Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Friday, July 7, 2017
Lesson 240 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)."
Romans 4:16,20 (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 to the devotees and adherents of the Law, but also to those who share the faith of Abraham, who is (thus) the father of faith." Verse 20 continues, "No unbelief or distrust made him 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."
In our new creation relationship with God through Jesus, we not only have the covenant made between the Father and Jesus, but we have actually been born into the family of God by our new creation birth. The Promises made to Abraham, were the beginning of this covenant of Grace that was established by Jesus and are now ours by faith in Christ Jesus. The covenant of Promise is carried forward in Galatians 3:16 ,29(Amplified) which says, "Now the Promises (covenants, agreements) were decreed and made to Abraham and his Seed (his Offspring, his Heir)." God does not say, "Now the Promises were decreed and made to Abraham and his seeds (descendants, heirs,)," as if referring to "many persons." God says, "Now the Promises were decreed unto Abraham and his Seed (his Offspring, his Heir)," obviously referring to One Individual, Who is none other than Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Verse 29 continues, "And if you belong to Christ (are in Him Who is Abraham's Seed) then are you Abraham's offspring and (spiritual) heirs according to Promise." 2Corinthians 1:20 (Amplified) says, "For as many are the Promises of God, they all find their Yes (answer) in Him (Christ). For this reason we also utter the Amen (So be it) to God through Him (in His Person and by His Agency) to the glory of God."
Romans 4:13 (Amplified) expands on God's Promise to Abraham (that is now ours through our union with Jesus), to a place that will challenge your faith and my faith, saying, "For the Promise to Abraham or to his posterity, that he should inherit the world, did not come through (observing the commands of) the Law, but through the righteousness of faith." This gives us a new understanding about what "faith" holds in the Promise of things we "hope for," in Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified) which says, "Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, 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)."
Many things have been taught, preached, said and written about faith. Much of these were done by those whose faith failed them, so they determined, "If it didn't work for me, then it's not for us today." Many taught from their own experience, instead of Abraham's experience. The awesome thing about faith is, it will work for "whosoever will." We've tried to work formulas and laws, in order to make faith work for us, but Romans 10:17 (Amplified) says, "So faith comes by hearing (what is told), and what is heard comes by the preaching (of the Message that came from the lips of Christ, the Messiah Himself)."
Much of what we've "heard," hasn't come from "the lips of Christ, but were man's interpretation of what he believed Christ said. A lot of our faith is based on merely human experience, instead of on God's Word. This isn't an indictment against men and women over the years, but it's a challenge to those who believe Jesus is more than "just going to Heaven when we die." All of God's Promises are "Yes and Amen, to the glory of God," according to 2Corinthians 1:20. We haven't received the Promises by faith, like the Word instructs. We continue trying to "make the Word work," instead of allowing Grace to flow into the Promises, by faith in God's Word alone. If God said it, then He will do what He said. We only need believe that God's Word will create what He said, as in the beginning.
This is the so-called "problem," we've had with the new creation people we've become. We've been trying to form our own creation image, instead of just being what God already created us to be in Christ. An apple tree doesn't need to "try" being an apple tree. It is an apple tree, because that is what the seed made it to be. We are what the Seed has made us to be and must allow the Seed to mature us into what God's Image of the new creation family is supposed to be.
We often quote Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) without understanding it. Thus, it says, "But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him For whoever would come near to God must (necessarily) believe that God exists and that He is the Rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him (out)." We are still depending upon our works for the Promises, instead of our faith. This isn't an act of Grace, but is a debt that God is now obligated to pay. This will not work in our family relationship of faith and that's why "its impossible to please God without faith." When we try doing works to please Him, we have denied His Gift of Grace through Jesus and have decided we can gain acceptance again by works.
The Father wants to bring all His Promises to pass and fulfillment in our lives. This was His intent from the beginning. He only needs for us to believe Him, by faith in His Promises.
Romans 4:16,20 (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 to the devotees and adherents of the Law, but also to those who share the faith of Abraham, who is (thus) the father of faith." Verse 20 continues, "No unbelief or distrust made him 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."
