Friday, June 30, 2017
Lesson 238 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) into 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 deeds we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
Romans 4:20-22 (Amplified) says, "No unbelief or distrust made him (Abraham) waver (doubtingly question) concerning the Promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God. Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His Word and to do what He had promised That is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God)."
Abraham was a natural man, who wasn't born-again and hadn't received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but trusted God would keep the Promise He made to Abraham. His faith put him in right standing with God. God considered him to be right before Him, because of His faith in God's Word to him. Our right standing comes from the same faith as Abraham's faith. In Christianity today, we still struggle with the Truth of our being righteous or in right standing with God.
Our lack of faith in God's Promises, has placed the Church in a double-minded position with our Father and has made it difficult for Him to fulfill His Promises, in our lives. Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified) says, "Now faith is the assurance (the conformation, the title deed) of the things (we) hope for, being the proof of things (we) do not see and the conviction of their reality (faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses)."
God 's Promise to Abraham (who was 100 years old) that he would not only have a son, but a multitude of children, must have seemed staggering to him and his wife Sarah, The Word says that, "Abraham staggered not at the Promise, but believed that God was not only able to it, but that He would perform that which He had promised." Today, we have all of the Promises of God, freely given to us through our union with Christ Jesus. These Promises are even greater than the one He made to Abraham. Our Promises aren't based on a covenant of the blood of bulls and goats, but on the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ Himself.
We've not only entered into and have a Blood covenant with Jesus, the this covenant was made between God the Father and God the Son and was fulfilled by God the Holy Spirit. God made this covenant with Himself and it didn't depend on man, in order to keep it and make it valid. God sword by Himself and this makes the covenant unbreakable, according to Hebrew 8:6-7 (Amplified) which says, "But as it now is, He (Christ) has acquired a (Priestly) ministry which is as much superior and made excellent (than the old) as the covenant (the agreement) of which He is the Mediator (the Arbiter, Agent) is Superior and more excellent, (because) it is enacted and rests upon a more important (sublimer, higher, and nobler) promises. For if that first covenant had been without defect, there would have been no room for another one or an attempt to institute another one." Hebrews 7:22 (Amplified) says, "In keeping with (the oath's greater strength and force) Jesus has become the Guarantee of a better (stronger) agreement (a more excellent and more advantageous covenant)"
The covenant that has been enacted between Jesus and the Father, has brought us into an "unbreakable covenant" between God and the Man Jesus. And, through His resurrection, this covenant has made us family and heirs, according to the Promise. Hebrews 9:15-17 (Amplified) says, "Christ (the Messiah) is therefore the Negotiator and Mediator of an (entirely) new agreement (testament, covenant) so that those who are called and offered it may receive the fulfillment of the Promised everlasting inheritance since a death has taken place which rescues and delivers and redeems them from the transgression committed under the (old) first agreement For where there is a (last) will and testament involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will and Testament is valid and takes effect only at death, since it has no force or legal power as long as the one who made it is alive."
If I wrote out my will and testament and left all my possessions to you, then when would you expect to receive them? Of course, you receive them when I die, right? Well, did Jesus die and validate His will? We are to receive our inheritance at His death, not our deaths. We've been waiting until we die, in order to receive what He has left us.
Through Jesus, God made a will and has left everything to us through the death of Jesus, according to Hebrews 10:10 (Amplified), which says, "And in accordance with this will (of God) we have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through the offering made once for all of the Body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed One)." Romans 8:16-17 (Amplified) says, "The Spirit Himself (thus) testifies, together with our own spirit, (assuring us) that we are children of God. 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."
Jesus' "suffering" was not from sickness, disease or being the tail and not the head. His suffering is the rejection and persecution from the world and the strategies of the evil one, who tries to undermine our place here on earth. Jesus even "faced down" the devil on our behalf, to prove His authority in Matthew 4:1-10 (Amplified). Jesus describes the authority given as part of our inheritance in Luke 10:9 (Amplified) saying, "Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and (physical and mental strength and ability) over all the power that the enemy (possesses) and nothing shall in any way harm you."
Paul spoke about the Last Will and Testament of Jesus, in Galatians 3:14-16 (Amplified) saying, "To the end that through (their receiving) Christ Jesus, the Blessing (promised) to Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that we through faith might (all) (receive the realization of) the Promise of the Holy Spirit To speak in terms of human relations, brethren, (if) even a man makes a last will and testament (a merely human covenant) no one sets it aside or makes it void or adds to it when once it has been drawn up and signed (ratified, confirmed) Now the Promises (covenants, agreements) were decreed and made to Abraham and his Seed (his offspring, his Heir)." God didn't refer to "seeds, heirs, descendants," as if referring to many persons, but says, "And to your Seed (his offspring, his Heir)," which refers to One Individual, Who is Christ (the Messiah).
This Promise is also for us, who are "fellow heirs with Christ Jesus" and was left to us by the Last Will and Testament of Jesus Himself. These Promises are to be received by faith, just like the "Father of Faith" Abraham received them. We should be just as persuaded by our faith, to receive the great and precious Promises, as Abraham was in receiving his Promise for a son and inheritance.
All of the Promises made to Abraham, are now made ours through Jesus, but we must receive them by faith and nothing else. We've been trying to "deserve" the Blessing and "make it work." We are only required to believe His Promises and trust that He is well able to perform them. Hebrews 8:8 (Amplified) says, "But as it now is He (Christ) has acquired a (Priestly) ministry, which is as much Superior and more Excellent (than the old) as the covenant (the agreement) of which He is the Mediator (the Arbiter, Agent) is Superior and more Excellent, (because) it is enacted and rests upon more important (superior, higher and nobler) Promises."
The Promises made to us in this new covenant, are much greater and more assuring, than that which was made to Abraham, it was made to Jesus. As His fellow heirs (or joint heirs), we share in these Promises through Jesus, as surely as Jesus Himself share in in His inheritance from the Father. Romans 4:16 (Amplified) says, "Therefore (inheriting) the Promise is the outcome of faith, and depends (entirely) on faith, in order that it might be given as an act of Grace."
We must read the Will, discover ourselves in it and receive what Jesus has bequeathed to us, by His death. "All of these Promises are Yes and So be it in Christ Jesus," but they must be appropriated by faith. Healing, long life, peace, and answered prayer are all part of our inheritance, by our faith in our Testator and His Last Will and Testament. Many don't know that these Promises were left to us, in His will. Some don't know that they are "even in the Will." As the Holy Spirit reads the Will to you, then you must by faith, accept and receive all that Jesus left us, when He ratified the Will with His Own death.
Jesus told His followers in John 16:14-15 (Amplified), "He (the Holy Spirit) 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 Holy Spirit) will take the things that are Mine, and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you." The Holy Spirit has now become the Executor of the Will and will reveal to us, what our inheritance truly is.
Romans 4:20-22 (Amplified) says, "No unbelief or distrust made him (Abraham) waver (doubtingly question) concerning the Promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God. Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His Word and to do what He had promised That is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God)."
Abraham was a natural man, who wasn't born-again and hadn't received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but trusted God would keep the Promise He made to Abraham. His faith put him in right standing with God. God considered him to be right before Him, because of His faith in God's Word to him. Our right standing comes from the same faith as Abraham's faith. In Christianity today, we still struggle with the Truth of our being righteous or in right standing with God.
Our lack of faith in God's Promises, has placed the Church in a double-minded position with our Father and has made it difficult for Him to fulfill His Promises, in our lives. Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified) says, "Now faith is the assurance (the conformation, the title deed) of the things (we) hope for, being the proof of things (we) do not see and the conviction of their reality (faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses)."
God 's Promise to Abraham (who was 100 years old) that he would not only have a son, but a multitude of children, must have seemed staggering to him and his wife Sarah, The Word says that, "Abraham staggered not at the Promise, but believed that God was not only able to it, but that He would perform that which He had promised." Today, we have all of the Promises of God, freely given to us through our union with Christ Jesus. These Promises are even greater than the one He made to Abraham. Our Promises aren't based on a covenant of the blood of bulls and goats, but on the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ Himself.
We've not only entered into and have a Blood covenant with Jesus, the this covenant was made between God the Father and God the Son and was fulfilled by God the Holy Spirit. God made this covenant with Himself and it didn't depend on man, in order to keep it and make it valid. God sword by Himself and this makes the covenant unbreakable, according to Hebrew 8:6-7 (Amplified) which says, "But as it now is, He (Christ) has acquired a (Priestly) ministry which is as much superior and made excellent (than the old) as the covenant (the agreement) of which He is the Mediator (the Arbiter, Agent) is Superior and more excellent, (because) it is enacted and rests upon a more important (sublimer, higher, and nobler) promises. For if that first covenant had been without defect, there would have been no room for another one or an attempt to institute another one." Hebrews 7:22 (Amplified) says, "In keeping with (the oath's greater strength and force) Jesus has become the Guarantee of a better (stronger) agreement (a more excellent and more advantageous covenant)"
The covenant that has been enacted between Jesus and the Father, has brought us into an "unbreakable covenant" between God and the Man Jesus. And, through His resurrection, this covenant has made us family and heirs, according to the Promise. Hebrews 9:15-17 (Amplified) says, "Christ (the Messiah) is therefore the Negotiator and Mediator of an (entirely) new agreement (testament, covenant) so that those who are called and offered it may receive the fulfillment of the Promised everlasting inheritance since a death has taken place which rescues and delivers and redeems them from the transgression committed under the (old) first agreement For where there is a (last) will and testament involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will and Testament is valid and takes effect only at death, since it has no force or legal power as long as the one who made it is alive."
If I wrote out my will and testament and left all my possessions to you, then when would you expect to receive them? Of course, you receive them when I die, right? Well, did Jesus die and validate His will? We are to receive our inheritance at His death, not our deaths. We've been waiting until we die, in order to receive what He has left us.
Through Jesus, God made a will and has left everything to us through the death of Jesus, according to Hebrews 10:10 (Amplified), which says, "And in accordance with this will (of God) we have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through the offering made once for all of the Body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed One)." Romans 8:16-17 (Amplified) says, "The Spirit Himself (thus) testifies, together with our own spirit, (assuring us) that we are children of God. 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."
Jesus' "suffering" was not from sickness, disease or being the tail and not the head. His suffering is the rejection and persecution from the world and the strategies of the evil one, who tries to undermine our place here on earth. Jesus even "faced down" the devil on our behalf, to prove His authority in Matthew 4:1-10 (Amplified). Jesus describes the authority given as part of our inheritance in Luke 10:9 (Amplified) saying, "Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and (physical and mental strength and ability) over all the power that the enemy (possesses) and nothing shall in any way harm you."
Paul spoke about the Last Will and Testament of Jesus, in Galatians 3:14-16 (Amplified) saying, "To the end that through (their receiving) Christ Jesus, the Blessing (promised) to Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that we through faith might (all) (receive the realization of) the Promise of the Holy Spirit To speak in terms of human relations, brethren, (if) even a man makes a last will and testament (a merely human covenant) no one sets it aside or makes it void or adds to it when once it has been drawn up and signed (ratified, confirmed) Now the Promises (covenants, agreements) were decreed and made to Abraham and his Seed (his offspring, his Heir)." God didn't refer to "seeds, heirs, descendants," as if referring to many persons, but says, "And to your Seed (his offspring, his Heir)," which refers to One Individual, Who is Christ (the Messiah).
This Promise is also for us, who are "fellow heirs with Christ Jesus" and was left to us by the Last Will and Testament of Jesus Himself. These Promises are to be received by faith, just like the "Father of Faith" Abraham received them. We should be just as persuaded by our faith, to receive the great and precious Promises, as Abraham was in receiving his Promise for a son and inheritance.
All of the Promises made to Abraham, are now made ours through Jesus, but we must receive them by faith and nothing else. We've been trying to "deserve" the Blessing and "make it work." We are only required to believe His Promises and trust that He is well able to perform them. Hebrews 8:8 (Amplified) says, "But as it now is He (Christ) has acquired a (Priestly) ministry, which is as much Superior and more Excellent (than the old) as the covenant (the agreement) of which He is the Mediator (the Arbiter, Agent) is Superior and more Excellent, (because) it is enacted and rests upon more important (superior, higher and nobler) Promises."
The Promises made to us in this new covenant, are much greater and more assuring, than that which was made to Abraham, it was made to Jesus. As His fellow heirs (or joint heirs), we share in these Promises through Jesus, as surely as Jesus Himself share in in His inheritance from the Father. Romans 4:16 (Amplified) says, "Therefore (inheriting) the Promise is the outcome of faith, and depends (entirely) on faith, in order that it might be given as an act of Grace."
We must read the Will, discover ourselves in it and receive what Jesus has bequeathed to us, by His death. "All of these Promises are Yes and So be it in Christ Jesus," but they must be appropriated by faith. Healing, long life, peace, and answered prayer are all part of our inheritance, by our faith in our Testator and His Last Will and Testament. Many don't know that these Promises were left to us, in His will. Some don't know that they are "even in the Will." As the Holy Spirit reads the Will to you, then you must by faith, accept and receive all that Jesus left us, when He ratified the Will with His Own death.
Jesus told His followers in John 16:14-15 (Amplified), "He (the Holy Spirit) 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 Holy Spirit) will take the things that are Mine, and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you." The Holy Spirit has now become the Executor of the Will and will reveal to us, what our inheritance truly is.
Monday, June 26, 2017
Lesson 237 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) ad gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
Many of the things the new creation people have been taught, left them believing that they are still under the Law. We construct a checklist of things we "must do" each day, in order to walk in this new life through Jesus. This isn't the understanding of Wisdom, according to Proverbs 4:7 (Amplified) which says, "The beginning of Wisdom is; get Wisdom (skillful and Godly Wisdom) (for skillful and Godly Wisdom is the principal thing) And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation)."
When we received Jesus (Who is the Word), we received Wisdom, because Jesus (the Word) is Wisdom. This is what the new creation man must realize, this is the understanding of Wisdom. The Blessing and right standing (along with the advantages of being a child of God), came with our accepting Jesus and being born-again into this new creation. This isn't something we work for, but simply a position with God that you accept b y faith and learn to walk in. Romans 4:16 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, (inheriting) the Promise is the outcome of faith and depends (entirely) on faith; in order that it might be given as an act of Grace (unmerited favor) to make it stable and valid and guaranteed to all his descendants not only the devotees and inheritors of the Law, but also to those who share the faith of Abraham, who is (thus) the father of us all."
A great part of understanding Wisdom, is knowing that the Blessing already came upon us when we were born-again. Our simply accepting (by faith) the guarantee of this Blessing is all that is required of the new creation family. This understanding of the Promise (by Grace) gives the new creation people a distinct advantage over the rest of the world. Those who are unsaved or who aren't yet born-again, are still at the mercy of the world and must deal with it with a human understanding.
The greatest revelation we can know while still on earth, it knowing what we received when we received Jesus as our Lord. It's true that there "In this world you will have tribulation," but Jesus went on to say, "But, be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." This means that, even though I'm still in this world, when I come to the understanding of the Blessing, I know that in Him, I have overcoming ability. This doesn't have anything to do with works and rituals, but with accepting (by faith) what has already come upon me, as a new creation being.
Faith is what activates and receives this new Blessing, that has become our inheritance. We don't "make the Blessing work," we allow the Blessing to work. The Blessing operates by faith in what we've received through Jesus. This Blessing will bring God's favor upon everything we have and are, when we allow it to do, what God has sent it to do. The Lord describes and lists this Blessing that is for everything who receives Him and Lord and follows His instructions, in Deuteronomy 28:1-14 (Amplified) saying, "If you will listen diligently to the Voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these Blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the Voice of the Lord your God."
"Heeding, listening to and observing" what God's Word instructs us to do, is our part of the Blessing and Promise. The "commandment" we've been given as new creation people, is to walk in Love with Him and with one another. As long as we observe His commandment to Love one another as He has Loved us, this Blessing cannot be stopped. Even if people don't walk in love towards you, your must be "Heed the Voice of the Lord and walk in Love with them." Those who speak out against you or bodily threaten you, cannot stop the Blessing from coming on you. You're the only person who can stop the Blessing from coming on you. We've tried "making" the Blessing work in our lives, to no avail. It doesn't work by works of the flesh, but by the Promise of the Spirit of God.
