, trials and hardships befalling us, come from God, then we will not hear the Voice of God's Word to walk like He created us to walk. Jesus speaks about the Holy Spirit in John 16:8-11 (Amplified) saying, "And when He comes (speaking of the Holy Spirit) He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and righteousness ( uprightness of heart and right standing with God and about judgment. About sin, because they do not believe in Me (trust in, rely on, and adhere to Me). About righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God) because I go to My Father, and you will see Me no longer. About judgment, because the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world (satan) is judged and condemned and sentence is already passed upon him."
We have sadly, never become the astute students of God's Word and the Spirit, like God intended us to be. We've followed the world's interpretation of God's Word, instead of listening to and learning the Truth of what the Father is saying to us. We've received religion over reality and have based our faith and trust in man's traditions, instead of the Truth from the Holy Spirit. Even satan couldn't keep the truth of the new birth confined, but he has managed to keep the Church carnal in most areas of our lives. We've based our teachings on sense knowledge and tradition, instead of on Spirit and revelation. We've allowed the Super-natural Presence of the Holy Spirit and Spiritual operations, to be stolen from us, leaving us functioning in the carnal. It's a waste of time, trying to defeat satan in the carnal realm and with carnal weapons.
Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12 (Amplified), "For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood (contending only with physical opponents) but against the despotisms, against the powers, against (the master spirits who are) the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the Heavenly (Super-natural) sphere."
1Corinthians 10:3-4 (Amplified) says, "For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical (weapons of flesh and blood) but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds." The Church must once again, learn who we are in the Lord, as new creation people. We must learn to use the ability that was granted us through our union with Jesus and learn to walk in the Spirit, by the Word. We must take our place as God's family, in this earth.
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Lesson 222 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 identity of the Church (the Body of Christ) has been a mystery from the beginning, even to the Church itself. The world has fostered an image of the Church, that they can see and identify. The Church started out being something that is far different than what it is today. The Super-natural flow of the Holy Spirit and the power of the Father, aren't displayed the way they were in the beginning.
As the world's culture began seeping into the Church and controlling the flow of the Holy Spirit, changing everything. We were no longer moving in God, but were contained by the world's regulations and confines. Satan couldn't stop the power of the Holy Spirit and God's Word, but he began bringing the world's culture into our definition of being Christians. The world didn't "mind" us being here, just as long as our behavior could be controlled by their confines.
The Father and the Head of the Church (Jesus) were to be in charge of the Church, so satan needed to stop this ability to flow with the Holy Spirit. The Church were governed by the world given laws, instead of the God-given Laws. God has always had laws of morality and government in the earth, though most governments thought it was their own idea. We find the pattern for God's authority on the earth, in Romans 13:1-4 (Amplified) which says, "Let every person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God (by His permission, His sanction) and those that exist do so by God's appointment Therefore he who resists and sets himself up against the authority resists what God has appointed and arranged (in Divine order). And those who resists will bring down judgment upon themselves (receiving the penalty due them) For civil authorities are not a terror to (people of) good conduct, but to (those of) bad behavior. Would you have no dread of him who is in authority? Then do what is right and you will receive his approval and condemnation. For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong (you should dread him and) be afraid, for he does not bear and wear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant to execute His wrath (punishment, vengeance) on the wrongdoer."
The civil laws placed on the land, weren't for the new creation who was walking in the Commandment of Love, because he is to be a blessing to the land and walk with God. These civil laws were created to contain the ungodly or natural man who didn't know God. What the world has done with these laws or rules of satan, have also contained the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Church was given the authority by Jesus, to hold these civil laws to a Godly standard. Jesus said in Matthew 18:18 (Amplified), "Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth, must be what is already forbidden in Heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already permitted in Heaven."
If the above scripture is true (and you know it is), then the Church (the new creation) were to responsible for even the civil, God-given laws of the land. When the laws of the land are ungodly, then the Church has been invaded by the world's culture and is left accepting its ungodly rule. The civil laws of the land, were to place God's rule in the lives of even the unsaved. The Church is supposed to live our lives by God's Word and His Spirit and to walk in Love. We're to bring His Love into rule over the nations. Psalm 2:8 (Amplified) tells us, "Ask of Me, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth as your possessions."
The above scripture is speaking about the coming Messiah and about those who are to be joint heirs with Him. As the Body of Christ, we have received through Jesus, the son ship rights and privileges of His inheritance. Romans 8:17 (Amplified) says, "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."
This "suffering" isn't what the world teaches, but it was the rejection Jesus suffered by those who were outside the family. Just because we're Christians, doesn't mean we are exempt from the wiles of the devil. Satan's goal is to contain the Church, by carnality, worldly thinking and rule, in order to make us impotent in the works of the Spirit. The attacks against Jesus (His suffering) were made in order to stop the working of the Father, through Him.
The attacks from the religious order to the civil authorities, were the greatest suffering that Jesus endured. The Church has fallen into this same form of containment, even to the displaying of the cross and the celebration of Jesus' birth, Christmas. We can't display the nativity, without having side-by-side and equal displays of other religions, including atheistic displays. We've been schooled in being politically correct and are made to remove Christ from public places. We must say, "Happy holidays," instead of Merry Christmas. The Easter bunny and Santa now have been made on the same par as the True Reason for the Season, Jesus.
Throughout the centuries, we've been invaded by the world's culture and reasonings, to the point where the Church has been reduced to social clubs in many venues. The world's sins are now issues or diseases, so that no one has to take responsibility for their actions. The thought and teachings of Jesus have been watered down by the world's culture, and we're racists if we say that "Jesus is the Only Way to the Father." All of these things sound loving and accepting to the world's ears and sadly, to the ears of many in the Church.
We were never "of the world," but only "in the world." Our purpose here in not to co-exist in harmony, but to bring God's Presence into a world that doesn't know Him. We're not supposed to be just another religion, but we're to bring Life into the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Only the Super-natural release of the Holy Spirit, can change a world that is controlled by spirit forces. The Church's enemy is still an outlaw spirit who opposes God and His family. The Church has come to the place of trying to deal with spiritual forces, by natural things and that isn't enough.
I'm not speaking of rebellion, but of revival. I'm not speaking about governments, but the spirits that govern. We don't wrestle with flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces, according to Ephesians 6:12 (Amplified) which says, "For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood (contending only with physical opponents) but against the depotisms, against the powers, against the (master spirits who are) the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the Heavenly Sphere (Super-natural realm)."
We must listen to the Voice of the Holy Spirit and deal with the new world culture that is creeping into the Church, with the power of the Holy Spirit. The enemy is no less subtle now, than when he approached Eve in the Garden. He has set up strategies to contain the Church, that are not easily seen, only by the Spirit. In these Last Days, we must become more aware of the Holy Spirit's leading and the Spiritual application of God's Word. Our power lies in Wisdom from the Holy Spirit, through God's Word. This isn't the time to become carnal thinking, but to get "Wisdom and with all our getting, get understanding," like Proverbs 4:7 (Amplified) says.
The Church must understand the True meaning of Love. The "love" the world wants us to display, isn't the Love the Father declares we should display. His Love was to separate those out from the world, bringing them into His family. Today's culture accepts all people into the family, but Jesus said we're to be born into the family. One is by the Spirit, while the other comes from the culture. The world's idea of love, is not discriminating. God doesn't care about race, color, male, female, tall, short, rich or poor, or anything else. He cares about bringing salvation to all who will receive Jesus and enter into the family by His Spirit. You must be born-again, not by some god, but by the One True and Living God.
The identity of the Church (the Body of Christ) has been a mystery from the beginning, even to the Church itself. The world has fostered an image of the Church, that they can see and identify. The Church started out being something that is far different than what it is today. The Super-natural flow of the Holy Spirit and the power of the Father, aren't displayed the way they were in the beginning.
As the world's culture began seeping into the Church and controlling the flow of the Holy Spirit, changing everything. We were no longer moving in God, but were contained by the world's regulations and confines. Satan couldn't stop the power of the Holy Spirit and God's Word, but he began bringing the world's culture into our definition of being Christians. The world didn't "mind" us being here, just as long as our behavior could be controlled by their confines.
The Father and the Head of the Church (Jesus) were to be in charge of the Church, so satan needed to stop this ability to flow with the Holy Spirit. The Church were governed by the world given laws, instead of the God-given Laws. God has always had laws of morality and government in the earth, though most governments thought it was their own idea. We find the pattern for God's authority on the earth, in Romans 13:1-4 (Amplified) which says, "Let every person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God (by His permission, His sanction) and those that exist do so by God's appointment Therefore he who resists and sets himself up against the authority resists what God has appointed and arranged (in Divine order). And those who resists will bring down judgment upon themselves (receiving the penalty due them) For civil authorities are not a terror to (people of) good conduct, but to (those of) bad behavior. Would you have no dread of him who is in authority? Then do what is right and you will receive his approval and condemnation. For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong (you should dread him and) be afraid, for he does not bear and wear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant to execute His wrath (punishment, vengeance) on the wrongdoer."
The civil laws placed on the land, weren't for the new creation who was walking in the Commandment of Love, because he is to be a blessing to the land and walk with God. These civil laws were created to contain the ungodly or natural man who didn't know God. What the world has done with these laws or rules of satan, have also contained the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Church was given the authority by Jesus, to hold these civil laws to a Godly standard. Jesus said in Matthew 18:18 (Amplified), "Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth, must be what is already forbidden in Heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already permitted in Heaven."
If the above scripture is true (and you know it is), then the Church (the new creation) were to responsible for even the civil, God-given laws of the land. When the laws of the land are ungodly, then the Church has been invaded by the world's culture and is left accepting its ungodly rule. The civil laws of the land, were to place God's rule in the lives of even the unsaved. The Church is supposed to live our lives by God's Word and His Spirit and to walk in Love. We're to bring His Love into rule over the nations. Psalm 2:8 (Amplified) tells us, "Ask of Me, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth as your possessions."
The above scripture is speaking about the coming Messiah and about those who are to be joint heirs with Him. As the Body of Christ, we have received through Jesus, the son ship rights and privileges of His inheritance. Romans 8:17 (Amplified) says, "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."
This "suffering" isn't what the world teaches, but it was the rejection Jesus suffered by those who were outside the family. Just because we're Christians, doesn't mean we are exempt from the wiles of the devil. Satan's goal is to contain the Church, by carnality, worldly thinking and rule, in order to make us impotent in the works of the Spirit. The attacks against Jesus (His suffering) were made in order to stop the working of the Father, through Him.
The attacks from the religious order to the civil authorities, were the greatest suffering that Jesus endured. The Church has fallen into this same form of containment, even to the displaying of the cross and the celebration of Jesus' birth, Christmas. We can't display the nativity, without having side-by-side and equal displays of other religions, including atheistic displays. We've been schooled in being politically correct and are made to remove Christ from public places. We must say, "Happy holidays," instead of Merry Christmas. The Easter bunny and Santa now have been made on the same par as the True Reason for the Season, Jesus.
Throughout the centuries, we've been invaded by the world's culture and reasonings, to the point where the Church has been reduced to social clubs in many venues. The world's sins are now issues or diseases, so that no one has to take responsibility for their actions. The thought and teachings of Jesus have been watered down by the world's culture, and we're racists if we say that "Jesus is the Only Way to the Father." All of these things sound loving and accepting to the world's ears and sadly, to the ears of many in the Church.
