2Corinthians 5:16-17 is our base scripture, for the new creation lessons. In Verse 17, Paul (by inspiration of the Holy Spirit), says something we haven't taken seriously to our hearts. Thus, he says, "Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
This isn't a promise for what lies ahead in some distant future, but was true the moment anyone receives Jesus as his Lord and Savior. We've never truly considered ourselves as "new creature altogether," but simply as forgiven sinners. And, because of this way of thinking, we continue to carry the burden of guilt, stemming from our previous existence. Jesus' Own Blood cleansed us from everything and we were born again, when we received Him as our Sacrifice. If a baby is born, then it has no past (just like we have no past).
No one needs tell a fish that "He is a fish." He simply swims, because that is what he was made to be. The things with a fish is, his entire world consists of only water. He thinks this is all there is to life. He has no idea about trees, grass, mountains or anything else outside of water...this is his whole life. As believers, we have looked around us and have determined that this is all there is. We seem not to acknowledge anything outside of our five senses. We have only eluded to, "Someday we will be in a different life." Paul speaks to the old covenant people, as well as the new covenant people in Galatians 4:31 (Amplified) saying,"So brethren, we (who are born again) are not children of a slave woman (the natural), but of the free (the supernatural)."
Paul continues his letter in Galatians 5:25 (Amplified) saying, "If we live by the Holy Spirit, let us also walk by the same 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." Paul writes to the Church in Romans 8:14 (Amplified), "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are Sons of God." This is really the "Mature" sons of God. Those who realize who they've become, have made the return to the rights of the family and household of our Heavenly Father.
We read the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32. I know that this Parable has been likened to many things in the past, and I'm sure that they may all be true. However, I wish to liken it to the Church, if I may. After the Prodigal Son was restored (becoming a new creation son), the other son (the one who was religious) became angry with their Father, saying in Verse 29, "These many years I have served you, and I have never disobeyed your command. Yet you have never given me (so much as) a (little) kid, that I might revel and feast and be happy and make merry with my friends." He continues in Verses 31-32 saying, "But when this son of yours arrived, who has devoured your estate with immoral women, you have killed for him that (wheat) fattened calf. And the Father said to him, Son, you are always with Me, and all that is Mine is yours. But it was fitting to make merry, to revel and feast and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead, and is alive again! He was lost and is found."
We have brothers in Christ, who've been with the Father for a long time, but have never enjoyed the inheritance of the Kingdom. But, this brother, who was dead is now alive (he is a new creation), one who knows who the Father really is, was granted all the things of the Father that the religious son never before enjoyed. The Father simply replied to that son, "Son, you are always with Me, and all that Is Mine is yours."
The son who was "born again from death to life," is a new creation man who knows who he truly is. He didn't receive anything the other son wasn't entitled to, but he didn't receive it (like his brother did). They were both of the same Father and the same inheritance.
In God's family today, many of us have never enjoyed our inheritance, because we don't know it is ours for here and now. Many Christians seem to be waiting until they die (in the natural), in order to inherit from the Father. When a man leaves a will, it is valid when he dies and not when you die. When I joined the Army in 1958, I was issued a small New Testament. It was olive green, just like our uniforms. Inside the front cover, was written these words, saying, "The last will and testament of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."
Galatians 3:14-16 (Amplified) says, "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 heirs) He (God) does not say, and to seeds (descendants, heirs) as if referring to many persons, but And to your Seed (your Descendant, Your heir), obviously referring to one individual Who is (None other than) Christ (the Messiah)."
This promise was to Jesus and as joint heirs with Him in God, we can read the will and know exactly what it truly says, "The Father will kill the fattened calf and place a robe on his should and place the ring (sign of authority) on his hand." For those who will not read the will, they are still sons of God, but they never enjoy the inheritance. But, the Father says to them, "Son, you are always with Me, and all that is Mine is yours."
Romans 8:16-19 (Amplified) tells us, "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. (But what of that)? For I consider that the suffering of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us For (even the whole) creation (all nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God's sons to be made known (waits for the revealing, the disclosing of their sonship)."
We find one son, in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, knew who he was, but wouldn't partake of his inheritance. The other son, who was dead in sin and trespass, was now alive in Christ Jesus and entered into who he was made to be. He didn't try to be a fish, but he just swam. You don't have to become a new creature, you already are a new creature. We must now walk in the Spirit and be led by the Spirit. We must walk as sons of God, into this new kingdom that has been given to us by inheritance.
Friday, September 9, 2016
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Lesson 84 The New Creation
2Corinthians 17 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous, moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
We read the scripture and make mental assent to the fact these scriptures are true, because they're in the Bible. What we've failed to do, is to allow this Truth and Spirit to enter into our spirit and set us free from the condemnation of the old man's past sins. Paul said in 1Corinthians 4:4-5 (Amplified), "I am not conscious of anything against myself, and I feel blameless; but I am not vindicated and acquitted before God on that account, It is the Lord (Himself) Who examines and judges me. So do not make any hasty or premature judgments before the time when the Lord comes (again), for He will both bring to light the secret things that are (now hidden) in darkness and disclose and expose the (secret) aims (motive and purposes) of hearts. Then every man will receive his (due) commendation from God."
Paul confesses in 1Corinthians 15:9-10 (Amplified) that, "I am the least (worthy) of the Apostles, who am not fit or deserving to be called an apostle; because I once wronged and pursued and molested the Church or God (oppressing it with cruelty and violence) But by the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not (found to be) for nothing (fruitless and without effect). In fact, I worked harder than all of them (the apostles) though it was not really I, but the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God which was with me."
Paul believed that the One Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, had cleansed him so completely, that Paul felt "blameless and no longer conscious of his past or sins." Because of God's grace, Paul could now go on in the thing that God had set in his heart to do, without looking back, under the condemnation of the old man.
God said in Hebrews 8:12 (Amplified), "For I will be merciful and gracious toward their sins and I will remember their deeds of unrighteousness no more." Hebrews 10:2-3,14 (Amplified) says, "For if it were otherwise, would (these sacrifices) the old covenant not have stopped being offered? Since the worshipers had once for all been cleansed, they would no longer have any guilt or consciousness of sin. But (as it is) these sacrifices annually bring a fresh remembrance of sins (to be atoned for)." Verse 14 continues, "For by a single offering He (Jesus) has forever completely cleansed and perfected those who are consecrated and made holy." Hebrews 9:14 (Amplified) says, "How much more surely shall the Blood of Christ, Who by virtue of (His) eternal Spirit (His Own pr-existent Divine personality) has offered Himself as an unblemished sacrifice to God, purify our consciences from dead works and lifeless observances to serve the (Ever) Living God?"
As new creation people, we should believe so much in our Sacrificed Lamb, that we would not be living under the guilt and condemnation of the old,dead spirit we were under. By faith in Jesus, we should not be reminded of our past, but only of who we've now been created to be, clean and new before God. We are not forgiven sinners, but we are a new creation.
1John 3:19-21 (Amplified) tells us, "By this we shall come to know (perceive, recognize, and understand) that we are of the Truth, and can reassure (quiet, conciliate and pacify) our hearts in His Presence. Whenever our hearts in (tormenting) self-accusations make us feel guilty and condemn us (for we are in God's hands) For He is above and greater than our consciences (our hearts) everything (nothing is hidden from Him) And beloved, if our consciences (our hearts) do not accuse us (if they do not make us feel guilty and condemn us) we have confidence (complete assurance and boldness) before God."
Hebrews 4:16 (Amplified) says, "Let us then (fearlessly and confidently and boldly) draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners) that we may receive mercy (for our failures) and find grace to help in good time for every need (appropriate help and well times help, coming just when we need it)."
The only way I know to "come boldly before God's throne of grace," is by faith in the One and Only Sacrifice that hasn't only "cleansed me of sin and unrighteousness," but by allowing my faith in Him to cleanse my conscience from the memory or those things. Paul speaks about this in Romans 12:2 (Amplified) saying, "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)."
Learn to think like a new creation and not like the world thinks.
We read the scripture and make mental assent to the fact these scriptures are true, because they're in the Bible. What we've failed to do, is to allow this Truth and Spirit to enter into our spirit and set us free from the condemnation of the old man's past sins. Paul said in 1Corinthians 4:4-5 (Amplified), "I am not conscious of anything against myself, and I feel blameless; but I am not vindicated and acquitted before God on that account, It is the Lord (Himself) Who examines and judges me. So do not make any hasty or premature judgments before the time when the Lord comes (again), for He will both bring to light the secret things that are (now hidden) in darkness and disclose and expose the (secret) aims (motive and purposes) of hearts. Then every man will receive his (due) commendation from God."
Paul confesses in 1Corinthians 15:9-10 (Amplified) that, "I am the least (worthy) of the Apostles, who am not fit or deserving to be called an apostle; because I once wronged and pursued and molested the Church or God (oppressing it with cruelty and violence) But by the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not (found to be) for nothing (fruitless and without effect). In fact, I worked harder than all of them (the apostles) though it was not really I, but the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God which was with me."
Paul believed that the One Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, had cleansed him so completely, that Paul felt "blameless and no longer conscious of his past or sins." Because of God's grace, Paul could now go on in the thing that God had set in his heart to do, without looking back, under the condemnation of the old man.
God said in Hebrews 8:12 (Amplified), "For I will be merciful and gracious toward their sins and I will remember their deeds of unrighteousness no more." Hebrews 10:2-3,14 (Amplified) says, "For if it were otherwise, would (these sacrifices) the old covenant not have stopped being offered? Since the worshipers had once for all been cleansed, they would no longer have any guilt or consciousness of sin. But (as it is) these sacrifices annually bring a fresh remembrance of sins (to be atoned for)." Verse 14 continues, "For by a single offering He (Jesus) has forever completely cleansed and perfected those who are consecrated and made holy." Hebrews 9:14 (Amplified) says, "How much more surely shall the Blood of Christ, Who by virtue of (His) eternal Spirit (His Own pr-existent Divine personality) has offered Himself as an unblemished sacrifice to God, purify our consciences from dead works and lifeless observances to serve the (Ever) Living God?"
As new creation people, we should believe so much in our Sacrificed Lamb, that we would not be living under the guilt and condemnation of the old,dead spirit we were under. By faith in Jesus, we should not be reminded of our past, but only of who we've now been created to be, clean and new before God. We are not forgiven sinners, but we are a new creation.
1John 3:19-21 (Amplified) tells us, "By this we shall come to know (perceive, recognize, and understand) that we are of the Truth, and can reassure (quiet, conciliate and pacify) our hearts in His Presence. Whenever our hearts in (tormenting) self-accusations make us feel guilty and condemn us (for we are in God's hands) For He is above and greater than our consciences (our hearts) everything (nothing is hidden from Him) And beloved, if our consciences (our hearts) do not accuse us (if they do not make us feel guilty and condemn us) we have confidence (complete assurance and boldness) before God."
Hebrews 4:16 (Amplified) says, "Let us then (fearlessly and confidently and boldly) draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners) that we may receive mercy (for our failures) and find grace to help in good time for every need (appropriate help and well times help, coming just when we need it)."
The only way I know to "come boldly before God's throne of grace," is by faith in the One and Only Sacrifice that hasn't only "cleansed me of sin and unrighteousness," but by allowing my faith in Him to cleanse my conscience from the memory or those things. Paul speaks about this in Romans 12:2 (Amplified) saying, "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)."
Learn to think like a new creation and not like the world thinks.
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Lesson 83 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:16-17 (Amplified) tells us, "Consequently, from now sayson we estimate and regard no one from a (purely) human point of view (in terms of natural standards of value) (No) even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a Man, yet now (we have such knowledge of Him that) we know Him no longer (in terms of the flesh). Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
For much of the Church's history, the thing keeping us from functioning like God intended, has been discrimination. We continue to see one another after the flesh, more than the spirit. We have black churches, white churches, Hispanic churches, Korean churches and a church for every nationality. We've yet to see one another after the spirit, instead of the flesh. Even in the twenty-first century, women are still seen this way in the church, too.
Peter commented on this in 1Peter 3:7-8 (Amplified) saying, 'In the same way you married men should live considerately with (your wives), with an intelligent recognition (of the marriage relation), honoring the woman as (physically) the weaker, but realizing that you are joint heirs of the grace of (God's unmerited favor) of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered and cut off (otherwise you cannot pray effectively)." In other words, Peter is saying that if you believe women are beneath you and you're somehow superior to your wife, then the best you can agree on is the "value" you place on her worth. This is not a prayer of agreement, according to Jesus, Who says in Matthew 18:19 (Amplified) saying, "Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever (anything and everything) they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven."
The husband and wife should be "one flesh" and more "in symphony" together, than anyone else on earth. They must see one another "after the spirit." Galatians 3:27-29 (Amplified) says, "For as many (of you) as were baptized into Christ (into a spiritual union and communion with Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah) have put on (clothed yourselves with) Christ. There is (now no distinction) neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
I understand that we do have differences in our "outer man." We are boys and girls, varying colors and races, but this isn't what we're talking about here. I'm saying the same thing Paul said in 2Corinthians 5:1. We need to stop allowing our outer difference to determine who we really are. 2Corinthians 5:1 (Amplified) said, "For we know that if this tent (body) which is our earthly home is destroyed (dissolved) we have (from God a building, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens)."
Our flesh and blood bodies are not more than a "house" that our spirit, as well as God's Spirit, resides in while we're on earth. What difference should it make what color my house is painted? If I visit a friend or relative, then I don't go to see his house, but to see him. I don't care whether his house is white, green, blue or yellow, or it he paints it at all. I came to see him and not his house. When I fellowship with my family in Christ, I don't care what color his house is, because I came to see him and not his house.
Satan has used this division of color to keep the world and the Church separated for over two thousand years. We've much to learn from one another, if we will only walk in the new creation. Philippians 3:13-15 (Amplified) says, "I do not consider; brethren, that I have captured and made it my own (yet); but one thing I do (it is my one aspiration); forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the (supreme and heavenly) prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. So let those (of us) who are spiritually mature and full grown have this mind and hold these convictions, and if in any respect you have a different attitude of mind, God will make that clear to you also."
1John 3:1-2 (Amplified) tells us, "See what (an incredible) quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should (be permitted to) e named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him. Beloved, we are (even here and) now God's children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be (hereafter), but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall (as God's children) resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He (really) is."