Understanding this Wisdom and having it all come together, means acknowledging and knowing His Grace. It goes without saying that as God's children, we're to keep ourselves out of sin, wrongdoing, and unforgiveness. This is walking in Love with Him and with one another, just like Jesus commanded. 1John 5:18 (Amplified) says, "We know (absolutely) that anyone born of God does not (deliberately and knowingly) practice committing sin, but the One Who was Begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him (Christ's Divine Presence within him preserves him against the evil), and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch him."
The Holy Spirit Who lives in us, will watch over and protect us by His Presence and Guidance. He will keep us from the wicked on and hold us in His Love. The only thing we (as God's children) need do, is walk in Love with Him and with one another. Then, our faith will allow the Blessing of His Promise to flow unhindered in our lives. Understanding the Wisdom of the new creation, allows us to enter into His rest and accept His Blessing of Grace for our lives here on earth.
It should not be a struggle for us to accept the Goodness of our Father. We should have childlike faith, in His Promise to and for us. In order for the Blessing to flow in our lives, we must have faith in His Love for us and "rest in Him." Galatians 5:6 (Amplified) says, "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."
The rest and Blessing are both dependent upon understanding what Wisdom has already done and having faith in His love. We must (by faith) in His Love, rest and walk in the inheritance of His Promise to us, His new creation family.
Many of the things the new creation people have been taught, left them believing that they are still under the Law. We construct a checklist of things we "must do" each day, in order to walk in this new life through Jesus. This isn't the understanding of Wisdom, according to Proverbs 4:7 (Amplified) which says, "The beginning of Wisdom is; get Wisdom (skillful and Godly Wisdom) (for skillful and Godly Wisdom is the principal thing) And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation)."
When we received Jesus (Who is the Word), we received Wisdom, because Jesus (the Word) is Wisdom. This is what the new creation man must realize, this is the understanding of Wisdom. The Blessing and right standing (along with the advantages of being a child of God), came with our accepting Jesus and being born-again into this new creation. This isn't something we work for, but simply a position with God that you accept b y faith and learn to walk in. Romans 4:16 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, (inheriting) the Promise is the outcome of faith and depends (entirely) on faith; in order that it might be given as an act of Grace (unmerited favor) to make it stable and valid and guaranteed to all his descendants not only the devotees and inheritors of the Law, but also to those who share the faith of Abraham, who is (thus) the father of us all."
A great part of understanding Wisdom, is knowing that the Blessing already came upon us when we were born-again. Our simply accepting (by faith) the guarantee of this Blessing is all that is required of the new creation family. This understanding of the Promise (by Grace) gives the new creation people a distinct advantage over the rest of the world. Those who are unsaved or who aren't yet born-again, are still at the mercy of the world and must deal with it with a human understanding.
The greatest revelation we can know while still on earth, it knowing what we received when we received Jesus as our Lord. It's true that there "In this world you will have tribulation," but Jesus went on to say, "But, be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." This means that, even though I'm still in this world, when I come to the understanding of the Blessing, I know that in Him, I have overcoming ability. This doesn't have anything to do with works and rituals, but with accepting (by faith) what has already come upon me, as a new creation being.
Faith is what activates and receives this new Blessing, that has become our inheritance. We don't "make the Blessing work," we allow the Blessing to work. The Blessing operates by faith in what we've received through Jesus. This Blessing will bring God's favor upon everything we have and are, when we allow it to do, what God has sent it to do. The Lord describes and lists this Blessing that is for everything who receives Him and Lord and follows His instructions, in Deuteronomy 28:1-14 (Amplified) saying, "If you will listen diligently to the Voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these Blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the Voice of the Lord your God."
"Heeding, listening to and observing" what God's Word instructs us to do, is our part of the Blessing and Promise. The "commandment" we've been given as new creation people, is to walk in Love with Him and with one another. As long as we observe His commandment to Love one another as He has Loved us, this Blessing cannot be stopped. Even if people don't walk in love towards you, your must be "Heed the Voice of the Lord and walk in Love with them." Those who speak out against you or bodily threaten you, cannot stop the Blessing from coming on you. You're the only person who can stop the Blessing from coming on you. We've tried "making" the Blessing work in our lives, to no avail. It doesn't work by works of the flesh, but by the Promise of the Spirit of God.
Understanding this Wisdom and having it all come together, means acknowledging and knowing His Grace. It goes without saying that as God's children, we're to keep ourselves out of sin, wrongdoing, and unforgiveness. This is walking in Love with Him and with one another, just like Jesus commanded. 1John 5:18 (Amplified) says, "We know (absolutely) that anyone born of God does not (deliberately and knowingly) practice committing sin, but the One Who was Begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him (Christ's Divine Presence within him preserves him against the evil), and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch him."
The Holy Spirit Who lives in us, will watch over and protect us by His Presence and Guidance. He will keep us from the wicked on and hold us in His Love. The only thing we (as God's children) need do, is walk in Love with Him and with one another. Then, our faith will allow the Blessing of His Promise to flow unhindered in our lives. Understanding the Wisdom of the new creation, allows us to enter into His rest and accept His Blessing of Grace for our lives here on earth.
It should not be a struggle for us to accept the Goodness of our Father. We should have childlike faith, in His Promise to and for us. In order for the Blessing to flow in our lives, we must have faith in His Love for us and "rest in Him." Galatians 5:6 (Amplified) says, "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."
The rest and Blessing are both dependent upon understanding what Wisdom has already done and having faith in His love. We must (by faith) in His Love, rest and walk in the inheritance of His Promise to us, His new creation family.
Friday, June 23, 2017
Lesson 236 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
We've been seeking wisdom from God's Word, about who we truly are as new creations in Christ Jesus. We've accepted the world's teachings and traditions for far too long, about our true identity. As we venture through the Word, we find we were created by the Same Word that created the Heavens and the earth, in the beginning. This Very Word became flesh and Jesus was the proof of what the Word produced.
We've been taught to see and walk more by our senses (our flesh), rather than by our new being created in the Image and Likeness of Jesus. The Law of Genesis says that, "Everything produces after kind." An apple seed only produces an apple tree and the fruit, is the proof of the seed. If we plant corn, then we will only produce corn, because this is the Law of Genesis. This Law continues into everything that was and is created. We might have different sorts of apples, but they are all produced from an apple seed.
As the First Seed died and was planted or buried in the earth, Jesus became the First Fruits of the new creation. Jesus declared in John 15:1-11 (Amplified) that, "He had now (by Himself being the Seed) become the Vine that produced the fruit of this new being." As the Father if the Husbandman (or Owner) of this new Vine and Fruit, we would be the product of this Vine. The Seed produced a new creation when Jesus was raised from the dead. Everyone who was and is ingrafted in this Vine, is just like the Seed Who produced this fruit.
We seemingly recognize this as Truth, in every other realm of our lives, except in the realm that matters most. According to John 6:63 (Amplified), "This is Spirit and Life." At the time Jesus said these things, He was the Only Product of this Word (Seed) and He was the Fruit of it. Now, through the Seed of this new Living Fruit, "we who were dead unto God, have been created new, by this New and Living Seed of the Word."
We often quote John 3:16 (Amplified) which says, "God gave His Only Begotten Son." Jesus was "The Only Begotten Son," at the time, but after His death and resurrection, He is now called the First Fruit and the First Born of many brethren. We are the product or family of the First Seed, sown unto the family of our Heavenly Father.
We never knew any other way of life in the Spirit before being born-again and we settled for tradition and everything it says we are. We are a Super-natural family, produced by a d Super-natural Seed and that Seed (Jesus) is the Word of God Himself. We read these Truths and mentally accept them as being True, because "they are in the Bible, but we never receive the revelation of the fullness of their Truth in our new lives through Christ Jesus.
We've tried teaching our new being (the new creation spirit), by the outward teachings of the flesh. This has resulted in changing some of our moral habits and conduct, but only in the same manner that the Law of the old covenant did. This has also result in our new being remaining in the infant stage of our new life. We lead others to Christ, but they also remain in the infant stage. we are spirit beings and must feed this new being on Spiritual Food, in order to develop in maturity and growth.
In Matthew 4:4 (Amplified), Jesus said, "Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every Word that comes forth from the Mouth of God." 1Peter 1:23 (Amplified) says, "You have been regenerated (born-again) not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm) but from One that is Immortal by the Ever Living and Lasting Word of God." 1Peter 2:2 (Amplified) reveals to us what Jesus meant when He said that, we do not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the Mouth of God." Thus, it says, "Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) Spiritual Milk (the Word) that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto (completed) salvation."
Babies don't require only bread or natural food for their bodies to grow. Newborn babies in Christ, must feed our spirits with the Word of God, in order to grow and develop. Feeding the intellect on the Word, only produces religion to the senses. Feeding the new creation man on the Spirit and Life of revelation, produces the maturity and submission to the Truth, without the Law of Moses to have to govern.
We have few examples of how and what this new creation being is or does. The image of this new man has almost been lost to the Church, except by the Word and the Holy Spirit. History and tradition only reflect to us, what the world's religions could produce, but the Holy Spirit will reveal the new man from the revelation of the Word Himself.
The things we do as God's Church today (giving, feeding the hungry,caring for widows and orphans, giving to the poor, going into the world and producing Christians by preaching, and governing the outward man) all all noble and necessary for the Church to day. I'm not saying th we've been completely wrong in what we're doing, but there is a maturity that we haven't reached yet. The maturing of the new creation Church, is that which comes from the Super-natural man, within us.
The time has come for the Church to bring forth fruit from the inward man, that the outward man cannot produce. Don't stop doing the good works, but add to them by the Higher Law of the Spirit. We aren't to use only the bread we have to feed the people, but we're to multiply it and feed more people. It's good to take five loaves and two fishes and be willing to give these to the hungry. It's much better though, to take these small gifts of the natural and by the Spirit, multiply them into a feast for thousands or millions. This can only be done by the maturing of the new creation being, who is born of the Super-natural Seed of the Word of God.
Don't wait for someone else to do the growing up, but be willing to have the Spirit bring you to maturity and the rest will follow you (like they did for Joshua and Caleb). Most of us are waiting for someone to lead the way, into the Spirit realm of Truth. Paul had to be willing for this new man to lead him into a new realm for the Gentile. Many have followed into what he revealed, since then. There must always be someone who will step out of the boat, go into the furnace, sing the jail down, walk into the lion's mouth and even build an Ark, when it had never rained before. The people who ridiculed these leaders, didn't do so after they saw the results that followed these leader's faith. They might have laughed at Abraham and Sarah, after he he declared he was the "Father of Many Nations." No one is laughing now, though.
We must dare move by and in the Holy Spirit, into the realm of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Father is always bringing us into a place where we cannot accomplish on our own. We can only reveal Him to the world, by Him and the power of His might. This requires mature people in the spirit and Word of God. We've been created by the Same Seed and we are nourished by this Vine that produces Life and ability (both to and through us), to His glory and praise.
We've been seeking wisdom from God's Word, about who we truly are as new creations in Christ Jesus. We've accepted the world's teachings and traditions for far too long, about our true identity. As we venture through the Word, we find we were created by the Same Word that created the Heavens and the earth, in the beginning. This Very Word became flesh and Jesus was the proof of what the Word produced.
We've been taught to see and walk more by our senses (our flesh), rather than by our new being created in the Image and Likeness of Jesus. The Law of Genesis says that, "Everything produces after kind." An apple seed only produces an apple tree and the fruit, is the proof of the seed. If we plant corn, then we will only produce corn, because this is the Law of Genesis. This Law continues into everything that was and is created. We might have different sorts of apples, but they are all produced from an apple seed.
As the First Seed died and was planted or buried in the earth, Jesus became the First Fruits of the new creation. Jesus declared in John 15:1-11 (Amplified) that, "He had now (by Himself being the Seed) become the Vine that produced the fruit of this new being." As the Father if the Husbandman (or Owner) of this new Vine and Fruit, we would be the product of this Vine. The Seed produced a new creation when Jesus was raised from the dead. Everyone who was and is ingrafted in this Vine, is just like the Seed Who produced this fruit.
We seemingly recognize this as Truth, in every other realm of our lives, except in the realm that matters most. According to John 6:63 (Amplified), "This is Spirit and Life." At the time Jesus said these things, He was the Only Product of this Word (Seed) and He was the Fruit of it. Now, through the Seed of this new Living Fruit, "we who were dead unto God, have been created new, by this New and Living Seed of the Word."
We often quote John 3:16 (Amplified) which says, "God gave His Only Begotten Son." Jesus was "The Only Begotten Son," at the time, but after His death and resurrection, He is now called the First Fruit and the First Born of many brethren. We are the product or family of the First Seed, sown unto the family of our Heavenly Father.
We never knew any other way of life in the Spirit before being born-again and we settled for tradition and everything it says we are. We are a Super-natural family, produced by a d Super-natural Seed and that Seed (Jesus) is the Word of God Himself. We read these Truths and mentally accept them as being True, because "they are in the Bible, but we never receive the revelation of the fullness of their Truth in our new lives through Christ Jesus.
We've tried teaching our new being (the new creation spirit), by the outward teachings of the flesh. This has resulted in changing some of our moral habits and conduct, but only in the same manner that the Law of the old covenant did. This has also result in our new being remaining in the infant stage of our new life. We lead others to Christ, but they also remain in the infant stage. we are spirit beings and must feed this new being on Spiritual Food, in order to develop in maturity and growth.
In Matthew 4:4 (Amplified), Jesus said, "Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every Word that comes forth from the Mouth of God." 1Peter 1:23 (Amplified) says, "You have been regenerated (born-again) not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm) but from One that is Immortal by the Ever Living and Lasting Word of God." 1Peter 2:2 (Amplified) reveals to us what Jesus meant when He said that, we do not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the Mouth of God." Thus, it says, "Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) Spiritual Milk (the Word) that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto (completed) salvation."
Babies don't require only bread or natural food for their bodies to grow. Newborn babies in Christ, must feed our spirits with the Word of God, in order to grow and develop. Feeding the intellect on the Word, only produces religion to the senses. Feeding the new creation man on the Spirit and Life of revelation, produces the maturity and submission to the Truth, without the Law of Moses to have to govern.
We have few examples of how and what this new creation being is or does. The image of this new man has almost been lost to the Church, except by the Word and the Holy Spirit. History and tradition only reflect to us, what the world's religions could produce, but the Holy Spirit will reveal the new man from the revelation of the Word Himself.
The things we do as God's Church today (giving, feeding the hungry,caring for widows and orphans, giving to the poor, going into the world and producing Christians by preaching, and governing the outward man) all all noble and necessary for the Church to day. I'm not saying th we've been completely wrong in what we're doing, but there is a maturity that we haven't reached yet. The maturing of the new creation Church, is that which comes from the Super-natural man, within us.
The time has come for the Church to bring forth fruit from the inward man, that the outward man cannot produce. Don't stop doing the good works, but add to them by the Higher Law of the Spirit. We aren't to use only the bread we have to feed the people, but we're to multiply it and feed more people. It's good to take five loaves and two fishes and be willing to give these to the hungry. It's much better though, to take these small gifts of the natural and by the Spirit, multiply them into a feast for thousands or millions. This can only be done by the maturing of the new creation being, who is born of the Super-natural Seed of the Word of God.
Don't wait for someone else to do the growing up, but be willing to have the Spirit bring you to maturity and the rest will follow you (like they did for Joshua and Caleb). Most of us are waiting for someone to lead the way, into the Spirit realm of Truth. Paul had to be willing for this new man to lead him into a new realm for the Gentile. Many have followed into what he revealed, since then. There must always be someone who will step out of the boat, go into the furnace, sing the jail down, walk into the lion's mouth and even build an Ark, when it had never rained before. The people who ridiculed these leaders, didn't do so after they saw the results that followed these leader's faith. They might have laughed at Abraham and Sarah, after he he declared he was the "Father of Many Nations." No one is laughing now, though.
