2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) hew 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)."
There have been things that man has taught and things that the Holy Spirit has taught us, about our relationship with the Father through Jesus. Sometimes these things differ greatly, by what we (as believers) walk in. We've learned so many things throughout the years that have been taught and preached from the carnal mind of men and this has led to our setting a course that is different from the course the Holy Spirit has laid out for us to walk. By doing this, the enemy has undermined the glory and grace of our Lord, in our lives.
Paul spoke about his experience of being caught up into the very Presence of the Lord and receiving the revelation of the new covenant and the new creation man in Christ, in 2Corinthians 12. Through the Epistles, we read about God's righteousness that is now been bestowed on His children. God's Word tells us that we've been justified and declared righteous in the Holy Spirit, by Jesus' Own death and resurrection. This is part of the revelation Paul received, while in God's Presence.
For the most part, man hasn't concentrated on Paul's revelation that will set us free, but have instead focused on his struggles and the persecution of the enemy, who tried preventing him from teaching these to the people. We've even gone so far as, preaching that Paul's "thorn in the flesh," was "given to Him by God, because of Paul's pride." The entire chapter of 2Corinthians 12, is dedicated to the revelation of the Glorious Gospel that Paul taught throughout his letters to the Church.
Paul's wrote about his weakness of the flesh, in order to demonstrate how God could and would use Paul, in spite of man's own weakness. The people of the old covenant were angry at Paul, because he preached salvation for us (Gentiles) and this was one of the weaknesses Paul endured. His revelation message of salvation for the Gentiles, made him put-out from his own people. Paul was hurt by the disdain of his people.
There were times when Paul needed to be hidden from people trying to kill him, because of they were angry about his preaching this revelation. He was constantly in danger during his ministry, by satan, who was trying to cease the Good News from being preached to Gentile nations. Paul wrote about satan assigning a demon spirit that followed him into every crowd, in order to stir up opposition to the Gospel and to try and kill Paul. Paul wrote about God's assurance to him, that "His grace would sustain Paul in all his endeavors and keep him strong in his ministry." Paul talked about "coming to further revelation" and in Verse 10, he spoke to those struggling with revelation of continuing in further revelation, saying, "So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in my infirmities (weaknesses), insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities, and distress; for when I am weak (in human strength), then am I (truly) strong (able, powerful in Divine strength)." Paul went on to speak about how it "would be foolish of him to even speak of his infirmities of the flesh, when we should have been hearing of the revelation."
What Paul was saying to us had nothing to do with his problems preaching the revelation, but his delight in the revelation that the Lord Jesus gave him. We've been taught to focus on Paul's weakness of the flesh (natural body), instead of the power of his word and the ability of his spiritual, new creation man. We've even been taught that Paul's thorn of the flesh, was given by God. How foolish carnal man has been, in reading Spiritual Truths.
After the Church in Galatia heard the revelation Paul was entrusted with, they had no trouble from those who came later to steal that revelation and place them back into bondage to the flesh. Satan doesn't have a problem with those who preach Law and bondage to the Law. He only has a problem with those who preach the revelation that sets men free by the grace of the revelation in Jesus.
Many in the Church preach that God places all the hardships we face, on us, in order to disciples us when we are wrong. Paul's thorn of the flesh, came from satan, who was trying to stop Paul from preaching the revelation Jesus gave to him. The revelation came from God. The thorn came from satan, who was trying to prevent Paul from preaching the revelation to others. Sometimes, the devil will bring things against you, in order to keep you from what Paul said was "further revelation."
If you preach healing, then satan will try making you sick, in order to you prevent you from this revelation. If you preach about the Gifts of the Spirit, then satan will try discouraging you and tell you "It's all foolishness." If you preach on tithing, then satan will try breaking down the car, washing machine and anything else in your home, in order to "prove" it doesn't work. We must understand the strategies of our enemy and find the Truth about revelation knowledge. We must know that satan hates for God's people to learn about the Truth of our new creation being.
This is the same fight satan used against Jesus, John, Peter and all who taught liberty. This is the same fight he uses against anyone today, who will preach and teach revelation knowledge to God's people. One of satan's greatest lies, is probably the has has perpetrated in the Church about righteousness, brought by our faith in Christ Jesus.
Through the Holy Spirit, Paul writes in Romans 3:10 (Amplified), "As it is written, none is righteous; just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one." This scripture has been taken out of context and has kept God's people from having fellowship with the Father and from being confident in our prayer life. If most of us realized we are truly in right standing with God, then we would have faith that God hears our prayers and will answer them.
We find the Truth of this revelation Paul received from the Lord, in Romans 3:21 -25 (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 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. (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."
God has declared you "righteous" in His eyes, by your faith in the redemption through Jesus and His Blood. Satan would like to prevent the Truth of this revelation from you, so that you have no real confidence in your relationship with the Father. Paul experienced trouble when trying to tell us that we are righteous before God. The same thorn in the flesh that troubled Paul, is prominent in today's Church. Satan continues using it against those who preach the revelation that will lift God's people out of his control and bondage.
It's not exalting yourself to say you're in right standing and righteous before God, but it's actually exalting your trust and confidence in what Jesus has done for you. It's not pride, but faith in your own Sacrificed Lamb of God. Declaring that you're not made righteous, is denying the Truth of what God did for us in Jesus. If God has said you are justified and righteous before Him, then who do you think you are to tell Him that He is wrong? God made you righteous. He made you righteous, when you received Jesus and His righteousness.
Satan never tires from trying to distort the Truth of the revelation about the new creation that God gave to Paul. Satan will always oppose God's Truth, with man's wisdom from the carnal mind.
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