What color do you suppose God's House is? Is the glory of God's House white, black, yellow or brown? Do you suppose that we, the Temple of God, will simply see ourselves like God sees us now, as the perfect light of glory? 1John 3:14 (Amplified) says, "We know that we have passed over out of death into life (from flesh to your spirit) by the fact that we love the brethren (our fellow Christians) He who does not love abides (remains in, is held and kept continually) in (spiritual) death."
As God's new creation family, we're called to walk in the spirit and not the flesh. We are to see one another "after the spirit and no longer after the flesh." When we continue walking in the prejudice of the flesh, we're not only still very carnal, but we are actually walking in spiritual darkness, like the world is. John said in 1John 3:1 (Amplified) that the "reason the world does not know and recognize us, is that it does not know and recognize Him," because we're supposed to do like Jesus sent and commanded us to do in John 15:12,17 (Amplified) saying, "This is My commandment; that you love one another (just) as I have loved you." He continues in Verse 17, "This is what I command you' that you love one another."
We try demonstrating our love more to the world, than we do towards one another in the Church. We will give money, food, shelter and mercy to the world (which is good), but then we divide ourselves b y race, color, denomination or even by financial status. The world might be crazy, but they're not stupid. They see the division in our ranks and the enemy has used this schism in the Body of Christ, to tell the world that the Church is full of hypocrites.
It's time we stopped the foolishness and get on with the works the Church was commanded to do.
For much of the Church's history, the thing keeping us from functioning like God intended, has been discrimination. We continue to see one another after the flesh, more than the spirit. We have black churches, white churches, Hispanic churches, Korean churches and a church for every nationality. We've yet to see one another after the spirit, instead of the flesh. Even in the twenty-first century, women are still seen this way in the church, too.
Peter commented on this in 1Peter 3:7-8 (Amplified) saying, 'In the same way you married men should live considerately with (your wives), with an intelligent recognition (of the marriage relation), honoring the woman as (physically) the weaker, but realizing that you are joint heirs of the grace of (God's unmerited favor) of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered and cut off (otherwise you cannot pray effectively)." In other words, Peter is saying that if you believe women are beneath you and you're somehow superior to your wife, then the best you can agree on is the "value" you place on her worth. This is not a prayer of agreement, according to Jesus, Who says in Matthew 18:19 (Amplified) saying, "Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever (anything and everything) they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven."
The husband and wife should be "one flesh" and more "in symphony" together, than anyone else on earth. They must see one another "after the spirit." Galatians 3:27-29 (Amplified) says, "For as many (of you) as were baptized into Christ (into a spiritual union and communion with Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah) have put on (clothed yourselves with) Christ. There is (now no distinction) neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
I understand that we do have differences in our "outer man." We are boys and girls, varying colors and races, but this isn't what we're talking about here. I'm saying the same thing Paul said in 2Corinthians 5:1. We need to stop allowing our outer difference to determine who we really are. 2Corinthians 5:1 (Amplified) said, "For we know that if this tent (body) which is our earthly home is destroyed (dissolved) we have (from God a building, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens)."
Our flesh and blood bodies are not more than a "house" that our spirit, as well as God's Spirit, resides in while we're on earth. What difference should it make what color my house is painted? If I visit a friend or relative, then I don't go to see his house, but to see him. I don't care whether his house is white, green, blue or yellow, or it he paints it at all. I came to see him and not his house. When I fellowship with my family in Christ, I don't care what color his house is, because I came to see him and not his house.
Satan has used this division of color to keep the world and the Church separated for over two thousand years. We've much to learn from one another, if we will only walk in the new creation. Philippians 3:13-15 (Amplified) says, "I do not consider; brethren, that I have captured and made it my own (yet); but one thing I do (it is my one aspiration); forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the (supreme and heavenly) prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. So let those (of us) who are spiritually mature and full grown have this mind and hold these convictions, and if in any respect you have a different attitude of mind, God will make that clear to you also."
1John 3:1-2 (Amplified) tells us, "See what (an incredible) quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should (be permitted to) e named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him. Beloved, we are (even here and) now God's children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be (hereafter), but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall (as God's children) resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He (really) is."
What color do you suppose God's House is? Is the glory of God's House white, black, yellow or brown? Do you suppose that we, the Temple of God, will simply see ourselves like God sees us now, as the perfect light of glory? 1John 3:14 (Amplified) says, "We know that we have passed over out of death into life (from flesh to your spirit) by the fact that we love the brethren (our fellow Christians) He who does not love abides (remains in, is held and kept continually) in (spiritual) death."
As God's new creation family, we're called to walk in the spirit and not the flesh. We are to see one another "after the spirit and no longer after the flesh." When we continue walking in the prejudice of the flesh, we're not only still very carnal, but we are actually walking in spiritual darkness, like the world is. John said in 1John 3:1 (Amplified) that the "reason the world does not know and recognize us, is that it does not know and recognize Him," because we're supposed to do like Jesus sent and commanded us to do in John 15:12,17 (Amplified) saying, "This is My commandment; that you love one another (just) as I have loved you." He continues in Verse 17, "This is what I command you' that you love one another."
We try demonstrating our love more to the world, than we do towards one another in the Church. We will give money, food, shelter and mercy to the world (which is good), but then we divide ourselves b y race, color, denomination or even by financial status. The world might be crazy, but they're not stupid. They see the division in our ranks and the enemy has used this schism in the Body of Christ, to tell the world that the Church is full of hypocrites.
It's time we stopped the foolishness and get on with the works the Church was commanded to do.
Friday, September 2, 2016
Lesson 82 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) says, "If any person is (ingrafted) in Christ, he is a new creation (a new creature altogether) the old previous (moral and spiritual condition) has passed away, Behold, the fresh and new has come."
The truth of the Gospel tells us that, "the old previous moral and spiritual condition has passed away." Under the Law of the old covenant, man's sins were covered by the blood of bulls and goats, making men counted as righteous by that blood. The problem with the Law wasn't the Law. The Law was perfect, the man wasn't. The old moral and spiritual condition remained the same.
Romans 3:20-24 (Amplified) says, "For no person will be justified (made righteous, acquitted, and judged acceptable) in His sight by observing the works prescribed by the Law. For (the real function of) the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin (not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith and holy character) But now the righteousness of Gd has been revealed independently and altogether apart from the Law, although actually it is attested by the Law and the prophets." Verses 22-24 go on, "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 Since all have sinned and are fallen 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."
Let's read on in Verses 25-28, which say, "Whom God put forward (before the eyes of all) as a mercy seat and propitiation by His Blood (the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation, to be received) through faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment. It was to demonstrate and prove at the present time (in the now season) that He Himself is righteous and that He justifies and accepts as righteous him who has (true) faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of (our) pride and (our) boasting? It is excluded (banished, ruled out entirely) On what principle? (On the principle) of doing good deeds? No, but on the principle of faith. For we hold that a man is justified and made upright by faith independent of and distinctly apart from good deeds (works of the Law). (The observance of the Law has nothing to do with justification)."
Now, after reading the above scripture, reread our original text in 2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) "Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether) the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
Under the Law, men were only covered from the consequences of sin. Under Jesus, we're not only covered, but we're actually creation brand new by faith in His sacrifice. Our old person was crucified with Jesus, buried with Him, raised with Him, and have become brand new, sinless, righteous and accepted sons and daughters of the living God. You never existed before in the new covenant. The old person you were, was already dead to God, while the new creation was born anew, with no past or blemish. We're just like the first Adam was in the beginning. We are truly a new creation people, who never existed before accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
In God's righteous judgment, we're so pure, holy, and righteous in Jesus, that God Himself can actually live in us and proclaim us the "temple" of God. It's difficult to understand, except by faith, that a God Who is so holy and righteous can abide and live in us as a temple. An unrenewed mind and the "accuser of the Brethren (satan)" keep reminding us of who were once were, so we cannot see who we are now in Christ. Once the truth of this new creation is realized in the heart of God's children, satan will have no hold on our lives at all. He has worked diligently to keep this truth from God's children. Guilt and condemnation from an unrenewed mind, will keep God's children in captivity under satan. When we fully recognize that our old person no longer exists, that hold is broken and we will come out from under that bondage. When Jesus said that, "The gates of hell shall not be able to withstand the Church," He was saying that once we know who we now are, the chains will be broken and we will be free.
Condemnation is the only hold satan has on the Church and the power of deception is his only weapon. If he can keep the Church under the deception of guilt, then we will never be able to accept the truth of righteousness by faith. Once the Church understands the new creation, we can walk in boldness as ambassadors for Christ. A new creation means exactly that, new. New is not remade, redone, repaired of just forgiven, but it means "new." If I am new, then I have no past. A baby has no past for which to be judged by, because he has never been before. You are born-again, with no past and no sin, born perfect in God's righteousness.
If God calls you "righteous and new," then who are we to call Him wrong? After all, He justified us and declared that we are in right standing with Him. This is the answer to Jesus' prayer to the Father. He prayed in John 17:16-19 (Amplified), "They are not of the world (worldly, belonging to the world) (just) as I am not of the world. Sanctify them (purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy) by the Truth, Your Word is Truth. Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And so for their sake and on their behalf I sanctify (dedicate, consecrate) Myself, that they also may be sanctified (dedicated, consecrated, made holy) in the Truth."
When we receive the Truth of the Word (instead of man's idea of the Truth), we can know (without a doubt) that we, as new creations, were made sanctified, consecrated, purified, holy and separated from this world, just like He is. In his letter from Jude 24:24-25 (Amplified), Jude says, "Now to Him who is able to keep you without stumbling or slipping or falling, and to present (you) unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the Presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exaltation (with unspeakable, ecstatic delight) To the One Only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory (splendor) majesty, might and dominion and power and authority, before all time and now and forever (unto all the ages of eternity) Amen (so be it)."
The truth of the Gospel tells us that, "the old previous moral and spiritual condition has passed away." Under the Law of the old covenant, man's sins were covered by the blood of bulls and goats, making men counted as righteous by that blood. The problem with the Law wasn't the Law. The Law was perfect, the man wasn't. The old moral and spiritual condition remained the same.
Romans 3:20-24 (Amplified) says, "For no person will be justified (made righteous, acquitted, and judged acceptable) in His sight by observing the works prescribed by the Law. For (the real function of) the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin (not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith and holy character) But now the righteousness of Gd has been revealed independently and altogether apart from the Law, although actually it is attested by the Law and the prophets." Verses 22-24 go on, "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 Since all have sinned and are fallen 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."
Let's read on in Verses 25-28, which say, "Whom God put forward (before the eyes of all) as a mercy seat and propitiation by His Blood (the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation, to be received) through faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment. It was to demonstrate and prove at the present time (in the now season) that He Himself is righteous and that He justifies and accepts as righteous him who has (true) faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of (our) pride and (our) boasting? It is excluded (banished, ruled out entirely) On what principle? (On the principle) of doing good deeds? No, but on the principle of faith. For we hold that a man is justified and made upright by faith independent of and distinctly apart from good deeds (works of the Law). (The observance of the Law has nothing to do with justification)."
Now, after reading the above scripture, reread our original text in 2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) "Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether) the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
Under the Law, men were only covered from the consequences of sin. Under Jesus, we're not only covered, but we're actually creation brand new by faith in His sacrifice. Our old person was crucified with Jesus, buried with Him, raised with Him, and have become brand new, sinless, righteous and accepted sons and daughters of the living God. You never existed before in the new covenant. The old person you were, was already dead to God, while the new creation was born anew, with no past or blemish. We're just like the first Adam was in the beginning. We are truly a new creation people, who never existed before accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
In God's righteous judgment, we're so pure, holy, and righteous in Jesus, that God Himself can actually live in us and proclaim us the "temple" of God. It's difficult to understand, except by faith, that a God Who is so holy and righteous can abide and live in us as a temple. An unrenewed mind and the "accuser of the Brethren (satan)" keep reminding us of who were once were, so we cannot see who we are now in Christ. Once the truth of this new creation is realized in the heart of God's children, satan will have no hold on our lives at all. He has worked diligently to keep this truth from God's children. Guilt and condemnation from an unrenewed mind, will keep God's children in captivity under satan. When we fully recognize that our old person no longer exists, that hold is broken and we will come out from under that bondage. When Jesus said that, "The gates of hell shall not be able to withstand the Church," He was saying that once we know who we now are, the chains will be broken and we will be free.
Condemnation is the only hold satan has on the Church and the power of deception is his only weapon. If he can keep the Church under the deception of guilt, then we will never be able to accept the truth of righteousness by faith. Once the Church understands the new creation, we can walk in boldness as ambassadors for Christ. A new creation means exactly that, new. New is not remade, redone, repaired of just forgiven, but it means "new." If I am new, then I have no past. A baby has no past for which to be judged by, because he has never been before. You are born-again, with no past and no sin, born perfect in God's righteousness.
If God calls you "righteous and new," then who are we to call Him wrong? After all, He justified us and declared that we are in right standing with Him. This is the answer to Jesus' prayer to the Father. He prayed in John 17:16-19 (Amplified), "They are not of the world (worldly, belonging to the world) (just) as I am not of the world. Sanctify them (purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy) by the Truth, Your Word is Truth. Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And so for their sake and on their behalf I sanctify (dedicate, consecrate) Myself, that they also may be sanctified (dedicated, consecrated, made holy) in the Truth."
When we receive the Truth of the Word (instead of man's idea of the Truth), we can know (without a doubt) that we, as new creations, were made sanctified, consecrated, purified, holy and separated from this world, just like He is. In his letter from Jude 24:24-25 (Amplified), Jude says, "Now to Him who is able to keep you without stumbling or slipping or falling, and to present (you) unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the Presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exaltation (with unspeakable, ecstatic delight) To the One Only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory (splendor) majesty, might and dominion and power and authority, before all time and now and forever (unto all the ages of eternity) Amen (so be it)."
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Lesson 81 The New Creation
In Genesis 1:26-27 (Amplified) God said, "Let Us (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) make mankind in Our Image, after Our Likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the (tame) beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth. So God created man in His Own Image, in the Image and Likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them."