We must dare move by and in the Holy Spirit, into the realm of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Father is always bringing us into a place where we cannot accomplish on our own. We can only reveal Him to the world, by Him and the power of His might. This requires mature people in the spirit and Word of God. We've been created by the Same Seed and we are nourished by this Vine that produces Life and ability (both to and through us), to His glory and praise.
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Prophecy given on June 4, 2017 at Christian Life Center in Chaumont, NY 13622/Pastor James L. Hayes
"Have I not said in My Word, for those that hunger and thirst after righteousness, you shall be filled? I see the hunger in the hearts of My people, throughout the world. I've seen the thirsting after the things of the reality of My Presence, saith the Lord of the Most High.
I see those that are seeking, those that are learning, those that are coveting the very things of the Spirit of the Living God. I see the hunger of the hearts of My people. I hear the cries of the nations of the world, as they come before Me seeking help and seeking for that which they know not. I see the religions of the world that have held My people once again in bondage and I say unto you this day, as I say unto My people throughout the nations of the world, The time of My coming, the time of My Presence, that the time of My outpouring and the time of My raising up a people of glory to Myself, has reached the zenith here and the time has become now, that My glory will cover this earth like the waters that cover the seas and My Presence will be known from the least to the greatest and they shall know the very things of the Most High God."
I see those that are seeking, those that are learning, those that are coveting the very things of the Spirit of the Living God. I see the hunger of the hearts of My people. I hear the cries of the nations of the world, as they come before Me seeking help and seeking for that which they know not. I see the religions of the world that have held My people once again in bondage and I say unto you this day, as I say unto My people throughout the nations of the world, The time of My coming, the time of My Presence, that the time of My outpouring and the time of My raising up a people of glory to Myself, has reached the zenith here and the time has become now, that My glory will cover this earth like the waters that cover the seas and My Presence will be known from the least to the greatest and they shall know the very things of the Most High God."
Lesson 235 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 Himself)."
God didn't only forgive our sins and trespasses through Jesus, but He completely did away with them, when our old man was crucified with Jesus. We've still looked at ourselves as just forgiven sinners and not new creations. The old man of sin and trespasses died with the Sacrifice of Jesus, was buried with Him in our baptism and was justified, brought back into right standing, accepted as His Own child and raised up (resurrected) with Jesus in His resurrection. This is the new creation family of our Heavenly Father. This new creation never existed before this time. We are truly new creations.
The enemy would like for us to believe we haven't changed and remain the way we once were, fearing we're on the edge of rejection at all times. The enemy would like to keep us guessing whether God will even hear our prayers (let alone answer them), because we're "still only sinners, with no right to justly petition Him." Once the Holy Spirit reveals who we (the Church) really are in Jesus, things will forever change. My children will always be my children. They have my blood, my name, and my inheritance as their own, for all their lives. My grandchildren and great-grandchildren for a thousand generations, are still my blood. Can it possibly be less with God's Own children now?
As new creations, we've never truly understood what has happened to and for us, when we received Jesus and He received us. We not only received Him (although we finally called on His Name), but He had already made His decision to accept us, when He entered this world as a Child. When Jesus was raised from the pit and seated at the Father's right hand, He had already accepted whosoever would come to Him. When we received Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He received us. We're not only saved, but we're truly one in Him. If we are one with Him and are in Him, then we are His right standing, His justification and His place in His seating with the Father.
For centuries, we've tried making ourselves right before God by rituals and sacrifice, but to no avail. We always had the sense of unworthiness and condemnation, that held us back from the Face of the Father. This is the carnal mind and a lie of satan, that keeps us from bringing destruction to his dark kingdom, which he rules over with deception. When the Light of Revelation of the new creation comes into God's family, satan's dark rule is done for the child of God.
As God's children begin understanding the work that is now a new creation, satan's rule will be broken on an individual basis in the lives of those who will step out in their new identity. As the family of God begins taking its rightful place in the earth, not only will our lives change, but once I know who I am, I can begin to change lives around me as God's new creation son.
Even Jesus could only be in one place, at one time, in His earthly ministry. His Presence here as a Man, only effected the place He was at the time. His Presence in Jerusalem and His miracles in Bethany, didn't effect anything or bring any healings in Rome. Jesus could only change things, where He was. The Church has been told and believed, that only Jesus could do these things and have viewed His statement in John 14:12 (Amplified) as a mistake. Thus, Jesus said, "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do, and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father." Jesus was speaking about the new creation man, that would be raised in His Own Likeness, when He went to the Father. The Same Spirit that came upon and into and empowered Jesus in the Jordan River, is the Same Spirit Who would created this new creation in His Likeness. Jesus mentioned the Spirit of Truth to us, in John 14:17 (Amplified), saying, "The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart) because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him; But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you (constantly) and will be in you."
Before His ascension, Jesus told His followers in Acts 1:8 (Amplified), "But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth." Notice! It was to start in the place where they were at the time. Just like Jesus could only do things where He was, these individuals could only do things where they were. But, now the Holy Spirit was available to whosoever would receive Him and where they went, He went in them. The things that Jesus did, by the Holy Spirit, they could do also and greater things than Jesus did, because He went to the Father for this purpose. Now, instead of having only One Man Who was filled with His Spirit, God could have multiplied millions of men and women who were filled with Him. 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."
You are not your own, you are a new creation who was made, bought, received as a vehicle of honor, to transport the Holy Spirit from "Jerusalem, to Judea, and Samaria, and to the very bounds of the earth." There is no longer just One Man (Jesus) who is filled with God, but millions of men and women are filled with God and taking Him to the very bounds of the earth. Do you think you can still be a sinner and transgressor and still be pure enough for God to live in and empower you as the Temple of God?
Your Creator lives in your new creation spirit. You're not only just forgiven, but you've become a "new creature altogether." God has made us to be a new creature, that is so clean, new and pure, that He Himself can live in us and walk in us. The Holy Spirit, Who is God Himself, cannot and will not make His Temple in union with sin and unclean things. Now we can understand what Jesus meant in John 17:16 20 (Amplified) when He prayed, "They are not of this world (worldly, belonging to the world) just as I am not of the world." Jesus identified us with "not being of this world, even as [He] was not of this world." Jesus was presenting the new creation man, before the Father on our behalf. Jesus makes it clear that He wasn't only praying for His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, but for us too. Thus, He goes on in Verse 20, "Neither for these alone for I pray (it is not for their sake only that I make this request) but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching." Now, through this new creation, this living temple and tangible Presence of God is being taken into all the world. The Church is His temple and we now "do the work that Jesus did," because this new creation is like He was in the earth. The new creation is what Emmanuel God with us, in the world. The Body of Christ have in this new creation, become what the Ark of the Covenant was in the old covenant. Now, though, we are not in a temple, but have become the temple.
God didn't only forgive our sins and trespasses through Jesus, but He completely did away with them, when our old man was crucified with Jesus. We've still looked at ourselves as just forgiven sinners and not new creations. The old man of sin and trespasses died with the Sacrifice of Jesus, was buried with Him in our baptism and was justified, brought back into right standing, accepted as His Own child and raised up (resurrected) with Jesus in His resurrection. This is the new creation family of our Heavenly Father. This new creation never existed before this time. We are truly new creations.
The enemy would like for us to believe we haven't changed and remain the way we once were, fearing we're on the edge of rejection at all times. The enemy would like to keep us guessing whether God will even hear our prayers (let alone answer them), because we're "still only sinners, with no right to justly petition Him." Once the Holy Spirit reveals who we (the Church) really are in Jesus, things will forever change. My children will always be my children. They have my blood, my name, and my inheritance as their own, for all their lives. My grandchildren and great-grandchildren for a thousand generations, are still my blood. Can it possibly be less with God's Own children now?
As new creations, we've never truly understood what has happened to and for us, when we received Jesus and He received us. We not only received Him (although we finally called on His Name), but He had already made His decision to accept us, when He entered this world as a Child. When Jesus was raised from the pit and seated at the Father's right hand, He had already accepted whosoever would come to Him. When we received Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He received us. We're not only saved, but we're truly one in Him. If we are one with Him and are in Him, then we are His right standing, His justification and His place in His seating with the Father.
For centuries, we've tried making ourselves right before God by rituals and sacrifice, but to no avail. We always had the sense of unworthiness and condemnation, that held us back from the Face of the Father. This is the carnal mind and a lie of satan, that keeps us from bringing destruction to his dark kingdom, which he rules over with deception. When the Light of Revelation of the new creation comes into God's family, satan's dark rule is done for the child of God.
As God's children begin understanding the work that is now a new creation, satan's rule will be broken on an individual basis in the lives of those who will step out in their new identity. As the family of God begins taking its rightful place in the earth, not only will our lives change, but once I know who I am, I can begin to change lives around me as God's new creation son.
Even Jesus could only be in one place, at one time, in His earthly ministry. His Presence here as a Man, only effected the place He was at the time. His Presence in Jerusalem and His miracles in Bethany, didn't effect anything or bring any healings in Rome. Jesus could only change things, where He was. The Church has been told and believed, that only Jesus could do these things and have viewed His statement in John 14:12 (Amplified) as a mistake. Thus, Jesus said, "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do, and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father." Jesus was speaking about the new creation man, that would be raised in His Own Likeness, when He went to the Father. The Same Spirit that came upon and into and empowered Jesus in the Jordan River, is the Same Spirit Who would created this new creation in His Likeness. Jesus mentioned the Spirit of Truth to us, in John 14:17 (Amplified), saying, "The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart) because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him; But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you (constantly) and will be in you."
Before His ascension, Jesus told His followers in Acts 1:8 (Amplified), "But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth." Notice! It was to start in the place where they were at the time. Just like Jesus could only do things where He was, these individuals could only do things where they were. But, now the Holy Spirit was available to whosoever would receive Him and where they went, He went in them. The things that Jesus did, by the Holy Spirit, they could do also and greater things than Jesus did, because He went to the Father for this purpose. Now, instead of having only One Man Who was filled with His Spirit, God could have multiplied millions of men and women who were filled with Him. 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."
You are not your own, you are a new creation who was made, bought, received as a vehicle of honor, to transport the Holy Spirit from "Jerusalem, to Judea, and Samaria, and to the very bounds of the earth." There is no longer just One Man (Jesus) who is filled with God, but millions of men and women are filled with God and taking Him to the very bounds of the earth. Do you think you can still be a sinner and transgressor and still be pure enough for God to live in and empower you as the Temple of God?
Your Creator lives in your new creation spirit. You're not only just forgiven, but you've become a "new creature altogether." God has made us to be a new creature, that is so clean, new and pure, that He Himself can live in us and walk in us. The Holy Spirit, Who is God Himself, cannot and will not make His Temple in union with sin and unclean things. Now we can understand what Jesus meant in John 17:16 20 (Amplified) when He prayed, "They are not of this world (worldly, belonging to the world) just as I am not of the world." Jesus identified us with "not being of this world, even as [He] was not of this world." Jesus was presenting the new creation man, before the Father on our behalf. Jesus makes it clear that He wasn't only praying for His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, but for us too. Thus, He goes on in Verse 20, "Neither for these alone for I pray (it is not for their sake only that I make this request) but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching." Now, through this new creation, this living temple and tangible Presence of God is being taken into all the world. The Church is His temple and we now "do the work that Jesus did," because this new creation is like He was in the earth. The new creation is what Emmanuel God with us, in the world. The Body of Christ have in this new creation, become what the Ark of the Covenant was in the old covenant. Now, though, we are not in a temple, but have become the temple.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Lesson 234 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 4:17 ,22-24 (Amplified) says, "As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations, (He was appointed our Father) in the sight of God in Whom he believed. Who gives Life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that (He has foretold and promised) as if they (already) existed."
God spoke of the "Father of faith" that He promised, as though it already was. Verses 22-24 go on, "That is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God) But (the words), I was credited to him, were written not for his sake alone. But they (were written) for our sake too (Righteousness, standing acceptable to God) will be granted and credited to us also who believe in (trust in, adhere to, and rely on) God, Who raised Jesus from the dead."
Abraham stood a test of faith, that none of us have yet to make a stand for. He was one-hundred years old and his wife (Sarah) was ninety plus years, which by any human standard, meant they were beyond child bearing ages. Sarah had been childless her entire life, but Abraham dared believe what God said about him and like God, he called "nonexistent" things as though they were.
Many of today, wouldn't dare speak about healing, when we are sick. We wouldn't dare speak about life, when we'd been given a diagnosis of death. Many of us are afraid to speak "the Blessing" over our lives today. Abraham wasn't a born-again man, but he believed what God said about his being, "the Father of our faith."
The Holy Spirit directs Paul to write about the believer, in Galatians 3:14 (Amplified) saying, "To the end that through (their receiving) Christ Jesus, the Blessing (promised) to Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that we through faith might (all) receive (the realization of) the Promise of the Holy Spirit." This Promise wasn't just God's sending the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, but our receiving the things of the power of the Holy Spirit.
It's through the Spirit, that the Promise came and through the Spirit, that he Blessing came. This is the Life of the Spirit realm, being manifested in this natural realm. Only the Spirit of God could override the natural "deadness" of Sarah's womb. The Promise and Blessing that came through faith (alone), placed Abraham in a position of right standing with God. This Blessing and right standing, made Abraham the richest, most powerful, strongest and longest enduring name in all of God's Word...with the exception of Jesus, of course. The Jews, the Muslims and Christian faiths, all claim Abraham as "the father of their lineage." These things were bestowed on Abraham, because of his faith in what God Promised through His Word alone.
As Christians, we have a new covenant based on better Promises and "All of these Promises are yes and Amen, and so be it in Christ Jesus." Why would it seem strange for Christians, that we should believe, like Abraham did. It's like we failed in our faith and don't expect to receive from God, while we're still on earth. We've postponed our Blessing, for when we arrive in Heaven. Abraham didn't postpone his Promise, but received it while he was on earth. This kind of faith has nearly been expunged from the teachings and preaching for today's believer.
Romans 4:20-21 (Amplified) says, "No unbelief or distrust made him (Abraham) waiver (doubtingly question) concerning the Promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God. Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His Word and do what He had promised." Today, how many of God's Promises to us, do we GROW STRONG AND BE EMPOWERED BY FAITH in and give praise and glory to God for, in our lives?
God's Word is "Forever settled in Heaven." It holds the entirety of the universe in place and is the very essence of our lives today. We confess we "believe by faith" in the new birth, but then we act like it's only for "after we leave this planet in mortal death." God's Promises to His family, are mostly for this earthly life, so that "His will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven." This is the Promise of the Spirit.
Abraham didn't have the covenant we've received as God's Own children, but God has honored his faith, by declaring him the "Father of our faith." In John 3:3 (Amplified) Jesus told Nicodemus, "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born-again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with and experience) the Kingdom of God." The only way to understand and "see the Kingdom of God," is to be born into the Kingdom, by the Promise of the Spirit. Now that we've been born into new creations, we have access into all that the Spirit realm of the Kingdom, has to offer God's family.
Things that "were not," can now "become." Things "that are," can "now be changed." The things of the Spirit are eternal, while the things we can "see" are temporal or subject to change. This is the Promise of the Spirit, to those who believe.
The condition of Sarah's womb, was temporal and subject to change, by the Promise of the Spirit. We can now (through the Spirit) change things in our new lives from the Spirit. We now have the ability to change the outcome and direction of temporal things in this earth, through the Spirit. John 1:1-3 (Amplified) says, "In the beginning (before all time) was the Word (Christ) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He (the Word, Christ) was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being."
Everything we can and cannot see, were and still are, being created and sustained by the Word of God, "Calling things that be not as though they are." The Word is still creating and propelling all things today. Creation is (by no means), completed today. Even you and I, and those who will believe, are considered by God, "a new creation." The Word is creating and changing all things in the earth, as well as the heavens. We've not grasped the creative Promise of God's Word to us and in us, which is the Promise of the Spirit. Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified), "The Words (Truths) I am speaking to you, are Spirit and they are Life."
