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)."
2Corinthians 3:21 (Amplified) tells us, "For our sake He made Christ (virtually) to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become (endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of) the righteousness of God (what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness)."
We don't seem to hold any doubts about or see any problems with the first half of the above scripture, which speaks about Jesus being our "sin sacrifice." But, many of those who believe that Jesus "bore our sins," seem to have trouble believing the second half of that same scripture which says, "Jesus also restored us into righteousness." The enemy has successfully deceived the Church and causing it to deny that they are NOW in right standing with the Father. The Truth hasn't been preached the Truth and many in the Church demonstrate no difference between the world and themselves.
We've heard the message preached many times about how, "None are righteous," Romans 3:10 (Amplified) says, "As it is written, None is righteous, and just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one." It's no wonder that the new creation has very little faith, where our prayer lives and relationship with the Father is concerned. Even though this scripture is in God's Word and was true, we need to read what the Holy Spirit reveals to Paul, in Romans 3:21-24 (Amplified) which says, "BUT NOW the righteousness of God has been revealed independently and altogether apart from the Law, although actually it is attested by the Law and the prophets, Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah) (and it is meant) for all who believe. For there is no distinction. Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives." Verse 24 continues, "(All) are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy) through the redemption which is (provided) in Christ Jesus."
When we read these scriptures for ourselves, instead of relying on the things others tell us about "righteousness," we find that Jesus didn't only "take our sins, but He provided righteousness to those who believe." The new creation man isn't only absolved from sin, but is restored into righteousness, by Jesus' Sacrifice. The Church hasn't been taught this distinction between the world's standing with the Father and our standing in righteousness before the Father because of Jesus. This has resulted with the Church's having little faith in our prayers or in our fellowship with the Father. The new creation is exactly that...a new creation.
Romans 4:5 (Amplified) says, "But to one who, not working (by the Law), trust (believes fully) in Him Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to him as righteousness (the standing acceptable to God)." We've been taught and placed our faith in the fact that Jesus was and is our "sin bearer," but we haven't put our faith in His being our righteousness. This has resulted in the Church being what James wrote about in James 1:5-8 (Amplified) where he says, "If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the Giving God (Who gives) to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly without reproach or fault finding, and it will be given him Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitation, no doubting); For the one who wavers (hesitation, no doubting) is like a billowing surge out to sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything (he asks for) from the Lord (For being as he is) a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute) (he is) unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything (he thinks, feels, decides)." If we read Verse 9, then we find that it's an "act of humility" to believe we are elevated by His grace." It's not being arrogant or proud, when we declare what Jesus has done for us. Thus Verse 9 says, "Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his elevation (as a Christian) (called to the true riches and to be an heir of God)."
Notice, that the above scripture didn't instruct us to "Deny God's wisdom and try to remain humble by not accepting His wisdom." God's Word tells us to "ask for God's wisdom and "glory in our elevation as Christians," being "called to the true riches of heirs of God." We must understand that having the righteousness we've been given through Jesus, is the only way we can "have boldness to enter int His Presence by faith." If our faith remains in the wisdom of men, then we do not have the access into His Own Presence where we need to be, in order to obtain assurance to His promises for us.
Listen to what James has to say to these Jewish brothers who were still trying to become righteous by the Law, in James 1:18 (Amplified) where he says, "And it was of His Own (free will) that He gave us birth (as sons) by (His) Word of Truth, so that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures (a sample of what He created to be consecrated to Himself)."
Let's review the prophesies spoken about the new creation people, as the Lord revealed His plan for us in the Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah 54:13-15 (Amplified) says, "All your (spiritual) children shall be disciples (taught by the Lord and obedient to His will) and great shall be the peace and undisturbed composure of your children. You shall establish yourself in righteousness (rightness in conformity with God's will and order) you shall be far from even the though of oppression or destruction, for you shall not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near you. Behold! they may gather together and stir up strife, but it is not from Me. Whoever stirs up strife against you shall fall and surrender to you."
We've been taught for so long that "It's God Who brings all the terrible things that come up against us," that it's difficult to keep our faith in His Words that, "It is not from Me." God likens His displeasure and discipline of the old covenant to the "waters of Noah," in Isaiah 54:8-9 (Amplified) saying, "For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion and mercy I will gather (to Me) again. For this is like the days of Noah to Me; as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I wil not be angry with you or rebuke you."
After the flood, God made covenant with Noah and put a rainbow in the Heavens, insuring Noah that God would never flood the earth again. Every time Noah witnessed a rainbow in the sky, he could be at peace within himself. Isaiah 52,53,54 and 55 prophesies about the cross being a sign to us, like the rainbow was for Noah. Every time something arises to bring fear and strife into our lives, we are to look upon the cross of Christ, just like Noah looked at the rainbow. We can know that God would never do these things to us again. The cross of Christ is our assurance that God will not be angry or rebuke us again.
We are to establish ourselves in His righteousness. It's not our righteousness, but His. We're not trying to be humble and deny that as new creation family, we're righteous in Him by Jesus Christ. This might seem like a teaching that doesn't need to be said, but if we rely on man's understanding of what God's Word says and fail to understand the Truth of God's Word, then hinder the prayers and efforts of the new creation family of God.
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