In our new creation relationship with God through Jesus, we not only have the covenant made between the Father and Jesus, but we have actually been born into the family of God by our new creation birth. The Promises made to Abraham, were the beginning of this covenant of Grace that was established by Jesus and are now ours by faith in Christ Jesus. The covenant of Promise is carried forward in Galatians 3:16 ,29(Amplified) which says, "Now the Promises (covenants, agreements) were decreed and made to Abraham and his Seed (his Offspring, his Heir)." God does not say, "Now the Promises were decreed and made to Abraham and his seeds (descendants, heirs,)," as if referring to "many persons." God says, "Now the Promises were decreed unto Abraham and his Seed (his Offspring, his Heir)," obviously referring to One Individual, Who is none other than Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Verse 29 continues, "And if you belong to Christ (are in Him Who is Abraham's Seed) then are you Abraham's offspring and (spiritual) heirs according to Promise." 2Corinthians 1:20 (Amplified) says, "For as many are the Promises of God, they all find their Yes (answer) in Him (Christ). For this reason we also utter the Amen (So be it) to God through Him (in His Person and by His Agency) to the glory of God."
Romans 4:13 (Amplified) expands on God's Promise to Abraham (that is now ours through our union with Jesus), to a place that will challenge your faith and my faith, saying, "For the Promise to Abraham or to his posterity, that he should inherit the world, did not come through (observing the commands of) the Law, but through the righteousness of faith." This gives us a new understanding about what "faith" holds in the Promise of things we "hope for," in Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified) which says, "Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, 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)."
Many things have been taught, preached, said and written about faith. Much of these were done by those whose faith failed them, so they determined, "If it didn't work for me, then it's not for us today." Many taught from their own experience, instead of Abraham's experience. The awesome thing about faith is, it will work for "whosoever will." We've tried to work formulas and laws, in order to make faith work for us, but Romans 10:17 (Amplified) says, "So faith comes by hearing (what is told), and what is heard comes by the preaching (of the Message that came from the lips of Christ, the Messiah Himself)."
Much of what we've "heard," hasn't come from "the lips of Christ, but were man's interpretation of what he believed Christ said. A lot of our faith is based on merely human experience, instead of on God's Word. This isn't an indictment against men and women over the years, but it's a challenge to those who believe Jesus is more than "just going to Heaven when we die." All of God's Promises are "Yes and Amen, to the glory of God," according to 2Corinthians 1:20. We haven't received the Promises by faith, like the Word instructs. We continue trying to "make the Word work," instead of allowing Grace to flow into the Promises, by faith in God's Word alone. If God said it, then He will do what He said. We only need believe that God's Word will create what He said, as in the beginning.
This is the so-called "problem," we've had with the new creation people we've become. We've been trying to form our own creation image, instead of just being what God already created us to be in Christ. An apple tree doesn't need to "try" being an apple tree. It is an apple tree, because that is what the seed made it to be. We are what the Seed has made us to be and must allow the Seed to mature us into what God's Image of the new creation family is supposed to be.
We often quote Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) without understanding it. Thus, it says, "But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him For whoever would come near to God must (necessarily) believe that God exists and that He is the Rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him (out)." We are still depending upon our works for the Promises, instead of our faith. This isn't an act of Grace, but is a debt that God is now obligated to pay. This will not work in our family relationship of faith and that's why "its impossible to please God without faith." When we try doing works to please Him, we have denied His Gift of Grace through Jesus and have decided we can gain acceptance again by works.
The Father wants to bring all His Promises to pass and fulfillment in our lives. This was His intent from the beginning. He only needs for us to believe Him, by faith in His Promises.
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Lesson 239 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)."
In John 3:3 (Amplified) Jesus said, "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." John the Baptist said this in John 3:27 (Amplified), by inspiration from the Holy Spirit, "A man can." receive nothing (he can claim nothing, he can take unto himself nothing) except it has been granted to him from Heaven (a man must be content to receive the Gift which is given him from Heaven); there is no other source."
It's easy to forget that everything we see in this natural world, first came into being by the Spirit and Word of God. There is no other source. We've been born-again "from above," and are like Jesus said in John 17:16 (Amplified), "Are not of this world." Even though we "know" this and actually confess this, I'm not sure we truly understand it. Our being born-again, doesn't just mean that we "go to Heaven when we die." Going to Heaven is undoubtedly the greatest thing any person can imagine, but we must realize that we are citizens of Heaven now.