Romans 4:17 ,22-24 (Amplified) says, "As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations, (He was appointed our Father) in the sight of God in Whom he believed. Who gives Life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that (He has foretold and promised) as if they (already) existed."
God spoke of the "Father of faith" that He promised, as though it already was. Verses 22-24 go on, "That is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God) But (the words), I was credited to him, were written not for his sake alone. But they (were written) for our sake too (Righteousness, standing acceptable to God) will be granted and credited to us also who believe in (trust in, adhere to, and rely on) God, Who raised Jesus from the dead."
Abraham stood a test of faith, that none of us have yet to make a stand for. He was one-hundred years old and his wife (Sarah) was ninety plus years, which by any human standard, meant they were beyond child bearing ages. Sarah had been childless her entire life, but Abraham dared believe what God said about him and like God, he called "nonexistent" things as though they were.
Many of today, wouldn't dare speak about healing, when we are sick. We wouldn't dare speak about life, when we'd been given a diagnosis of death. Many of us are afraid to speak "the Blessing" over our lives today. Abraham wasn't a born-again man, but he believed what God said about his being, "the Father of our faith."
The Holy Spirit directs Paul to write about the believer, in Galatians 3:14 (Amplified) saying, "To the end that through (their receiving) Christ Jesus, the Blessing (promised) to Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that we through faith might (all) receive (the realization of) the Promise of the Holy Spirit." This Promise wasn't just God's sending the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, but our receiving the things of the power of the Holy Spirit.
It's through the Spirit, that the Promise came and through the Spirit, that he Blessing came. This is the Life of the Spirit realm, being manifested in this natural realm. Only the Spirit of God could override the natural "deadness" of Sarah's womb. The Promise and Blessing that came through faith (alone), placed Abraham in a position of right standing with God. This Blessing and right standing, made Abraham the richest, most powerful, strongest and longest enduring name in all of God's Word...with the exception of Jesus, of course. The Jews, the Muslims and Christian faiths, all claim Abraham as "the father of their lineage." These things were bestowed on Abraham, because of his faith in what God Promised through His Word alone.
As Christians, we have a new covenant based on better Promises and "All of these Promises are yes and Amen, and so be it in Christ Jesus." Why would it seem strange for Christians, that we should believe, like Abraham did. It's like we failed in our faith and don't expect to receive from God, while we're still on earth. We've postponed our Blessing, for when we arrive in Heaven. Abraham didn't postpone his Promise, but received it while he was on earth. This kind of faith has nearly been expunged from the teachings and preaching for today's believer.
Romans 4:20-21 (Amplified) says, "No unbelief or distrust made him (Abraham) waiver (doubtingly question) concerning the Promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God. Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His Word and do what He had promised." Today, how many of God's Promises to us, do we GROW STRONG AND BE EMPOWERED BY FAITH in and give praise and glory to God for, in our lives?
God's Word is "Forever settled in Heaven." It holds the entirety of the universe in place and is the very essence of our lives today. We confess we "believe by faith" in the new birth, but then we act like it's only for "after we leave this planet in mortal death." God's Promises to His family, are mostly for this earthly life, so that "His will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven." This is the Promise of the Spirit.
Abraham didn't have the covenant we've received as God's Own children, but God has honored his faith, by declaring him the "Father of our faith." In John 3:3 (Amplified) Jesus told Nicodemus, "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born-again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with and experience) the Kingdom of God." The only way to understand and "see the Kingdom of God," is to be born into the Kingdom, by the Promise of the Spirit. Now that we've been born into new creations, we have access into all that the Spirit realm of the Kingdom, has to offer God's family.
Things that "were not," can now "become." Things "that are," can "now be changed." The things of the Spirit are eternal, while the things we can "see" are temporal or subject to change. This is the Promise of the Spirit, to those who believe.
The condition of Sarah's womb, was temporal and subject to change, by the Promise of the Spirit. We can now (through the Spirit) change things in our new lives from the Spirit. We now have the ability to change the outcome and direction of temporal things in this earth, through the Spirit. John 1:1-3 (Amplified) says, "In the beginning (before all time) was the Word (Christ) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He (the Word, Christ) was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being."
Everything we can and cannot see, were and still are, being created and sustained by the Word of God, "Calling things that be not as though they are." The Word is still creating and propelling all things today. Creation is (by no means), completed today. Even you and I, and those who will believe, are considered by God, "a new creation." The Word is creating and changing all things in the earth, as well as the heavens. We've not grasped the creative Promise of God's Word to us and in us, which is the Promise of the Spirit. Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified), "The Words (Truths) I am speaking to you, are Spirit and they are Life."
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Lesson 233 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)."
1Corinthians 3:1-2 (Amplified) says, "However, Brethren, I could not talk to you as to spiritual (men) but as to non-spiritual (men of the flesh, in whom the carnal nature predominates) as to mere infants (in the new life) in Christ (unable to talk yet) I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not yet strong enough (to be ready for it) but even yet you are not strong enough (to be ready for it)."
Paul wrote the above letter to the Church in Corinth, nearly two-thousand years ago, and even now we are still carnal in our thinking and actions. This isn't a "put-down," but an encouragement for us to see what the new creation family is and what lies ahead, for those who will step into it. Romans 1:17 (Amplified) says, "For in the Gospel a righteousness (which God ascribes is revealed), both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith) as it is written. The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith (Hab. 2:4)."
As new creation people, we are "living by faith" already. We were dead in sin and trespass, but God has made us "alive in Christ Jesus, by faith." Galatians 5:25 (Amplified) tells us, "If we live by the Holy Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit (If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit)."
For many years, we've been taught the carnal things of Christianity (like what's good and right), but nothing about how to develop our spirit man. Behaving properly and doing good things, are things that should derive from a developed mature spirit, instead of a restraint of the senses. I'm sure those who received Jesus as Lord, are sincere about walking with Him. We've never been taught how to develop our new creation man, but to simply subdue the outward man.
Although the outward man certainly needs to be brought into subjection to the things of God, it shouldn't be a battle to keep him out of sin. Galatians 5:16 (Amplified) says, "But I say, walk and live (habitually) in the Holy Spirit (responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit; the you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God)."
We've been taught to control the old man, by laws and rituals that have no power to control him, and have bound ourselves from enjoying the liberty of Christ. In order to develop our new creation spirit man, we must feed faith by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit into our new creation spirit. With the exception of those who are disabled or handicapped from birth, most humans have the ability to walk. We had needed to learn how to master this ability. It was easier for some to learn how to walk, than it was for others, but we all needed determination and encouragement and live, to do so.
Many have heard things teachings about faith and the walk of faith. Some have dismissed this as "foolishness" or "not for everyone." Walking by faith in the spirit realm, isn't any more strange than walking in the natural realm. This is something we must individually determine. Faith isn't something that one person has and another doesn't have, but is the Life of the new creation being. It was and is how, the new creation being exists, because it is only by faith that we can receive Life and salvation (by grace).
Every believer is born-again by faith in Christ Jesus. This faith doesn't stop at being born, but continues into the progression of maturity into love, fellowship with the Father and receiving and giving life to those around us, as well as having our prayers answered.
Faith is the Nature of God that has now come alive within the heart of every Christian. It's what connects us to the Super-natural ability and realm, from which we are now born. Everything in this natural world came from the Spirit world (or realm of God). When the Spirit of God and the Word of God, went forth from the beginning, matter and substance were formed from the Spirit realm, into the natural realm.
Faith is as "natural" to the new creation child of God, as walking is to the natural child of man. This is the way we hear, talk, walk, and receive guidance and revelation from the Father. Through the years, we've tried connecting with the Holy Spirit by our natural senses and have failed miserably. Spiritual things come and are revealed by and through the Spirit. Some might see the results of what the Spirit has done and have actually been drawn into this by natural faith After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, the believers "saw and heard" the Word that was preached and received the Holy Spirit.
This was as far as faith went for some, but for others like Phillip and Stephen (who were deacons), this faith grew into much more in their lives. Miracles, healings and sharing God with the people happened because of their faith. Today, most of the Church's faith has come by "showing restraint," from the old way of life. This is a wonderful witness for unsaved and saved alike. I'm convinced though, that our Father wants us to seek Him, like never before. He wants to develop Himself within us, so that even the unsaved (who have no faith in Him), can "see" Him, with just the natural eyes. The Father is searching for those who will use this Super-natural faith, to reveal Him to the world, as He really is.
King Saul could have done like David did and killed Goliath, but even as King, he lacked the faith to declare that "the God of Israel was God and not just a God of history." There's always been people who would go a little further with God, than others before. They were ridiculed and even shammed by the mainstream population, but we're not seeking the praises of men, only the praises of God. You and you alone, can determine how far you will dare believe and walk with the Father. No man call tell you where you must stop growing in your faith in God. You might be like Joshua and Caleb, who were the only two of two million men, who believed that God was still true in His Promise. Let God be True and every man a liar.
1Corinthians 3:1-2 (Amplified) says, "However, Brethren, I could not talk to you as to spiritual (men) but as to non-spiritual (men of the flesh, in whom the carnal nature predominates) as to mere infants (in the new life) in Christ (unable to talk yet) I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not yet strong enough (to be ready for it) but even yet you are not strong enough (to be ready for it)."
Paul wrote the above letter to the Church in Corinth, nearly two-thousand years ago, and even now we are still carnal in our thinking and actions. This isn't a "put-down," but an encouragement for us to see what the new creation family is and what lies ahead, for those who will step into it. Romans 1:17 (Amplified) says, "For in the Gospel a righteousness (which God ascribes is revealed), both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith) as it is written. The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith (Hab. 2:4)."
As new creation people, we are "living by faith" already. We were dead in sin and trespass, but God has made us "alive in Christ Jesus, by faith." Galatians 5:25 (Amplified) tells us, "If we live by the Holy Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit (If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit)."
For many years, we've been taught the carnal things of Christianity (like what's good and right), but nothing about how to develop our spirit man. Behaving properly and doing good things, are things that should derive from a developed mature spirit, instead of a restraint of the senses. I'm sure those who received Jesus as Lord, are sincere about walking with Him. We've never been taught how to develop our new creation man, but to simply subdue the outward man.
Although the outward man certainly needs to be brought into subjection to the things of God, it shouldn't be a battle to keep him out of sin. Galatians 5:16 (Amplified) says, "But I say, walk and live (habitually) in the Holy Spirit (responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit; the you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God)."
We've been taught to control the old man, by laws and rituals that have no power to control him, and have bound ourselves from enjoying the liberty of Christ. In order to develop our new creation spirit man, we must feed faith by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit into our new creation spirit. With the exception of those who are disabled or handicapped from birth, most humans have the ability to walk. We had needed to learn how to master this ability. It was easier for some to learn how to walk, than it was for others, but we all needed determination and encouragement and live, to do so.
Many have heard things teachings about faith and the walk of faith. Some have dismissed this as "foolishness" or "not for everyone." Walking by faith in the spirit realm, isn't any more strange than walking in the natural realm. This is something we must individually determine. Faith isn't something that one person has and another doesn't have, but is the Life of the new creation being. It was and is how, the new creation being exists, because it is only by faith that we can receive Life and salvation (by grace).
Every believer is born-again by faith in Christ Jesus. This faith doesn't stop at being born, but continues into the progression of maturity into love, fellowship with the Father and receiving and giving life to those around us, as well as having our prayers answered.
Faith is the Nature of God that has now come alive within the heart of every Christian. It's what connects us to the Super-natural ability and realm, from which we are now born. Everything in this natural world came from the Spirit world (or realm of God). When the Spirit of God and the Word of God, went forth from the beginning, matter and substance were formed from the Spirit realm, into the natural realm.
Faith is as "natural" to the new creation child of God, as walking is to the natural child of man. This is the way we hear, talk, walk, and receive guidance and revelation from the Father. Through the years, we've tried connecting with the Holy Spirit by our natural senses and have failed miserably. Spiritual things come and are revealed by and through the Spirit. Some might see the results of what the Spirit has done and have actually been drawn into this by natural faith After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, the believers "saw and heard" the Word that was preached and received the Holy Spirit.
This was as far as faith went for some, but for others like Phillip and Stephen (who were deacons), this faith grew into much more in their lives. Miracles, healings and sharing God with the people happened because of their faith. Today, most of the Church's faith has come by "showing restraint," from the old way of life. This is a wonderful witness for unsaved and saved alike. I'm convinced though, that our Father wants us to seek Him, like never before. He wants to develop Himself within us, so that even the unsaved (who have no faith in Him), can "see" Him, with just the natural eyes. The Father is searching for those who will use this Super-natural faith, to reveal Him to the world, as He really is.
King Saul could have done like David did and killed Goliath, but even as King, he lacked the faith to declare that "the God of Israel was God and not just a God of history." There's always been people who would go a little further with God, than others before. They were ridiculed and even shammed by the mainstream population, but we're not seeking the praises of men, only the praises of God. You and you alone, can determine how far you will dare believe and walk with the Father. No man call tell you where you must stop growing in your faith in God. You might be like Joshua and Caleb, who were the only two of two million men, who believed that God was still true in His Promise. Let God be True and every man a liar.
Friday, June 16, 2017
Lesson 232 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)."
Revelation and learning! These are not the same in the spirit realm. Teaching, without the Holy Spirit to give it Life, is no more than man's carnal mind building a new religion. Revelation is inspired and revealed into your new creation spirit, as pictures and real Life. It's not something that your ears hear, but a revealing picture that is painted by the Word of God, into your spirit. Many times, the picture is hard to speak or preach, with the fullness of what you've seen in the spirit.
Notice how Paul described his own revelation from the Lord Jesus, in 2Corinthians 12:1-4 (Amplified) saying, "True, there is nothing to be gained by it, but (as I am obliged) to boast, I will go on to visions and to revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know-God knows-was caught up to the third Heaven [Notice,how Paul wasn't certain whether he was taken up into Heaven in the flesh or in the spirit]. And I know that this man-whether in the body or away from the body I do not know, God knows. [Once again, Paul comments on his carnal mind's inability to distinguish this event accurately. In an event like the one that Paul experienced, natural thinking and explanation are overshadowed]. Verse 4 goes on, "(This man, who was Saul of Tarsis) was caught up into paradise, and he heard utterances beyond the power of man to put into words, which man is not permitted to utter."
The above revelation didn't only change the life of Saul of Tarsus, but all who've understood by the same Holy Spirit, for centuries. God changed Saul's name Paul. Paul then, began putting the things he saw and perceived in the spirit, into words. These things were so radical to the natural mind, that today's men, still struggle to understand them. Paul speaks about this event again in Galatians 1:10-11 (Amplified) saying, "For I want you to know, brethren, that the Gospel which was proclaimed and made known by me is not man's gospel (a human invention, according to or patterned after any human standard) For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it but (it came to me) through a (direct) revelation (given) by Jesus Christ (the Messiah)."
The understanding of this revelation, is strongly debated by men, throughout the world today. When we read the Words, but don't receive the revelation, we tend to put the entire thing into man's perspective. Paul revealed the things he had "seen" through revelation from Jesus, little by little. Some received it, while others didn't. The Gentiles were without God and covenant, at the time of Paul's writing, but they were happy to receive these Truths. The carnal, religious people were perplexed and jealous, because of the great liberty that the Gentiles gained with Almighty God.
When the religious men, saw what was happening to the Gentile world, they immediately set out to bring them back into subjection to their own thinking. Galatians 1:6 (Amplified) says, "I am surprised and astonished that you are so quickly turning renegade and deserting Him Who invited and called you by the grace (unmerited favor) of Christ (the Messiah)and that you are transferring your allegiance) to a different (even an opposition gospel)."
We've received and have been taught many "different gospels" from this one revelation, throughout the centuries. The Truth of salvation, as Jesus the Cornerstone and Foundation, has been the stable point in most all of them, but the revelation of who we are in Him, and Who He is in us, has been distorted, by man-made doctrines. This hasn't stopped Jesus from being preached and hasn't stopped God from performing the new birth into this world, but it has nearly stopped the furtherance of the revelation.