We were never "of the world," but only "in the world." Our purpose here in not to co-exist in harmony, but to bring God's Presence into a world that doesn't know Him. We're not supposed to be just another religion, but we're to bring Life into the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Only the Super-natural release of the Holy Spirit, can change a world that is controlled by spirit forces. The Church's enemy is still an outlaw spirit who opposes God and His family. The Church has come to the place of trying to deal with spiritual forces, by natural things and that isn't enough.
I'm not speaking of rebellion, but of revival. I'm not speaking about governments, but the spirits that govern. We don't wrestle with flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces, according to Ephesians 6:12 (Amplified) which says, "For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood (contending only with physical opponents) but against the depotisms, against the powers, against the (master spirits who are) the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the Heavenly Sphere (Super-natural realm)."
We must listen to the Voice of the Holy Spirit and deal with the new world culture that is creeping into the Church, with the power of the Holy Spirit. The enemy is no less subtle now, than when he approached Eve in the Garden. He has set up strategies to contain the Church, that are not easily seen, only by the Spirit. In these Last Days, we must become more aware of the Holy Spirit's leading and the Spiritual application of God's Word. Our power lies in Wisdom from the Holy Spirit, through God's Word. This isn't the time to become carnal thinking, but to get "Wisdom and with all our getting, get understanding," like Proverbs 4:7 (Amplified) says.
The Church must understand the True meaning of Love. The "love" the world wants us to display, isn't the Love the Father declares we should display. His Love was to separate those out from the world, bringing them into His family. Today's culture accepts all people into the family, but Jesus said we're to be born into the family. One is by the Spirit, while the other comes from the culture. The world's idea of love, is not discriminating. God doesn't care about race, color, male, female, tall, short, rich or poor, or anything else. He cares about bringing salvation to all who will receive Jesus and enter into the family by His Spirit. You must be born-again, not by some god, but by the One True and Living God.
Monday, May 22, 2017
Lesson 221 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)."
As new creations, we must being seeing ourselves in the light of what the Father has done through Jesus. We've mostly seen ourselves in the light of the old covenant and expected God to deal with us, the way He dealt with the old covenant people. This has resulted in our seeing God as only God and not as Father. The Father Jesus represented, was not the God that Israel understood. They observed Him under the Law, doing works (rituals and sacrifices) to avoid God's wrath and being punished by Him.
We have the Same God in the new covenant, but now He is our Father. Through Jesus, He has brought mankind's sin under the Love of His Sacrifice and He Himself has paid the entire required penalty of justice, in order the redeem us from that. We've been trying to pay the penalty that Jesus paid in full, by our invented actions and abilities. We've been raised in a culture and teaching, that hasn't been altogether what the Father says about the new creation.
Many of us continue looking for God to punish us for each mistake we make. Some believe that any sickness or hardship that comes upon them, was brought on them by God, for their trespasses. They have accepted these things, believing God placed them upon them, because He loves them.
Those under the old covenant weren't new creations, but were carnal unsaved men who didn't have a spiritual relationship with the Father. They had a covenant with God, but not a new birth into His family. Because they were only flesh, God had to deal with them from the outside-in, instead of from the inside-out. He had to deal with men who were spiritually dead in trespass and sin, because they had no spiritual Life of God living in their spirits. Jesus declared this to them in John 10:10 (Amplified) saying, "I come that you may have and enjoy Life, to the full, in abundance, till it overflows."
The people Jesus was speaking to, probably said, "We are already alive." In the sense of speaking, eating, building homes and families, and doing other such things, they were "alive." Jesus was speaking about the Life of God, which would be restored to man, after His Sacrifice was completed. No one then understood the implication of Jesus' Words, because is was something that would only be revealed after His resurrection.
The Law or the old covenant, were about to come to a close as they knew it and a broad, new covenant was about to be made. This new covenant was made between Jesus and the Father. Man didn't make this new covenant and couldn't break it through weakness of the flesh. By faith in the Final and Perfect Sacrifice (Jesus), we are under the new covenant between the Father and the Son, which was one covenant in God. We've not only entered into covenant, but family with God. Our covenant isn't based on our own merits, but only on Jesus. The new creation family is secure by the obedience of Jesus and not on us.
Some take this to mean that they can "do anything they want and still be saved." The family relationship is based on Love, not fear. We love Him, because He first Loved us, according to 1John 4:10 (Amplified) which says, "In this Love; not that we loved God, but that He Loved us and sent His Son to be the Propitiation (the Atoning Sacrifice) for our sins." When we understand the Love the Father has for us, we can be confident and can share His Own Love that was shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Romans 5:5 (Amplified) says, "Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's Love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us."
The only way we can respond to this Love, is by His Own Love. The old covenant people couldn't actually "love" God in this way, but as new creation people, we have been given His Own Love by which to Love Him with, completely.
1John 3;9-10 (Amplified) explains how some believe that "grace and salvation are blank checks to live anyway we wish and still be saved." Thus, it says, "No one born (begotten) of God (deliberately, knowingly, and habitually) practices sin, for God's nature abides in him (His principle of Life; the Divine Sperm remains permanently within him) and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God. By this it is made clear who take their nature from God and are His children and who take their nature from the devil and are his children; no one who does not practice righteousness (who does not conform to God's will in purpose, thought and action) is of God; neither is anyone who does not love his brother (his fellow believer in Christ)."
Only God can determine who is truly born-again and is a new creation family member, because this is a spiritual birth and cannot be seen with the naked eye. The results of our complying with God's Word and the Holy Spirit, can be seen, but the Truth is only known in the individual's heart. Paul says in Galatians 5:6 (Amplified), "For (if we are) in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through Love."
Many such outward rituals as circumcision and uncircumcision, are still in effect, but have no meaning without the understanding and Life that comes only by God Who is actually Love, living within us. Understanding how great God's Love for us is, gives us boldness and confidence to ask, "Whatsoever you will, and believe we receive." When we don't know or understand God's Love for us, we draw back through guilt and condemnation, which contaminates our faith with conscience and carnality.
Far too many Christians have accepted disease and the death of their loved one, thinking it was the Father's will for them, because they had sinned. This might sound solid to the religious mind and person, but those who know the True Love and the Word, know this isn't Truth. Isaiah 54:13-15 (Amplified) tells us, "And all your (spiritual) children shall be disciples (taught by the Lord and obedient to His will), and great shall be the peace and undisturbed composure of your children. You shall establish yourself in righteousness (rightness in conformity with God's will and order) you shall be far from even the thought of oppression or depression, for you shall not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near you. BEHOLD! they may gather together and stir up strife, BUT IT IS NOT FROM ME. Whoever stirs up strife against you shall fall and surrender to you."
When you understand God's Love for you, you will understand that God's will for you life are "peace and righteousness and shelter from oppression and depression." When you understand God's will for you, then His peace will keep you and bring you into victory, through His Love. If we don't understand His Love, in these areas of our lives, then our faith will accept whatever comes our way (good and bad) believing it's God's will for us. Verse 15 tells us that, "these things might come against us, BUT IT DOESN'T COME FROM HIM!!!"
As new creations, we must being seeing ourselves in the light of what the Father has done through Jesus. We've mostly seen ourselves in the light of the old covenant and expected God to deal with us, the way He dealt with the old covenant people. This has resulted in our seeing God as only God and not as Father. The Father Jesus represented, was not the God that Israel understood. They observed Him under the Law, doing works (rituals and sacrifices) to avoid God's wrath and being punished by Him.
We have the Same God in the new covenant, but now He is our Father. Through Jesus, He has brought mankind's sin under the Love of His Sacrifice and He Himself has paid the entire required penalty of justice, in order the redeem us from that. We've been trying to pay the penalty that Jesus paid in full, by our invented actions and abilities. We've been raised in a culture and teaching, that hasn't been altogether what the Father says about the new creation.
Many of us continue looking for God to punish us for each mistake we make. Some believe that any sickness or hardship that comes upon them, was brought on them by God, for their trespasses. They have accepted these things, believing God placed them upon them, because He loves them.
Those under the old covenant weren't new creations, but were carnal unsaved men who didn't have a spiritual relationship with the Father. They had a covenant with God, but not a new birth into His family. Because they were only flesh, God had to deal with them from the outside-in, instead of from the inside-out. He had to deal with men who were spiritually dead in trespass and sin, because they had no spiritual Life of God living in their spirits. Jesus declared this to them in John 10:10 (Amplified) saying, "I come that you may have and enjoy Life, to the full, in abundance, till it overflows."
The people Jesus was speaking to, probably said, "We are already alive." In the sense of speaking, eating, building homes and families, and doing other such things, they were "alive." Jesus was speaking about the Life of God, which would be restored to man, after His Sacrifice was completed. No one then understood the implication of Jesus' Words, because is was something that would only be revealed after His resurrection.
The Law or the old covenant, were about to come to a close as they knew it and a broad, new covenant was about to be made. This new covenant was made between Jesus and the Father. Man didn't make this new covenant and couldn't break it through weakness of the flesh. By faith in the Final and Perfect Sacrifice (Jesus), we are under the new covenant between the Father and the Son, which was one covenant in God. We've not only entered into covenant, but family with God. Our covenant isn't based on our own merits, but only on Jesus. The new creation family is secure by the obedience of Jesus and not on us.
Some take this to mean that they can "do anything they want and still be saved." The family relationship is based on Love, not fear. We love Him, because He first Loved us, according to 1John 4:10 (Amplified) which says, "In this Love; not that we loved God, but that He Loved us and sent His Son to be the Propitiation (the Atoning Sacrifice) for our sins." When we understand the Love the Father has for us, we can be confident and can share His Own Love that was shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Romans 5:5 (Amplified) says, "Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's Love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us."
The only way we can respond to this Love, is by His Own Love. The old covenant people couldn't actually "love" God in this way, but as new creation people, we have been given His Own Love by which to Love Him with, completely.
1John 3;9-10 (Amplified) explains how some believe that "grace and salvation are blank checks to live anyway we wish and still be saved." Thus, it says, "No one born (begotten) of God (deliberately, knowingly, and habitually) practices sin, for God's nature abides in him (His principle of Life; the Divine Sperm remains permanently within him) and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God. By this it is made clear who take their nature from God and are His children and who take their nature from the devil and are his children; no one who does not practice righteousness (who does not conform to God's will in purpose, thought and action) is of God; neither is anyone who does not love his brother (his fellow believer in Christ)."
Only God can determine who is truly born-again and is a new creation family member, because this is a spiritual birth and cannot be seen with the naked eye. The results of our complying with God's Word and the Holy Spirit, can be seen, but the Truth is only known in the individual's heart. Paul says in Galatians 5:6 (Amplified), "For (if we are) in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through Love."
Many such outward rituals as circumcision and uncircumcision, are still in effect, but have no meaning without the understanding and Life that comes only by God Who is actually Love, living within us. Understanding how great God's Love for us is, gives us boldness and confidence to ask, "Whatsoever you will, and believe we receive." When we don't know or understand God's Love for us, we draw back through guilt and condemnation, which contaminates our faith with conscience and carnality.
Far too many Christians have accepted disease and the death of their loved one, thinking it was the Father's will for them, because they had sinned. This might sound solid to the religious mind and person, but those who know the True Love and the Word, know this isn't Truth. Isaiah 54:13-15 (Amplified) tells us, "And all your (spiritual) children shall be disciples (taught by the Lord and obedient to His will), and great shall be the peace and undisturbed composure of your children. You shall establish yourself in righteousness (rightness in conformity with God's will and order) you shall be far from even the thought of oppression or depression, for you shall not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near you. BEHOLD! they may gather together and stir up strife, BUT IT IS NOT FROM ME. Whoever stirs up strife against you shall fall and surrender to you."