Corinthians 5:16_17 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
Many of us today, fail to see ourselves as being new creations of God, even though the above scripture tells us, "the old previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away, Behold, the fresh and new has come." If we truly pondered this, then we would have realized the fullness of this Word. We were "dead in trespass and sin, without God and without covenant." The Amplified version says in Ephesians 2:12 that, "(Remember) that at that time you were separated (living apart) from Christ (excluded from all part in Him) utterly estranged and outlawed from the rights of Israel as a nation, and strangers with no share in the sacred compacts of the (Messianic) promise (with no knowledge of outright in God's agreements, His covenants). And you had no hope (no promise); You were in the world without God."
We needed to be created new in Christ Jesus, in order to become alive to God and to His covenant. Our spirit needed to be created new in His life, so that we could be alive to Him. Now, we are a new creation, just like it was in the first chapter of Genesis. We all believe that we were dead in sin and trespass, but we haven't grasped the full extent of what our new creation has made us to be. When the Holy Spirit spoke through Paul, saying, "Old things have passed away, and all things are made new," HE MEANT EXACTLY THAT.
We're not simply forgiven sinners, but are "new creatures altogether." In Christ Jesus, we've been created as new as the heavens and the earth were created new in the beginning. There has never been a people like us, existing in all of creation. We were created even differently, than Adam was in the beginning. Adam was created in God's Image, while we were created in God Himself. You might ask, "What's the difference?" The main difference is that we are no longer a separate entity, but now we're one in Him, in Jesus.
This makes us an entirely new creation, who is much different than the first one. Adam was a spirit man in a flesh and blood body, who was in touch with God. We aren't only a flesh and blood body in touch with God, but we've become His Body altogether. Christ is the Head and we are His Body. Paul says in Galatians 2:20 (Amplified), "I have been crucified with Christ (in Him I have share 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 (adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
We are different from the first creation and have truly become a new creation. The person we once were, no longer even exists in the new covenant. We were already dead, so how could we ever live for God? He first, needed to create life within us who were dead (all of us), in order to have a new creation. We've been taught that God still looks at us (Christians), like we are still sinners. This isn't true for this new creation family of God. God looks upon us, like He looks upon Jesus, because we are the Body of Christ.
This doesn't mean we can do whatever we wish and sin, because of grace, but we're to do like Paul instructs in Galatians 2:21 (Amplified), saying, "(Therefore, I do not treat God's gracious gift of minor importance and defeat its very purpose). I do not set aside and invalidate and frustrate and nullify the grace (unmerited favor) of God. For if justification (righteousness, acquittal from guilt) comes through (observing the ritual of) the Law, then Christ (the Messiah) dies groundlessly and to no purpose and in vain (His death then was wholly superfluous)."
Most of us have tried being a new creation in the spirit, and then try justifying ourselves by the Law. This can never happen. The body that we had (including the spirit within us) was dead unto God and needed to be created brand new. Our body is now His Body and our spirit is ingrafted into His Spirit. We have become one with Him.
Jesus said in John 17:23-24 (Amplified), "I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know (definitely) recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them (even) as You have loved Me." If we are Christ's Body, then how could God not love us like He loves Jesus? Jesus was praying, just prior to going to the cross, in the above scripture. He was praying a future thing, in prayer to the Father. Jesus continued in Verse 24 praying, "Father, I desire that they also whom You have entrusted to Me (as Your gift to Me) may be with Me where I Am, so that they may see My glory, which You have given Me (Your Love gift to Me); for You loved Me before the foundation of the world."
We discover the answer to Jesus' prayer in Ephesians 2:6 (Amplified) which says, "And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together (giving us joint seating with Him) in the heavenly sphere (by virtue of our being) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One)." The new creation is even lifted up and is superior to the first Adam, because he wasn't one in God, but one as like God (which was simply as separate spirit as God is). We are not a separate spirit like God, but are now one Spirit with and in God.
The new creation people never existed in all of creation before. The Holy Spirit said through Paul, in 2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) saying, "Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether) the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
Corinthians 5:16_17 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
Many of us today, fail to see ourselves as being new creations of God, even though the above scripture tells us, "the old previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away, Behold, the fresh and new has come." If we truly pondered this, then we would have realized the fullness of this Word. We were "dead in trespass and sin, without God and without covenant." The Amplified version says in Ephesians 2:12 that, "(Remember) that at that time you were separated (living apart) from Christ (excluded from all part in Him) utterly estranged and outlawed from the rights of Israel as a nation, and strangers with no share in the sacred compacts of the (Messianic) promise (with no knowledge of outright in God's agreements, His covenants). And you had no hope (no promise); You were in the world without God."
We needed to be created new in Christ Jesus, in order to become alive to God and to His covenant. Our spirit needed to be created new in His life, so that we could be alive to Him. Now, we are a new creation, just like it was in the first chapter of Genesis. We all believe that we were dead in sin and trespass, but we haven't grasped the full extent of what our new creation has made us to be. When the Holy Spirit spoke through Paul, saying, "Old things have passed away, and all things are made new," HE MEANT EXACTLY THAT.
We're not simply forgiven sinners, but are "new creatures altogether." In Christ Jesus, we've been created as new as the heavens and the earth were created new in the beginning. There has never been a people like us, existing in all of creation. We were created even differently, than Adam was in the beginning. Adam was created in God's Image, while we were created in God Himself. You might ask, "What's the difference?" The main difference is that we are no longer a separate entity, but now we're one in Him, in Jesus.
This makes us an entirely new creation, who is much different than the first one. Adam was a spirit man in a flesh and blood body, who was in touch with God. We aren't only a flesh and blood body in touch with God, but we've become His Body altogether. Christ is the Head and we are His Body. Paul says in Galatians 2:20 (Amplified), "I have been crucified with Christ (in Him I have share 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 (adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
We are different from the first creation and have truly become a new creation. The person we once were, no longer even exists in the new covenant. We were already dead, so how could we ever live for God? He first, needed to create life within us who were dead (all of us), in order to have a new creation. We've been taught that God still looks at us (Christians), like we are still sinners. This isn't true for this new creation family of God. God looks upon us, like He looks upon Jesus, because we are the Body of Christ.
This doesn't mean we can do whatever we wish and sin, because of grace, but we're to do like Paul instructs in Galatians 2:21 (Amplified), saying, "(Therefore, I do not treat God's gracious gift of minor importance and defeat its very purpose). I do not set aside and invalidate and frustrate and nullify the grace (unmerited favor) of God. For if justification (righteousness, acquittal from guilt) comes through (observing the ritual of) the Law, then Christ (the Messiah) dies groundlessly and to no purpose and in vain (His death then was wholly superfluous)."
Most of us have tried being a new creation in the spirit, and then try justifying ourselves by the Law. This can never happen. The body that we had (including the spirit within us) was dead unto God and needed to be created brand new. Our body is now His Body and our spirit is ingrafted into His Spirit. We have become one with Him.
Jesus said in John 17:23-24 (Amplified), "I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know (definitely) recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them (even) as You have loved Me." If we are Christ's Body, then how could God not love us like He loves Jesus? Jesus was praying, just prior to going to the cross, in the above scripture. He was praying a future thing, in prayer to the Father. Jesus continued in Verse 24 praying, "Father, I desire that they also whom You have entrusted to Me (as Your gift to Me) may be with Me where I Am, so that they may see My glory, which You have given Me (Your Love gift to Me); for You loved Me before the foundation of the world."
We discover the answer to Jesus' prayer in Ephesians 2:6 (Amplified) which says, "And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together (giving us joint seating with Him) in the heavenly sphere (by virtue of our being) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One)." The new creation is even lifted up and is superior to the first Adam, because he wasn't one in God, but one as like God (which was simply as separate spirit as God is). We are not a separate spirit like God, but are now one Spirit with and in God.
The new creation people never existed in all of creation before. The Holy Spirit said through Paul, in 2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) saying, "Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether) the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
PRAYERS ANSWERED
Thank You, God, for the wonderful rain!!!
Thank You, Megan, for pushing through lots of red tape in the VA. Surgeon appointment next Tuesday. Miracle.
Thank You, Megan, for pushing through lots of red tape in the VA. Surgeon appointment next Tuesday. Miracle.
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
PRAYER NEEDED
We're all in agreement in prayer for rain. Our wells, ponds and critters need rain.
Please, pray for Ken. He's home and has a wonderful, new doctor.
I need prayer, too. I pulled a muscle and tendon away from the bone, in my arm. Will need surgery. Pray for the pain to subside. Thank you, to everyone who stands in unity of prayer for these things. Amen.
Please, pray for Ken. He's home and has a wonderful, new doctor.
I need prayer, too. I pulled a muscle and tendon away from the bone, in my arm. Will need surgery. Pray for the pain to subside. Thank you, to everyone who stands in unity of prayer for these things. Amen.
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Lesson 80 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:16-17 (Amplified) says, "Know no man after the flesh, but after the spirit; If any man is (ingrafted) in Christ he is a new creation (a new creature altogether)."
We've read the above scripture many times, but have never fully grasped what the Holy Spirit has said to the Church. Many believe this scripture is for after we die and leave this earth, then we will die and become a new creature. Some will believe this scripture to mean that we are forgiven and saved, but in reality, the Father is saying He created this new family in the spirit, by the Spirit and we are made in His Likeness and Image again.
We continue to identify more with our flesh, more than by the spirit. The Holy Spirit gave Paul a prayer for the Church in Colosse and the Church at large. Since this prayer was inspired by the Holy Spirit, we know it's the Father's will for His family. The prayer is found in Colossians 1:9-14 (Amplified) and says, "For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make 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." The reason we need this "understanding and discernment of spiritual things" is found in Verse 10 which says, "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, deeper, and clear insight, acquaintance and recognition."
We're on a journey of learning and are being brought into His reflection, even here on this earth. When we were born-again, are salvation didn't stop there, but started there. Like any baby grows into maturity, we're called to do the same thing. We're not supposed to remain as babies, through our Christian walk, but we're to grow into His Likeness and Image, until we could say like Jesus did, "When you see Me, you have seen the Father." We're to be just like Jesus.
Some might throw their hands up saying, "That's too hard and cannot be true." Well, perhaps so, but is gives us something to work on. We're to emulate Him in action and character and conform to His Image. You might say, "We can never achieve this in our lifetime," but I say that we can sure grow from what we have been and strive to grow up into more mature children than we now are.
There's no point where you can stop and decide that this is as far as we can ever go. When our Heavenly Father gave life to us by His Word, He gave instruction on how to grow and mature in our spirits. In Colossians 1:13 (Amplified), Paul goes on with the prayer and giving his reason for praying it on our behalf, saying, "Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God's holy people) in the Light, (The Father) has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the Kingdom of the Son of His Love."
We've already been delivered from and transferred into God's Kingdom, in the heart and mine of God. This isn't a metaphor, but a truth of the new creation. We've never yet considered ourselves as truly delivered from the dominion of darkness. We continue seeing ourselves being drawn into all kinds of things that we've already been delivered from. This is mostly because, we still do not understand who we are in this new creation family.
We've imagined our Father is responsible for the heartache and hardship we endure, in order to teach us. No Father would ever subject his children to these things, in order to teach the children. Good Fathers lead by example. Jesus said, "I only do what I see My Father do," in John 5:19 (Amplified), "So Jesus answered them by saying, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the Son is able to do nothing of Himself (of His Own accord) but He is able to do only what He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does is what the Son does in the same way (in His turn)."
In Colossians 1:28 (Amplified), Paul writes by the Holy Spirit, saying, "Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and instructing everyone is all wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God) that we may present every person mature (full grown, fully initiated, complete and perfect) in Christ (the Anointed One)."
The adjectives, "mature, full grown, complete and filled with the knowledge of His will" is repeated many times, in many ways in the Epistles. This is a growing process that will continue, even after we're fully in His Presence. The Church (God's family) has been willing to settle for much less than our Father intended us, in this world. There have been several men and women, throughout the years, who have reached into a greater knowledge of our salvation and new birth. We've most often, viewed them as "Special people," but our Heavenly Father says this is available to anyone who will dare believe in the new creation.
Not everyone will take the time and dedication required to understand what the Spirit is saying to the Church today. Some will simply walk upright, attend church and do the charitable things we all try to do. Some will put in the extra effort to obtain the Super-natural things of God.
We've read the above scripture many times, but have never fully grasped what the Holy Spirit has said to the Church. Many believe this scripture is for after we die and leave this earth, then we will die and become a new creature. Some will believe this scripture to mean that we are forgiven and saved, but in reality, the Father is saying He created this new family in the spirit, by the Spirit and we are made in His Likeness and Image again.
We continue to identify more with our flesh, more than by the spirit. The Holy Spirit gave Paul a prayer for the Church in Colosse and the Church at large. Since this prayer was inspired by the Holy Spirit, we know it's the Father's will for His family. The prayer is found in Colossians 1:9-14 (Amplified) and says, "For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make 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." The reason we need this "understanding and discernment of spiritual things" is found in Verse 10 which says, "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, deeper, and clear insight, acquaintance and recognition."
We're on a journey of learning and are being brought into His reflection, even here on this earth. When we were born-again, are salvation didn't stop there, but started there. Like any baby grows into maturity, we're called to do the same thing. We're not supposed to remain as babies, through our Christian walk, but we're to grow into His Likeness and Image, until we could say like Jesus did, "When you see Me, you have seen the Father." We're to be just like Jesus.
Some might throw their hands up saying, "That's too hard and cannot be true." Well, perhaps so, but is gives us something to work on. We're to emulate Him in action and character and conform to His Image. You might say, "We can never achieve this in our lifetime," but I say that we can sure grow from what we have been and strive to grow up into more mature children than we now are.
There's no point where you can stop and decide that this is as far as we can ever go. When our Heavenly Father gave life to us by His Word, He gave instruction on how to grow and mature in our spirits. In Colossians 1:13 (Amplified), Paul goes on with the prayer and giving his reason for praying it on our behalf, saying, "Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God's holy people) in the Light, (The Father) has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the Kingdom of the Son of His Love."
We've already been delivered from and transferred into God's Kingdom, in the heart and mine of God. This isn't a metaphor, but a truth of the new creation. We've never yet considered ourselves as truly delivered from the dominion of darkness. We continue seeing ourselves being drawn into all kinds of things that we've already been delivered from. This is mostly because, we still do not understand who we are in this new creation family.
