2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
Jesus prayed in John 17:15-17 (Amplified) saying, "I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep and protect them from the evil one. 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."
As new creation family, we have the "best of both worlds," like the old saying goes. We are "in the world," but are not confined to only the things of this world. We are also citizens of God's Kingdom, with all the substance that this world holds, being returned to us through Jesus. The worldly things that Adam's transgression and the resulting curse brought, aren't part of our inheritance. The things God gave to man before satan took rule, are ours again through Jesus.
Luke 2:52 (Amplified) says, "And Jesus increased in wisdom (in broad and full understanding) and in stature and years, and in favor with God and man." We've been left on earth for the full purpose of revealing the Father, through Jesus Christ. We've been granted the dominion and the authority that was given to man in the Blessing, once again. Jesus said in Luke 10:9-10 (Amplified), "Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and (physical and mental strength and ability) over all the power that the enemy (possesses) and nothing shall in any way harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in Heaven."
While we're in this world, we were given authority, power and dominion by and through Jesus, Whose "Name is above all names." Jesus prayed in John 17:15 (Amplified) saying, "I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep and protect them from the evil one." As new creation family, we have the Blessing working on our behalf, to bring us into what God intended His children to have. This provides everything necessary to care for our physical needs. We also have the inheritance, as fellow heirs with Christ, that meets all of our spiritual and physical needs. Romans 8:17 (Amplified) tells us, "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."
The suffering Jesus endured wasn't death on the cross, but the people's rejection that He was sent to free. Jesus told His followers in John 16:18-19 (Amplified), "If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would treat you with affection and would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world (no longer one with it) but I have chosen (selected) you out of the world, the world hates (detests) you."
When we walk in the Spirit, we walk contrary to everything the world believes and stands for. When you walk contrary to those things, then you will suffer persecution from those who abide only by the world's beliefs. As new creation family, we have Jesus' prayer to "protect and keep us from the evil one," while we're here on earth. We also have the authority and ability of Heaven, to propel us into victory. We have been redeemed and the Blessing has been restored, to work in our lives and to use while ministering salvation to the world.
We simultaneously live in two dimension and that requires us to do the same as Jesus did in Luke 2:52 (Amplified), which says, "And Jesus increased in wisdom (in broad and full understanding) and in stature and years and in favor with God and man." God can (and already has) give us favor , even with man, by entering into this Truth of the new creation family. Proverbs 16:7 (Amplified) says, "When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him."
We've been ordained to walk as Heaven's ambassador and representatives of God's Kingdom, here on earth. We are to bring everything that satan took from God's family, by his deception, back into subjection. Those who've been captured by satan (through fear and deceit), are to be set free by God's Own elect family.
In this world (not of it), I have the responsibility of caring for my family. That's the stewardship and sonship of my inheritance. I also have the responsibility to walk as a dignitary and representative of Heaven. This appointment has been placed on us as family members and seems to be a long standing problem in many of our lives. Many believe that the more we suffer and do without, the more "holy" we become. Jesus asked God in John 17:17 (Amplified), "Make them holy by Your Truth, and Your Word is Truth."
Balancing our lives between the new Truth of this new creation, with the responsibilities of our family provisions, is where we seemingly become of two minds. We must provide and care for our earthly inheritance, as well as our Heavenly inheritance. We've had difficulty, balancing both in our lives. Some have given over one for the other, without seeking God on it, one way or the other.
We feel pressured and weighed down by the earthly things, that we're too tired to read the Word and/or pray. It's not that we don't wish to do these things, but we cannot find the time or energy. Jesus admonished His disciples at Gethsemane, saying in Mark 14:38 (Amplified), "Keep awake and watch and pray (constantly) that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Most of us desire to walk deeper in the things of God, but the flesh demands all of our time.