When you understand God's Love for you, you will understand that God's will for you life are "peace and righteousness and shelter from oppression and depression." When you understand God's will for you, then His peace will keep you and bring you into victory, through His Love. If we don't understand His Love, in these areas of our lives, then our faith will accept whatever comes our way (good and bad) believing it's God's will for us. Verse 15 tells us that, "these things might come against us, BUT IT DOESN'T COME FROM HIM!!!"
Friday, May 19, 2017
Lesson 220 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)."
In this new creation family, our entire relationship and everything in it, is based on our faith in the Love of the One Who gave us Life. We've done the very thing Paul said about the Church of Galatia and have allowed ourselves to be placed back under the Law. When we refuse to believe what God has done for us by faith, we try establishing our own righteousness by works. This has undermined our faith in what Jesus has done to bring us back into family with God.
The faith movement has been happening in the Church for some time now, but some of the preaching has been wrong or at least wrongly heard. Faith isn't some sort of magic that is conjured up like witchcraft. Faith is simple trust in the Love of the One Who has given us His Own Life. Many believe they're walking in faith, while they're debating whether or not God really means what He says. These people aren't walking in faith, but are "double-minded," like James says in James 1:8.
There are so many varying messages given in today's Church, that it creates confusion for many new Christians and they're left not knowing which message they should place their faith in. Many Christians conclude that everything happening in the world is God's will and don't pray about those things, saying instead, "Thy will be done." Don't get me wrong! God's will is being done in certain things and His will, will prove out at the end of all things. For your own life and walk with God, though, this might not be so.
It is carnal thinking, when we allow ourselves to believe that sickness, early death of loved ones, drug addiction (along with other such conditions), are the Father's will for His children. In a letter to the Church in Galatia, Paul rebuked the early members for going back to the carnal ways of serving the Lord. Thus, in Galatians 5:5-6 (Amplified) he says, "For we (not relying on the Law but) through the (Holy Spirit) help, by faith anticipate and wait for the blessing and good for which our righteousness and right standing with God (our conformity to His will in purpose thought and action) causes us to hope For (if we are) in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through Love."
Many think that if we're not walking in Love, then our faith isn't working well either. This is true to some extent, but this isn't really what this scripture is about. If Paul was talking about our Love towards others, then he wouldn't have mentioned circumcision or noncircumcision, because this has nothing to do with our Love walk with others. He was speaking about our lack of understanding God's Love for us. The people Paul spoke too, were trying to show love by Law and not understanding Grace for themselves. They were still trying to be "in favor" with God, by Law. Faith that is working by Love, is our faith in His Love for us. This Love does away with circumcision or even uncircumcision. We are Blessed and accepted, when we (by faith in God's Love for us) accept His Word in this blessing and hope.
When we accept God's Love by faith, when we understand His Love by faith, when we stop trying to prove our Love for Him and accept His Love for us, then our faith will work like it should. God had to give us His Love, long before we could really Love Him at all, according to Romans 5:5 (Amplified) which says, "Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's Love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us."
We had to be baptized into the Love of God (in and by the Holy Spirit), in order the know how to return our love and worship to Him. Without understanding this and putting faith in His Love for us, we continue trying to to merit His favor and Blessing, by our own works. When we do this, even with good intentions, we're still under the works of the flesh and not really faith in His Love for us.
Throughout the years, religion and tradition have strongly taught works, instead of faith. Every person has his own faith, but it's also a Gift of God. We've been taught that God's Blessing and favor are still obtained by our works, instead of what He has done. This isn't faith that works by Love, but is religion that works by our own flesh. I'm not suggesting that we're not to walk upright before God, but I'm saying that your right standing before Him, isn't based on you. It's based on the Right standing of Jesus, on our behalf. It was and is His Love, that made us righteous before Him. And, it's faith that works by our understanding this Love,that makes our faith in Him work.
You can't really have faith that God will hear and answer your prayer and petitions, if they're based on your works instead of faith in His Work of Love, that made you righteous. The righteousness that has been given to us, isn't our righteousness, but His righteousness by Love.
When we approach Him by righteousness (His Gift of Love to us) instead of religion (our efforts at being righteous), when we approach God in Love (His Love for Him and by Him) instead of by Law (our own idea of Love, by faith in our works), then our faith is made perfect in Love. 1John 4:18 (Amplified) says, "There is no fear in Love (dread does not exist), but full grown (complete, perfect) Love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and (So) he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of Love (is not yet grown into Love's complete perfection)."
Many new creation people, continue in "fear," expecting God to withhold the things of the family, if we don't follow the Law. We still have "dread of things to come," because we know we're still making mistakes. We know we aren't doing everything just right and make mistakes. I'm not implying we shouldn't strive to govern ourselves by and through the Word and the Holy Spirit, but we must put faith in God's Love (not our works). Our faith will work by understanding His Love for us.
Many of us, still expect and look for the punishment for our failures, instead of expecting and looking for Grace, by His Love. This has held people from having faith that works by Love, for centuries. 1John 3:19-21 (Amplified) tells us, "By this we shall come to know (perceive, recognize and understand) that we are of the Truth, and can reassure (quiet, conciliate, and pacify) our hearts in His Presence. Whenever our hearts in (tormenting) self-accusations 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 (consciences) do not accuse us (if they do not make us feel guilty and condemn us) we have confidence (complete assurance and boldness) before God."
This is faith that works by Love. When we understand God's Love for us, our faith in Him will keep working, because we're not relying in faith in our own ability. No one who is truly saved, is trying to sin under Grace. Thinking that Jesus came to allow us to sin win without consequence, is a worldly and demonic teaching. 1John 1:9 (Amplified) says, "But, IF we sin, we have Jesus Who is our Intercessor." Put your faith in the Truth that you are righteous, because of His Love and not your own actions. We're maturing and making fewer mistakes in our walk with God. His Love covers every mistake and God continues hearing us, by our faith in His Love.
In this new creation family, our entire relationship and everything in it, is based on our faith in the Love of the One Who gave us Life. We've done the very thing Paul said about the Church of Galatia and have allowed ourselves to be placed back under the Law. When we refuse to believe what God has done for us by faith, we try establishing our own righteousness by works. This has undermined our faith in what Jesus has done to bring us back into family with God.
The faith movement has been happening in the Church for some time now, but some of the preaching has been wrong or at least wrongly heard. Faith isn't some sort of magic that is conjured up like witchcraft. Faith is simple trust in the Love of the One Who has given us His Own Life. Many believe they're walking in faith, while they're debating whether or not God really means what He says. These people aren't walking in faith, but are "double-minded," like James says in James 1:8.
There are so many varying messages given in today's Church, that it creates confusion for many new Christians and they're left not knowing which message they should place their faith in. Many Christians conclude that everything happening in the world is God's will and don't pray about those things, saying instead, "Thy will be done." Don't get me wrong! God's will is being done in certain things and His will, will prove out at the end of all things. For your own life and walk with God, though, this might not be so.
It is carnal thinking, when we allow ourselves to believe that sickness, early death of loved ones, drug addiction (along with other such conditions), are the Father's will for His children. In a letter to the Church in Galatia, Paul rebuked the early members for going back to the carnal ways of serving the Lord. Thus, in Galatians 5:5-6 (Amplified) he says, "For we (not relying on the Law but) through the (Holy Spirit) help, by faith anticipate and wait for the blessing and good for which our righteousness and right standing with God (our conformity to His will in purpose thought and action) causes us to hope For (if we are) in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through Love."
Many think that if we're not walking in Love, then our faith isn't working well either. This is true to some extent, but this isn't really what this scripture is about. If Paul was talking about our Love towards others, then he wouldn't have mentioned circumcision or noncircumcision, because this has nothing to do with our Love walk with others. He was speaking about our lack of understanding God's Love for us. The people Paul spoke too, were trying to show love by Law and not understanding Grace for themselves. They were still trying to be "in favor" with God, by Law. Faith that is working by Love, is our faith in His Love for us. This Love does away with circumcision or even uncircumcision. We are Blessed and accepted, when we (by faith in God's Love for us) accept His Word in this blessing and hope.
When we accept God's Love by faith, when we understand His Love by faith, when we stop trying to prove our Love for Him and accept His Love for us, then our faith will work like it should. God had to give us His Love, long before we could really Love Him at all, according to Romans 5:5 (Amplified) which says, "Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's Love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us."
We had to be baptized into the Love of God (in and by the Holy Spirit), in order the know how to return our love and worship to Him. Without understanding this and putting faith in His Love for us, we continue trying to to merit His favor and Blessing, by our own works. When we do this, even with good intentions, we're still under the works of the flesh and not really faith in His Love for us.
Throughout the years, religion and tradition have strongly taught works, instead of faith. Every person has his own faith, but it's also a Gift of God. We've been taught that God's Blessing and favor are still obtained by our works, instead of what He has done. This isn't faith that works by Love, but is religion that works by our own flesh. I'm not suggesting that we're not to walk upright before God, but I'm saying that your right standing before Him, isn't based on you. It's based on the Right standing of Jesus, on our behalf. It was and is His Love, that made us righteous before Him. And, it's faith that works by our understanding this Love,that makes our faith in Him work.
You can't really have faith that God will hear and answer your prayer and petitions, if they're based on your works instead of faith in His Work of Love, that made you righteous. The righteousness that has been given to us, isn't our righteousness, but His righteousness by Love.
When we approach Him by righteousness (His Gift of Love to us) instead of religion (our efforts at being righteous), when we approach God in Love (His Love for Him and by Him) instead of by Law (our own idea of Love, by faith in our works), then our faith is made perfect in Love. 1John 4:18 (Amplified) says, "There is no fear in Love (dread does not exist), but full grown (complete, perfect) Love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and (So) he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of Love (is not yet grown into Love's complete perfection)."
Many new creation people, continue in "fear," expecting God to withhold the things of the family, if we don't follow the Law. We still have "dread of things to come," because we know we're still making mistakes. We know we aren't doing everything just right and make mistakes. I'm not implying we shouldn't strive to govern ourselves by and through the Word and the Holy Spirit, but we must put faith in God's Love (not our works). Our faith will work by understanding His Love for us.
Many of us, still expect and look for the punishment for our failures, instead of expecting and looking for Grace, by His Love. This has held people from having faith that works by Love, for centuries. 1John 3:19-21 (Amplified) tells us, "By this we shall come to know (perceive, recognize and understand) that we are of the Truth, and can reassure (quiet, conciliate, and pacify) our hearts in His Presence. Whenever our hearts in (tormenting) self-accusations 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 (consciences) do not accuse us (if they do not make us feel guilty and condemn us) we have confidence (complete assurance and boldness) before God."
This is faith that works by Love. When we understand God's Love for us, our faith in Him will keep working, because we're not relying in faith in our own ability. No one who is truly saved, is trying to sin under Grace. Thinking that Jesus came to allow us to sin win without consequence, is a worldly and demonic teaching. 1John 1:9 (Amplified) says, "But, IF we sin, we have Jesus Who is our Intercessor." Put your faith in the Truth that you are righteous, because of His Love and not your own actions. We're maturing and making fewer mistakes in our walk with God. His Love covers every mistake and God continues hearing us, by our faith in His Love.