We've imagined our Father is responsible for the heartache and hardship we endure, in order to teach us. No Father would ever subject his children to these things, in order to teach the children. Good Fathers lead by example. Jesus said, "I only do what I see My Father do," in John 5:19 (Amplified), "So Jesus answered them by saying, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the Son is able to do nothing of Himself (of His Own accord) but He is able to do only what He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does is what the Son does in the same way (in His turn)."
In Colossians 1:28 (Amplified), Paul writes by the Holy Spirit, saying, "Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and instructing everyone is all wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God) that we may present every person mature (full grown, fully initiated, complete and perfect) in Christ (the Anointed One)."
The adjectives, "mature, full grown, complete and filled with the knowledge of His will" is repeated many times, in many ways in the Epistles. This is a growing process that will continue, even after we're fully in His Presence. The Church (God's family) has been willing to settle for much less than our Father intended us, in this world. There have been several men and women, throughout the years, who have reached into a greater knowledge of our salvation and new birth. We've most often, viewed them as "Special people," but our Heavenly Father says this is available to anyone who will dare believe in the new creation.
Not everyone will take the time and dedication required to understand what the Spirit is saying to the Church today. Some will simply walk upright, attend church and do the charitable things we all try to do. Some will put in the extra effort to obtain the Super-natural things of God.
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Lesson 79 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any man is (ingrafted) into Christ Jesus, he is a new creation (a new creature altogether)."
We've become new creations and everything in this new Kingdom operates by faith In God's Word and His Kingdom rule. As Christians, we've been born into the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven, but we continue operating in things we learned as natural men on earth.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:32 (Amplified), "Seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His Kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides." Jesus was speaking about the natural things we eat, drink and wear. And as such, these things are part of God's provision for us here on earth, as well as heavenly things.
In Romans 12:2 (Amplified), Paul encourages us to "not be conformed to this world (or age), but to be transformed by the renewal of our minds." The Holy Spirit directed Paul in 1Corinthians 2:16 (Amplified) saying, "For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.'
God says something we should take consideration of as we "renew our minds," in Isaiah 55:7,9-11 (Amplified) saying, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord." Verses 9-11 go on, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and snow came down from the heavens and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater. So shall My Word be that goes forth out of My mouth; it shall not return to Me void (without producing any effect, useless) but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."
This is"Seeking first" God's Kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right). God says to us in Isaiah 54:13-17 (Amplified), "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 thought 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." Verses 16-17 go on, "Behold, I have created the smith that blows on the fire of coals and who produces a weapon for its purpose; and I created the devastator to destroy, But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgement 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 or the vindication which they obtain from Me (this is that which I impart to them as their justification) says the Lord."
These are the only things that make sense and are wisdom, in one whose minds has been renewed by God's Word and the Holy Spirit. We must learn to "Think His thought and learn His ways." When we understand His higher ways and His higher thoughts, we begin walking in the Heavenly authority of His Kingdom.
God invokes His children in Isaiah 1:18-20 (Amplified) saying, "Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord, Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; thought they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword, For the mouth of the Lord has spoken it."
How many times has the Holy Spirit sent revelation knowledge to the Church and we've refused and rebelled against it? If we would stop "reasoning with ourselves" and "come reason together with Him," then we could receive the ways of the Kingdom that would lift us into what He's called us to be. Our minds have been taught and filled with man's wisdom and ways for so long, that we've exalted the natural way over the super-natural ways of God.
God said in Isaiah 54:15 (Amplified) that, "Fear, oppression, destruction and strife may gather together against [us], But it is not from Me!" Acts 10:38 plainly declares who has brought the "oppression and harassment and sickness" upon the world (including God's children). Thus it says, "God appointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with strength, and ability and power, how He went about doing good and in particular, curing all who were harassed and oppressed by (the power of) the devil; for God was with Him."
We've become new creations and everything in this new Kingdom operates by faith In God's Word and His Kingdom rule. As Christians, we've been born into the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven, but we continue operating in things we learned as natural men on earth.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:32 (Amplified), "Seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His Kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides." Jesus was speaking about the natural things we eat, drink and wear. And as such, these things are part of God's provision for us here on earth, as well as heavenly things.
In Romans 12:2 (Amplified), Paul encourages us to "not be conformed to this world (or age), but to be transformed by the renewal of our minds." The Holy Spirit directed Paul in 1Corinthians 2:16 (Amplified) saying, "For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.'
God says something we should take consideration of as we "renew our minds," in Isaiah 55:7,9-11 (Amplified) saying, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord." Verses 9-11 go on, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and snow came down from the heavens and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater. So shall My Word be that goes forth out of My mouth; it shall not return to Me void (without producing any effect, useless) but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."
This is"Seeking first" God's Kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right). God says to us in Isaiah 54:13-17 (Amplified), "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 thought 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." Verses 16-17 go on, "Behold, I have created the smith that blows on the fire of coals and who produces a weapon for its purpose; and I created the devastator to destroy, But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgement 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 or the vindication which they obtain from Me (this is that which I impart to them as their justification) says the Lord."
These are the only things that make sense and are wisdom, in one whose minds has been renewed by God's Word and the Holy Spirit. We must learn to "Think His thought and learn His ways." When we understand His higher ways and His higher thoughts, we begin walking in the Heavenly authority of His Kingdom.
God invokes His children in Isaiah 1:18-20 (Amplified) saying, "Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord, Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; thought they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword, For the mouth of the Lord has spoken it."
How many times has the Holy Spirit sent revelation knowledge to the Church and we've refused and rebelled against it? If we would stop "reasoning with ourselves" and "come reason together with Him," then we could receive the ways of the Kingdom that would lift us into what He's called us to be. Our minds have been taught and filled with man's wisdom and ways for so long, that we've exalted the natural way over the super-natural ways of God.
God said in Isaiah 54:15 (Amplified) that, "Fear, oppression, destruction and strife may gather together against [us], But it is not from Me!" Acts 10:38 plainly declares who has brought the "oppression and harassment and sickness" upon the world (including God's children). Thus it says, "God appointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with strength, and ability and power, how He went about doing good and in particular, curing all who were harassed and oppressed by (the power of) the devil; for God was with Him."
Monday, August 22, 2016
Lesson 78 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) tells us, "If any man if (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus, he is a new creation (a new creature altogether)."
Let the words "a new creature altogether" sink down into your spirit and think about what this means to the believer. This means, that as far as God is concerned, you never existed before meeting Jesus. We've been born into the household and family of God. God is no longer just God, but now this awesome God has become our Father and we are His family.
Everything God has is now available to the believer, because of this relationship with Him. It must be heartbreaking for God, when some believe He is the source of all the calamities occurring in their lives. We've been taught that we cannot trust Him for much of anything, even though He has given us everything. Most of us have heard other Christians say such things as, "You never know what God is going to do" and "God uses sickness and disease for our good."
Personally, I've never found anything good about sickness or disease. We speak a lot about "The Love of God," but we understand very little about it. Our Heavenly Father brought about this new creation, in order to restore communion and fellowship with His children. God needed to restore His children to where they were before the fall of Adam. He needed a man who had no sin and who was pure and clean enough for Him to indwell with His Own Spirit. The blood of goats and bulls only covered the people's sins, for a short amount of time. God required One Whose Blood (Jesus,God Himself) was sinless, in order to pay the penalty for sin altogether and not simply cover them.
We feel like God sees us the way we were, when His Word says differently. We continue to see ourselves as the old man, more than the new creation we've been made to be. When Paul said, "Renew your mind," he was beginning to think like God thinks. Paul was telling us to begin thinking like God thinks, see ourselves like God does. He "forgot" who we once were and sees us as we are now. We're to take the Word of grace and believe it, so that we can walk in the fellowship with God, that He created us for.
Do we only acknowledge or seek fellowship with Him, when we're in need? God says that, "If we learn His ways, then we wouldn't need for anything, because He's supplied it for us already." There is a drastic difference between what the Holy Spirit teaches and what the world has taught us. We've become "conformed " to the world in our understanding of God, just as Paul admonished us not to do. Jesus said that, "When you see Me, you have seen the Father." Still, though, we cannot seem to connect those two things in our eyes. We've never look at Jesus as being the source of sickness, but only as THE CURE.
We lack trust in God, because we've looked more to men to teach us, rather than the Holy Spirit. I recall the instance where God told me, "Son, My grace has supplied much more than faith has ever received." I wasn't sure exactly what the Father was talking about, for a long time. One day, it settled in my spirit, that it would take faith even to activate the blessing. Our faith has been more in the Curse to discipline us, rather than the blessing. We've acted like our lives have been predetermined and we have nothing to say about it at all.
Some have taught that some people are predetermined for destruction and cannot even be saved. Worse yet, we've might be among them, according to those teachers. Even if this was true, who are we to determine who goes or who stays? We concocted such dumb teachings as, "Your number will be called and when your time is up, you're just gone." We seem to forget Psalm 91 where God says, "With long life will I satisfy you, and show you My Salvation."
Many slander those of us who step out in faith of God's Word, calling us "fools" and "cultists." We were taught that prosperity was wrong, healing has ceased and miracles aren't for today. Some have even taught that these things were only for "starting the early Church," like the super-natural wasn't needed for building God's Church since then. It might seem like that's true sometimes, because we argue among ourselves, accept only what our designated denomination teaches and have nearly forgotten about praying for our nation. Some would even have us believe that the chaos and mess the world is in today, is in God's hands.
We've seemingly turned around the things satan does as being the things of God, and the things God does have now become the things of satan. As new creation family, we're to listen to, imitate and learn to hear from our Heavenly Father. We are to be like Jesus in our walk and let Him be our Example.
We've previously discussed "How far is too far with God." I've heard it said before that, "Too much of the Bible, will make one crazy." We were already crazy, but God restored our sanity. It's not crazy to try being like God wants us to be. This is why the new creation has come about, to restore our relationship with Him and no longer be separated from Him. Without understanding who we have become, we can never hope to accomplish God's will here on earth.
The job we have to do, will require the restoration of God's ability in and through His new family. God doesn't need our ability, only our availability, because He already has all the ability He needs. God only needs for us to, by faith, allow Him to show Himself to the world like He really is.
Let the words "a new creature altogether" sink down into your spirit and think about what this means to the believer. This means, that as far as God is concerned, you never existed before meeting Jesus. We've been born into the household and family of God. God is no longer just God, but now this awesome God has become our Father and we are His family.
Everything God has is now available to the believer, because of this relationship with Him. It must be heartbreaking for God, when some believe He is the source of all the calamities occurring in their lives. We've been taught that we cannot trust Him for much of anything, even though He has given us everything. Most of us have heard other Christians say such things as, "You never know what God is going to do" and "God uses sickness and disease for our good."
Personally, I've never found anything good about sickness or disease. We speak a lot about "The Love of God," but we understand very little about it. Our Heavenly Father brought about this new creation, in order to restore communion and fellowship with His children. God needed to restore His children to where they were before the fall of Adam. He needed a man who had no sin and who was pure and clean enough for Him to indwell with His Own Spirit. The blood of goats and bulls only covered the people's sins, for a short amount of time. God required One Whose Blood (Jesus,God Himself) was sinless, in order to pay the penalty for sin altogether and not simply cover them.
We feel like God sees us the way we were, when His Word says differently. We continue to see ourselves as the old man, more than the new creation we've been made to be. When Paul said, "Renew your mind," he was beginning to think like God thinks. Paul was telling us to begin thinking like God thinks, see ourselves like God does. He "forgot" who we once were and sees us as we are now. We're to take the Word of grace and believe it, so that we can walk in the fellowship with God, that He created us for.
Do we only acknowledge or seek fellowship with Him, when we're in need? God says that, "If we learn His ways, then we wouldn't need for anything, because He's supplied it for us already." There is a drastic difference between what the Holy Spirit teaches and what the world has taught us. We've become "conformed " to the world in our understanding of God, just as Paul admonished us not to do. Jesus said that, "When you see Me, you have seen the Father." Still, though, we cannot seem to connect those two things in our eyes. We've never look at Jesus as being the source of sickness, but only as THE CURE.
We lack trust in God, because we've looked more to men to teach us, rather than the Holy Spirit. I recall the instance where God told me, "Son, My grace has supplied much more than faith has ever received." I wasn't sure exactly what the Father was talking about, for a long time. One day, it settled in my spirit, that it would take faith even to activate the blessing. Our faith has been more in the Curse to discipline us, rather than the blessing. We've acted like our lives have been predetermined and we have nothing to say about it at all.
Some have taught that some people are predetermined for destruction and cannot even be saved. Worse yet, we've might be among them, according to those teachers. Even if this was true, who are we to determine who goes or who stays? We concocted such dumb teachings as, "Your number will be called and when your time is up, you're just gone." We seem to forget Psalm 91 where God says, "With long life will I satisfy you, and show you My Salvation."
Many slander those of us who step out in faith of God's Word, calling us "fools" and "cultists." We were taught that prosperity was wrong, healing has ceased and miracles aren't for today. Some have even taught that these things were only for "starting the early Church," like the super-natural wasn't needed for building God's Church since then. It might seem like that's true sometimes, because we argue among ourselves, accept only what our designated denomination teaches and have nearly forgotten about praying for our nation. Some would even have us believe that the chaos and mess the world is in today, is in God's hands.
We've seemingly turned around the things satan does as being the things of God, and the things God does have now become the things of satan. As new creation family, we're to listen to, imitate and learn to hear from our Heavenly Father. We are to be like Jesus in our walk and let Him be our Example.
We've previously discussed "How far is too far with God." I've heard it said before that, "Too much of the Bible, will make one crazy." We were already crazy, but God restored our sanity. It's not crazy to try being like God wants us to be. This is why the new creation has come about, to restore our relationship with Him and no longer be separated from Him. Without understanding who we have become, we can never hope to accomplish God's will here on earth.
The job we have to do, will require the restoration of God's ability in and through His new family. God doesn't need our ability, only our availability, because He already has all the ability He needs. God only needs for us to, by faith, allow Him to show Himself to the world like He really is.
Friday, August 19, 2016
Lesson 77 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) says, "If any man is (ingrated) in Christ Jesus, he is a new creation (a new creature altogether)."