Our lives, health, prosperity, citizenship and family are all "from above." 2Corinthians 5:20 (Amplified) says, "So we are Christ's ambassadors." We are representatives of Heaven, on this earth. We are no longer simple, natural, mere men, but we are God's family here on this earth. Even though we claim to know this, we still walk as mere men and women.
We are governed only by the Kingdom's Laws, while walking here on earth. As ambassadors from a different Kingdom, we have diplomatic immunity here on earth. In Matthew 18:18 (Amplified) Jesus stated, "Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth, must be what is already forbidden in Heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already permitted in Heaven." The King James Version says it like this, "Whatever you bind on earth must be what is bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth must be what is already loosed in Heaven." Luke 13:11-13 (Amplified) says, "And there was a woman there who for eighteen years had an infirmity caused by a spirit (a demon of sickness). She was bent completely forward and utterly unable to straighten herself up or to look upward . And when Jesus saw her, He called (her to Him) and said to her, Woman, you are released from your infirmity. And He laid (His) hands on her, and instantly she was made straight, and she recognized and thanked and praised God."
The King James Version reads the above scripture, "Jesus said to her, Woman! I loose you from your infirmity." The sickness or demon this woman had, must have been, "Whatever you loose on earth, must be what is already loosed in Heaven." If sickness wasn't already loosed in Heaven, then what Jesus told His followers in Matthew 18:18 concerning "binding and loosing," must have been untrue. We don't seem to understand that authority given to us, through our union with Jesus and our new birth. We use very little of our authority in Jesus, here on earth. Jesus said in Luke 10:19-20 (Amplified), "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. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in Heaven."
When we truly understand that we are even now, citizens and family of Heaven, we can walk in this authority while on earth. We've been taught so many things we "must do," in order to walk in this realm with God and we've overlooked the privilege of being born-again from on High. There's nothing we need to do, in order to be His children and heirs. The only thing we're required to do, is believe in what He has done. The Faith Message has been misunderstood by the Church. We're only required to believe in His Promises.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote about the Father of our faith (Abraham) in Romans 4:21-22 (Amplified) saying, "Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His Word and do what He had Promised THAT IS WHY his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God)." One might ask, "What did Abraham do that it was 'credited to him as righteousness?'" Abraham simply believed God's Promises. What else did he do? Nothing!
We are only required to believe in God's Word of Promise. We don't need to struggle or try to be righteous before Him, we must only believe in the righteousness He gave us in Jesus. All of God's Promises to us, depend upon our ability to believe what He said. This isn't a list of things we must do (like in the Law), but is only believing what He said. If one man believes, then that the Promise is his. If another person doesn't believe, then he will not appropriate the Promise, because of his unbelief. Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified) tells us, "Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, 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)."
We've struggled and cried for the Promises of God to be made manifest in our lives, while Hebrews 11:1 says that "Faith is our assurance of these things." We've been told that "God uses these things to teach us," "God is holding back these things," and "Some kind of sin is preventing these things from you." We've been fed a false gospel, in place of Truth in these matters. We must do like Abraham did and simply believe that what God Promised, He is also able to perform. Our inheritance is already ours, by faith in what He said. It's not by works or crying or by Law, but simply by faith.
The entire Promise of salvation, must be appropriated by faith in Jesus Christ. "Those who believe, will be saved and those who do not believe, will be damned," according to Mark 16:16. The entire Gospel of Salvation doesn't depend on God, because He has already given His Promise. It depends on us, to either believe or not to believe His Promise. God so Loved the world, that He gave His Son Jesus. His part is already completed. Our part is to believe in what He has done. This is true for every Promise God has made to us. We must accept by faith, what His Grace already done and then to receive it by His Word.
In John 3:3 (Amplified) Jesus said, "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." John the Baptist said this in John 3:27 (Amplified), by inspiration from the Holy Spirit, "A man can." receive nothing (he can claim nothing, he can take unto himself nothing) except it has been granted to him from Heaven (a man must be content to receive the Gift which is given him from Heaven); there is no other source."