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Lesson 219 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)."
Romans 12:2 (Amplified) says, "Do not be conformed to this world (this age) (fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs) but be transformed (changed) by the (entire) renewal of your mind (by its new ideals and its new attitude)."
As new creations, we must learn and renew our minds by the way of our new life and customs of God's Kingdom, instead of allowing the world's culture to determine our way of living. In this world, we are trained by the customs and culture of the where we were born and raised. Everyone who has been born of the flesh, are human beings. They are human beings, because they were born in this world. We might come from different ethnic groups, but we're all human beings.
We were raised in different parts of the world and were trained by the cultures, customs and teachings of that venue. Our minds have conformed to the things we've heard and seen around us. As we grew into adulthood, this was an established way of life for us. Some broke with tradition and grew into a different way of living, but most didn't. Many still live like those who came before them centuries ago and hold to the customs they were raised in. Although we're all human beings, we live in different ways. We don't do this in order to become human beings, but we are developing lifestyles as humans.
The Body of Christ (the Church) comes from only One Source, according to 1Peter 1:23 (Amplified) which 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." We Christians have all been born of the Same Seed, but we've been trained by the world's culture, instead of the culture of God's Kingdom. We all became one new creation when we were born-again, but we differ in so many ways, because of the cultures we were born into and raised in.
Paul directs us to, "Not be conformed to this world and fashioned after its external customs." This world can and has conformed the new creation family, after its own "external customs." If we look at the different denominations throughout today's world, we find that the customs and cultures of the world determine how and what we believe as the new creation family of God. Even though we are all born of the Spirit, we are still guided by the external customs of the world. This is why Paul tells us to, "renew our minds." The world's customs have determined the teachings of the Church. Not everything we've been taught is wrong, but it's certainly not all right either.
Most of us haven't given this much thought and we're not given this revelation, in order to become Lone Ranger Christians. Revelations tells us that satan is, "he who has deceived the whole world. None of us have been exempt from his lies and deceptions. We've been empowered by the new Life and Spirit within us, to overcome many things of the flesh, but we haven't been trained by our new creation spirit to live in what we've been created to be.
Customs and cultures have determined what we believe and what we are to do, in the Church. We were already Christians, but now the customs are training us, instead of the Word and the Holy Spirit (Who is our Teacher). The external customs that Paul spoke about, have determined the external things to override the eternal things. Many external customs (like the way we are to dress and worship) have been dictated through the world's teachings. Different cultures and customs still offer up sacrifices today and in others, the Gifts of the Spirit and the Super-natural things of God "have ceased." Some believe that God doesn't do these things anymore or that God only speaks to certain people. These are only a few examples of the external and superficial customs of "this age and the world," that have fashioned the Church over the years.
It's seems out of place in the Church, for us to step-out into the things of the new creation, because they go against the external customs and culture of the world's teachings. The Church isn't trying to be antagonistic against the Truth of the Word, but we've been so accustomed to these teachings, that it seems "right" to us. Jesus warned that, "The thief comes only to kill, to steal and to destroy" the liberty of this new creation. Satan's tried his best, to keep God's family under the same bondage he holds over the world.
In these Last Days, the Holy Spirit is breaking through the carnal minds of the Church, with revelation from God's Kingdom. The Super-natural move of the Kingdom is being restored and things are working and operating in the Kingdom principles. The world's customs are being replaced by the Truth of the Eternal God and Father of the new creation family.
Romans 12:2 (Amplified) says, "Do not be conformed to this world (this age) (fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs) but be transformed (changed) by the (entire) renewal of your mind (by its new ideals and its new attitude)."
As new creations, we must learn and renew our minds by the way of our new life and customs of God's Kingdom, instead of allowing the world's culture to determine our way of living. In this world, we are trained by the customs and culture of the where we were born and raised. Everyone who has been born of the flesh, are human beings. They are human beings, because they were born in this world. We might come from different ethnic groups, but we're all human beings.
We were raised in different parts of the world and were trained by the cultures, customs and teachings of that venue. Our minds have conformed to the things we've heard and seen around us. As we grew into adulthood, this was an established way of life for us. Some broke with tradition and grew into a different way of living, but most didn't. Many still live like those who came before them centuries ago and hold to the customs they were raised in. Although we're all human beings, we live in different ways. We don't do this in order to become human beings, but we are developing lifestyles as humans.
The Body of Christ (the Church) comes from only One Source, according to 1Peter 1:23 (Amplified) which 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." We Christians have all been born of the Same Seed, but we've been trained by the world's culture, instead of the culture of God's Kingdom. We all became one new creation when we were born-again, but we differ in so many ways, because of the cultures we were born into and raised in.
Paul directs us to, "Not be conformed to this world and fashioned after its external customs." This world can and has conformed the new creation family, after its own "external customs." If we look at the different denominations throughout today's world, we find that the customs and cultures of the world determine how and what we believe as the new creation family of God. Even though we are all born of the Spirit, we are still guided by the external customs of the world. This is why Paul tells us to, "renew our minds." The world's customs have determined the teachings of the Church. Not everything we've been taught is wrong, but it's certainly not all right either.
Most of us haven't given this much thought and we're not given this revelation, in order to become Lone Ranger Christians. Revelations tells us that satan is, "he who has deceived the whole world. None of us have been exempt from his lies and deceptions. We've been empowered by the new Life and Spirit within us, to overcome many things of the flesh, but we haven't been trained by our new creation spirit to live in what we've been created to be.
Customs and cultures have determined what we believe and what we are to do, in the Church. We were already Christians, but now the customs are training us, instead of the Word and the Holy Spirit (Who is our Teacher). The external customs that Paul spoke about, have determined the external things to override the eternal things. Many external customs (like the way we are to dress and worship) have been dictated through the world's teachings. Different cultures and customs still offer up sacrifices today and in others, the Gifts of the Spirit and the Super-natural things of God "have ceased." Some believe that God doesn't do these things anymore or that God only speaks to certain people. These are only a few examples of the external and superficial customs of "this age and the world," that have fashioned the Church over the years.
It's seems out of place in the Church, for us to step-out into the things of the new creation, because they go against the external customs and culture of the world's teachings. The Church isn't trying to be antagonistic against the Truth of the Word, but we've been so accustomed to these teachings, that it seems "right" to us. Jesus warned that, "The thief comes only to kill, to steal and to destroy" the liberty of this new creation. Satan's tried his best, to keep God's family under the same bondage he holds over the world.
In these Last Days, the Holy Spirit is breaking through the carnal minds of the Church, with revelation from God's Kingdom. The Super-natural move of the Kingdom is being restored and things are working and operating in the Kingdom principles. The world's customs are being replaced by the Truth of the Eternal God and Father of the new creation family.
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Lesson 218 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 by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
When a child is born into this world, he doesn't need to try becoming a human being, because he is already a human being. He must though, learn to conduct himself and function as a human. Depending upon the culture he's raised in, he must adopt the teachings and grow into what the standards of a human being is expected to be. That child didn't become a human being, but developed as a human being, by the culture he was raised in.
When you were born-again, you didn't have to become a new creation, you already are one. Now, by the Holy Spirit and God's Word, we began to grow and develop into the maturity of what this new creation being is supposed to be. Depending on the culture and the teaching we receive, we grow into what that culture expects us to be. We're raised up into what differing cultures and denominations teach us to be as mature Christians.
The Church has developed according to what these cultures and denominations know about the Spirit realm. Most of us have never realized who we really are, by the standards of the Heavenly realm or sphere. As new creation people, we've allowed our lives to be governed by the same realm as those who aren't birthed into the new realm, we've been born-again into. We've been raised in a culture that mostly denied our Spiritual heritage and have functioned int the natural culture of this world.
Everything we feel, smell, see, hear or taste is from this natural realm of life. We've been born from and into a different realm, with different cultures. Because many in this culture are unable to see, feel, smell, hear or taste this invisible realm from which we've been born-again into, they put it off for "someday, when we get to Heaven." As citizens of Heaven, we've accepted the culture of the physical realm, instead of our Homeland (God's Kingdom).
The new creation people have only a few individuals, to follow as examples of our true heritage. The culture of our Homeland, is completely different from the natural culture, in which we've been raised. We've developed in some small areas of our Spiritual heritage. We've trained our natural bodies to behave by willpower and not from our spirit.
We don't need to try becoming a new creation, because we were born that way through faith in Jesus. We've lacked the Truth about who we really are and the culture that rules the Kingdom we are from. We've been waiting to become what God has already made us to be, by the new birth. We've been training our natural man, by the same standards we were taught, before being born-again.
Every new baby, born into this world, is already a human being. He doesn't need to be taught how to be a human, because he is already a human. However, he can be taught how to conduct his life, by the standards we live by. Billions of people throughout the world today, live by different standards and different cultures, according to where they were born. Even Jesus did this. Jesus dressed, ate, and lived like He did, according to how He was raised and where He lived. Jesus though, didn't allow this way, to be His only way. He took the way of the Heavenly culture from which He came and superimposed it on the earthly culture, thus combining the two into one. Jesus brought the natural culture, into subjection to His Heavenly culture and restored things to what they were meant to be. Jesus brought "Life in abundance, to the full, till it overflowed" and taught us the culture of His Father's Heavenly Kingdom.
Jesus was and is, the Example of the new creation. He was born of both realms and simultaneously lived in both realms. He operated as the First Born of many brethren in both realms. Jesus had a natural Body, but He functioned by His Spirit and not by the culture of the world. As a natural Man, Jesus could hear, feel, see, taste and smell, but He operated beyond these five natural senses. Jesus' natural Body, still became tired, and needed food and nourishment. Jesus' Spirit Man sustained Him, beyond the natural realm.
As the Sample Son, Jesus demonstrated how the new creation was to function in the natural and Spiritual realm simultaneously. God sent Jesus as an Example, to the new creation family He was going to bring into Life. Jesus said in John 10:10 (Amplified), "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy." He wasn't simply talking about the thief taking our belongings. This thief is intent on stealing our heritage and culture of our new birth. Satan tries to kill, steal and destroy the new Life, or make it of no effect in this realm and confining it to the culture of natural man. He intends to rob us of the knowledge of who we have become (by this new birth), in order to maintain control he's had since Adam's fall. When the new creation discovers who he has become, satan cannot hold onto what he stole from Adam. Jesus went on in John 10:10 (Amplified), saying, "I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)." The "abundant Life" Jesus spoke of, is the realm of the new creation man.
Through Jesus, the new creation was to born into this earth, from above, from the Spirit realm. Like Jesus, the new creation would develop from a different culture (the Spirit realm) and would control the culture of the natural, by this new Life. Jesus didn't flaunt this new Life, but walked in the wisdom of the culture of the Spirit realm, where He was from. Jesus didn't allow the culture of the natural man, to keep Him in the confines of the "thief." Jesus walked in a place, the thief couldn't control. Jesus walked in His True heritage.
Christians have allowed the thief to steal our heritage, kill our ability, and destroy the culture we have received as God's new creation family. We've grown into into the culture of the world and are still governed by the culture of the natural man.
We don't need to try being a new creation, because we were born that way, through faith in Jesus Christ. We've lacked the Truth of who we really are and the culture that rules the Kingdom we are from. We've been waiting to become, what God has already made us to be, by the new birth. We've been living the new life, by the standards of the natural realm,world.