We've already become a new creation, once we're born-again. It's not "we will become new creations in Christ Jesus once we're in Heaven." I'm not for sure what the reason is, but we've always at the above scripture as being for sometime in the future and not for now. Satan's strategy is to keep us bound, for as long as possible. When we fail to understand the Truth of the Word for our present lives, we're not as "dangerous" to him as we could be.
We've mostly tried controlling the flesh, by the flesh. We've taken God's Word and made traditions and religions from it, instead of being taught by it. Once we became a new creation, we were created brand-new in the Likeness and Image of God Himself. Jesus said in John 4:24 (Amplified), "God is a Spirit (a Spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth (reality)."
When God created man, He created him brand new in his spirit. Man was supposed to be guided and led by his spirit, not his flesh." Jesus reiterated this message in John 6:63 (Amplified) saying, "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."
If the Word of God isn't being fed into our new creation spirit, then we just make mental ascent to it and make it religious. God's Word is what feeds and nourishes the new man. Just like steak and potatoes feed the natural man, the Word of God feeds the spiritual man. When we fail to feed on the Word like we're supposed to, our spirit man becomes weak and the natural man will dominate him. Reading a Promise Card from a Promise Box, is like feeding a singular doughnut to the natural man in one twenty-four hour period. Most of us wouldn't have enough strength to carry on our natural lives on that puny amount of food.
An under-fed new man, allows the natural man to take control and that results in our trying to control the flesh without the spirit. Simply being able to quote scripture, doesn't mean it is "Bread" to our spirit. The Pharisees could quote things from the old covenant and from that, created amendments to make themselves holy. Jesus said they were, "The blind leading the blind." We're sometimes like that and they weren't even born-again yet.
The Holy Spirit led the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:14 (Amplified) saying, "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." Other translations say that they are "mature sons of God." My wife gave birth to our two sons (who are now 53 and 48) and although they are mature sons, they remain our sons. They're not perfect, but they are grown up. I no longer need to lend them my car, because they have their own cars. They are adults and have responsibilities as adults. I raised them to be able to govern themselves according to what they've learned and they are still learning.
When we are mature sons of God (as new creatures in Christ), we're to govern ourselves by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Word. We're to teach our spirits, by the Holy Spirit and the Word, to the place where our spirit now dominates our natural man. God gave us a natural body, to be able to contact this natural world we live in. The natural body was simply a house or covering for the real you, that lives inside the body. Your body wasn't supposed to rule you, anymore than the house you currently live in (your board and shingle house), is to rule you.
Led by the Holy Spirit, your spirit was always to be in control of your flesh, instead of the other way around. We still have many problems in today's Church, because we're mostly very carnal in our thinking. Paul instructed us to "renew our minds," in Romans 12:2 (Amplified) saying, "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)."
The "renewal" of your mind, isn't something taught in school, but is something your new creation man teaches your mind, as it becomes dominate over your senses. Paul spoke about this in Hebrews 5:14 (Amplified) saying, "Solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to distinguish and discriminate between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law."
This is a man who is led by the spirit and not the flesh. He is a mature son and hasn't remained a baby Christian. The only true manner a new creation being can mature, is by allowing the Word to be Spirit and Life to him, instead of simply being a book of rules. When we continue to refer to ourselves like we were, instead of who we are, we're not being led by the Holy Spirit. When we place more faith in the Curse of the Law, rather than in the Blessing, we're still carnal and led by our flesh.
We've already become a new creation, once we're born-again. It's not "we will become new creations in Christ Jesus once we're in Heaven." I'm not for sure what the reason is, but we've always at the above scripture as being for sometime in the future and not for now. Satan's strategy is to keep us bound, for as long as possible. When we fail to understand the Truth of the Word for our present lives, we're not as "dangerous" to him as we could be.
We've mostly tried controlling the flesh, by the flesh. We've taken God's Word and made traditions and religions from it, instead of being taught by it. Once we became a new creation, we were created brand-new in the Likeness and Image of God Himself. Jesus said in John 4:24 (Amplified), "God is a Spirit (a Spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth (reality)."
When God created man, He created him brand new in his spirit. Man was supposed to be guided and led by his spirit, not his flesh." Jesus reiterated this message in John 6:63 (Amplified) saying, "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."
If the Word of God isn't being fed into our new creation spirit, then we just make mental ascent to it and make it religious. God's Word is what feeds and nourishes the new man. Just like steak and potatoes feed the natural man, the Word of God feeds the spiritual man. When we fail to feed on the Word like we're supposed to, our spirit man becomes weak and the natural man will dominate him. Reading a Promise Card from a Promise Box, is like feeding a singular doughnut to the natural man in one twenty-four hour period. Most of us wouldn't have enough strength to carry on our natural lives on that puny amount of food.
An under-fed new man, allows the natural man to take control and that results in our trying to control the flesh without the spirit. Simply being able to quote scripture, doesn't mean it is "Bread" to our spirit. The Pharisees could quote things from the old covenant and from that, created amendments to make themselves holy. Jesus said they were, "The blind leading the blind." We're sometimes like that and they weren't even born-again yet.
The Holy Spirit led the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:14 (Amplified) saying, "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." Other translations say that they are "mature sons of God." My wife gave birth to our two sons (who are now 53 and 48) and although they are mature sons, they remain our sons. They're not perfect, but they are grown up. I no longer need to lend them my car, because they have their own cars. They are adults and have responsibilities as adults. I raised them to be able to govern themselves according to what they've learned and they are still learning.
When we are mature sons of God (as new creatures in Christ), we're to govern ourselves by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Word. We're to teach our spirits, by the Holy Spirit and the Word, to the place where our spirit now dominates our natural man. God gave us a natural body, to be able to contact this natural world we live in. The natural body was simply a house or covering for the real you, that lives inside the body. Your body wasn't supposed to rule you, anymore than the house you currently live in (your board and shingle house), is to rule you.
Led by the Holy Spirit, your spirit was always to be in control of your flesh, instead of the other way around. We still have many problems in today's Church, because we're mostly very carnal in our thinking. Paul instructed us to "renew our minds," in Romans 12:2 (Amplified) saying, "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)."
The "renewal" of your mind, isn't something taught in school, but is something your new creation man teaches your mind, as it becomes dominate over your senses. Paul spoke about this in Hebrews 5:14 (Amplified) saying, "Solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to distinguish and discriminate between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law."
This is a man who is led by the spirit and not the flesh. He is a mature son and hasn't remained a baby Christian. The only true manner a new creation being can mature, is by allowing the Word to be Spirit and Life to him, instead of simply being a book of rules. When we continue to refer to ourselves like we were, instead of who we are, we're not being led by the Holy Spirit. When we place more faith in the Curse of the Law, rather than in the Blessing, we're still carnal and led by our flesh.
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Lesson 76 The New Creation
According to 2Corinthians 5:16-17 (Amplified), "We've been made a new creation (a new creature altogether)."
The new creation being we've become through Jesus, isn't like the old creature we were before. This new creation is a new spiritual being that didn't even exist until we were born-again. When a baby is born into the world, he is a new creature. He's like other babies, but in himself, he is a new creature. This new baby has no past, because he never existed before. What he becomes in later years, depends fully upon what he learns, eats and how he develops through time. Nonetheless, he is still unique in himself.
As new creation people in God's House and Kingdom, we are very much the same as those born into the world population. The main difference, though, is that we are "born of the Spirit." What you become depends on what you learn, eat and how you develop and progress in your relationship with the Father. You will always be a child of the Father, but to what degree, will depend on a number of things here in this world.
We continue trying to deal with this new creation being that we've become, from the outside-in, instead of from the inside-out. We are trying to discipline and grow by our carnal senses, through rules and regulations of religion.
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." Your life now flows out of your spirit, not your flesh. Sickness, depression, addiction, futility and many other things that hold us down in this world, can be dealt only through our new creation spirit and not the flesh.
Like you feed your flesh a healthy dinner and receive strength in your body, so it is with your spirit. If you only ate once a month, then your natural body would run out of energy and you'd get sick and fail to function properly. When Jesus said that, "[His] Words are Spirit and Life," He meant exactly that. Your real life is in your spirit. Even after the death of your natural body, your spirit will live on. It's the same while we are still alive in this body.
Your healing comes from the inside-out and not from the outside-in, according to Proverbs 4:20-22 (Amplified) which says, "My son, attend to My Words; consent and submit to My sayings. Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart (or spirit). For they (My Words) are Life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh." Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified) that, "The Words I speak to you are Spirit and they are Life."
We are new creation children of our Heavenly Father (Who is a Spirit) and we're to live by His Words. The Word of God is food to your new spirit and with the Life of God now flowing from our spirit, it will also nourish the flesh and bring health and healing to it. We have somehow lost the understanding of who we've become. Thus, we've returned to the same old religious way of doing things.
Health and healing is already there in God's Word, for His family. This isn't some doctrine or denominational teaching, but TRUTH. When we "feed" our new spiritual body on spiritual food (the Word), we have what Jesus called "abundance and overflow" from our new creation spirit. He said in John 10:10 (Amplified), "I came that you may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)."
Jesus had just been touched by a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years in Mark 5:30 (Amplified) which says, "Jesus, recognizing in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth." Jesus could sense or discern the "overflow" of the Life depart out of His Spirit. The Life and Word that was in Jesus' Spirit, needed replenishment by "feeding" His Spirit on the Word and by His being in God's Presence and praying. One can only give what he has. If Jesus continued in His ministry of healing and miracles, without feeding on the Word, then He would have run short of the "overflow of Life" that proceeded out of His Own Spirit.
Being in the Word is more than some kind of religious thing we do out of obligation to God, but it is Spirit and Life. It even become difficult to minister words of salvation to the unsaved, if we have no Life in us. We've become spirit being and must feed our spirit on the nourishment to feed on. This isn't just a religious exercise, but a necessity that comes with out new creation.
We are supposed to "hear" our Father's Words, by our spirit. We're to be guided by our new spirit, by the Holy Spirit and we've to develop our spirit to govern our lives (not the other way around). We still allow our emotions and sense to guide us, instead of our spirits. Paul told the Church in Hebrews 5:14 (Amplified) that, "Solid food is for full grown men, for those whose senses and mental facilities are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law."
This is something for each individual to do. This isn't as some would say, "If God wants me to know something, then He will tell me." This is the only way to bring your flesh into subjection to your new creation spirit. It is trained by practice. Even in our own carnal senses, there are such things occurring in America like abortion, that haven't been trained by our spirit to distinguish.
We witness the moral decay occurring in our nation, from not "training and feeding" on Words of Spirit and Life. We simply follow after the flesh and go with the flow of government and the carnal mind. We were born into the Kingdom of Heaven, fashioned after our Father Who is a Spirit and are to be empowered and led by our spirit and the Word. All of our life, healing, power, ability, and vision or insight, comes from our new creation being, that we've become.
This isn't just behavioral modification of the flesh. I know many people who are morally good, who are not born again. We are to go much deeper than behavior modification. We are to be led by our spirit, by the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in Matthew 4:4 (Amplified) that, "Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every Word that comes forth from the mouth of God."
The natural man can live for awhile with only the natural food for his body, but there is still Life in his spirit. And, because the Life is in the Spirit and the Word, the body will grow sick and "faint" until there is nothing left for it to do, except expire. For those who will feed their spirit on Words of Spirit and Life, their bodies will grow older, but they can maintain strength into old age. They can function like a younger man or woman even at an old age, because the Word, "[God's Words] are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh," according to Proverbs 4:22. Taken in the way God intended, the Word will sustain even the natural body into old age, with strength and ability.
The only way of knowing our Heavenly Father as He really is, is by allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal Him to us by His Word. The distorted view of God that we've held, comes from the carnal mind and the way the world has seen Him, rather than revelation knowledge given by God's Word or His Spirit. When we feed our spirit on the world's ideas of God, we feed contaminated food into our spirit that brings forth wrong things in our relationship with Him. That's led to the weird ideas about Who or what God is and what He does or wants done in our lives.
The new creation being we've become through Jesus, isn't like the old creature we were before. This new creation is a new spiritual being that didn't even exist until we were born-again. When a baby is born into the world, he is a new creature. He's like other babies, but in himself, he is a new creature. This new baby has no past, because he never existed before. What he becomes in later years, depends fully upon what he learns, eats and how he develops through time. Nonetheless, he is still unique in himself.
As new creation people in God's House and Kingdom, we are very much the same as those born into the world population. The main difference, though, is that we are "born of the Spirit." What you become depends on what you learn, eat and how you develop and progress in your relationship with the Father. You will always be a child of the Father, but to what degree, will depend on a number of things here in this world.
We continue trying to deal with this new creation being that we've become, from the outside-in, instead of from the inside-out. We are trying to discipline and grow by our carnal senses, through rules and regulations of religion.
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." Your life now flows out of your spirit, not your flesh. Sickness, depression, addiction, futility and many other things that hold us down in this world, can be dealt only through our new creation spirit and not the flesh.
Like you feed your flesh a healthy dinner and receive strength in your body, so it is with your spirit. If you only ate once a month, then your natural body would run out of energy and you'd get sick and fail to function properly. When Jesus said that, "[His] Words are Spirit and Life," He meant exactly that. Your real life is in your spirit. Even after the death of your natural body, your spirit will live on. It's the same while we are still alive in this body.
Your healing comes from the inside-out and not from the outside-in, according to Proverbs 4:20-22 (Amplified) which says, "My son, attend to My Words; consent and submit to My sayings. Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart (or spirit). For they (My Words) are Life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh." Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified) that, "The Words I speak to you are Spirit and they are Life."
We are new creation children of our Heavenly Father (Who is a Spirit) and we're to live by His Words. The Word of God is food to your new spirit and with the Life of God now flowing from our spirit, it will also nourish the flesh and bring health and healing to it. We have somehow lost the understanding of who we've become. Thus, we've returned to the same old religious way of doing things.
Health and healing is already there in God's Word, for His family. This isn't some doctrine or denominational teaching, but TRUTH. When we "feed" our new spiritual body on spiritual food (the Word), we have what Jesus called "abundance and overflow" from our new creation spirit. He said in John 10:10 (Amplified), "I came that you may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)."