Paul spoke about this revelation in 2Corinthians 12:1 (Amplified) saying, "I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord." The revelation Paul received from Jesus Himself, was an ongoing revelation, that extended into the time of his departure from this earth. As Paul grew and matured in his relationship with the Lord, his revelation also continued to unfold in his Epistles to the Church.
This revelation was given by the Spirit, into Paul's spirit and natural man (with the natural mind) have no insight into it. Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified), "It is the Spirit Who gives Life (He is the Life-Giver) the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it). The Words (Truths) that I have been speaking to you are SPIRIT and LIFE." Jesus' Words and the revelation in them, must be sown into your spirit, in order to bring forth the True Revelation (or picture) of who you really are in Him.
God's Words build a picture (or image) of the true being that we have become in Christ. This picture or image, is painted in your spirit by the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in Mark 4:12 (Amplified), "They may look and look but not see and perceive, and may hear and hear but not grasp and comprehend." Only the Holy Spirit can reveal these Truths, into your spirit, by the Word (which is Spirit).
Before the resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, men were spiritually dead and couldn't perceive His Words, like we can today because of the new birth. Only those Jesus chose in His ministry, had the ability to understand the Truth of His Words. Mark 4:11 (Amplified) tells us, "And [Jesus] said to them, To you has been entrusted the mystery of the Kingdom of God (that is, the secret councils of God which are hidden from the ungodly) but for those outside (of our circle) everything became a parable."
There was no picture being revealed in the dead spirits of unsaved men, only a few truly grasped what Jesus was all about. They were moved by what they could see with their natural eyes. Today, the Church is moved more by natural eyesight, than by spiritual eyesight. Seeing in the spirit is more of a perception, than a seeing. Hearing in the spirit is more a perceiving and revealing in our spirit, than actually hearing. The natural ears and spiritual ears, don't operate on the same frequency. Hearing in the spirit is more of having a knowing or perception, than a voice. God spoke audibly to Jesus at Lazarus' tomb and although everyone "heard it," only Jesus perceived what God said. The others believed they heard thunder.
We've had difficulty separating the spirit from the soul (or carnal man). Many Christians still have trouble "hearing" the Voice of God, even though His Voice speaks to us in many ways. We've walked more in man-made doctrines, instead of Spirit Led doctrines. Even though those preaching and teaching are "good people" and sincere in their beliefs, it must be something the Spirit reveals or it's just man's ideas of what God has said.
This is why there are so many differing factions in today's Church. We must heed Paul's directions in 2Corinthians 12:1 (Amplified) and, "Go on to visions and revelations of the Lord." We receive revelation from such men as Martin Luther and stop at this one revelation of a truth, without continuing into The Truth. We must continue in the Holy Spirit's revelations of the Lord. They must agree with the Words of the revelation given to Paul and with the Word of God. This is why they must be "discerned and revealed" in and by the Holy Spirit, into your spirit. When we don't know what the Word says, we open a door to deception and eventually return to the bondage of man-made doctrines.
The new creation being was created to walk, talk, fellowship and know the Father, in an intimate relationship. We've spent so much time "educating" the natural man, and very little time bringing the new creation man into maturity of the Spirit. Prayer isn't just asking God for things and then hoping they come to pass. Prayer also involves listening to the Voice of the Spirit, as He guides us into all the Truth.
We're not to be obnoxious and overbearing, when sharing revelations from the Spirit, but we aren't to be subdued and return to man-made rituals and beliefs. Paul wasn't received as an Apostle, everywhere he went, but he still maintained his identity in Christ...no matter what. Paul met Peter and perceived Peter was living a double standard in his walk with the Gentiles and Jews. Paul stood on the Truth of the revelation and wasn't swayed by the people.
Paul never backed off or backed up, despite the hardships satan brought against him. Paul continued preaching the direct revelation, in both good and bad times, according to 2Corinthians 3:18 (Amplified) which says, "And all of us, as with unveiled face (because we) continue to behold (in the Word of God) as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His Very Image in ever increasing splendor, and from one degree of glory to another (for this comes) from the Lord (Who is) the Spirit (revealed image)."
The revelation of the new creation family of God, is our seeing ourselves in this "mirror" or the true reflection of us in Him, "from one degree of glory to another." Looking into the Word, like a mirror of the Spirit, is the revelation Paul received about the Church. The Word (by the Spirit) is reflecting this same revelation to us, as we go from "one degree of glory to another."
Revelation and learning! These are not the same in the spirit realm. Teaching, without the Holy Spirit to give it Life, is no more than man's carnal mind building a new religion. Revelation is inspired and revealed into your new creation spirit, as pictures and real Life. It's not something that your ears hear, but a revealing picture that is painted by the Word of God, into your spirit. Many times, the picture is hard to speak or preach, with the fullness of what you've seen in the spirit.
Notice how Paul described his own revelation from the Lord Jesus, in 2Corinthians 12:1-4 (Amplified) saying, "True, there is nothing to be gained by it, but (as I am obliged) to boast, I will go on to visions and to revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know-God knows-was caught up to the third Heaven [Notice,how Paul wasn't certain whether he was taken up into Heaven in the flesh or in the spirit]. And I know that this man-whether in the body or away from the body I do not know, God knows. [Once again, Paul comments on his carnal mind's inability to distinguish this event accurately. In an event like the one that Paul experienced, natural thinking and explanation are overshadowed]. Verse 4 goes on, "(This man, who was Saul of Tarsis) was caught up into paradise, and he heard utterances beyond the power of man to put into words, which man is not permitted to utter."
The above revelation didn't only change the life of Saul of Tarsus, but all who've understood by the same Holy Spirit, for centuries. God changed Saul's name Paul. Paul then, began putting the things he saw and perceived in the spirit, into words. These things were so radical to the natural mind, that today's men, still struggle to understand them. Paul speaks about this event again in Galatians 1:10-11 (Amplified) saying, "For I want you to know, brethren, that the Gospel which was proclaimed and made known by me is not man's gospel (a human invention, according to or patterned after any human standard) For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it but (it came to me) through a (direct) revelation (given) by Jesus Christ (the Messiah)."
The understanding of this revelation, is strongly debated by men, throughout the world today. When we read the Words, but don't receive the revelation, we tend to put the entire thing into man's perspective. Paul revealed the things he had "seen" through revelation from Jesus, little by little. Some received it, while others didn't. The Gentiles were without God and covenant, at the time of Paul's writing, but they were happy to receive these Truths. The carnal, religious people were perplexed and jealous, because of the great liberty that the Gentiles gained with Almighty God.
When the religious men, saw what was happening to the Gentile world, they immediately set out to bring them back into subjection to their own thinking. Galatians 1:6 (Amplified) says, "I am surprised and astonished that you are so quickly turning renegade and deserting Him Who invited and called you by the grace (unmerited favor) of Christ (the Messiah)and that you are transferring your allegiance) to a different (even an opposition gospel)."
We've received and have been taught many "different gospels" from this one revelation, throughout the centuries. The Truth of salvation, as Jesus the Cornerstone and Foundation, has been the stable point in most all of them, but the revelation of who we are in Him, and Who He is in us, has been distorted, by man-made doctrines. This hasn't stopped Jesus from being preached and hasn't stopped God from performing the new birth into this world, but it has nearly stopped the furtherance of the revelation.
Paul spoke about this revelation in 2Corinthians 12:1 (Amplified) saying, "I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord." The revelation Paul received from Jesus Himself, was an ongoing revelation, that extended into the time of his departure from this earth. As Paul grew and matured in his relationship with the Lord, his revelation also continued to unfold in his Epistles to the Church.
This revelation was given by the Spirit, into Paul's spirit and natural man (with the natural mind) have no insight into it. Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified), "It is the Spirit Who gives Life (He is the Life-Giver) the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it). The Words (Truths) that I have been speaking to you are SPIRIT and LIFE." Jesus' Words and the revelation in them, must be sown into your spirit, in order to bring forth the True Revelation (or picture) of who you really are in Him.
God's Words build a picture (or image) of the true being that we have become in Christ. This picture or image, is painted in your spirit by the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in Mark 4:12 (Amplified), "They may look and look but not see and perceive, and may hear and hear but not grasp and comprehend." Only the Holy Spirit can reveal these Truths, into your spirit, by the Word (which is Spirit).
Before the resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, men were spiritually dead and couldn't perceive His Words, like we can today because of the new birth. Only those Jesus chose in His ministry, had the ability to understand the Truth of His Words. Mark 4:11 (Amplified) tells us, "And [Jesus] said to them, To you has been entrusted the mystery of the Kingdom of God (that is, the secret councils of God which are hidden from the ungodly) but for those outside (of our circle) everything became a parable."
There was no picture being revealed in the dead spirits of unsaved men, only a few truly grasped what Jesus was all about. They were moved by what they could see with their natural eyes. Today, the Church is moved more by natural eyesight, than by spiritual eyesight. Seeing in the spirit is more of a perception, than a seeing. Hearing in the spirit is more a perceiving and revealing in our spirit, than actually hearing. The natural ears and spiritual ears, don't operate on the same frequency. Hearing in the spirit is more of having a knowing or perception, than a voice. God spoke audibly to Jesus at Lazarus' tomb and although everyone "heard it," only Jesus perceived what God said. The others believed they heard thunder.
We've had difficulty separating the spirit from the soul (or carnal man). Many Christians still have trouble "hearing" the Voice of God, even though His Voice speaks to us in many ways. We've walked more in man-made doctrines, instead of Spirit Led doctrines. Even though those preaching and teaching are "good people" and sincere in their beliefs, it must be something the Spirit reveals or it's just man's ideas of what God has said.
This is why there are so many differing factions in today's Church. We must heed Paul's directions in 2Corinthians 12:1 (Amplified) and, "Go on to visions and revelations of the Lord." We receive revelation from such men as Martin Luther and stop at this one revelation of a truth, without continuing into The Truth. We must continue in the Holy Spirit's revelations of the Lord. They must agree with the Words of the revelation given to Paul and with the Word of God. This is why they must be "discerned and revealed" in and by the Holy Spirit, into your spirit. When we don't know what the Word says, we open a door to deception and eventually return to the bondage of man-made doctrines.
The new creation being was created to walk, talk, fellowship and know the Father, in an intimate relationship. We've spent so much time "educating" the natural man, and very little time bringing the new creation man into maturity of the Spirit. Prayer isn't just asking God for things and then hoping they come to pass. Prayer also involves listening to the Voice of the Spirit, as He guides us into all the Truth.
We're not to be obnoxious and overbearing, when sharing revelations from the Spirit, but we aren't to be subdued and return to man-made rituals and beliefs. Paul wasn't received as an Apostle, everywhere he went, but he still maintained his identity in Christ...no matter what. Paul met Peter and perceived Peter was living a double standard in his walk with the Gentiles and Jews. Paul stood on the Truth of the revelation and wasn't swayed by the people.
Paul never backed off or backed up, despite the hardships satan brought against him. Paul continued preaching the direct revelation, in both good and bad times, according to 2Corinthians 3:18 (Amplified) which says, "And all of us, as with unveiled face (because we) continue to behold (in the Word of God) as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His Very Image in ever increasing splendor, and from one degree of glory to another (for this comes) from the Lord (Who is) the Spirit (revealed image)."
The revelation of the new creation family of God, is our seeing ourselves in this "mirror" or the true reflection of us in Him, "from one degree of glory to another." Looking into the Word, like a mirror of the Spirit, is the revelation Paul received about the Church. The Word (by the Spirit) is reflecting this same revelation to us, as we go from "one degree of glory to another."
Thursday, June 15, 2017
Lesson 231 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)."
The new creation family of God has spent more time being sin conscious, instead of righteousness consciousness. We've been constantly reminded of who we were, rather than who we now are in Christ Jesus. Because of this, we've never truly entered into what God, through Jesus, has created us to be. The world and man's carnal mind have focused so much on the sin, that we've failed to even see the new creation man. Satan has always tried keeping our focus off the new creation identity, leading us to believe it's for after we die and go to Heaven.
We've always heard sermons about "Going to Heaven someday," and how "This life of suffering will be worth it someday." The Church has been content with accepting this "as the way things are," and has never pressed into the newness of who we've now become, through Jesus. We've dedicated our entire Christian walk to trying not to sin and accepting whatever life has to offer us, this side of Heaven. Very few have come to the Truth of what the Father has done in and for us, in this earthly body. The return of the loss Adam faced in the Garden, has now been restored completely, through the Last Adam (Jesus).
Romans 6:11 (Amplified) tells us, "Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God (living in unbroken fellowship with Him) in Christ Jesus." We hardly ever see ourselves as being in "unbroken fellowship" with the Father. We've somehow believed that God was more aware of our failures, than He is of our efforts in "getting it right." Ever baby fails time and again, as they grow into maturity. Even as we, who were babies in Christ, will make mistakes and fail as we "grow from faith to faith."
Learning to walk in "unbroken fellowship" with the Father, requires understanding His Grace and Love for us, even as we grow. Many have stopped growing altogether and have decided that it must be God's will for us to never reach maturity in Him. Others are so consumed and distracted by the things of life, that they are content to simply "go to Heaven when they die." Man has decided what are the bare necessities for going to Heaven and only do the things they believe are required to get there.
We've been willing to take the word of others, about what God's will and grace are. We then, walk in their relationship, instead of forming our own "unbroken" relationship with the Father. I don't want a secondhand relationship with Him, but one that is intimate with Him. In Philippians 3:10 (Amplified) Paul says, "For my determined purpose is, that I may know Him (that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly); and that I may in that same way come to know the power out flowing from His resurrection (which is exerts over believers)."
Paul wasn't simply thinking about "going to Heaven when he died" or about meeting the minimal requirements for going to Heaven. Paul wanted to know what Jesus had done and he wished to know Jesus in a manner that only someone seeking Him, could know. As a new creation man, I want to know my Creator in an intimate relationship. I want to know my own Heavenly Father, in the way Jesus did. In Colossians 1:9-11(Amplified, we find a prayer that I not only receive as Paul prayed it, but one that I pray daily. Thus, he says, "For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, (your love and faith, goodness, power, wisdom) have not ceased to pray and make (special request for you) (asking) that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom (in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God) and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things. That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God (with fuller and deeper, and clear insight, acquaintance and recognition) (We pray) that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory (to exercise) every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy."
The Holy Spirit inspired to write the above prayer and it's for all who will receive of it, according to faith in the Father. I've found that there are many in the Body of Christ, who are thirsting after a closer knowledge about the Father and to know the Father Himself more deeply. Paul goes on in Colossians 1:22-23 (Amplified) saying, "Yet now has Christ (the Messiah) reconciled (you to God) in the Body of His flesh through death, in order to present you holy and faultless and irreproachable in His (the Father's) Presence. (And this He will do) providing that you continue to stay with and in the faith (in Christ) well grounded and settled and steadfast, not shifting of moving away from the hope (which rests on and is inspired by) the glad tidings (the Gospel) which you heard and which has been preached (as being designed for and offered without restrictions) to every person under Heaven, and of which (Gospel) I, Paul, became a minister."
This revelation that Jesus gave to Paul, isn't in a Parable or any other Words Jesus preached during His earthly ministry. Jesus couldn't reveal the entire content of His finished work, to the people. The above mystery was still hidden from the world and the evil one, when Jesus was on earth. It was only after His ascension and completion of the new covenant through His Blood, that Jesus could reveal it to the world. Paul was the only recipient of this revelation and was commissioned to take this Gospel into all the world, both to the Jews and the Gentiles.
We can learn who and what the new creation people are, in the Epistles. There has been so much misunderstanding of the new creation, because men have failed to distinguish between what is said in the Gospels and the Epistles. The Synopsis (the Gospels) are actually Old Testament books, written to the Old Testament people. The new covenant was was ratified only after Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected. We are not under the Law, but are new creatures under grace. We're not dead men under sin and death, but are new creation people under the Law of the Spirit of Life, in Christ Jesus. Colossians 1:26 (Amplified) tells us, "The Mystery of which was hidden for ages and generations (from angels and men), but is now revealed to His holy people (the saints)."