Jesus wasn't limited to only the things He could see with His natural eyes, but could see into the Spirit realm. Jesus didn't only hear with His natural hearing, but could He could also hear the Father's Voice and guidance. Jesus wasn't only limited to what He could feel with His natural Body, but the presence of angels sent to comfort and encourage Him in the wilderness. Jesus was the Example for us to follow, as who the new creation family is supposed to be. We only need to change the culture that trained us and learn the culture of Heaven.
God isn't the problem in today's Church. The same "thief" of Jesus' day is. God is the Answer to every problem we encounter today. We continue walking as mere men, because of the culture that trains us. The same thief still wants to control us and have us see only what he wants us to see, instead of seeing who we are born (from Heaven) to be. Satan wants to restrain us to the first culture and not from the Kingdom. God's Word and the Holy Spirit are the Teachers of the new creation family.
When a child is born into this world, he doesn't need to try becoming a human being, because he is already a human being. He must though, learn to conduct himself and function as a human. Depending upon the culture he's raised in, he must adopt the teachings and grow into what the standards of a human being is expected to be. That child didn't become a human being, but developed as a human being, by the culture he was raised in.
When you were born-again, you didn't have to become a new creation, you already are one. Now, by the Holy Spirit and God's Word, we began to grow and develop into the maturity of what this new creation being is supposed to be. Depending on the culture and the teaching we receive, we grow into what that culture expects us to be. We're raised up into what differing cultures and denominations teach us to be as mature Christians.
The Church has developed according to what these cultures and denominations know about the Spirit realm. Most of us have never realized who we really are, by the standards of the Heavenly realm or sphere. As new creation people, we've allowed our lives to be governed by the same realm as those who aren't birthed into the new realm, we've been born-again into. We've been raised in a culture that mostly denied our Spiritual heritage and have functioned int the natural culture of this world.
Everything we feel, smell, see, hear or taste is from this natural realm of life. We've been born from and into a different realm, with different cultures. Because many in this culture are unable to see, feel, smell, hear or taste this invisible realm from which we've been born-again into, they put it off for "someday, when we get to Heaven." As citizens of Heaven, we've accepted the culture of the physical realm, instead of our Homeland (God's Kingdom).
The new creation people have only a few individuals, to follow as examples of our true heritage. The culture of our Homeland, is completely different from the natural culture, in which we've been raised. We've developed in some small areas of our Spiritual heritage. We've trained our natural bodies to behave by willpower and not from our spirit.
We don't need to try becoming a new creation, because we were born that way through faith in Jesus. We've lacked the Truth about who we really are and the culture that rules the Kingdom we are from. We've been waiting to become what God has already made us to be, by the new birth. We've been training our natural man, by the same standards we were taught, before being born-again.
Every new baby, born into this world, is already a human being. He doesn't need to be taught how to be a human, because he is already a human. However, he can be taught how to conduct his life, by the standards we live by. Billions of people throughout the world today, live by different standards and different cultures, according to where they were born. Even Jesus did this. Jesus dressed, ate, and lived like He did, according to how He was raised and where He lived. Jesus though, didn't allow this way, to be His only way. He took the way of the Heavenly culture from which He came and superimposed it on the earthly culture, thus combining the two into one. Jesus brought the natural culture, into subjection to His Heavenly culture and restored things to what they were meant to be. Jesus brought "Life in abundance, to the full, till it overflowed" and taught us the culture of His Father's Heavenly Kingdom.
Jesus was and is, the Example of the new creation. He was born of both realms and simultaneously lived in both realms. He operated as the First Born of many brethren in both realms. Jesus had a natural Body, but He functioned by His Spirit and not by the culture of the world. As a natural Man, Jesus could hear, feel, see, taste and smell, but He operated beyond these five natural senses. Jesus' natural Body, still became tired, and needed food and nourishment. Jesus' Spirit Man sustained Him, beyond the natural realm.
As the Sample Son, Jesus demonstrated how the new creation was to function in the natural and Spiritual realm simultaneously. God sent Jesus as an Example, to the new creation family He was going to bring into Life. Jesus said in John 10:10 (Amplified), "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy." He wasn't simply talking about the thief taking our belongings. This thief is intent on stealing our heritage and culture of our new birth. Satan tries to kill, steal and destroy the new Life, or make it of no effect in this realm and confining it to the culture of natural man. He intends to rob us of the knowledge of who we have become (by this new birth), in order to maintain control he's had since Adam's fall. When the new creation discovers who he has become, satan cannot hold onto what he stole from Adam. Jesus went on in John 10:10 (Amplified), saying, "I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)." The "abundant Life" Jesus spoke of, is the realm of the new creation man.
Through Jesus, the new creation was to born into this earth, from above, from the Spirit realm. Like Jesus, the new creation would develop from a different culture (the Spirit realm) and would control the culture of the natural, by this new Life. Jesus didn't flaunt this new Life, but walked in the wisdom of the culture of the Spirit realm, where He was from. Jesus didn't allow the culture of the natural man, to keep Him in the confines of the "thief." Jesus walked in a place, the thief couldn't control. Jesus walked in His True heritage.
Christians have allowed the thief to steal our heritage, kill our ability, and destroy the culture we have received as God's new creation family. We've grown into into the culture of the world and are still governed by the culture of the natural man.
We don't need to try being a new creation, because we were born that way, through faith in Jesus Christ. We've lacked the Truth of who we really are and the culture that rules the Kingdom we are from. We've been waiting to become, what God has already made us to be, by the new birth. We've been living the new life, by the standards of the natural realm,world.
Jesus wasn't limited to only the things He could see with His natural eyes, but could see into the Spirit realm. Jesus didn't only hear with His natural hearing, but could He could also hear the Father's Voice and guidance. Jesus wasn't only limited to what He could feel with His natural Body, but the presence of angels sent to comfort and encourage Him in the wilderness. Jesus was the Example for us to follow, as who the new creation family is supposed to be. We only need to change the culture that trained us and learn the culture of Heaven.
God isn't the problem in today's Church. The same "thief" of Jesus' day is. God is the Answer to every problem we encounter today. We continue walking as mere men, because of the culture that trains us. The same thief still wants to control us and have us see only what he wants us to see, instead of seeing who we are born (from Heaven) to be. Satan wants to restrain us to the first culture and not from the Kingdom. God's Word and the Holy Spirit are the Teachers of the new creation family.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Lesson 217 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)."
Jesus prayed in John 17:22-24 (Amplified), "I have given to them the glory and honor that You have given Me, that they may be one (even) as We are One; I in them and You in Me, in order that they become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and (definitely) recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them (even) as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also whom You have entrusted to Me (as Your gift to Me) may be with Me where I am; so that they may see My glory, which You have given Me (Your Love Gift to Me) for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
In Mark 11:24 (KJV) Jesus said, "Therefore I am telling you, Whatsoever things you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them."
Do you believe that, Jesus believed He could have the things He desired? If you do, then John 17:24 has already come to pass in our lives. The only thing keeping them from us, is either we don't believe it or we don't desire it. Jesus was praying for His Body (the Church) to walk, talk, act, and perform the way He did in this world. It wasn't the Truth of His being the Messiah that set Him apart from others (most of the people He ministered to, didn't know He was), but it was His revealing the Super-natural power of God, in their midst. These people only knew about God through the Law and the priesthood and only heard the stories about the Super-natural events that occurred in the lives of the prophets of old. Jesus brought the reality of God, back into their thinking and their hearts, by revealing God in the present time.
We've do the same things in our lives, by only remembering who we used to be, instead of who God made us to be. We reminisce about "the old time" preachers, like they were the ones who brought about the healings and miracles and not God. They believed the same about Moses and Elijah, that we do about Oral Roberts and Smith Wigglesworth. It wasn't these men who were great, but the Father Himself moving through them. Jesus prayed that we (the Church) should be like Him and the Father and that we would walk in the glory and honor the Father had given Him. He said in John 17:18 (Amplified), "Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world."
This includes the Super-natural ability and power of the Father and Jesus, by the Holy Spirit Who now lives in us. We've been so afraid that we'd act out of order before God, that we refused to allow Him to do the things Jesus sent us to do, in our lives. The world has seen enough of religion, what they need to see is Christ in us, "our hope of glory."
Jesus told His Father in John 17:22 (Amplified), "I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one (even) as We are One." This is the Same Jesus, Who is our "hope of glory." The glory of God is what the world needs to see today, in order to reveal the Truth of the Father to them. There are many gods being preached, by different religions throughout the world today. All of them are dead and only the imagination of men and rituals. Our God is not only ALIVE, but He is actually LIVING IN US. This is why Jesus is called Emanuel, God with us.
You are now the living Ark of the Covenant, because God actually resides in you and is waiting to reveal the manifestations of His power and glory to the world. The "glory of the latter house (temple) will be greater than the former house." The old temple was adorned with gold, silver and precious jewels. You, the latter house, are adorned with the very glory and Presence of Almighty God Himself.
Many question what "God's will for today" is. The Word of God is still His will for today. If God didn't want the people healed, then Jesus wouldn't command us to "Lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." This must be the will of the Father. We're the problem, not Him.
If we're to "be like Him," then we must do like Jesus did and not allow the thought of "self," enter into our thinking. Jesus said that "It is not Me, but the Father in Me, that does the works." We keep putting ourselves into the equation or keep waiting for someone else to do it for us. Are we so afraid that the Word is untrue? Or, are we simply doing the same things, other religions are doing?
The other religions preach about "someday gods" and we've allowed the world to bring us to that same level where we will "see our God in Heaven someday." Our God wants the world to see Him now, not "some day." Matthew 7:7-8 (Amplified) says, "Keep on asking and it will be given you, keep on seeking and you will find, keep on knocking (reverently) and (the door) will be opened. For everyone that keeps on asking, receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps knocking, (the door) will be opened."
Since Jesus is "The Door," and we've been waiting for it to open, have we stopped asking, knocking and seeking? He promises that through our diligence, we will receive the very things He desires we have and the Father will be revealed to the world. The Father desires to be revealed to the world, through the Body of His Anointed One, the Church, us.
We have failed to show more proof of our God to the world, than all the pagan gods. We tell people to live right and then they will go to Heaven someday. God desires that "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven." I don't believe that the things we're witnessing around the earth, are how things are in Heaven. I hear Christians saying, "It must be God's will for this person to be sick." There are no sick people in Heaven, so how can this be God's will?
It's not written in the Gospels, that Jesus said "It's the Father's will" when He healed someone, but every time He came upon someone who was sick, Jesus healed them. Hebrews 1:3 (Amplified) tells us, "He (Jesus) is the Sole Expression of the Glory of God (the Light Being) (the Sole out-raying or radiance of the Divine), and He is the perfect Imprint and Very Image of (God's) nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty Word of power.. When He had by offering Himself, accomplished our cleansing of guilt and sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the Divine Majesty on High."
Remember Jesus' prayer in John 17:24 (Amplified), "Father, I desire that they also Whom You have entrusted to Me (as Your Gift to Me) may be with Me where I Am, So that they may see My Glory which You have given Me (Your Love Gift to Me) For You loved Me before the foundation of the world." The answer to this prayer was given in revelation to Paul, in Ephesians 2:6 -7(Amplified) which says, "And He raised us up together (giving us joint seating with Him) in the Heavenly sphere (by virtue of us being in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One) He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come (this is our time) the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in (His) kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus."
