Jesus told His followers in John 8:18-19 (Amplified), "I am One of the Two bearing testimony concerning Myself; and My Father Who sent Me, He also testifies about Me. Then they said to Him, Where is this Father of Yours? Jesus answered, You know My Father as little as you know Me. If you knew Me, you would know My Father also."
Jesus' statement should be ample for our knowing God, our Father. If we knew Jesus, then we also by knowing Him, know our Heavenly Father. The Church has been so divided concerning the will of God and much of that division comes from preachers not coming to the revelation distinguishing between the Old Testament God and the New Testament Father. Many are still teaching the Church by the conditions of the Law, instead of the position of family and Grace.
Everything came by obeying the Law, under the old covenant. Those people were still spiritually dead by trespass and sin, so God had to deal with them from the outside-in. They were separated from God in spirit, so God has to discipline them externally. Under our new relationship through Jesus, we've been made alive unto God in our new creation spirit and we've been moved into a place to hear and be led by His Spirit in us.
Prior to His ascending to Heaven, Jesus told His followers in John 15:26 (Amplified), "But when the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Stand by) comes, Whom I will sent to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth Who comes, proceeds from the Father, He Himself will testify regarding Me."
Jesus also says in John 14:26 (Amplified), "But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Stand by) The Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My Name (in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf), He will teach you all things, and He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance), everything I have told you."
Just like He did in Jesus' earthly life, God our Father will guide, teach, correct, lead, comfort, counsel, strengthen, intercede, bring revelation and move in our lives. We've been taught to see ourselves "as we once were," instead of "who we've become in Christ Jesus." This leaves us walking like the old covenant people under the Law, instead of like the new creation family in the Presence of our Heavenly Father.
We're often taught and quote Romans 3:10 (Amplified) which says, "As it is written, None is righteous (just and truthful and upright and conscientious), no, not one," along with Romans 3:25 (Amplified) which says, "Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives." We rarely hear teachings from Romans 3:24 (Amplified) which says, "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."
We rarely hear teaching about Romans 5:1-2 (Amplified) which says, "Therefore, Since we are justified, acquitted, declare righteous and given a right standing with God through faith, let us grasp the fact that we have the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy, peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). THROUGH HIM also we have our access (entrance, introduction), by faith into this Grace (state of God's favor) in which we firmly and safely stand. And let us rejoice and exalt in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the Glory of God."
We've been taught from carnal teachings, instead of revelation, to see ourselves as men and women with a spirit inside us, instead of "a spirit, who lives in a house of flesh." Both things are true. The difference is seeing what Jesus in us, rather than what the world and carnal minded men see in us. The carnal mind continues to see us as "still a sinner," while the mind of Christ and revelation from the Holy Spirit reveals us as how the Father sees us. The Father sees us as being the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
We didn't "become righteous,"but we were created righteous in Jesus. This isn't something we had to obtain on our own (we can never do so), but was the Gift of God through Christ Jesus and must be accepted and received by faith in Jesus Christ. Many times we're quoted Isaiah 64:6 (Amplified) which says, "Our righteousness is as filthy rags" or "Our best deeds are nothing to bring righteousness." We don't hear 2Corinthians 5:21 (Amplified) which says, "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."
If the enemy can keep us in our own righteousness (which we don't have), then he can prevent us from having the boldness of fellowship and place with our Heavenly Father. Remember, it was God Who declared you "righteous," and not you, yourself. God provided the Means to make us in right standing as sons and daughter, by His Own Goodness. It had nothing to do with our "trying to be good enough to qualify." It had everything to do with He Who qualified us by faith in Jesus Christ. Don't be puffed up by your own religious idea of humility and tell God (and the world) that "Jesus wasn't enough to make me righteous." Instead, humble yourself under the Mighty hand of God and by faith, simply receive His righteousness as His Gift of Love for you. If God made you to be righteous, then that is what and who you are in Jesus, whether or not you believe it. Use the same faith you used to believe Jesus, making Him your Lord and Savior, and believe you're righteous before God in Christ Jesus.
No comments:
Post a Comment