The new creation family of God has spent more time being sin conscious, instead of righteousness consciousness. We've been constantly reminded of who we were, rather than who we now are in Christ Jesus. Because of this, we've never truly entered into what God, through Jesus, has created us to be. The world and man's carnal mind have focused so much on the sin, that we've failed to even see the new creation man. Satan has always tried keeping our focus off the new creation identity, leading us to believe it's for after we die and go to Heaven.
We've always heard sermons about "Going to Heaven someday," and how "This life of suffering will be worth it someday." The Church has been content with accepting this "as the way things are," and has never pressed into the newness of who we've now become, through Jesus. We've dedicated our entire Christian walk to trying not to sin and accepting whatever life has to offer us, this side of Heaven. Very few have come to the Truth of what the Father has done in and for us, in this earthly body. The return of the loss Adam faced in the Garden, has now been restored completely, through the Last Adam (Jesus).
Romans 6:11 (Amplified) tells us, "Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God (living in unbroken fellowship with Him) in Christ Jesus." We hardly ever see ourselves as being in "unbroken fellowship" with the Father. We've somehow believed that God was more aware of our failures, than He is of our efforts in "getting it right." Ever baby fails time and again, as they grow into maturity. Even as we, who were babies in Christ, will make mistakes and fail as we "grow from faith to faith."
Learning to walk in "unbroken fellowship" with the Father, requires understanding His Grace and Love for us, even as we grow. Many have stopped growing altogether and have decided that it must be God's will for us to never reach maturity in Him. Others are so consumed and distracted by the things of life, that they are content to simply "go to Heaven when they die." Man has decided what are the bare necessities for going to Heaven and only do the things they believe are required to get there.
We've been willing to take the word of others, about what God's will and grace are. We then, walk in their relationship, instead of forming our own "unbroken" relationship with the Father. I don't want a secondhand relationship with Him, but one that is intimate with Him. In Philippians 3:10 (Amplified) Paul says, "For my determined purpose is, that I may know Him (that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly); and that I may in that same way come to know the power out flowing from His resurrection (which is exerts over believers)."
Paul wasn't simply thinking about "going to Heaven when he died" or about meeting the minimal requirements for going to Heaven. Paul wanted to know what Jesus had done and he wished to know Jesus in a manner that only someone seeking Him, could know. As a new creation man, I want to know my Creator in an intimate relationship. I want to know my own Heavenly Father, in the way Jesus did. In Colossians 1:9-11(Amplified, we find a prayer that I not only receive as Paul prayed it, but one that I pray daily. Thus, he says, "For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, (your love and faith, goodness, power, wisdom) have not ceased to pray and make (special request for you) (asking) that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom (in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God) and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things. That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God (with fuller and deeper, and clear insight, acquaintance and recognition) (We pray) that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory (to exercise) every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy."
The Holy Spirit inspired to write the above prayer and it's for all who will receive of it, according to faith in the Father. I've found that there are many in the Body of Christ, who are thirsting after a closer knowledge about the Father and to know the Father Himself more deeply. Paul goes on in Colossians 1:22-23 (Amplified) saying, "Yet now has Christ (the Messiah) reconciled (you to God) in the Body of His flesh through death, in order to present you holy and faultless and irreproachable in His (the Father's) Presence. (And this He will do) providing that you continue to stay with and in the faith (in Christ) well grounded and settled and steadfast, not shifting of moving away from the hope (which rests on and is inspired by) the glad tidings (the Gospel) which you heard and which has been preached (as being designed for and offered without restrictions) to every person under Heaven, and of which (Gospel) I, Paul, became a minister."
This revelation that Jesus gave to Paul, isn't in a Parable or any other Words Jesus preached during His earthly ministry. Jesus couldn't reveal the entire content of His finished work, to the people. The above mystery was still hidden from the world and the evil one, when Jesus was on earth. It was only after His ascension and completion of the new covenant through His Blood, that Jesus could reveal it to the world. Paul was the only recipient of this revelation and was commissioned to take this Gospel into all the world, both to the Jews and the Gentiles.
We can learn who and what the new creation people are, in the Epistles. There has been so much misunderstanding of the new creation, because men have failed to distinguish between what is said in the Gospels and the Epistles. The Synopsis (the Gospels) are actually Old Testament books, written to the Old Testament people. The new covenant was was ratified only after Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected. We are not under the Law, but are new creatures under grace. We're not dead men under sin and death, but are new creation people under the Law of the Spirit of Life, in Christ Jesus. Colossians 1:26 (Amplified) tells us, "The Mystery of which was hidden for ages and generations (from angels and men), but is now revealed to His holy people (the saints)."
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Lesson 230 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ has reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
One of the greatest revelations for today's Church, might be understanding who we are as new creations. Many of us read God's Word, but fail to understand what the Holy Spirit is saying to us. The world and it's culture (that we all grew up in) has successfully blended religion with reality. Our reading the Word, doesn't mean that we understand or have revelation of it. Understanding who we truly are as new creations, means we understand we never existed before being born-again. If you did exist in the Presence of God's Spirit, then you're not a new creation, but one who was revamped.
You were actually crucified, died and buried with Jesus. This isn't speaking figuratively, but is an actual Truth in God's family. We seem to identify more with the old man, because of things we hear and constantly being reminded of. Even though you're still in your earthly body (or "house," as Paul calls it), the one who now lives in this house, isn't the same you, because you're a new creation. For the first time in your days on this planet, you are now alive in your spirit man and your spirit has born from death to life.
For many of us, the word "righteous," is a religious word that describes our behavior. Although behavior is part of being righteous, this isn't what being righteous is about. When Adam transgress in the Garden of Eden and was separated from God's Presence, he lost his right to stand in God's Presence. Since his sin was transmitted to all of mankind through him, "None were righteous, not one." B says,eing "ingrafted in Christ Jesus," and being a new creation through Him, has restored the legal right for us to come before God again.
All of our legal right in the Kingdom, ow come through our new creation man, in Christ Jesus. Man had no right to come into God's Presence and His Throne of Grace. Massive amounts of blood from lambs, goats and bulls covered man's trespasses in the old covenant, but never removed them. Very few people could enter the place where the Ark of the Covenant was placed. The slightest mistake made during their entering this place, could bring death to that person. Now, the Blood of Jesus not only covers our sins, but it removes all stains of sin. Jesus's Blood not only allows us to come before God, but it actually brought us to God in Himself. Being ingrafted in Jesus, means that we enter in through Him, with Him and in Him. John 17 says, we have become "one with Him, just as He and the Father are One." Every time we enter into God's Presence, it's like Jesus Himself is doing so, because we are "one with Him."
Satan has done his best, to limit the Body of Christ to simple religious ideas, instead of revelation Truth. Mostly, we only think of ourselves as being spirit, when we die. The Church hasn't been taught about thinking as spirit people and developing as spirit people. We continue to see ourselves as fallen man and sinners, instead of new creation people who Jesus raised up with Himself at His resurrection.
We see the resurrection as a future event and not as something that happened when we were born-again. It's true that there will be a future resurrection of the body, but our spirit man was resurrected and made alive with Jesus already. This is why we are a new creation. The dead spirit (dead in trespass and sin) was made alive by the Holy Spirit and was resurrected from the dead as a new creation. We are brand new, like the Heavens and earth were "brand new," when God spoke them into existence.
Until God spoke the Heavens into existence, they didn't exist. The new creation didn't exist, until Jesus (Who is God's Word) spoke and was declared to be the Firstborn from the dead. This kind of being (the new creation) didn't exist in all creation, until then. We've spent more time involved with the carnal man and his weakness, rather than on the new man and his strength in the Father. Romans 5:17 (Amplified) says, "For if because of one man's trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive (God's) overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free Gift of righteousness (putting them into right standing with Himself) reign as kings in life, through the One Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."
We've been taught and trained by our carnal thinking, to try controlling the flesh, by the flesh. Although there is some strength in our willpower to control our behavior, we haven't been taught to draw out of our new creation spirit for strength. Proverbs 20:27 (Amplified) says, "The spirit of man (that factor in human personality which proceeds immediately from God) is the Lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts."
As our new creation spirit is turned to the Holy Spirit, to seeking wisdom from God, it draws strength, wisdom, understand and power in unity with Christ Jesus. Our carnal minds begin surrendering to the Mind of Christ and our carnal behavior begins to submit to our new being. The fight is now one of faith, in our union with Christ, instead of our own strength, willpower and ritual. Proverbs 22:17-21 (Amplified) says, "Listen (consent and submit) to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to My knowledge; For it will be pleasant if you keep them in your mind (believing them) your lips will be accustomed to (confessing) them. So that your trust (belief, reliance, support and confidence) may be in the Lord. I have made known these things to you today, even to you Have I not written to you (long ago) excellent things in counsels and knowledge To make you know the certainty of the Words of Truth, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you."
The balance between exalting yourself and having God exalt you, is having humility in what God says about you and what you say about yourself. Walking in true humility does mean disagreeing with what God says about you and debasing yourself. If God says you're "righteous in Him,"then who are you to say that you're not righteous? If God says you're a new creation son or daughter, then who are you to say that you're just an old sinner, saved by grace? If God says you're "justified, consecrated and declared righteous," then who are we to say, "Jesus wasn't enough to make us clean and in right standing with God?" This is pride and false humility, of the flesh.
Jesus didn't think it was prideful or arrogant to declare that, "He and the Father are One." He wasn't being boastful, when He said He was the Son of God and that God was His Father. Jesus simply said what God said about Him. This is what upset the carnally minded religious people of Jesus' time. Jesus was bold in Who God said He was and they couldn't stand that.
In most of today's congregations, many people find it prideful and arrogant when we dare say what God says about us. The truth though, is it's arrogant and prideful to say you're not what God says about you. When we don't understand this simply Truth, we're actually declaring in the Face of God that, "Jesus wasn't enough to totally cleanse and redeem us" and that, "We need another sacrifice to do so," or "We'll finish the job on our own." We are to submit to righteousness and "sin not." We are to put on the new man and walk in Him. We need to understand all of what Jesus did for us.
We must trust in the Word and learn to walk in it, so that all the other things will cease, according to Galatians 5:16 (Amplified), which says, "But I say, walk and live (habitually) in the Holy Spirit (responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit) then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God)."
One of the greatest revelations for today's Church, might be understanding who we are as new creations. Many of us read God's Word, but fail to understand what the Holy Spirit is saying to us. The world and it's culture (that we all grew up in) has successfully blended religion with reality. Our reading the Word, doesn't mean that we understand or have revelation of it. Understanding who we truly are as new creations, means we understand we never existed before being born-again. If you did exist in the Presence of God's Spirit, then you're not a new creation, but one who was revamped.
You were actually crucified, died and buried with Jesus. This isn't speaking figuratively, but is an actual Truth in God's family. We seem to identify more with the old man, because of things we hear and constantly being reminded of. Even though you're still in your earthly body (or "house," as Paul calls it), the one who now lives in this house, isn't the same you, because you're a new creation. For the first time in your days on this planet, you are now alive in your spirit man and your spirit has born from death to life.
For many of us, the word "righteous," is a religious word that describes our behavior. Although behavior is part of being righteous, this isn't what being righteous is about. When Adam transgress in the Garden of Eden and was separated from God's Presence, he lost his right to stand in God's Presence. Since his sin was transmitted to all of mankind through him, "None were righteous, not one." B says,eing "ingrafted in Christ Jesus," and being a new creation through Him, has restored the legal right for us to come before God again.
All of our legal right in the Kingdom, ow come through our new creation man, in Christ Jesus. Man had no right to come into God's Presence and His Throne of Grace. Massive amounts of blood from lambs, goats and bulls covered man's trespasses in the old covenant, but never removed them. Very few people could enter the place where the Ark of the Covenant was placed. The slightest mistake made during their entering this place, could bring death to that person. Now, the Blood of Jesus not only covers our sins, but it removes all stains of sin. Jesus's Blood not only allows us to come before God, but it actually brought us to God in Himself. Being ingrafted in Jesus, means that we enter in through Him, with Him and in Him. John 17 says, we have become "one with Him, just as He and the Father are One." Every time we enter into God's Presence, it's like Jesus Himself is doing so, because we are "one with Him."
Satan has done his best, to limit the Body of Christ to simple religious ideas, instead of revelation Truth. Mostly, we only think of ourselves as being spirit, when we die. The Church hasn't been taught about thinking as spirit people and developing as spirit people. We continue to see ourselves as fallen man and sinners, instead of new creation people who Jesus raised up with Himself at His resurrection.
We see the resurrection as a future event and not as something that happened when we were born-again. It's true that there will be a future resurrection of the body, but our spirit man was resurrected and made alive with Jesus already. This is why we are a new creation. The dead spirit (dead in trespass and sin) was made alive by the Holy Spirit and was resurrected from the dead as a new creation. We are brand new, like the Heavens and earth were "brand new," when God spoke them into existence.
Until God spoke the Heavens into existence, they didn't exist. The new creation didn't exist, until Jesus (Who is God's Word) spoke and was declared to be the Firstborn from the dead. This kind of being (the new creation) didn't exist in all creation, until then. We've spent more time involved with the carnal man and his weakness, rather than on the new man and his strength in the Father. Romans 5:17 (Amplified) says, "For if because of one man's trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive (God's) overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free Gift of righteousness (putting them into right standing with Himself) reign as kings in life, through the One Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."
We've been taught and trained by our carnal thinking, to try controlling the flesh, by the flesh. Although there is some strength in our willpower to control our behavior, we haven't been taught to draw out of our new creation spirit for strength. Proverbs 20:27 (Amplified) says, "The spirit of man (that factor in human personality which proceeds immediately from God) is the Lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts."
As our new creation spirit is turned to the Holy Spirit, to seeking wisdom from God, it draws strength, wisdom, understand and power in unity with Christ Jesus. Our carnal minds begin surrendering to the Mind of Christ and our carnal behavior begins to submit to our new being. The fight is now one of faith, in our union with Christ, instead of our own strength, willpower and ritual. Proverbs 22:17-21 (Amplified) says, "Listen (consent and submit) to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to My knowledge; For it will be pleasant if you keep them in your mind (believing them) your lips will be accustomed to (confessing) them. So that your trust (belief, reliance, support and confidence) may be in the Lord. I have made known these things to you today, even to you Have I not written to you (long ago) excellent things in counsels and knowledge To make you know the certainty of the Words of Truth, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you."
The balance between exalting yourself and having God exalt you, is having humility in what God says about you and what you say about yourself. Walking in true humility does mean disagreeing with what God says about you and debasing yourself. If God says you're "righteous in Him,"then who are you to say that you're not righteous? If God says you're a new creation son or daughter, then who are you to say that you're just an old sinner, saved by grace? If God says you're "justified, consecrated and declared righteous," then who are we to say, "Jesus wasn't enough to make us clean and in right standing with God?" This is pride and false humility, of the flesh.
Jesus didn't think it was prideful or arrogant to declare that, "He and the Father are One." He wasn't being boastful, when He said He was the Son of God and that God was His Father. Jesus simply said what God said about Him. This is what upset the carnally minded religious people of Jesus' time. Jesus was bold in Who God said He was and they couldn't stand that.
In most of today's congregations, many people find it prideful and arrogant when we dare say what God says about us. The truth though, is it's arrogant and prideful to say you're not what God says about you. When we don't understand this simply Truth, we're actually declaring in the Face of God that, "Jesus wasn't enough to totally cleanse and redeem us" and that, "We need another sacrifice to do so," or "We'll finish the job on our own." We are to submit to righteousness and "sin not." We are to put on the new man and walk in Him. We need to understand all of what Jesus did for us.
We must trust in the Word and learn to walk in it, so that all the other things will cease, according to Galatians 5:16 (Amplified), which says, "But I say, walk and live (habitually) in the Holy Spirit (responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit) then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God)."
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Lesson 229 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)."
God's Word tells us what Jesus' Sacrifice has done for us. We can read and comprehend the words we read, but only revelation from the Holy Spirit, can give us the Truth of the Mystery of the new creation man. Paul says something in Galatians 1:16 (Amplified) that without revelation, goes mostly unnoticed. Thus, he says, "To reveal (unveil, disclose) His Son within me so that I might proclaim Him among the Gentiles."