We're called to "seek first the Kingdom of God," according to Jesus' direction in Matthew 6:33 (Amplified) where He says, "But 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 (what you ear, wear, live, drink) taken together will be given you besides." These were the same instructions given to the Israelites who came out of Egypt, about what they would eat, drink, wear, and live. And, God did provide all these things for them.
God's Blessing in our lives, will multiply our labors and finances, so that our needs will be met. Jesus' Name and authority will set the captives free, while we serve Him in joy and thanksgiving. Everything God gave to Adam, has been restored to us through Jesus. We've also been given the authority of Heaven and the Host of Heaven, to hold and take dominion once again and restore God's honor and glory.
We can simultaneously enjoy the lives with our families here on earth, while enjoying our new creation relationship with our God and Father. We must do like Luke 2:52 (Amplified) says Jesus did and "[Increase] in wisdom (broad and full understanding) and in stature and years and favor with God and man." We must learn how to walk in the Spirit in the realm of the earth. We must do like Jesus did and balance both realms, to glorify the Father.
If we neglect our earthly families, then we are not in God's will. If we neglect our walk with God, in order to meet only our earthly needs, then we're not in His will altogether. It's requires "wisdom and full understanding" to balance both realms, like God intended from the beginning. The ministry of the Holy Spirit, is to lead us into all Truth. If we would allow the Holy Spirit to teach us, then we can walk with God on earth and enjoy both realms simultaneously.
When God finished His creation in Genesis, He was "pleased" with His creations and He saw "that all things were good, even very good." Whether I'm grooming my horses, watching my cattle, praying for the sick, being in fellowship with my Heavenly Father, mowing hay, and worshiping on Sunday mornings with the brethren, I find that I can truly "Do all things through Christ Jesus, Who strengthens me" and enjoy them all.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Lesson 212 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-19 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
As Christians, we work hard to become what the Father has already made us to be. We've been trying to become Christians by our own standards, instead of learning to develop what was born in us, from God. Jesus spent much time developing (inside Himself), what He was born to be. He never tried "becoming the Son of God," but instead began to develop the qualities that were already within Him. Jesus spent a lot of time learning and reading the Law and the Blessing. He learned through studying the scriptures, how to walk in the Blessing and how to avoid the curse.
Jesus walked by the Word of God, instead of yielding to the flesh and bending to what others thought about the scriptures. He walked in a place where the Blessing was always operating in His life. This didn't happen because He was the Son of God, but because He obeyed the Word. Many of God's people have been robbed of the Blessing that belonged to them (by being born-again), because of man-made religious teachings and traditions. Many have allowed man's opinions to rule, instead of following God's Truth found in His Word.
Developing our new creation identity, isn't something left for the pastors or denominations to do, but comes from the individual. Just because some believe that, "God doesn't do these things anymore," doesn't mean that they're right. Under the Law, Priests were given the authority and were commanded to heal and cleanse the people. There were obligations in the Law, that were to be met in order for the Blessing to operate, like God intended. It seemed easier to men to make their own rules and regulations, so the curse entered their midst.
Religion has taught us many things and given us various reasons why "the Blessing doesn't work anymore."We've made the Blessing something that doesn't apply to this life, but is only for Heaven. I'm not sure how we were ever convinced to believe this. We won't need to operate in the Blessing when we get to Heaven. God's Blessing will flow there on it's own, because the curse doesn't operate there.
We operate in God's Blessing, by simply obeying God's Word. We have an enemy who wishes to destroy us and prevent us from becoming what God intended, here on earth. Satan uses strategies and deceits to confuse us, trying to make us give-up until we reach Heaven. In order to do what God created us to do, we must allow the Holy Spirit to direct us. Then, the Blessing will provide us what we need, to fulfill what God intended for us to do on earth. We must develop our new creation spirit, to listen and learn the Truth between the Law and the Grace of the new covenant. We must develop certain skills, in order to live in this natural body, while on earth. This is why God gave us the senses that govern our flesh.