Jesus had just been touched by a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years in Mark 5:30 (Amplified) which says, "Jesus, recognizing in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth." Jesus could sense or discern the "overflow" of the Life depart out of His Spirit. The Life and Word that was in Jesus' Spirit, needed replenishment by "feeding" His Spirit on the Word and by His being in God's Presence and praying. One can only give what he has. If Jesus continued in His ministry of healing and miracles, without feeding on the Word, then He would have run short of the "overflow of Life" that proceeded out of His Own Spirit.
Being in the Word is more than some kind of religious thing we do out of obligation to God, but it is Spirit and Life. It even become difficult to minister words of salvation to the unsaved, if we have no Life in us. We've become spirit being and must feed our spirit on the nourishment to feed on. This isn't just a religious exercise, but a necessity that comes with out new creation.
We are supposed to "hear" our Father's Words, by our spirit. We're to be guided by our new spirit, by the Holy Spirit and we've to develop our spirit to govern our lives (not the other way around). We still allow our emotions and sense to guide us, instead of our spirits. Paul told the Church in Hebrews 5:14 (Amplified) that, "Solid food is for full grown men, for those whose senses and mental facilities are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law."
This is something for each individual to do. This isn't as some would say, "If God wants me to know something, then He will tell me." This is the only way to bring your flesh into subjection to your new creation spirit. It is trained by practice. Even in our own carnal senses, there are such things occurring in America like abortion, that haven't been trained by our spirit to distinguish.
We witness the moral decay occurring in our nation, from not "training and feeding" on Words of Spirit and Life. We simply follow after the flesh and go with the flow of government and the carnal mind. We were born into the Kingdom of Heaven, fashioned after our Father Who is a Spirit and are to be empowered and led by our spirit and the Word. All of our life, healing, power, ability, and vision or insight, comes from our new creation being, that we've become.
This isn't just behavioral modification of the flesh. I know many people who are morally good, who are not born again. We are to go much deeper than behavior modification. We are to be led by our spirit, by the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in Matthew 4:4 (Amplified) that, "Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every Word that comes forth from the mouth of God."
The natural man can live for awhile with only the natural food for his body, but there is still Life in his spirit. And, because the Life is in the Spirit and the Word, the body will grow sick and "faint" until there is nothing left for it to do, except expire. For those who will feed their spirit on Words of Spirit and Life, their bodies will grow older, but they can maintain strength into old age. They can function like a younger man or woman even at an old age, because the Word, "[God's Words] are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh," according to Proverbs 4:22. Taken in the way God intended, the Word will sustain even the natural body into old age, with strength and ability.
The only way of knowing our Heavenly Father as He really is, is by allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal Him to us by His Word. The distorted view of God that we've held, comes from the carnal mind and the way the world has seen Him, rather than revelation knowledge given by God's Word or His Spirit. When we feed our spirit on the world's ideas of God, we feed contaminated food into our spirit that brings forth wrong things in our relationship with Him. That's led to the weird ideas about Who or what God is and what He does or wants done in our lives.
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Lesson 75 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) says, "Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
In the first creation, God brought forth man (the first Adam) in His Own Likeness and Image. God then gave this man (species of man), which included the woman as well, dominion over the earth and everything in it. As we know, Adam gave over all his rights unto satan, in an effort to redeem his wife after the fall and the glory of God departed from her. The woman (Eve) was deceived, but Adam wasn't, according to 1Timothy 2:14 (Amplified). I truly believe that Adam was trying to act as redeemer and gave all that he had to redeem his wife. Of course, that effort failed and resulted in Adam handing all of his authority and privileges to satan.
As the Last Adam, Jesus was "born of a woman" and was without the sin sentence of a man, because His Blood came from His Father, God, Whose Blood is sinless. This gave Jesus dominion in both worlds. He was born of a natural woman and was the Son of man. Luke 7:34 (Amplified) says, "The Son of man has come eating and drinking,, and you say, Behold, A Man Who is a glutton and a win drinker, a friend of tax collectors and notorious sinners." Jesus referred to Himself as the Son of God in Luke 10:22 (Amplified) saying, "All things have been given over into My power by Father; and no one knows Who the Son is except the Father, or Who the Father is, except the Son and anyone to whom the Son may choose to reveal and make Him known." After rising from the dead, Jesus spoke to His disciples in Matthew 28:18-19 (Amplified) saying, "All authority (all power of rule) in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me." In the next verse, Jesus delegated the Power of Attorney to us saying, "Go then and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the Name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Jesus gave us the Power of Attorney, enabling us to use His Name and His power to set things in the proper order again. In Him, we've also been made new creations who are born of man and born of God. There is no contamination from the sin of the first Adam, but we've been restored back to glory by the Last Adam, Jesus. The new creation being that we've become, has dominion again in the earth. And, through Jesus, we also hold the place of power in the "heavenlies."
Jesus laid out the ministry of the new creation family in John 17:18,20 (Amplified), when He said to our Father, "Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." Jesus said in Verse 20, "Neither for these alone do 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."
If we understand the new creation concept, as God intended, then we know how we've been born-again into the sinless realm of God's Own family. We've become like our Lord and Savior (not as Lord and Savior), but like unto Him. As new creations, we've been given authority over satan and sin again, in order to live in God's Own glory, as His family. We weren't just forgiven, but we actually died and were raised alive by the Same Spirit Who raised Jesus from the dead.
If we truly understood, in our new spirits, what happened to us when accepting Jesus, then we'll have the authority Adam had been given and have the authority delegated to Jesus when He was raised from the dead. Like Jesus, we can now confess, "It is not Me, but the Father in Me that does the works, because this glory is not of us, but our Father, Who lives and dwells in us."
2Corinthians 4:6-7 (Amplified) tells us,"For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as (to beam forth) the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of majesty and glory of God (as it is manifest in the person and is revealed) in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah. However, we possess this precious treasure (the divine Light of the Gospel) in (frail, human) vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves."
It's not that the power isn't there, but it's not in men's flesh. It's the Presence of God within this earthly body, that brings the power. We've been so careful about not boasting or lifting ourselves up, that we have failed to lift up the Spirit of God Who lives in this "vessel" of flesh. Trust me when I say, "No one would ever believe either of us opened blind eyes or that we made devils flee in terror." God alone will be the One Who gets the glory for these miracles.
We read the Word and relate to others how we are the temple of God, quoting 1Corinthians 6:19 (Amplified), "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." Even though we know this scripture, we continue living like God is a million miles away from us. Jesus was always aware of "The Father in Me, He does the works."
When we become God inside minded, things will not only change in our lives, but in the lives of those around us. We're more aware of what we cannot do and seem to forget that, "With God, all things are possible." We were created new, with the nature and ability and the very Presence of God within us.
The new creation being is just like the First One, Who is Jesus. God instructed Adam to, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth." Before Adam's fall, all of his children would have had the same nature he had and that nature was God. When Adam fell, this same principle was just as true. Adam lost his place in God and produces all mankind in his own nature. Why can we have faith in Adam's ability to make all men sinners, like Romans 3:23 (Amplified) says, "Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives?" But, then we put no faith in the very next verse 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've been taught to identify more with Adam than in Jesus, so much so, that we readily identify with sin and cannot identify with righteousness. You are a new creation and we must see ourselves as God says we are, instead of who we think we are. Romans 3:3-4 (Amplified) asks, "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)."
The revelation of God in us, hasn't reached the point point of full truth, in the hearts of God's people. When the Truth of this new creation reaches the depths of our born-again spirit, it will change everything. We've been wary to pray for the sick or pray for miracles, because we've had more faith in our lack of ability, instead of faith in His ability in us. If Jesus stated that, "Of Myself, I can do nothings," then we should know that of ourselves, we can do nothing. This didn't stop Jesus, because He wasn't conscious of Himself, but rather of "God in Him, that does the works." This is the purpose of our "being in the world, but not of the world." No one in the world, can do what our God can do. So, we must bring the Kingdom of our God, into the realm of the world, then everyone will see Him as He really is.
In the first creation, God brought forth man (the first Adam) in His Own Likeness and Image. God then gave this man (species of man), which included the woman as well, dominion over the earth and everything in it. As we know, Adam gave over all his rights unto satan, in an effort to redeem his wife after the fall and the glory of God departed from her. The woman (Eve) was deceived, but Adam wasn't, according to 1Timothy 2:14 (Amplified). I truly believe that Adam was trying to act as redeemer and gave all that he had to redeem his wife. Of course, that effort failed and resulted in Adam handing all of his authority and privileges to satan.
As the Last Adam, Jesus was "born of a woman" and was without the sin sentence of a man, because His Blood came from His Father, God, Whose Blood is sinless. This gave Jesus dominion in both worlds. He was born of a natural woman and was the Son of man. Luke 7:34 (Amplified) says, "The Son of man has come eating and drinking,, and you say, Behold, A Man Who is a glutton and a win drinker, a friend of tax collectors and notorious sinners." Jesus referred to Himself as the Son of God in Luke 10:22 (Amplified) saying, "All things have been given over into My power by Father; and no one knows Who the Son is except the Father, or Who the Father is, except the Son and anyone to whom the Son may choose to reveal and make Him known." After rising from the dead, Jesus spoke to His disciples in Matthew 28:18-19 (Amplified) saying, "All authority (all power of rule) in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me." In the next verse, Jesus delegated the Power of Attorney to us saying, "Go then and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the Name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Jesus gave us the Power of Attorney, enabling us to use His Name and His power to set things in the proper order again. In Him, we've also been made new creations who are born of man and born of God. There is no contamination from the sin of the first Adam, but we've been restored back to glory by the Last Adam, Jesus. The new creation being that we've become, has dominion again in the earth. And, through Jesus, we also hold the place of power in the "heavenlies."
Jesus laid out the ministry of the new creation family in John 17:18,20 (Amplified), when He said to our Father, "Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." Jesus said in Verse 20, "Neither for these alone do 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."
If we understand the new creation concept, as God intended, then we know how we've been born-again into the sinless realm of God's Own family. We've become like our Lord and Savior (not as Lord and Savior), but like unto Him. As new creations, we've been given authority over satan and sin again, in order to live in God's Own glory, as His family. We weren't just forgiven, but we actually died and were raised alive by the Same Spirit Who raised Jesus from the dead.
If we truly understood, in our new spirits, what happened to us when accepting Jesus, then we'll have the authority Adam had been given and have the authority delegated to Jesus when He was raised from the dead. Like Jesus, we can now confess, "It is not Me, but the Father in Me that does the works, because this glory is not of us, but our Father, Who lives and dwells in us."
2Corinthians 4:6-7 (Amplified) tells us,"For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as (to beam forth) the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of majesty and glory of God (as it is manifest in the person and is revealed) in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah. However, we possess this precious treasure (the divine Light of the Gospel) in (frail, human) vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves."
It's not that the power isn't there, but it's not in men's flesh. It's the Presence of God within this earthly body, that brings the power. We've been so careful about not boasting or lifting ourselves up, that we have failed to lift up the Spirit of God Who lives in this "vessel" of flesh. Trust me when I say, "No one would ever believe either of us opened blind eyes or that we made devils flee in terror." God alone will be the One Who gets the glory for these miracles.
We read the Word and relate to others how we are the temple of God, quoting 1Corinthians 6:19 (Amplified), "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." Even though we know this scripture, we continue living like God is a million miles away from us. Jesus was always aware of "The Father in Me, He does the works."
When we become God inside minded, things will not only change in our lives, but in the lives of those around us. We're more aware of what we cannot do and seem to forget that, "With God, all things are possible." We were created new, with the nature and ability and the very Presence of God within us.
The new creation being is just like the First One, Who is Jesus. God instructed Adam to, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth." Before Adam's fall, all of his children would have had the same nature he had and that nature was God. When Adam fell, this same principle was just as true. Adam lost his place in God and produces all mankind in his own nature. Why can we have faith in Adam's ability to make all men sinners, like Romans 3:23 (Amplified) says, "Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives?" But, then we put no faith in the very next verse 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've been taught to identify more with Adam than in Jesus, so much so, that we readily identify with sin and cannot identify with righteousness. You are a new creation and we must see ourselves as God says we are, instead of who we think we are. Romans 3:3-4 (Amplified) asks, "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)."
The revelation of God in us, hasn't reached the point point of full truth, in the hearts of God's people. When the Truth of this new creation reaches the depths of our born-again spirit, it will change everything. We've been wary to pray for the sick or pray for miracles, because we've had more faith in our lack of ability, instead of faith in His ability in us. If Jesus stated that, "Of Myself, I can do nothings," then we should know that of ourselves, we can do nothing. This didn't stop Jesus, because He wasn't conscious of Himself, but rather of "God in Him, that does the works." This is the purpose of our "being in the world, but not of the world." No one in the world, can do what our God can do. So, we must bring the Kingdom of our God, into the realm of the world, then everyone will see Him as He really is.
Friday, August 12, 2016
Happy 55th Anniversary to my wife, Mary!!! No one thought we'd make it together, but God worked a beautiful miracle.
My brother George went to be with the Lord early this morning. I'd like to remind his family and friends that we will have more time to spend with him in eternity, than we've had here. See you soon, George.
My brother George went to be with the Lord early this morning. I'd like to remind his family and friends that we will have more time to spend with him in eternity, than we've had here. See you soon, George.
Lesson 74 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) says, "Those who are (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus, are a new creation, a new creature altogether."
The above scripture was inspired by the Holy Spirit, not only as revelation, but education. It's because of education that we can read the Words of the above scripture with understanding in the natural man. We have revelation of the truth, beyond our natural man in order to train up our new man. We cannot train up our new being in truth, until we realize who we have now become in Jesus.
We've all met people who live a clean and moral life, but who aren't born-again. Our focus has been mostly on living a moral and clean life after we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Of course, this is something expected of Christians, but our Father doesn't stop there. As new creation people, we are to have an understanding of who we've become and to be led by our spirit again, by the Word and by the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 4:7 (Amplified) says, "The beginning of Wisdom is; get wisdom (skillful and Godly wisdom) For skillful and God wisdom is the principal thing. And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation)."
God's Word itself is wisdom, but the understanding of this wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit into our spirit. Someone who isn't born-again can be educated, by teaching them to read. Even the unsaved person can be taught to read God's Word, but they can only have the discernment of wisdom after they are saved. We have been educated by the world, to read the Word of God. But, many remain without discernment of the truth the Word teaches.