Paul goes on in Ephesians 3:10 (Amplified) saying, "(The purpose is) that through the Church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the Heavenly sphere." We, the Church, are to reveal the glory and honor and power of God, to satan and all who control the people, and set those captives free. This is what Jesus prayed and this is what the Father has done. Now, it's our turn to return God's Super-natural ability and continue Jesus' ministry.
Jesus prayed in John 17:22-24 (Amplified), "I have given to them the glory and honor that You have given Me, that they may be one (even) as We are One; I in them and You in Me, in order that they become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and (definitely) recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them (even) as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also whom You have entrusted to Me (as Your gift to Me) may be with Me where I am; so that they may see My glory, which You have given Me (Your Love Gift to Me) for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
In Mark 11:24 (KJV) Jesus said, "Therefore I am telling you, Whatsoever things you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them."
Do you believe that, Jesus believed He could have the things He desired? If you do, then John 17:24 has already come to pass in our lives. The only thing keeping them from us, is either we don't believe it or we don't desire it. Jesus was praying for His Body (the Church) to walk, talk, act, and perform the way He did in this world. It wasn't the Truth of His being the Messiah that set Him apart from others (most of the people He ministered to, didn't know He was), but it was His revealing the Super-natural power of God, in their midst. These people only knew about God through the Law and the priesthood and only heard the stories about the Super-natural events that occurred in the lives of the prophets of old. Jesus brought the reality of God, back into their thinking and their hearts, by revealing God in the present time.
We've do the same things in our lives, by only remembering who we used to be, instead of who God made us to be. We reminisce about "the old time" preachers, like they were the ones who brought about the healings and miracles and not God. They believed the same about Moses and Elijah, that we do about Oral Roberts and Smith Wigglesworth. It wasn't these men who were great, but the Father Himself moving through them. Jesus prayed that we (the Church) should be like Him and the Father and that we would walk in the glory and honor the Father had given Him. He said in John 17:18 (Amplified), "Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world."
This includes the Super-natural ability and power of the Father and Jesus, by the Holy Spirit Who now lives in us. We've been so afraid that we'd act out of order before God, that we refused to allow Him to do the things Jesus sent us to do, in our lives. The world has seen enough of religion, what they need to see is Christ in us, "our hope of glory."
Jesus told His Father in John 17:22 (Amplified), "I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one (even) as We are One." This is the Same Jesus, Who is our "hope of glory." The glory of God is what the world needs to see today, in order to reveal the Truth of the Father to them. There are many gods being preached, by different religions throughout the world today. All of them are dead and only the imagination of men and rituals. Our God is not only ALIVE, but He is actually LIVING IN US. This is why Jesus is called Emanuel, God with us.
You are now the living Ark of the Covenant, because God actually resides in you and is waiting to reveal the manifestations of His power and glory to the world. The "glory of the latter house (temple) will be greater than the former house." The old temple was adorned with gold, silver and precious jewels. You, the latter house, are adorned with the very glory and Presence of Almighty God Himself.
Many question what "God's will for today" is. The Word of God is still His will for today. If God didn't want the people healed, then Jesus wouldn't command us to "Lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." This must be the will of the Father. We're the problem, not Him.
If we're to "be like Him," then we must do like Jesus did and not allow the thought of "self," enter into our thinking. Jesus said that "It is not Me, but the Father in Me, that does the works." We keep putting ourselves into the equation or keep waiting for someone else to do it for us. Are we so afraid that the Word is untrue? Or, are we simply doing the same things, other religions are doing?
The other religions preach about "someday gods" and we've allowed the world to bring us to that same level where we will "see our God in Heaven someday." Our God wants the world to see Him now, not "some day." Matthew 7:7-8 (Amplified) says, "Keep on asking and it will be given you, keep on seeking and you will find, keep on knocking (reverently) and (the door) will be opened. For everyone that keeps on asking, receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps knocking, (the door) will be opened."
Since Jesus is "The Door," and we've been waiting for it to open, have we stopped asking, knocking and seeking? He promises that through our diligence, we will receive the very things He desires we have and the Father will be revealed to the world. The Father desires to be revealed to the world, through the Body of His Anointed One, the Church, us.
We have failed to show more proof of our God to the world, than all the pagan gods. We tell people to live right and then they will go to Heaven someday. God desires that "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven." I don't believe that the things we're witnessing around the earth, are how things are in Heaven. I hear Christians saying, "It must be God's will for this person to be sick." There are no sick people in Heaven, so how can this be God's will?
It's not written in the Gospels, that Jesus said "It's the Father's will" when He healed someone, but every time He came upon someone who was sick, Jesus healed them. Hebrews 1:3 (Amplified) tells us, "He (Jesus) is the Sole Expression of the Glory of God (the Light Being) (the Sole out-raying or radiance of the Divine), and He is the perfect Imprint and Very Image of (God's) nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty Word of power.. When He had by offering Himself, accomplished our cleansing of guilt and sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the Divine Majesty on High."
Remember Jesus' prayer in John 17:24 (Amplified), "Father, I desire that they also Whom You have entrusted to Me (as Your Gift to Me) may be with Me where I Am, So that they may see My Glory which You have given Me (Your Love Gift to Me) For You loved Me before the foundation of the world." The answer to this prayer was given in revelation to Paul, in Ephesians 2:6 -7(Amplified) which says, "And He raised us up together (giving us joint seating with Him) in the Heavenly sphere (by virtue of us being in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One) He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come (this is our time) the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in (His) kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus."
Paul goes on in Ephesians 3:10 (Amplified) saying, "(The purpose is) that through the Church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the Heavenly sphere." We, the Church, are to reveal the glory and honor and power of God, to satan and all who control the people, and set those captives free. This is what Jesus prayed and this is what the Father has done. Now, it's our turn to return God's Super-natural ability and continue Jesus' ministry.
Monday, May 15, 2017
Lesson 216 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)."
As Christians, we've never truly seen ourselves the way the Father has now created us to be, in Jesus. We're looking in the future, for what God has already done in the Church. Although there are the futuristic and physical even that are still to occur, it is all already fulfilled in the Body of Christ.
We've missed what God has done, because we continue seeing ourselves as we are and were, in this natural body. God no longer sees us after the flesh, but after the Spirit. We still look at the outward man and we seldom think about the new creation being that lives in this fleshly house (body). 2Corinthians 5:1-2 (Amplified) says, "For we know that if the tent which is our earthly home is destroyed (dissolved), we have from God a building, a house not made with hands, eternal in Heaven. Here indeed, in this (present abode, body) we sigh and groan inwardly, because we yearn to be clothed over (we yearn to put on our celestial body like a garment to be fitted out) with our Heavenly dwelling."
The only thing separating us from the "full dwelling place of eternity," is this earthly house that we dwell in, while we're still here on assignment for the Father. Our body (house) is to the world today, what the Ark of the Covenant was in the old covenant. Our flesh and blood body, is the dwelling place of God Himself, within us. 1Corinthians 6:19 (Amplified) says, "Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received (as a Gift) from God? You are not your own."
If it wasn't for Grace, any unsaved person who is still in their sin and touches you (you being God's sanctuary, the Ark of the Covenant) they could be destroyed, just like those under the Law. Through Grace, not only can the unbeliever touch Christians and is not destroyed, but Christians are called to "lay their hands on them," bringing healing and Life to them. Under the Law, there was a prescribed manner, in which the Priests had to deal with the people for their healing.
We have the very Presence of God living in us, to remove the results of the curse from the people and re-establish relations with Heaven. Under the Law, only the few could enter in the Presence of God. Now, through the new creation, we have the privilege of carrying and becoming the Ark of the Covenant or Presence of God to the masses of people, for their restoration and salvation. I've heard Christians say, "I wish I could be like Moses and part the waters." I'd rather be like Jesus and not part the water, but calm it and walk on it, like it was dry land. We've missed the understanding and privilege of what this new creation really is to the world and to us.
We keep seeing ourselves as "old sinner," while God sees us as containers for His Glory to be transported into the world. We've become houses that God resides in, here in this natural world by His Spirit. Jesus declare that, "It was not Him, but the Father in Him Who does the works." God in Him, could only go where Jesus went. Jesus didn't calm every sea, only the one where Jesus was. God didn't even heal all the sick on earth, only those to whom Jesus brought to Him (by going to the sick).
As new creation people, this is what we're supposed to be doing. We're supposed to be giving God access to the people, by "going into all the world." When the Holy Spirit moves by faith, through the congregations, it is the people who brings Him into contact with the masses. If God didn't need us to be there, then there wouldn't be a need for us to "Go," because God would just do it. We overlook the importance of why God chose to use us as vessels (or containers) for bringing His Presence to the world.
We think that God being God, He simply does whatever He wants. John 3:16 tells us that "God wants everyone to be saved," but there are still people who are unsaved, because we haven't preached the Word to them yet. You might ask, "Why doesn't God just save them?" There are Spiritual Laws that prohibit certain things and God will not violate these Laws. All of creation is founded on and depends on, these Laws to continue. If God violates His Own Laws, then His Word is not True and He is not a "man that should lie."
This is the Truth of God's Word, that is "forever settled in Heaven." When God puts out His Word, it is eternal. Even in the new creation, it had to be legal, by God's Own Laws, or it wouldn't be legitimate Sometimes, we fail to see the importance of doing things by God's Word. He sort of believe that "God understands and He will just do it," but that's not so! This is why Jesus only did what the Father said and what He saw the Father do. Jesus only moved by the Word of God.
We've limited the Father, by doing our own thing and not adhering to His Word for instructions. If we would spend more time listening rather than talking, then we would see greater results in our lives.
As Christians, we've never truly seen ourselves the way the Father has now created us to be, in Jesus. We're looking in the future, for what God has already done in the Church. Although there are the futuristic and physical even that are still to occur, it is all already fulfilled in the Body of Christ.
We've missed what God has done, because we continue seeing ourselves as we are and were, in this natural body. God no longer sees us after the flesh, but after the Spirit. We still look at the outward man and we seldom think about the new creation being that lives in this fleshly house (body). 2Corinthians 5:1-2 (Amplified) says, "For we know that if the tent which is our earthly home is destroyed (dissolved), we have from God a building, a house not made with hands, eternal in Heaven. Here indeed, in this (present abode, body) we sigh and groan inwardly, because we yearn to be clothed over (we yearn to put on our celestial body like a garment to be fitted out) with our Heavenly dwelling."
The only thing separating us from the "full dwelling place of eternity," is this earthly house that we dwell in, while we're still here on assignment for the Father. Our body (house) is to the world today, what the Ark of the Covenant was in the old covenant. Our flesh and blood body, is the dwelling place of God Himself, within us. 1Corinthians 6:19 (Amplified) says, "Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received (as a Gift) from God? You are not your own."
If it wasn't for Grace, any unsaved person who is still in their sin and touches you (you being God's sanctuary, the Ark of the Covenant) they could be destroyed, just like those under the Law. Through Grace, not only can the unbeliever touch Christians and is not destroyed, but Christians are called to "lay their hands on them," bringing healing and Life to them. Under the Law, there was a prescribed manner, in which the Priests had to deal with the people for their healing.
We have the very Presence of God living in us, to remove the results of the curse from the people and re-establish relations with Heaven. Under the Law, only the few could enter in the Presence of God. Now, through the new creation, we have the privilege of carrying and becoming the Ark of the Covenant or Presence of God to the masses of people, for their restoration and salvation. I've heard Christians say, "I wish I could be like Moses and part the waters." I'd rather be like Jesus and not part the water, but calm it and walk on it, like it was dry land. We've missed the understanding and privilege of what this new creation really is to the world and to us.