For some reason, we seem to believe that Jesus is "within" us, but we act like we're still only flesh and blood people. Aside from changing our natural habits and abstaining from sins of the flesh, we see very little proof of the fact that He actually dwells "within" us. God did in reverse, what happened with Adam in the Garden. In the Garden, Adam died in the spirit (he disconnected from the Life and Spirit of God) and now only lived as a natural man. Jesus came Alive in the Spirit and now by Him, God has proclaimed that the natural, fleshly, sinful man was pronounced dead and once again, the spirit man is made alive to God.
Romans 6:3-6 (Amplified) says, "Are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by the baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious (power) of the Father, so we too might (habitually) live and behave in the newness of Life). For if we have become one with Him by sharing a death like His, we shall also be (one with Him in sharing) His resurrection (by a new life lived for God)." Verse 6 gives us the revelation of what the previous Verses mean to us now in this life, saying, "We know that our old (unrenewed) self was nailed to the cross with Him in order that (our) body (which is the instrument) of sin might be made (ineffective and inactive for evil, that we might no longer be the slaves of sin)."
We can more easily understand what Paul was saying in Romans 12:1-2 (Amplified), "I appeal to you therefore brethren, and beg of you in view of (all) the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies (presenting all your members and faculties) as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship." Verse 2 goes on, "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), so that you may prove (for yourselves) what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect (in His sight for you)."
Even though we read from the Word, that our new creation spirit man is made "perfect" in Christ Jesus, most of our time is spent keeping our now dead body-dead, instead of feeding our new man on the Word. We've fallen back into the customs of this age and spend more time with the dead man, instead of our new man who is now living in Christ. Galatians 5:16 (Amplified) says, "But I say, walk and live (habitually) in the Holy Spirit (responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit): then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God)."
If we received revelation of the Truth about what has done in us through Jesus, then we would bring the flesh (senses) into the light of the new creation man and how that is the only part of us that God considers "alive to Him." God already considers our bodies dead, but satan still tries keeping our focus and attention on that dead body and not our new nature and new creation man.
For millennia, we've been taught to be sin conscience, rather than "righteous" conscience. We're constantly reminded of the weaknesses of the flesh, more than the strength of God in our new creation lives. Galatians 5:24-26 (Amplified) goes on about the new man versus the conduct of the dead man and the senses, saying, "And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires. If we live by the Holy Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit (if by the Holy Spirit we have our Life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit). Let us not become vain, glorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another."
Verse 26 is about the works of the dead man, the flesh and the sense and is not about the new creation man, who is after the spirit. The awesome things about the new creation man, is that even if no one else believes is, it will still work for those who believe. Romans 3:3-4 (Amplified) says, "What if some did not believe and were without faith? Does their lack of faith and their faithlessness nullify and make ineffective and void the faithfulness of God and His fidelity (to His Word)? By no means! Let God be found True though every human being is false and a liar, as it is written, that you may be justified and shown to be upright in what you say, and prevail when you are judged (by sinful men)."
Many have received a portion of the Truth and left the rest, but that doesn't make what they have not received, not True. For those who will walk in line with the Holy Spirit, "All things are possible to those who believe." Today, many teach that miracles, signs and wonders have "passed away," but that doesn't mean these things have passed away. We were called to walk out our witness in the power of the Holy Spirit, not by debates and the arguments of man's reasonings. If we are to reason, then let us do like the Lord has called us to do, in Isaiah 1:18-19 (Amplified) which says, "Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool." Do you know what happens to "crimson sins" when they are placed in "crimson Blood?" They are no longer visible!!! Verse 19 goes on, "If you are willing and obedient you shall eat the good of the land." One can be obedient, while still having his will set against God in many areas of his life. If I'm not willing to take God's Word over the things I have learned (even though I'm obedient to the things I've learned), then I'm unwilling to go beyond my intellect and teachings to "eat the good of the land."
When God directed me to "Go to New York and start this ministry," I was obedient to go, but I murmured and complained about the weather, the people, and nearly everything that came up. When I confronted the Lord about why things weren't working (like I thought they should), because I was obedient to go, He simply answered, "You have moved in obedience, but your will has been set against Me from the start." God told me, "You have murmured and complained against Me and your heart is still in the place I have chosen you from."
It might seem strange that we cam be obedient and still not be willing. One would think that by moving, I proved my will through that obedience. But, God thought otherwise. There's an old saying, "You can make me say 'Uncle,' but you cannot make me mean it." As kids, we would wrestle and if we got pinned down, then we would say "Uncle." I might say, "Uncle," but in my heart, I hadn't given up. I was only held down by force and wanted to get up again. God doesn't want me "by force," but He wants me "by a willing heart."
Many want God to simply "force Himself upon us," and make us do what He wants us to do. God will not do this. Only when we are willing to yield to Him, can God use us in things He desires to do through us. John 6:17-18 (Amplified) says, "If any man desires to do His will (God's pleasure) he will know (have the needed illumination to recognize, and can tell for himself) whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking from myself and of my own accord and on my own authority). He who speaks on his own authority seeks to win honor for himself (he whose teachings originate with himself seeks his own glory) But he who seeks the glory and is eager for the honor of Him Who sent him, he is true and there is no unrighteousness or falsehood or deception in Him."
These scriptures are speaking about Jesus Himself, but the principle is True for every believer who is taught by the Holy Spirit. Paul says in Galatians 1:11-12 (Amplified), "For I want you to know brethren, that the Gospel which was proclaimed and made know by me is not man's gospel (a human invention, according to or patterned after any human standard) For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it (but it came to me) through a (direct) revelation (given) by Jesus Christ (the Messiah)." Man's "gospel" has omitted many things, by man's teachings. The "Gospel" that was given to Paul, has not omitted anything that Jesus gave him by revelation. Only revelation can "reveal it" to us now and this revelation is available to all those who are "willing and obedient."
God's Word tells us what Jesus' Sacrifice has done for us. We can read and comprehend the words we read, but only revelation from the Holy Spirit, can give us the Truth of the Mystery of the new creation man. Paul says something in Galatians 1:16 (Amplified) that without revelation, goes mostly unnoticed. Thus, he says, "To reveal (unveil, disclose) His Son within me so that I might proclaim Him among the Gentiles."
For some reason, we seem to believe that Jesus is "within" us, but we act like we're still only flesh and blood people. Aside from changing our natural habits and abstaining from sins of the flesh, we see very little proof of the fact that He actually dwells "within" us. God did in reverse, what happened with Adam in the Garden. In the Garden, Adam died in the spirit (he disconnected from the Life and Spirit of God) and now only lived as a natural man. Jesus came Alive in the Spirit and now by Him, God has proclaimed that the natural, fleshly, sinful man was pronounced dead and once again, the spirit man is made alive to God.
Romans 6:3-6 (Amplified) says, "Are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by the baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious (power) of the Father, so we too might (habitually) live and behave in the newness of Life). For if we have become one with Him by sharing a death like His, we shall also be (one with Him in sharing) His resurrection (by a new life lived for God)." Verse 6 gives us the revelation of what the previous Verses mean to us now in this life, saying, "We know that our old (unrenewed) self was nailed to the cross with Him in order that (our) body (which is the instrument) of sin might be made (ineffective and inactive for evil, that we might no longer be the slaves of sin)."
We can more easily understand what Paul was saying in Romans 12:1-2 (Amplified), "I appeal to you therefore brethren, and beg of you in view of (all) the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies (presenting all your members and faculties) as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship." Verse 2 goes on, "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), so that you may prove (for yourselves) what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect (in His sight for you)."
Even though we read from the Word, that our new creation spirit man is made "perfect" in Christ Jesus, most of our time is spent keeping our now dead body-dead, instead of feeding our new man on the Word. We've fallen back into the customs of this age and spend more time with the dead man, instead of our new man who is now living in Christ. Galatians 5:16 (Amplified) says, "But I say, walk and live (habitually) in the Holy Spirit (responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit): then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God)."
If we received revelation of the Truth about what has done in us through Jesus, then we would bring the flesh (senses) into the light of the new creation man and how that is the only part of us that God considers "alive to Him." God already considers our bodies dead, but satan still tries keeping our focus and attention on that dead body and not our new nature and new creation man.
For millennia, we've been taught to be sin conscience, rather than "righteous" conscience. We're constantly reminded of the weaknesses of the flesh, more than the strength of God in our new creation lives. Galatians 5:24-26 (Amplified) goes on about the new man versus the conduct of the dead man and the senses, saying, "And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires. If we live by the Holy Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit (if by the Holy Spirit we have our Life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit). Let us not become vain, glorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another."
Verse 26 is about the works of the dead man, the flesh and the sense and is not about the new creation man, who is after the spirit. The awesome things about the new creation man, is that even if no one else believes is, it will still work for those who believe. Romans 3:3-4 (Amplified) says, "What if some did not believe and were without faith? Does their lack of faith and their faithlessness nullify and make ineffective and void the faithfulness of God and His fidelity (to His Word)? By no means! Let God be found True though every human being is false and a liar, as it is written, that you may be justified and shown to be upright in what you say, and prevail when you are judged (by sinful men)."
Many have received a portion of the Truth and left the rest, but that doesn't make what they have not received, not True. For those who will walk in line with the Holy Spirit, "All things are possible to those who believe." Today, many teach that miracles, signs and wonders have "passed away," but that doesn't mean these things have passed away. We were called to walk out our witness in the power of the Holy Spirit, not by debates and the arguments of man's reasonings. If we are to reason, then let us do like the Lord has called us to do, in Isaiah 1:18-19 (Amplified) which says, "Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool." Do you know what happens to "crimson sins" when they are placed in "crimson Blood?" They are no longer visible!!! Verse 19 goes on, "If you are willing and obedient you shall eat the good of the land." One can be obedient, while still having his will set against God in many areas of his life. If I'm not willing to take God's Word over the things I have learned (even though I'm obedient to the things I've learned), then I'm unwilling to go beyond my intellect and teachings to "eat the good of the land."
When God directed me to "Go to New York and start this ministry," I was obedient to go, but I murmured and complained about the weather, the people, and nearly everything that came up. When I confronted the Lord about why things weren't working (like I thought they should), because I was obedient to go, He simply answered, "You have moved in obedience, but your will has been set against Me from the start." God told me, "You have murmured and complained against Me and your heart is still in the place I have chosen you from."
It might seem strange that we cam be obedient and still not be willing. One would think that by moving, I proved my will through that obedience. But, God thought otherwise. There's an old saying, "You can make me say 'Uncle,' but you cannot make me mean it." As kids, we would wrestle and if we got pinned down, then we would say "Uncle." I might say, "Uncle," but in my heart, I hadn't given up. I was only held down by force and wanted to get up again. God doesn't want me "by force," but He wants me "by a willing heart."
Many want God to simply "force Himself upon us," and make us do what He wants us to do. God will not do this. Only when we are willing to yield to Him, can God use us in things He desires to do through us. John 6:17-18 (Amplified) says, "If any man desires to do His will (God's pleasure) he will know (have the needed illumination to recognize, and can tell for himself) whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking from myself and of my own accord and on my own authority). He who speaks on his own authority seeks to win honor for himself (he whose teachings originate with himself seeks his own glory) But he who seeks the glory and is eager for the honor of Him Who sent him, he is true and there is no unrighteousness or falsehood or deception in Him."
These scriptures are speaking about Jesus Himself, but the principle is True for every believer who is taught by the Holy Spirit. Paul says in Galatians 1:11-12 (Amplified), "For I want you to know brethren, that the Gospel which was proclaimed and made know by me is not man's gospel (a human invention, according to or patterned after any human standard) For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it (but it came to me) through a (direct) revelation (given) by Jesus Christ (the Messiah)." Man's "gospel" has omitted many things, by man's teachings. The "Gospel" that was given to Paul, has not omitted anything that Jesus gave him by revelation. Only revelation can "reveal it" to us now and this revelation is available to all those who are "willing and obedient."
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Lesson 228 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)."
Having a distorted, religious understanding of what it means to be righteous, has resulted in what might be the greatest gulf between the Church and the Father. As "the redeemed of the Lord," we've been paid for and justified by the Father, through the Sacrifice of His Son Jesus. Isaiah 54:17 (Amplified) says, "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 of the vindication which they obtain from Me (this is that which I impart to them as their justification) says the Lord."
This "righteousness" isn't some religious sounding word, we use to impress others with. This is a state of legal, spiritual Law that must be enforced by the courts and standards of God's Laws. God is "Just in what He does" and all the Laws He sets forth are "forever settled in Heaven." God cannot overlook the breaking of these Laws. I'm not speaking about the Law of Moses, but about the eternal Laws that govern Life and eternity.
When Adam transgressed in the Garden of Eden, he did more than eat fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, like religion has led us to believe. Adam transgressed the Laws of God's court and his transgression became a spiritual disease, that was transferred through the spirit of every child born into the human race. This disease is called "sin" and separated God from His family, shutting the Life of God off to all of mankind, because of Adam's treasonous action.
This act of treason (sin) resulted in the separation between God and mankind. Adam was the father of all flesh and his act of treason not only resulted in his being cast out of the Garden, but resulted in mankind's losing the right to stand justly in God's Presence. Isaiah 54:17 (Amplified) again says, "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."
1Timothy 3:16 (Amplified) says, "Now listen, all that are in Christ Jesus! And great and important and weighty, we confess, is the hidden Truth (the mystic secret) of Godliness. He (God) was made visible in human flesh, justified and vindicated in the Holy Spirit, was seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, (and) taken up in glory." We can now see what the Prophet Isaiah may not have seen, even though he was the one through whom the Lord spoke. God said that our "right to stand before Him" as "clean, justified, in right standing again" would be "of Him." We, the new creation people, know that this awesome Truth was carried out in Jesus.
We were "in Him," when Jesus died. We died with Him and were buried with Him. When Jesus was raised from the dead and declared to be in right standing (or had the right to stand before God again), we were raised and made in right standing with God, too. We were granted this same right to stand again in the Presence of God. When Jesus was justified, we were justified and when He was raised into the place with the Father, we were raised and seated together with Him.
Now, we see why God said, "This is the righteousness or vindication which they obtain from Me (that which I impart to them as their justification) says the Lord." When we deny our justification or right standing with the Father, we are denying the redemptive part of Jesus' Sacrifice. Remember, Jesus didn't have to do this for Himself, because He was already just, righteous and not in need of vindication. He did this so we could be just, righteous, and not needing vindication. Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified) says, "For we are God's (Own) handiwork (His workmanship) recreated in Christ Jesus (born anew) that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us (taking paths which He prepared ahead of time) that we should walk in them (living the good life which He pre-arranged and made ready for us to live)."
Jesus has brought us back from the dead (the result of Adam's transgression) and in Him, we are fully restored and accepted again in the Father's House. The plans the Father had for His family in the beginning were lost in Adam, but Jesus' Sacrifice has restored and implemented them. God didn't simply bring a family into the earth and then try to figure out what to do with them. He had "pre-arranged" and planned out and made ready a "good life" for us to live.
Whatever God's plan for His family was before Adam's fall, is now made available for the new creation family to walk and live again through Jesus Christ. The first persons who could understand Isaiah's prophecy about the new creation people, were Jesus and His very early disciples. It didn't take the enemy long, though, to try bringing things back under his control, through man-made religions and traditions. We witness the Super-natural Spirit of God living in His people, in the early Church. Satan knew he had no authority to control these new creation people, in the spirit realm. He needed to once again, make them operate in the life of the flesh (the sense realm). Satan is the "god of this world" and if he could bring the Church back into the world, then he could still control it, through deception.
Man-made ideas, laws, tradition, control, strife, division and even witchcraft, were introduced into the Church by the world, until the Church began losing it's salt and light. Instead of displaying the Gospel we began debating the Gospel. We tried coaxing the people in the Church, to "be good." When we understand who we really have become in Jesus, then the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ will again be transfigured for all the world to see. The world will once again see Jesus. We're almost there. We are growing in revelation and learning God's Wisdom for these last days. Soon the Glory of the Lord will shine out from His people, and everyone (from the least to the greatest) will know that Jesus Christ is Lord, for the glory of the Father.