We've established laws and tradition in the church, in order to live morally right before God. That's how it should be. But, we've neglected to teach the new man (the real you) how to live in the spirit. This has brought about more of a religion, instead of a relationship with our Heavenly Father. The Word is truth, but only the Holy Spirit can convey this truth into our spirit.
We see how Paul relates this to us (by the Holy Spirit) in 1Corinthians 2:9-11 (Amplified) saying, "But, on the contrary, as the scripture says; What eye has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered into the heart of man (all that) God has prepared (made and keeps ready) for those who love Him (who hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed). Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the (Holy) Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding profound and bottomless things of God (the divine councils and things hidden and beyond man's scrutiny) For what person perceives (knows and understands) what passes through a man's thoughts except the man's own spirit within Him? Just so no one discerns (comes to know and comprehend) the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."
We can read the Word and understand what is says by education, but we can't "comprehend the bottomless and the divine counsels, and hidden things," unless it is spiritually discerned. This is why we have so many different doctrines and traditions in today's Church. We can only do what we have learned and been taught to do by our own understand, without the discernment of the Holy Spirit.
In these last days, we must move on into the understanding of the "divine counsel and hidden things" that have been beyond man's scrutiny. The Church (us) has been tasked with reaping the end time harvest for God. The old religious and traditional manner of doing things will not do what must be done in these last days.
God is unveiling and revealing these things to His children, now by the Holy Spirit, according to 1Corinthians 2:10. This is because we must show our Super-natural God to the eyes of the world. Too many in today's world, haven't seen the Church as anything other than "just another religion." This is mainly because we haven't learned by the Holy Spirit, the things needed to reveal our God in any other way.
As we begin training up our new creation being into what our Father birthed us to be, then God will truly be glorified in the eyes of the world. Ephesians 3:9-10 (Amplified) says, "Also to enlighten all men and make plain to them what is the plan (regarding the Gentiles and providing for the salvation of all men) of the mystery kept hidden through the ages and concealed until now in (the mind of) God Who created all things by Christ Jesus. (The purpose is) that through the Church the complicated, man-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere."
Satan has never been afraid of religion, because he started it. He fears God's Word being revealed to the people of this new creation about who and what we really are. This is what God is going to use in these times, to bring these "principalities and powers" (written about in Ephesians 6:12) into the subjection of God's rule and reveal Himself to them (through His Church).
We were held in reserve by our Heavenly Father for such a time as this. There was an appointed time for His unveiling on an overall basis to His people and THAT TIME IS NOW. We're about to know more, hear more, see more and move more by the super-natural things of God, than we have in any other time since the birth of the Church. We have a mandate from God in these last days, that we're about to fulfill by His Spirit to reveal God to the world in glory, power and presence like never seen before. Time has come to "Feed on the pure unadulterated milk of His Word and grow thereby," like 1Peter 2:2 says.
The above scripture was inspired by the Holy Spirit, not only as revelation, but education. It's because of education that we can read the Words of the above scripture with understanding in the natural man. We have revelation of the truth, beyond our natural man in order to train up our new man. We cannot train up our new being in truth, until we realize who we have now become in Jesus.
We've all met people who live a clean and moral life, but who aren't born-again. Our focus has been mostly on living a moral and clean life after we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Of course, this is something expected of Christians, but our Father doesn't stop there. As new creation people, we are to have an understanding of who we've become and to be led by our spirit again, by the Word and by the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 4:7 (Amplified) says, "The beginning of Wisdom is; get wisdom (skillful and Godly wisdom) For skillful and God wisdom is the principal thing. And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation)."
God's Word itself is wisdom, but the understanding of this wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit into our spirit. Someone who isn't born-again can be educated, by teaching them to read. Even the unsaved person can be taught to read God's Word, but they can only have the discernment of wisdom after they are saved. We have been educated by the world, to read the Word of God. But, many remain without discernment of the truth the Word teaches.
We've established laws and tradition in the church, in order to live morally right before God. That's how it should be. But, we've neglected to teach the new man (the real you) how to live in the spirit. This has brought about more of a religion, instead of a relationship with our Heavenly Father. The Word is truth, but only the Holy Spirit can convey this truth into our spirit.
We see how Paul relates this to us (by the Holy Spirit) in 1Corinthians 2:9-11 (Amplified) saying, "But, on the contrary, as the scripture says; What eye has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered into the heart of man (all that) God has prepared (made and keeps ready) for those who love Him (who hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed). Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the (Holy) Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding profound and bottomless things of God (the divine councils and things hidden and beyond man's scrutiny) For what person perceives (knows and understands) what passes through a man's thoughts except the man's own spirit within Him? Just so no one discerns (comes to know and comprehend) the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."
We can read the Word and understand what is says by education, but we can't "comprehend the bottomless and the divine counsels, and hidden things," unless it is spiritually discerned. This is why we have so many different doctrines and traditions in today's Church. We can only do what we have learned and been taught to do by our own understand, without the discernment of the Holy Spirit.
In these last days, we must move on into the understanding of the "divine counsel and hidden things" that have been beyond man's scrutiny. The Church (us) has been tasked with reaping the end time harvest for God. The old religious and traditional manner of doing things will not do what must be done in these last days.
God is unveiling and revealing these things to His children, now by the Holy Spirit, according to 1Corinthians 2:10. This is because we must show our Super-natural God to the eyes of the world. Too many in today's world, haven't seen the Church as anything other than "just another religion." This is mainly because we haven't learned by the Holy Spirit, the things needed to reveal our God in any other way.
As we begin training up our new creation being into what our Father birthed us to be, then God will truly be glorified in the eyes of the world. Ephesians 3:9-10 (Amplified) says, "Also to enlighten all men and make plain to them what is the plan (regarding the Gentiles and providing for the salvation of all men) of the mystery kept hidden through the ages and concealed until now in (the mind of) God Who created all things by Christ Jesus. (The purpose is) that through the Church the complicated, man-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere."
Satan has never been afraid of religion, because he started it. He fears God's Word being revealed to the people of this new creation about who and what we really are. This is what God is going to use in these times, to bring these "principalities and powers" (written about in Ephesians 6:12) into the subjection of God's rule and reveal Himself to them (through His Church).
We were held in reserve by our Heavenly Father for such a time as this. There was an appointed time for His unveiling on an overall basis to His people and THAT TIME IS NOW. We're about to know more, hear more, see more and move more by the super-natural things of God, than we have in any other time since the birth of the Church. We have a mandate from God in these last days, that we're about to fulfill by His Spirit to reveal God to the world in glory, power and presence like never seen before. Time has come to "Feed on the pure unadulterated milk of His Word and grow thereby," like 1Peter 2:2 says.
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Lesson 73 The New Creation
. 2Corinthians 5:16-17 tells us who we have now become in Christ Jesus. For many years, we have thought of ourselves as not being much different than we were before becoming Christians. We fought the same habits, addictions and even the same depression as we did before we were saved.
Romans 10:8-17 are a few of the famous verses we have used to bring people into a prayer of salvation. Romans 10:17 declares that "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." This spiritual principle works with all things and should read that "Faith in God, comes by hearing the Word of God." Faith in anything comes by "hearing" what is being said, especially over an extended period of time.
Faith in Jihad comes by hearing, faith in Communism comes by hearing, faith in Buddha comes by hearing, just like faith in anythings comes from listening to something spoken over a period of time. We tend to place our faith in what was said, whether it is right or wrong. We have heard evolution spoken for so long, that we now teach it to our children as fact. So, once again, "Faith comes by hearing." Jesus teaches the Parable of the Sower in Mark 4:24 (Amplified) and equates faith in what we hear to seeds. Thus, He says, "Be careful what you are hearing, The measure of (thought and study) you give (to the truth you hear) will be the measure (of virtue and knowledge) that comes back to you-and more (besides) will be given to you who hear."
How much truth have we been hearing and how much faith have we put into the wrong things? Faith comes by hearing! We read something in God's Word, yet we hear it preached from a natural point of view and then we place faith in what we have heard. Then, it becomes Church doctrine and we receive that "measure" in our lives.
Romans 4:13-16 (Amplified) says, "For the promise to Abraham or his posterity, that he should inherit the world, did not come through (observing the commands of) the Law but through the righteous of faith. If it is the adherents of the Law who are to be the heirs, then faith is made futile and empty of all meaning and the promise (of God) is made void (its annulled and has no power) For the Law results in (divine) wrath, but where there is no Law there is no transgression (of it either)." Verse 16 goes on, "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 us all."
I'm sharing this message, because we are faith people, who trust in what we hear being preached. If the wrong things are preached and continue placing faith in what we hear, then we will also reap the "measure of thought and study" we put into it, according to Mark 4:24. Proverbs 4:22-23 (Amplified) talks about the Word of God, saying, "For they (God's Words) are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. Keep and guard your heart (your spirit) with all above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life."
Many well-meaning people have spoken well-meaning words to well-meaning people, for many years. Instead of preaching the promise of the blessing and redemption from the Curse, we've actually been building our faith by what we have heard, thus placing our faith in the wrong things. It has now become such a standard in our churches, that it has even been said that, "God has chosen you as someone special to bear this burden of sickness." We have tolerated the curse and heard it preached for so long, that we have more faith in sickness and hardship, than we do in truth of blessing and redemption in Christ.
Some might think these lessons sound hard line, but it must be taught. Just like those under the Law (scribes and pharisees), we believe the old wine if better than the new wine. We've been so sure of our doctrine, that we put more faith in what man has said, rather than in what God says. And, because it is a spiritual principle and spiritual Law, satan has become very proficient in bringing our faith into his subjection by making sure what we have been hearing.
Nearly everything God has sent to us through Jesus, has been undermined by what we've put our faith in through what we've been hearing. I'm not implying that what has been preached was from evil men, but by those who believed they were preaching Christ Jesus. Satan couldn't stop the new creation or the new birth, so he made sure that what we were hearing would result in faith that would promote his kingdom and not God's Kingdom. He made sure that what we heard would build our faith in what we were hearing and that would support his ministry to steal, kill, and destroy. Our faith has been polluted with satan's lies, placed in our hearts by what we've heard throughout the centuries.
Nearly every super-natural promise and act of God on behalf of His children, has been falsified (in one way or another) by what we've been hearing. The very things that came to us by Jesus, we've heard "has passed away," "was only "for the early Church," "was only to start up the early Church," "was only an arbitrary and exceptional intervention of God" and in some instances we've heard how "healing, tongues and voices from on High might be from the devil." I heard some of these things, even before being saved.
All of these gifts, blessings and super-natural calling and character of our Father, were ingrafted into our spirits when we were born again and became part of God's family. We've never extended our faith to receive any of it, because we never heard much of it preached. Some pentacostal circles put faith in certain gifts, but still preach more about our old man, rather than the new creation. We were made much more aware of our past lives as sinners, than our new creation life as the sons and daughters of God.
We heard more preached about how God uses sickness to teach us, than we heard about the Holy Spirit being our Teacher. Consequently, we put our faith in an infirm spirit instead of the Holy Spirit. We began judging our spirit life more by the flesh, than by the spirit. We even began expecting sickness and hard times to come upon us (so we could learn from them) because of what we were hearing and putting faith in what we heard.
The persecution and afflictions Jesus said would arise were, "For the Word's sake." Read Mark 4 very carefully and let the Holy Spirit guide you through it. Jesus said in Mark 4:15 (Amplified) that, "Satan comes at once and (by force) takes away the message which is sown in them." He also said in Mark 4:17 (Amplified) that, "Even those who heard have no real root in themselves (not rooted by faith in the Word) and so they endure for a little while, then when trouble or persecution arises on account of the Word immediately they (are offended and displeased at being associated with Me) stumble and fall away."
Since faith in God comes by hearing God's Word (not man's idea of what we might think God's Word says), satan must take that Word out of their hearts (by force, if necessary). It's easier to dig up an acorn than it is to dig up an Oak Tree. Satan has only to "uproot" the Word when it is a Seed and before it gets down in your spirit to take root by faith. He used trials, affliction and persecutions to take away the Word or Seed that was sown.
Men have taught more about our downfall through Adam, rather than our new creation life in Jesus. We've been taught to "Just hang in there, until we get to heaven." It's time we actually begin believing our God and Father is still Almighty and wants to show Himself strong on behalf of His family. There will always be those telling you that you cannot do certain things. They did so about Moses, Joshua, Paul and even Jesus and will undoubtedly say that about you, when you dare to believe God. That's okay, because we aren't men pleasers, but God pleasers.
I can promise you on thing for sure...when we put faith in His Word (instead of men's words), we will see the miracles of God once again, in our schools, workplaces, homes and even our churches. When this happens, and it will, then we will have people who will have "Faith that comes by hearing God's Word." The woman with the issue of blood heard about Jesus and was healed. What have we been hearing about Him?
Romans 10:8-17 are a few of the famous verses we have used to bring people into a prayer of salvation. Romans 10:17 declares that "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." This spiritual principle works with all things and should read that "Faith in God, comes by hearing the Word of God." Faith in anything comes by "hearing" what is being said, especially over an extended period of time.
Faith in Jihad comes by hearing, faith in Communism comes by hearing, faith in Buddha comes by hearing, just like faith in anythings comes from listening to something spoken over a period of time. We tend to place our faith in what was said, whether it is right or wrong. We have heard evolution spoken for so long, that we now teach it to our children as fact. So, once again, "Faith comes by hearing." Jesus teaches the Parable of the Sower in Mark 4:24 (Amplified) and equates faith in what we hear to seeds. Thus, He says, "Be careful what you are hearing, The measure of (thought and study) you give (to the truth you hear) will be the measure (of virtue and knowledge) that comes back to you-and more (besides) will be given to you who hear."
How much truth have we been hearing and how much faith have we put into the wrong things? Faith comes by hearing! We read something in God's Word, yet we hear it preached from a natural point of view and then we place faith in what we have heard. Then, it becomes Church doctrine and we receive that "measure" in our lives.
Romans 4:13-16 (Amplified) says, "For the promise to Abraham or his posterity, that he should inherit the world, did not come through (observing the commands of) the Law but through the righteous of faith. If it is the adherents of the Law who are to be the heirs, then faith is made futile and empty of all meaning and the promise (of God) is made void (its annulled and has no power) For the Law results in (divine) wrath, but where there is no Law there is no transgression (of it either)." Verse 16 goes on, "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 us all."