It's easy to forget that everything we see in this natural world, first came into being by the Spirit and Word of God. There is no other source. We've been born-again "from above," and are like Jesus said in John 17:16 (Amplified), "Are not of this world." Even though we "know" this and actually confess this, I'm not sure we truly understand it. Our being born-again, doesn't just mean that we "go to Heaven when we die." Going to Heaven is undoubtedly the greatest thing any person can imagine, but we must realize that we are citizens of Heaven now.
Our lives, health, prosperity, citizenship and family are all "from above." 2Corinthians 5:20 (Amplified) says, "So we are Christ's ambassadors." We are representatives of Heaven, on this earth. We are no longer simple, natural, mere men, but we are God's family here on this earth. Even though we claim to know this, we still walk as mere men and women.
We are governed only by the Kingdom's Laws, while walking here on earth. As ambassadors from a different Kingdom, we have diplomatic immunity here on earth. In Matthew 18:18 (Amplified) Jesus stated, "Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth, must be what is already forbidden in Heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already permitted in Heaven." The King James Version says it like this, "Whatever you bind on earth must be what is bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth must be what is already loosed in Heaven." Luke 13:11-13 (Amplified) says, "And there was a woman there who for eighteen years had an infirmity caused by a spirit (a demon of sickness). She was bent completely forward and utterly unable to straighten herself up or to look upward . And when Jesus saw her, He called (her to Him) and said to her, Woman, you are released from your infirmity. And He laid (His) hands on her, and instantly she was made straight, and she recognized and thanked and praised God."
The King James Version reads the above scripture, "Jesus said to her, Woman! I loose you from your infirmity." The sickness or demon this woman had, must have been, "Whatever you loose on earth, must be what is already loosed in Heaven." If sickness wasn't already loosed in Heaven, then what Jesus told His followers in Matthew 18:18 concerning "binding and loosing," must have been untrue. We don't seem to understand that authority given to us, through our union with Jesus and our new birth. We use very little of our authority in Jesus, here on earth. Jesus said in Luke 10:19-20 (Amplified), "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. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in Heaven."
When we truly understand that we are even now, citizens and family of Heaven, we can walk in this authority while on earth. We've been taught so many things we "must do," in order to walk in this realm with God and we've overlooked the privilege of being born-again from on High. There's nothing we need to do, in order to be His children and heirs. The only thing we're required to do, is believe in what He has done. The Faith Message has been misunderstood by the Church. We're only required to believe in His Promises.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote about the Father of our faith (Abraham) in Romans 4:21-22 (Amplified) saying, "Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His Word and do what He had Promised THAT IS WHY his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God)." One might ask, "What did Abraham do that it was 'credited to him as righteousness?'" Abraham simply believed God's Promises. What else did he do? Nothing!
We are only required to believe in God's Word of Promise. We don't need to struggle or try to be righteous before Him, we must only believe in the righteousness He gave us in Jesus. All of God's Promises to us, depend upon our ability to believe what He said. This isn't a list of things we must do (like in the Law), but is only believing what He said. If one man believes, then that the Promise is his. If another person doesn't believe, then he will not appropriate the Promise, because of his unbelief. Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified) tells us, "Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, 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)."
We've struggled and cried for the Promises of God to be made manifest in our lives, while Hebrews 11:1 says that "Faith is our assurance of these things." We've been told that "God uses these things to teach us," "God is holding back these things," and "Some kind of sin is preventing these things from you." We've been fed a false gospel, in place of Truth in these matters. We must do like Abraham did and simply believe that what God Promised, He is also able to perform. Our inheritance is already ours, by faith in what He said. It's not by works or crying or by Law, but simply by faith.
The entire Promise of salvation, must be appropriated by faith in Jesus Christ. "Those who believe, will be saved and those who do not believe, will be damned," according to Mark 16:16. The entire Gospel of Salvation doesn't depend on God, because He has already given His Promise. It depends on us, to either believe or not to believe His Promise. God so Loved the world, that He gave His Son Jesus. His part is already completed. Our part is to believe in what He has done. This is true for every Promise God has made to us. We must accept by faith, what His Grace already done and then to receive it by His Word.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)