Having a distorted, religious understanding of what it means to be righteous, has resulted in what might be the greatest gulf between the Church and the Father. As "the redeemed of the Lord," we've been paid for and justified by the Father, through the Sacrifice of His Son Jesus. Isaiah 54:17 (Amplified) says, "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 of the vindication which they obtain from Me (this is that which I impart to them as their justification) says the Lord."
This "righteousness" isn't some religious sounding word, we use to impress others with. This is a state of legal, spiritual Law that must be enforced by the courts and standards of God's Laws. God is "Just in what He does" and all the Laws He sets forth are "forever settled in Heaven." God cannot overlook the breaking of these Laws. I'm not speaking about the Law of Moses, but about the eternal Laws that govern Life and eternity.
When Adam transgressed in the Garden of Eden, he did more than eat fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, like religion has led us to believe. Adam transgressed the Laws of God's court and his transgression became a spiritual disease, that was transferred through the spirit of every child born into the human race. This disease is called "sin" and separated God from His family, shutting the Life of God off to all of mankind, because of Adam's treasonous action.
This act of treason (sin) resulted in the separation between God and mankind. Adam was the father of all flesh and his act of treason not only resulted in his being cast out of the Garden, but resulted in mankind's losing the right to stand justly in God's Presence. Isaiah 54:17 (Amplified) again says, "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."
1Timothy 3:16 (Amplified) says, "Now listen, all that are in Christ Jesus! And great and important and weighty, we confess, is the hidden Truth (the mystic secret) of Godliness. He (God) was made visible in human flesh, justified and vindicated in the Holy Spirit, was seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, (and) taken up in glory." We can now see what the Prophet Isaiah may not have seen, even though he was the one through whom the Lord spoke. God said that our "right to stand before Him" as "clean, justified, in right standing again" would be "of Him." We, the new creation people, know that this awesome Truth was carried out in Jesus.
We were "in Him," when Jesus died. We died with Him and were buried with Him. When Jesus was raised from the dead and declared to be in right standing (or had the right to stand before God again), we were raised and made in right standing with God, too. We were granted this same right to stand again in the Presence of God. When Jesus was justified, we were justified and when He was raised into the place with the Father, we were raised and seated together with Him.
Now, we see why God said, "This is the righteousness or vindication which they obtain from Me (that which I impart to them as their justification) says the Lord." When we deny our justification or right standing with the Father, we are denying the redemptive part of Jesus' Sacrifice. Remember, Jesus didn't have to do this for Himself, because He was already just, righteous and not in need of vindication. He did this so we could be just, righteous, and not needing vindication. Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified) says, "For we are God's (Own) handiwork (His workmanship) recreated in Christ Jesus (born anew) that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us (taking paths which He prepared ahead of time) that we should walk in them (living the good life which He pre-arranged and made ready for us to live)."
Jesus has brought us back from the dead (the result of Adam's transgression) and in Him, we are fully restored and accepted again in the Father's House. The plans the Father had for His family in the beginning were lost in Adam, but Jesus' Sacrifice has restored and implemented them. God didn't simply bring a family into the earth and then try to figure out what to do with them. He had "pre-arranged" and planned out and made ready a "good life" for us to live.
Whatever God's plan for His family was before Adam's fall, is now made available for the new creation family to walk and live again through Jesus Christ. The first persons who could understand Isaiah's prophecy about the new creation people, were Jesus and His very early disciples. It didn't take the enemy long, though, to try bringing things back under his control, through man-made religions and traditions. We witness the Super-natural Spirit of God living in His people, in the early Church. Satan knew he had no authority to control these new creation people, in the spirit realm. He needed to once again, make them operate in the life of the flesh (the sense realm). Satan is the "god of this world" and if he could bring the Church back into the world, then he could still control it, through deception.
Man-made ideas, laws, tradition, control, strife, division and even witchcraft, were introduced into the Church by the world, until the Church began losing it's salt and light. Instead of displaying the Gospel we began debating the Gospel. We tried coaxing the people in the Church, to "be good." When we understand who we really have become in Jesus, then the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ will again be transfigured for all the world to see. The world will once again see Jesus. We're almost there. We are growing in revelation and learning God's Wisdom for these last days. Soon the Glory of the Lord will shine out from His people, and everyone (from the least to the greatest) will know that Jesus Christ is Lord, for the glory of the Father.
Monday, June 5, 2017
Lesson 227 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ has reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
God's Word tells us about the things Jesus did for us and how He has paid the price for our salvation. We read these Truths, but view them as being for sometime in the future. God is the righteous Judge of all things and mankind's redemption had to be done legally in the courts of justice, nothing was left to chance. When reading the Gospels, we've failed to realize that Jesus didn't only pay the Price for us, but as the Body of Christ, He actually took us to the cross with Him.
Paul says that we are His Body, in Galatians 2:20 (Amplified), saying, "I have been crucified with Christ (in Him I have shared His crucifixion); it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God Who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
The above scripture isn't an allegory or metaphor that we quote, but it's a legal right to be completely exonerated from the persons we once were and stand in the place as a new creation family member of God's House. Paul said, "It's no longer I who lives, but Christ Who lives in me." My life is His Life and although I died with Him on the cross, I live through faith in Him. The legal aspect of our redemption is our past. 2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) says, "Behold, old things are past away and all things have become new." The other side of our redemption is, taking our place in the family, by faith in Him, because we were crucified with Jesus and the penalty for our sins has been paid. Jesus was crucified in our place and we actually died with Him. When we understand the legal terms of our salvation and know that God accepted Jesus as our Substitute, as if it was actually you and me on the cross.
In order to walk in the vital understanding of our redemption, we must by faith, accept this Truth and live His Life through us now in this flesh and blood body. Paul said, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me," because he understood the Truth that he died with Jesus and now live the Life that was in the Resurrected Jesus. We've failed to see that "in Him," we have shared everything that Jesus has done and is. Galatians 2:20 (Amplified) says, "I was crucified with Him." Colossians 2:12 (Amplified) says, "We were buried with Him." 1Timothy 3:15 (Amplified) says, "We were justified with Him." Colossians 2:13 (Amplified) says, "We were made alive with Him." Ephesians 2:6 (Amplified( says, "He raised us up with Him and made us to sit with Him in the Heavenlies in Christ Jesus."
God didn't just place my sins upon Jesus, but He actually put me in Jesus. In God's mind, it was you and me on the cross, in the pit, and in the grave. It was you and me who were justified, declared righteous, and restored back to our place as the "redeemed of the Lord" and "sons and daughters" in God's family. We were identified with Him, in every aspect of His Sacrifice, from the cross to the resurrection. It was as if I went with Him to the cross, suffered the shame and guilt, died, was resurrected in victory and was justified.
We have identified with Jesus as the Substitute for our sins and His paying the price for our transgressions, but we've failed to to realize that the identity didn't stop there. It includes being made righteous and justified and raised already with Him and are seated with Him. We are already His Body. If the Head is seated at God's right hand, then the Body is also seated there in power, authority and in His Name. By faith, we've been granted the Power of Attorney to us His Name, as our own, as His Body.
Knowing the legal aspects without knowing the vital aspects, only creates a religious understanding, bringing man's idea of walking in our redemption. Knowing the vital aspects without understand the legal aspects of our redemption, brings strange things that magnify experience above the Word. Many have sought so-called "manifestations" of the Holy Spirit, which led them to a place of deception and error. Some remained on the "legal" side of redemption and established rules to govern man, which offered no deliverance to mankind. Going beyond the cross to the resurrection of Jesus, is a place where most of us have had differing understandings about God's Word.
We cannot only identify with Jesus on the cross as being our Substitute, without also identifying with His resurrection. If Jesus wasn't raised from death, then we weren't raised. If Jesus was raised, then we were and are raised "in Him" and "with Him." If we are truly in Him, then God's sees us like He sees Jesus, according to 1John 4:17 (Amplified) which says, "In this (union and communion 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."
The carnal mind is unable to comprehend this, because it must be spiritually discerned. The carnal mind cannot understand the things that only the Holy Spirit can reveal. Reading these things by only man's intellect and not the Spirit, has resulted in man's building many doctrines about becoming a Christian. If you've received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are already a Christian and a child of God. You don't need to try becoming what God has already birthed you to be. We need to grow up, in what God has already created us to be, new creations.
We have so many different ideas about what a Christian should be, and we've made it nearly impossible to be one. Different denominations have determined that you must do this or that to grow as Christians, but only the Holy Spirit and the Word can produce the maturing of God's children. 1Peter 1:23 (Amplified) tells us, "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."
Natural man has no idea of how we are to mature as Christians, because we are a Super-natural being, from the Spirit of God and His Word. As natural men, we've determined that we are to abstain from sin (which is very true), but we haven't been taught much about how to function as spirit beings, in righteousness and union with our Father. We've yet to understand that righteousness is more than conduct and that it is a Gift of Grace by our Father in Christ Jesus. When we understand that you "have been made" to be the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ, it will change your entire relationship with the Father. Being a Christian and continuing to confess you are not righteous, is telling God that, "Jesus is not enough to make you righteous." Telling God that "Jesus isn't enough for you to be righteous," seems like a defiant thing to say to God.
We have received His righteousness, when we received Him. It's not your righteousness that you depend on to bring you into God's Throne of Grace...it is His righteousness. We learn how to walk in who we were made to be as new creations, by the Word and the Holy Spirit. The world would mold you back into the image it has of God and His Church. Only the Holy Spirit, can reveal to you, who you really are.
We've determined holiness and righteousness, by denominational creeds and rituals natural man has placed upon us. This is paramount to bringing us back under the Law, which no person can walk in. We continue struggling to become what God has already made us to be, which is a new creation family. If we are a new creation, then there is no pattern in the natural creation to follow. We must follow our Example, Who is Jesus and the Revelation given by the Holy Spirit in His Word. This is why Jesus said this about the Holy Spirit, "He will lead and guide you into all Truth." He is the Only One Who knows who and what we are. Not everything we've learned over the years is incorrect, but we must heed Isaiah 1:18-19 and Isaiah 54:8-9 (Amplified) which says, "Let us come and reason together with the Lord," because "His ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts."
God's Word tells us about the things Jesus did for us and how He has paid the price for our salvation. We read these Truths, but view them as being for sometime in the future. God is the righteous Judge of all things and mankind's redemption had to be done legally in the courts of justice, nothing was left to chance. When reading the Gospels, we've failed to realize that Jesus didn't only pay the Price for us, but as the Body of Christ, He actually took us to the cross with Him.
Paul says that we are His Body, in Galatians 2:20 (Amplified), saying, "I have been crucified with Christ (in Him I have shared His crucifixion); it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God Who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
The above scripture isn't an allegory or metaphor that we quote, but it's a legal right to be completely exonerated from the persons we once were and stand in the place as a new creation family member of God's House. Paul said, "It's no longer I who lives, but Christ Who lives in me." My life is His Life and although I died with Him on the cross, I live through faith in Him. The legal aspect of our redemption is our past. 2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) says, "Behold, old things are past away and all things have become new." The other side of our redemption is, taking our place in the family, by faith in Him, because we were crucified with Jesus and the penalty for our sins has been paid. Jesus was crucified in our place and we actually died with Him. When we understand the legal terms of our salvation and know that God accepted Jesus as our Substitute, as if it was actually you and me on the cross.
In order to walk in the vital understanding of our redemption, we must by faith, accept this Truth and live His Life through us now in this flesh and blood body. Paul said, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me," because he understood the Truth that he died with Jesus and now live the Life that was in the Resurrected Jesus. We've failed to see that "in Him," we have shared everything that Jesus has done and is. Galatians 2:20 (Amplified) says, "I was crucified with Him." Colossians 2:12 (Amplified) says, "We were buried with Him." 1Timothy 3:15 (Amplified) says, "We were justified with Him." Colossians 2:13 (Amplified) says, "We were made alive with Him." Ephesians 2:6 (Amplified( says, "He raised us up with Him and made us to sit with Him in the Heavenlies in Christ Jesus."
God didn't just place my sins upon Jesus, but He actually put me in Jesus. In God's mind, it was you and me on the cross, in the pit, and in the grave. It was you and me who were justified, declared righteous, and restored back to our place as the "redeemed of the Lord" and "sons and daughters" in God's family. We were identified with Him, in every aspect of His Sacrifice, from the cross to the resurrection. It was as if I went with Him to the cross, suffered the shame and guilt, died, was resurrected in victory and was justified.
We have identified with Jesus as the Substitute for our sins and His paying the price for our transgressions, but we've failed to to realize that the identity didn't stop there. It includes being made righteous and justified and raised already with Him and are seated with Him. We are already His Body. If the Head is seated at God's right hand, then the Body is also seated there in power, authority and in His Name. By faith, we've been granted the Power of Attorney to us His Name, as our own, as His Body.
Knowing the legal aspects without knowing the vital aspects, only creates a religious understanding, bringing man's idea of walking in our redemption. Knowing the vital aspects without understand the legal aspects of our redemption, brings strange things that magnify experience above the Word. Many have sought so-called "manifestations" of the Holy Spirit, which led them to a place of deception and error. Some remained on the "legal" side of redemption and established rules to govern man, which offered no deliverance to mankind. Going beyond the cross to the resurrection of Jesus, is a place where most of us have had differing understandings about God's Word.
We cannot only identify with Jesus on the cross as being our Substitute, without also identifying with His resurrection. If Jesus wasn't raised from death, then we weren't raised. If Jesus was raised, then we were and are raised "in Him" and "with Him." If we are truly in Him, then God's sees us like He sees Jesus, according to 1John 4:17 (Amplified) which says, "In this (union and communion 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."
The carnal mind is unable to comprehend this, because it must be spiritually discerned. The carnal mind cannot understand the things that only the Holy Spirit can reveal. Reading these things by only man's intellect and not the Spirit, has resulted in man's building many doctrines about becoming a Christian. If you've received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are already a Christian and a child of God. You don't need to try becoming what God has already birthed you to be. We need to grow up, in what God has already created us to be, new creations.
We have so many different ideas about what a Christian should be, and we've made it nearly impossible to be one. Different denominations have determined that you must do this or that to grow as Christians, but only the Holy Spirit and the Word can produce the maturing of God's children. 1Peter 1:23 (Amplified) tells us, "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."
Natural man has no idea of how we are to mature as Christians, because we are a Super-natural being, from the Spirit of God and His Word. As natural men, we've determined that we are to abstain from sin (which is very true), but we haven't been taught much about how to function as spirit beings, in righteousness and union with our Father. We've yet to understand that righteousness is more than conduct and that it is a Gift of Grace by our Father in Christ Jesus. When we understand that you "have been made" to be the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ, it will change your entire relationship with the Father. Being a Christian and continuing to confess you are not righteous, is telling God that, "Jesus is not enough to make you righteous." Telling God that "Jesus isn't enough for you to be righteous," seems like a defiant thing to say to God.
We have received His righteousness, when we received Him. It's not your righteousness that you depend on to bring you into God's Throne of Grace...it is His righteousness. We learn how to walk in who we were made to be as new creations, by the Word and the Holy Spirit. The world would mold you back into the image it has of God and His Church. Only the Holy Spirit, can reveal to you, who you really are.
We've determined holiness and righteousness, by denominational creeds and rituals natural man has placed upon us. This is paramount to bringing us back under the Law, which no person can walk in. We continue struggling to become what God has already made us to be, which is a new creation family. If we are a new creation, then there is no pattern in the natural creation to follow. We must follow our Example, Who is Jesus and the Revelation given by the Holy Spirit in His Word. This is why Jesus said this about the Holy Spirit, "He will lead and guide you into all Truth." He is the Only One Who knows who and what we are. Not everything we've learned over the years is incorrect, but we must heed Isaiah 1:18-19 and Isaiah 54:8-9 (Amplified) which says, "Let us come and reason together with the Lord," because "His ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts."
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