We keep seeing ourselves as "old sinner," while God sees us as containers for His Glory to be transported into the world. We've become houses that God resides in, here in this natural world by His Spirit. Jesus declare that, "It was not Him, but the Father in Him Who does the works." God in Him, could only go where Jesus went. Jesus didn't calm every sea, only the one where Jesus was. God didn't even heal all the sick on earth, only those to whom Jesus brought to Him (by going to the sick).
As new creation people, this is what we're supposed to be doing. We're supposed to be giving God access to the people, by "going into all the world." When the Holy Spirit moves by faith, through the congregations, it is the people who brings Him into contact with the masses. If God didn't need us to be there, then there wouldn't be a need for us to "Go," because God would just do it. We overlook the importance of why God chose to use us as vessels (or containers) for bringing His Presence to the world.
We think that God being God, He simply does whatever He wants. John 3:16 tells us that "God wants everyone to be saved," but there are still people who are unsaved, because we haven't preached the Word to them yet. You might ask, "Why doesn't God just save them?" There are Spiritual Laws that prohibit certain things and God will not violate these Laws. All of creation is founded on and depends on, these Laws to continue. If God violates His Own Laws, then His Word is not True and He is not a "man that should lie."
This is the Truth of God's Word, that is "forever settled in Heaven." When God puts out His Word, it is eternal. Even in the new creation, it had to be legal, by God's Own Laws, or it wouldn't be legitimate Sometimes, we fail to see the importance of doing things by God's Word. He sort of believe that "God understands and He will just do it," but that's not so! This is why Jesus only did what the Father said and what He saw the Father do. Jesus only moved by the Word of God.
We've limited the Father, by doing our own thing and not adhering to His Word for instructions. If we would spend more time listening rather than talking, then we would see greater results in our lives.
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Friday, May 12, 2017
Lesson 215 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 or 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)."
As new creation family, we've been fairly successful at sowing the Seed for the new birth, but we've neglected the raising and maturing the sons and daughters into adulthood. 1Peter 2:2 (Amplified) says, "Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto (completed) salvation." Jesus said in Matthew 4:4 (Amplified), "It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God."
We've mostly done what we have heard and taught what has been handed down by those before us. We haven't questioned much or even delved into the Word, for more and deeper insight and wisdom. The old hymn, "Give Me That Old Time Religion," wasn't merely a song, but a way of spiritual life for many years. And, while that was good enough for ages past, there's so much more to walking with our Heavenly Father. I want more than just enough milk to make me a happy, fat baby for the rest of my Christian walk. I desire substance that helps me grow and be a vessel fit for the Master's use.
There will always be babies in the Body of Christ, as we get them born-again. Babies are the only way to begin the family, but they're supposed to mature into adult Christians. We've majored on how to dress, what to ear, how to worship, what day's the correct day for attending church and even on whether or not we should attend church. We've come to the place where we think we have it all together and don't need anything more.
I suppose, for those who feel they've reached maturity and have become all they want to be or are called to be, this is enough. We have decided that all things will continue like they are and what we know will sustain us and see us through. And, most of us believe that our true vision for being Christians, will happened when we leave this earth.
The Father is directing and leading His children into learning how to live by the Spirit, while walking in this world. We are not "of this world," but we are in this world. It hasn't been our staying out of sin, but living in the Spirit, because we knew what we should and shouldn't do, even before being saved. Some of us ignored the Truth of wrongdoing, and simply "went with the flow." Many even wore T-shirts with the hedonist slogan of "If it feels good, do it." This didn't mean they saw nothing wrong with this philosophy, but they didn't think it mattered. Most in the Body of Christ, aren't searching for a way of living in sin while maintaining their salvation. We've seriously tried restraining the flesh from sin, but haven't matured into what the Word calls us to be, "His righteousness."
Jesus directed in Matthew 6:33 (Amplified), "But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His Kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right) and then all these things (food, shelter, clothing, drink) taken together will be given you besides." Our Father wants to reveal His nature and ability in and through us, so that if affects even this natural realm in our lives. He wants these things to affect how we live on earth.
Many have reached the place in their Christian walk, where they've stopped growing and have settled into tradition. This doesn't mean that they are not saved and are not still God's children, but they're reached the place where they no longer crave after and desire the growing up into completed salvation. As a teenager, I believed I was mature and completed and no one could tell me any differently. I had no concept of what being mature really meant. The responsibilities of being mature, meant that I could do what I wanted to do, without anyone telling me what to do. I thought I was grown up. The things I learned in my younger years, were only the beginning of what I would need to learn as I grew up.
After we've been saved and have become new creations, how do we live and conduct our lives, here on earth? It's not only a matter of not sinning, but doing what is "His way of doing and being right." It takes much wisdom to accomplish "His way" of walking and living in the Spirit, while we're here on earth. We've mostly governed ourselves by ourselves, instead of by the Spirit and the Word. In John 6:63 (Amplified) Jesus said, "It is the Spirit Who gives Life (He is the Life-Giver) the flesh (or senses) conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it). The Words (Truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life."
Walking in this world and Living by the Spirit are a matter of maturing our new creation spirit man. Learning how to receive Wisdom from our Father by our spirit, in order to make our decision here in this world, is seeking "His way of doing and being right."
I'm not saying that we're not learning or growing or that everything we've been doing until now is wrong, but we're still adolescence and not adults. Many in the Body of Christ, have become young adult or teenagers, but haven't reached adulthood. 1John 2:12-13 (Amplified) tells us, "I am writing to you little children, because for His Name's sake your sins are forgiven (pardoned through His Name and on account of confessing His Name). I am writing to you, Fathers, because you have come to know (recognize and be aware of, and understand) Him Who (has existed from the beginning)."
The above scripture speaks about being "mature" and not just being older. Growing up in the Spirit realm, isn't determined by years, like it is in the world. The world determines the age at which you must be an adult and how many years that is. In the Spirit, it is determined by how you seek after and listen to the Voice of the Father. Living in the world and walking after the Spirit, is asking God about decisions we make in our normal lives in this world and allowing those decisions to be led by our spirit. This isn't just praying, but continuously listening.
Some feel that growing up and adhering to the Holy Spirit's teachings, places them in bondage about how they should speak, pray and read the Word. Religion dictates Laws and bondage, but we're not under the Law...we live under Grace. I fail to see where learning more about the Father and learning to walk in His Truth, is bondage. It might be bondage to the teenage Christians who doesn't need or want anyone telling him what to do. To the wise, though, this is maturing in Christ.
Learning to speak according to God's Word, seems like bondage to many. Learning to hear God's Voice on our own and not always depending on our pastor, might seem like bondage to some. Trying to make everyone else responsible for what we do, is not liberty, but is truly bondage. Needing to ask whether something is right or wrong, is the result of our lack of maturity in Him. Living by the Oracles of God and not just living by the principles of religion, is being mature in Him.
It's like Paul writes in Hebrews 6:3 (Amplified), "If indeed God permits, we will (now) proceed (to advanced teachings)."
As new creation family, we've been fairly successful at sowing the Seed for the new birth, but we've neglected the raising and maturing the sons and daughters into adulthood. 1Peter 2:2 (Amplified) says, "Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto (completed) salvation." Jesus said in Matthew 4:4 (Amplified), "It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God."
We've mostly done what we have heard and taught what has been handed down by those before us. We haven't questioned much or even delved into the Word, for more and deeper insight and wisdom. The old hymn, "Give Me That Old Time Religion," wasn't merely a song, but a way of spiritual life for many years. And, while that was good enough for ages past, there's so much more to walking with our Heavenly Father. I want more than just enough milk to make me a happy, fat baby for the rest of my Christian walk. I desire substance that helps me grow and be a vessel fit for the Master's use.
There will always be babies in the Body of Christ, as we get them born-again. Babies are the only way to begin the family, but they're supposed to mature into adult Christians. We've majored on how to dress, what to ear, how to worship, what day's the correct day for attending church and even on whether or not we should attend church. We've come to the place where we think we have it all together and don't need anything more.
I suppose, for those who feel they've reached maturity and have become all they want to be or are called to be, this is enough. We have decided that all things will continue like they are and what we know will sustain us and see us through. And, most of us believe that our true vision for being Christians, will happened when we leave this earth.
The Father is directing and leading His children into learning how to live by the Spirit, while walking in this world. We are not "of this world," but we are in this world. It hasn't been our staying out of sin, but living in the Spirit, because we knew what we should and shouldn't do, even before being saved. Some of us ignored the Truth of wrongdoing, and simply "went with the flow." Many even wore T-shirts with the hedonist slogan of "If it feels good, do it." This didn't mean they saw nothing wrong with this philosophy, but they didn't think it mattered. Most in the Body of Christ, aren't searching for a way of living in sin while maintaining their salvation. We've seriously tried restraining the flesh from sin, but haven't matured into what the Word calls us to be, "His righteousness."
Jesus directed in Matthew 6:33 (Amplified), "But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His Kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right) and then all these things (food, shelter, clothing, drink) taken together will be given you besides." Our Father wants to reveal His nature and ability in and through us, so that if affects even this natural realm in our lives. He wants these things to affect how we live on earth.
Many have reached the place in their Christian walk, where they've stopped growing and have settled into tradition. This doesn't mean that they are not saved and are not still God's children, but they're reached the place where they no longer crave after and desire the growing up into completed salvation. As a teenager, I believed I was mature and completed and no one could tell me any differently. I had no concept of what being mature really meant. The responsibilities of being mature, meant that I could do what I wanted to do, without anyone telling me what to do. I thought I was grown up. The things I learned in my younger years, were only the beginning of what I would need to learn as I grew up.
After we've been saved and have become new creations, how do we live and conduct our lives, here on earth? It's not only a matter of not sinning, but doing what is "His way of doing and being right." It takes much wisdom to accomplish "His way" of walking and living in the Spirit, while we're here on earth. We've mostly governed ourselves by ourselves, instead of by the Spirit and the Word. In John 6:63 (Amplified) Jesus said, "It is the Spirit Who gives Life (He is the Life-Giver) the flesh (or senses) conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it). The Words (Truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life."
Walking in this world and Living by the Spirit are a matter of maturing our new creation spirit man. Learning how to receive Wisdom from our Father by our spirit, in order to make our decision here in this world, is seeking "His way of doing and being right."
I'm not saying that we're not learning or growing or that everything we've been doing until now is wrong, but we're still adolescence and not adults. Many in the Body of Christ, have become young adult or teenagers, but haven't reached adulthood. 1John 2:12-13 (Amplified) tells us, "I am writing to you little children, because for His Name's sake your sins are forgiven (pardoned through His Name and on account of confessing His Name). I am writing to you, Fathers, because you have come to know (recognize and be aware of, and understand) Him Who (has existed from the beginning)."
The above scripture speaks about being "mature" and not just being older. Growing up in the Spirit realm, isn't determined by years, like it is in the world. The world determines the age at which you must be an adult and how many years that is. In the Spirit, it is determined by how you seek after and listen to the Voice of the Father. Living in the world and walking after the Spirit, is asking God about decisions we make in our normal lives in this world and allowing those decisions to be led by our spirit. This isn't just praying, but continuously listening.