I'm sharing this message, because we are faith people, who trust in what we hear being preached. If the wrong things are preached and continue placing faith in what we hear, then we will also reap the "measure of thought and study" we put into it, according to Mark 4:24. Proverbs 4:22-23 (Amplified) talks about the Word of God, saying, "For they (God's Words) are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. Keep and guard your heart (your spirit) with all above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life."
Many well-meaning people have spoken well-meaning words to well-meaning people, for many years. Instead of preaching the promise of the blessing and redemption from the Curse, we've actually been building our faith by what we have heard, thus placing our faith in the wrong things. It has now become such a standard in our churches, that it has even been said that, "God has chosen you as someone special to bear this burden of sickness." We have tolerated the curse and heard it preached for so long, that we have more faith in sickness and hardship, than we do in truth of blessing and redemption in Christ.
Some might think these lessons sound hard line, but it must be taught. Just like those under the Law (scribes and pharisees), we believe the old wine if better than the new wine. We've been so sure of our doctrine, that we put more faith in what man has said, rather than in what God says. And, because it is a spiritual principle and spiritual Law, satan has become very proficient in bringing our faith into his subjection by making sure what we have been hearing.
Nearly everything God has sent to us through Jesus, has been undermined by what we've put our faith in through what we've been hearing. I'm not implying that what has been preached was from evil men, but by those who believed they were preaching Christ Jesus. Satan couldn't stop the new creation or the new birth, so he made sure that what we were hearing would result in faith that would promote his kingdom and not God's Kingdom. He made sure that what we heard would build our faith in what we were hearing and that would support his ministry to steal, kill, and destroy. Our faith has been polluted with satan's lies, placed in our hearts by what we've heard throughout the centuries.
Nearly every super-natural promise and act of God on behalf of His children, has been falsified (in one way or another) by what we've been hearing. The very things that came to us by Jesus, we've heard "has passed away," "was only "for the early Church," "was only to start up the early Church," "was only an arbitrary and exceptional intervention of God" and in some instances we've heard how "healing, tongues and voices from on High might be from the devil." I heard some of these things, even before being saved.
All of these gifts, blessings and super-natural calling and character of our Father, were ingrafted into our spirits when we were born again and became part of God's family. We've never extended our faith to receive any of it, because we never heard much of it preached. Some pentacostal circles put faith in certain gifts, but still preach more about our old man, rather than the new creation. We were made much more aware of our past lives as sinners, than our new creation life as the sons and daughters of God.
We heard more preached about how God uses sickness to teach us, than we heard about the Holy Spirit being our Teacher. Consequently, we put our faith in an infirm spirit instead of the Holy Spirit. We began judging our spirit life more by the flesh, than by the spirit. We even began expecting sickness and hard times to come upon us (so we could learn from them) because of what we were hearing and putting faith in what we heard.
The persecution and afflictions Jesus said would arise were, "For the Word's sake." Read Mark 4 very carefully and let the Holy Spirit guide you through it. Jesus said in Mark 4:15 (Amplified) that, "Satan comes at once and (by force) takes away the message which is sown in them." He also said in Mark 4:17 (Amplified) that, "Even those who heard have no real root in themselves (not rooted by faith in the Word) and so they endure for a little while, then when trouble or persecution arises on account of the Word immediately they (are offended and displeased at being associated with Me) stumble and fall away."
Since faith in God comes by hearing God's Word (not man's idea of what we might think God's Word says), satan must take that Word out of their hearts (by force, if necessary). It's easier to dig up an acorn than it is to dig up an Oak Tree. Satan has only to "uproot" the Word when it is a Seed and before it gets down in your spirit to take root by faith. He used trials, affliction and persecutions to take away the Word or Seed that was sown.
Men have taught more about our downfall through Adam, rather than our new creation life in Jesus. We've been taught to "Just hang in there, until we get to heaven." It's time we actually begin believing our God and Father is still Almighty and wants to show Himself strong on behalf of His family. There will always be those telling you that you cannot do certain things. They did so about Moses, Joshua, Paul and even Jesus and will undoubtedly say that about you, when you dare to believe God. That's okay, because we aren't men pleasers, but God pleasers.
I can promise you on thing for sure...when we put faith in His Word (instead of men's words), we will see the miracles of God once again, in our schools, workplaces, homes and even our churches. When this happens, and it will, then we will have people who will have "Faith that comes by hearing God's Word." The woman with the issue of blood heard about Jesus and was healed. What have we been hearing about Him?
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Lesson 72 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:16-17(Amplified) says, "Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a (purely) human point of view (in terms of natural standards of value). (No) even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a Man, yet now (we have such knowledge of Him that) we know Him no longer (in terms of the flesh). Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come."
As we delve into these scriptures inspired by the Holy Spirit, they take on a much greater sense than our religious ideas have brought to pass in our lives. As we come to the letter to the Hebrews, we can see by the ninth and tenth chapters, what the eleven chapter means when it begins with, "Now faith." We read about the human priesthood and how it and the people had to live by Law and ritual. Paul begins to come into this in Hebrews 10:38-39 (Amplified) where he says, "The just shall live by faith (my righteous servant shall live by his conviction respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, and holy fervor born of faith conjoined with it) and if he draws back and shrinks from in fear, my soul has no delight or pleasure in him. But our way is not that of those who draw back to eternal misery (perdition) and are utterly destroyed, but we are of those who believe (who cleave to and trust in and rely on God through Jesus Christ, the Messiah) and by faith preserve the soul." The Bible divides Paul's letter into another chapter, but Paul made no such division in Hebrews 10:40 (Amplified) saying, "So, now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things hoped 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)."
With this, we can understand what Paul writes in Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) saying, "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)."
Those walking under the old covenant, walked by sight in the smoke rising from the Temple and by the blood of sacrifice and the High Priest who entered the Holy of Holies on their behalf. When they saw all these things, they "felt" like they were accepted by God. But, for us, the new creation people, we no longer "know Jesus as a Man," Who we can identify with (even though many Christians continue identifying with Him as a Man), but as the Great High Priest Who has been raised up to be seated at God's right hand. We still try walking by the same standard that the old covenant people walked by. We have no way of judging our righteousness by our performance more than faith in His righteousness. We are continually judging the flesh of our own selves and of others.
Paul spoke of the High Priest from the old covenant, saying that even he needed to offer sacrifice for himself because "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God," even though their High Priest was a sinner. We, the new creation people, have a High Priest Who is without sin and acts on our behalf. Jesus' Blood (which we cannot see), His garments (of which we know nothing except by the Word and the Holy Spirit) and the Sacrifice that was acceptable unto God for all men for all time, are things we barely understand at all.
So, "Now faith" is our substance and title deed for everything we need or hope for. We have no proof that we can physically see and no other way to have our needs met. We can no longer depend on other sacrifices or deeds of the flesh, but only faith in what God has said and what He has done for us. Our righteousness must be accepted by faith in what God has said about us and not by what we or someone else might say or think. Our sin isn't only forgiven, but is forgotten. Although we might continue feeling like a sinner, we must by faith, necessarily believes that we are pure and holy in His sight. This may sound too simple to be true for some and others might believe it's not scriptural, but if you try to "make-up for your sin" by any other sacrifice, then you're outside of faith and back under the Law. Trust me...you don't want to be back under the Law. James said in James 2:10 (Amplified), "For whoever keeps the Law (as a) whole but stumbles and offends in one (single instance) has become guilty of (breaking) all of it."
We are made to the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, not by our works or goodness, but only by faith in what God has done. Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) says that if we try to approach God on our terms of righteousness instead of His, then He simply does not accept it. Without faith in Jesus' righteousness, we cannot please of approach God at all. Are we to lead a clean moral and spiritual life? Of course we are, but by allowing the Holy Spirit to show us how to do so by faith, and not by our own works. If we expect God to do things in our lives because we read His Word of give in the offerings or regularly attend church services or are deacons or pastors, then you are not walking in faith, but something other than faith. God only moves by and because of faith, according to Hebrews 11 and Hebrews 3:11-12 (Amplified) where God talks about the Israelites in the wilderness, saying, "Accordingly, I swore in My wrath and indignation, they shall not enter into My rest (Therefore beware) brethren, take care, lest there be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart (which refuses to cleave to, trust in, and rely on Him) leading you to turn away and deceit or stand aloof from the Living God."
We're continually looking for God to change His way of doing things and do them our way. He won't and can't. If God changed His Word for one, then He would need to change it for another. If God changed His Word at all, then it would no longer "be forever settled in Heaven," but would be unstable and no longer truth. We have viewed Christians who weren't healed and determined that either God put the sickness on them or that God no longer heals. God's Word tells us in 1Peter 2:24 (Amplified), "He personally bore our sins in His (Own) Body on the tree (as an altar and offered Himself on it) that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wound you have been healed. Do we, by faith, believe this? The faith in what Jesus did and faith in God's Word, is the "substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." Only God's Word is our evidence and not "Do I feel better?" or "Well, sister so and so says..."
I cannot determine from looking at you in the flesh, whether or not you are saved. Paul said that I must look at you, "After the spirit." Proverbs 4:20-22 (Amplified) says, "My Son, attend to My Words; consent and submit to My sayings. Let them not depart from your sight, keep them in the center of your heart For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh."
As new creation people, we are even now "living by faith." We were dead in trespass and sin, without God, without hope and without covenant. Paul says in Galatians 2:20 (Amplified) that, "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."
So you can clearly see that if you are a believer, then you are already living by faith!
As we delve into these scriptures inspired by the Holy Spirit, they take on a much greater sense than our religious ideas have brought to pass in our lives. As we come to the letter to the Hebrews, we can see by the ninth and tenth chapters, what the eleven chapter means when it begins with, "Now faith." We read about the human priesthood and how it and the people had to live by Law and ritual. Paul begins to come into this in Hebrews 10:38-39 (Amplified) where he says, "The just shall live by faith (my righteous servant shall live by his conviction respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, and holy fervor born of faith conjoined with it) and if he draws back and shrinks from in fear, my soul has no delight or pleasure in him. But our way is not that of those who draw back to eternal misery (perdition) and are utterly destroyed, but we are of those who believe (who cleave to and trust in and rely on God through Jesus Christ, the Messiah) and by faith preserve the soul." The Bible divides Paul's letter into another chapter, but Paul made no such division in Hebrews 10:40 (Amplified) saying, "So, now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things hoped 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)."
With this, we can understand what Paul writes in Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) saying, "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)."
Those walking under the old covenant, walked by sight in the smoke rising from the Temple and by the blood of sacrifice and the High Priest who entered the Holy of Holies on their behalf. When they saw all these things, they "felt" like they were accepted by God. But, for us, the new creation people, we no longer "know Jesus as a Man," Who we can identify with (even though many Christians continue identifying with Him as a Man), but as the Great High Priest Who has been raised up to be seated at God's right hand. We still try walking by the same standard that the old covenant people walked by. We have no way of judging our righteousness by our performance more than faith in His righteousness. We are continually judging the flesh of our own selves and of others.
Paul spoke of the High Priest from the old covenant, saying that even he needed to offer sacrifice for himself because "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God," even though their High Priest was a sinner. We, the new creation people, have a High Priest Who is without sin and acts on our behalf. Jesus' Blood (which we cannot see), His garments (of which we know nothing except by the Word and the Holy Spirit) and the Sacrifice that was acceptable unto God for all men for all time, are things we barely understand at all.
So, "Now faith" is our substance and title deed for everything we need or hope for. We have no proof that we can physically see and no other way to have our needs met. We can no longer depend on other sacrifices or deeds of the flesh, but only faith in what God has said and what He has done for us. Our righteousness must be accepted by faith in what God has said about us and not by what we or someone else might say or think. Our sin isn't only forgiven, but is forgotten. Although we might continue feeling like a sinner, we must by faith, necessarily believes that we are pure and holy in His sight. This may sound too simple to be true for some and others might believe it's not scriptural, but if you try to "make-up for your sin" by any other sacrifice, then you're outside of faith and back under the Law. Trust me...you don't want to be back under the Law. James said in James 2:10 (Amplified), "For whoever keeps the Law (as a) whole but stumbles and offends in one (single instance) has become guilty of (breaking) all of it."
We are made to the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, not by our works or goodness, but only by faith in what God has done. Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) says that if we try to approach God on our terms of righteousness instead of His, then He simply does not accept it. Without faith in Jesus' righteousness, we cannot please of approach God at all. Are we to lead a clean moral and spiritual life? Of course we are, but by allowing the Holy Spirit to show us how to do so by faith, and not by our own works. If we expect God to do things in our lives because we read His Word of give in the offerings or regularly attend church services or are deacons or pastors, then you are not walking in faith, but something other than faith. God only moves by and because of faith, according to Hebrews 11 and Hebrews 3:11-12 (Amplified) where God talks about the Israelites in the wilderness, saying, "Accordingly, I swore in My wrath and indignation, they shall not enter into My rest (Therefore beware) brethren, take care, lest there be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart (which refuses to cleave to, trust in, and rely on Him) leading you to turn away and deceit or stand aloof from the Living God."
We're continually looking for God to change His way of doing things and do them our way. He won't and can't. If God changed His Word for one, then He would need to change it for another. If God changed His Word at all, then it would no longer "be forever settled in Heaven," but would be unstable and no longer truth. We have viewed Christians who weren't healed and determined that either God put the sickness on them or that God no longer heals. God's Word tells us in 1Peter 2:24 (Amplified), "He personally bore our sins in His (Own) Body on the tree (as an altar and offered Himself on it) that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wound you have been healed. Do we, by faith, believe this? The faith in what Jesus did and faith in God's Word, is the "substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." Only God's Word is our evidence and not "Do I feel better?" or "Well, sister so and so says..."
I cannot determine from looking at you in the flesh, whether or not you are saved. Paul said that I must look at you, "After the spirit." Proverbs 4:20-22 (Amplified) says, "My Son, attend to My Words; consent and submit to My sayings. Let them not depart from your sight, keep them in the center of your heart For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh."
As new creation people, we are even now "living by faith." We were dead in trespass and sin, without God, without hope and without covenant. Paul says in Galatians 2:20 (Amplified) that, "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."
So you can clearly see that if you are a believer, then you are already living by faith!
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