Some feel that growing up and adhering to the Holy Spirit's teachings, places them in bondage about how they should speak, pray and read the Word. Religion dictates Laws and bondage, but we're not under the Law...we live under Grace. I fail to see where learning more about the Father and learning to walk in His Truth, is bondage. It might be bondage to the teenage Christians who doesn't need or want anyone telling him what to do. To the wise, though, this is maturing in Christ.
Learning to speak according to God's Word, seems like bondage to many. Learning to hear God's Voice on our own and not always depending on our pastor, might seem like bondage to some. Trying to make everyone else responsible for what we do, is not liberty, but is truly bondage. Needing to ask whether something is right or wrong, is the result of our lack of maturity in Him. Living by the Oracles of God and not just living by the principles of religion, is being mature in Him.
It's like Paul writes in Hebrews 6:3 (Amplified), "If indeed God permits, we will (now) proceed (to advanced teachings)."
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Lesson 214 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 (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)."
As Christians, we are a new creation people. As surely as the Heavens and earth never existed before God created them, the new creation never existed before this spoken creation we've become. We were created by the Word of God, just like the Heavens and earth were created by God's Word. 1Peter 1:23 (Amplified) says, "You have been regenerated (born-again), not from a moral origin (seed, sperm) but from One that is immortal by the Ever Living and Lasting Word of God."
We've somehow separated this new life from the natural life, making them two different lives. We've looked at the new creation life, as occurring after our new body has ceased living on earth. We've believed that we have a natural life and a spiritual life and they're to be separated by where we're living, but God's Word doesn't say this. Our new creation spirit man lives in this natural body and the spirit man is to dominate this natural life and the natural body. We're not supposed to wait until we die, to have union with God and the Heavenly realm, but we're to live in this house (body) and have Heaven rule the natural realm of earth. The Father designed us to bring the original purpose for creation, back into subjection to Him.
We are to us the Blessing that God pronounced on man from the first and use the authority given to the first Adam and the Last Adam, in order to subdue and replenish this natural realm. The Blessing would be used to supply life into this natural realm and sustain man's needs here. This Super-natural blessing would (by God's Words) would make things live and prosper. It was to be the physical manifestation of the Spiritual Kingdom of God.
God being God, could have made or created something else, if He had desired too. This creation came from His heart and His desire. God created this earth and the Heavens for His man and family and it was (and will again be), the beauty that He intended from the beginning. God didn't make us new creations, so that we'd struggle through an earthly maze, but so we could once again subdue and replenish the earth.
God connected the new creation spirit man to the earthly, natural man, in order to combine Heaven and earth again, unto the authority of the Spirit (not to separate them). In our carnal minds, we've separated them, by where we're living before death and after our natural bodies die. God (with the Mind of Christ) considers our natural man to be dead already and our new creation man is supposed to rule it , through and in Life by Christ Jesus.
We get a glimpse of what happened at Adam's transgression, in Romans 8:19 (Amplified), which says, "For (even the whole) creation (all nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God's sons to be made know (waits for the revealing, the disclosure of their sonship)." Notice, how the scripture says, "God's sons," which is plural. It doesn't just say "God's Son, Jesus," but it indicates God's sons who have been born-again through Jesus' life and resurrection. God has given us the same mandate He gave the first Adam, to His born-again sons and daughters (us). This mandate and Gift of God for His family, hasn't changed, but has been created anew through Jesus.
Some consider this foolishness, while others believe it's been given for the Millennial Reign. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of His earthly Body, Jesus brought both realms into the one realm of God's desire for man. Jesus walked in His natural Body, which He directed with His Spiritual authority, even unto nature itself. This was how the Father intended creation to function, from the beginning. When we try keeping these separate, we fail in both realms. We have enough of the worldly realm in us, that we don't function in the Spirit and we have enough of the Spirit in us, so that we don't enjoy the things of the world. This makes us a "house divided," within ourselves.
Jesus said in John 10:10 (Amplified), "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I come that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)." The Father created this earth for the enjoyment of His family. This earth was to produce the overflow of Life, to God's family. Having the understanding of both realms as one, Jesus ruled the natural by the Spirit and brought them into the subjection man was given and Blessed with, from the beginning.
Many have confused the earth, with the world. We've mistaken what has happened through the world system and believe we're not supposed to enjoy this new life, until we get to Heaven. The world and the earth aren't the same things. The world is the fallen system that came into being after Adam's transgression. The earth is still the Lord's and the "fullness thereof."
The authority of the new creation family has been restored, so we could again use the Blessing and mandate to bring the earth back to the place God created it to be. As new creation, we are to be the Salt and Light again in this earth, changing the world system and re-establishing God's kingdom. We're called to bring many brethren into God's family. Through Jesus, we now have the capacity to res-establish God's Kingdom, over most of the earth.
It seems foreign to many Christians to think like this, because we don't see through the eyes of the Spirit, but with only our natural eyes. We've looked at the earth and world we see around us, as "the real world," instead of seeing that the Spirit created it. The Creator is always more "real" than the creation. The "real" or true world is the Spirit realm, where everything we can see, feel smell, touch, hear and enjoy came from.
We are to use the five senses in our lives, but our lives shouldn't be dominated by them. The Father gave these things to us, in order to contact this natural realm He placed us in. The new creation man is to bring the senses back into subjection to the spirit man and the Father. The new creation man is to restore creation, to what it was before Adam's fall.
We know there is a time coming when, "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither shall there be anguish (sorrow or mourning) nor grief nor pain anymore, for the old condition's and the former order of things have passed away. And He Who is seated on the Throne said, See! I make all things new. Also He said, Record this, for these sayings are faithful (accurate, incorruptible and trustworthy) and true (genuine)."
When Jesus walked as a Man on earth, He didn't change all of creation (or the natural surroundings), but only the parts where He was. Jesus didn't stop all storms, but He stopped the ones that impacted where He was on earth. Jesus was only One Man, Who was filled with the Holy Spirit. Now, through Him, we are a family (made up of millions of men and women) who are filled with The Holy Spirit of God. We are God's new creation family and have the ability to reach beyond only one person. God can live through many and reach beyond Jerusalem, into "all the world," (Mark 16).
I have no authority over your house and property, but through the new creation, I do have authority over mine. If each of us would display our new creation authority over our own, then the earth would once again be a Garden.
As Christians, we are a new creation people. As surely as the Heavens and earth never existed before God created them, the new creation never existed before this spoken creation we've become. We were created by the Word of God, just like the Heavens and earth were created by God's Word. 1Peter 1:23 (Amplified) says, "You have been regenerated (born-again), not from a moral origin (seed, sperm) but from One that is immortal by the Ever Living and Lasting Word of God."
We've somehow separated this new life from the natural life, making them two different lives. We've looked at the new creation life, as occurring after our new body has ceased living on earth. We've believed that we have a natural life and a spiritual life and they're to be separated by where we're living, but God's Word doesn't say this. Our new creation spirit man lives in this natural body and the spirit man is to dominate this natural life and the natural body. We're not supposed to wait until we die, to have union with God and the Heavenly realm, but we're to live in this house (body) and have Heaven rule the natural realm of earth. The Father designed us to bring the original purpose for creation, back into subjection to Him.
We are to us the Blessing that God pronounced on man from the first and use the authority given to the first Adam and the Last Adam, in order to subdue and replenish this natural realm. The Blessing would be used to supply life into this natural realm and sustain man's needs here. This Super-natural blessing would (by God's Words) would make things live and prosper. It was to be the physical manifestation of the Spiritual Kingdom of God.
God being God, could have made or created something else, if He had desired too. This creation came from His heart and His desire. God created this earth and the Heavens for His man and family and it was (and will again be), the beauty that He intended from the beginning. God didn't make us new creations, so that we'd struggle through an earthly maze, but so we could once again subdue and replenish the earth.
God connected the new creation spirit man to the earthly, natural man, in order to combine Heaven and earth again, unto the authority of the Spirit (not to separate them). In our carnal minds, we've separated them, by where we're living before death and after our natural bodies die. God (with the Mind of Christ) considers our natural man to be dead already and our new creation man is supposed to rule it , through and in Life by Christ Jesus.
We get a glimpse of what happened at Adam's transgression, in Romans 8:19 (Amplified), which says, "For (even the whole) creation (all nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God's sons to be made know (waits for the revealing, the disclosure of their sonship)." Notice, how the scripture says, "God's sons," which is plural. It doesn't just say "God's Son, Jesus," but it indicates God's sons who have been born-again through Jesus' life and resurrection. God has given us the same mandate He gave the first Adam, to His born-again sons and daughters (us). This mandate and Gift of God for His family, hasn't changed, but has been created anew through Jesus.
Some consider this foolishness, while others believe it's been given for the Millennial Reign. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of His earthly Body, Jesus brought both realms into the one realm of God's desire for man. Jesus walked in His natural Body, which He directed with His Spiritual authority, even unto nature itself. This was how the Father intended creation to function, from the beginning. When we try keeping these separate, we fail in both realms. We have enough of the worldly realm in us, that we don't function in the Spirit and we have enough of the Spirit in us, so that we don't enjoy the things of the world. This makes us a "house divided," within ourselves.
Jesus said in John 10:10 (Amplified), "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I come that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)." The Father created this earth for the enjoyment of His family. This earth was to produce the overflow of Life, to God's family. Having the understanding of both realms as one, Jesus ruled the natural by the Spirit and brought them into the subjection man was given and Blessed with, from the beginning.
Many have confused the earth, with the world. We've mistaken what has happened through the world system and believe we're not supposed to enjoy this new life, until we get to Heaven. The world and the earth aren't the same things. The world is the fallen system that came into being after Adam's transgression. The earth is still the Lord's and the "fullness thereof."
The authority of the new creation family has been restored, so we could again use the Blessing and mandate to bring the earth back to the place God created it to be. As new creation, we are to be the Salt and Light again in this earth, changing the world system and re-establishing God's kingdom. We're called to bring many brethren into God's family. Through Jesus, we now have the capacity to res-establish God's Kingdom, over most of the earth.
It seems foreign to many Christians to think like this, because we don't see through the eyes of the Spirit, but with only our natural eyes. We've looked at the earth and world we see around us, as "the real world," instead of seeing that the Spirit created it. The Creator is always more "real" than the creation. The "real" or true world is the Spirit realm, where everything we can see, feel smell, touch, hear and enjoy came from.
We are to use the five senses in our lives, but our lives shouldn't be dominated by them. The Father gave these things to us, in order to contact this natural realm He placed us in. The new creation man is to bring the senses back into subjection to the spirit man and the Father. The new creation man is to restore creation, to what it was before Adam's fall.
We know there is a time coming when, "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither shall there be anguish (sorrow or mourning) nor grief nor pain anymore, for the old condition's and the former order of things have passed away. And He Who is seated on the Throne said, See! I make all things new. Also He said, Record this, for these sayings are faithful (accurate, incorruptible and trustworthy) and true (genuine)."
When Jesus walked as a Man on earth, He didn't change all of creation (or the natural surroundings), but only the parts where He was. Jesus didn't stop all storms, but He stopped the ones that impacted where He was on earth. Jesus was only One Man, Who was filled with the Holy Spirit. Now, through Him, we are a family (made up of millions of men and women) who are filled with The Holy Spirit of God. We are God's new creation family and have the ability to reach beyond only one person. God can live through many and reach beyond Jerusalem, into "all the world," (Mark 16).
I have no authority over your house and property, but through the new creation, I do have authority over mine. If each of us would display our new creation authority over our own, then the earth would once again be a Garden.
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