Man needed to develop skills, in order to walk, talk distinguish words and people, and to develop love and integrity in our lives. All these things were already in us when we were born, but they had to be developed in our lives. When we became the new creation family of God, everything needed to walk with Him, were provided in our being born-again. The Fruit of the Spirit was deposited into our new living spirit, as the Character and Likeness of our Father. It requires practice and endurance on our part, to develop these things in our lives.
There are some in the flesh and in the new creation spirit, who choose the path of least resistance and only develop enough to "get by." They're not interested in excelling and becoming what they have the potential to be. This is why there will always be, those who stand out in God's Kingdom, just like they stand out in this world. With God, there's no limit in what we can accomplish, but the world puts limits on people through divisions and prejudices. We've placed limits on people, according to their sex, color, weight, and height. We tell people which schools they will be allowed to attend, because of who and where their family came from. This causes people to feel trapped in their lives, without any way of escaping. They're left believing they're "not as smart as other people," "don't fit in with other people" and "don't belong with others in society."
God has removed all of these limits from mankind, through faith in Jesus. Now, for the first time, men really have been created equal. It's no longer a problem of not having enough, but only that we develop what has been given to us, in Christ. When we develop the Gift of Love or the other Gifts of the Spirit in our lives, we become candidates for whatever the Holy Spirit needs done. Paul writes in 1Corinthians 12:31 (Amplified), "But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best Gifts and Graces (the Higher Gifts and the Choicest Graces) and yet I will show you still more excellent way (one that is better by far and the highest of them all - LOVE)."
Paul is saying that, "in order to obtain the way to operate in the Gifts of the Spirit, we must develop the Gift of Love." The only way these Gifts can operate in and through you, like the Holy Spirit wills, is by having Love. It's true that God chooses some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. These are by His choosing, but God doesn't choose those who have no interest in developing their spirits, to the conformity of the Holy Spirit.
When a coach chooses someone for his team, he doesn't choose from those who don't wish to play. He chooses from those who turn out for the tryouts. Many Christians never show up, when God is choosing those to send. Developing our spirit to obey the Spirit and the Word, is a requirement that brings about the real you, God created you to be. Every individual born-again believer, has the same Lord and the same Holy Spirit and the same Father. God never short-changed any of His children. Development rests on the individual and his/her desire to glorify the Father, in his/her life.
You don't need to try obtaining God's favor, because you belong to Him and are already favored. We must simply believe this Truth and allow it to flow. You are "highly favored," because of Jesus. You are already in right standing or righteous, by His Righteousness. You must develop your faith in His Word and believe what God says about you, instead of what others say about you.
Even Jesus spent time in God's Word. When Jesus was twelve, His parents couldn't find Him. After searching, they found Him teaching and learning in the Synagogue. Jesus told them that, "He was about His Father's business." Jesus came to teach the almost forgotten Blessing of the Lord. This was the first time many heard about the Blessing and this is why the people rejoiced and followed Jesus. They heard Jesus restoring hope in them. We've preached sin and punishment for so long, that we've lost hope of ever being who God created us to be. Instead, we put our hopes in the time, when we get to Heaven.
When we develop Love in our lives, we become vessels that the Master will use. God will use these vessels, not only in our own lives, but to bring the Blessing into the lives of others like Jesus did. This Blessing will reach the saved and the unsaved. This Love will still heal the sick, cleanse the leper and set at liberty all who are bound, just like it did in Jesus' ministry. This is the Blessing and the Promise of the Holy Spirit. It's not a display of power, but one of the power of Love. Love cannot stand to see the people under bondage.
As Christians, we work hard to become what the Father has already made us to be. We've been trying to become Christians by our own standards, instead of learning to develop what was born in us, from God. Jesus spent much time developing (inside Himself), what He was born to be. He never tried "becoming the Son of God," but instead began to develop the qualities that were already within Him. Jesus spent a lot of time learning and reading the Law and the Blessing. He learned through studying the scriptures, how to walk in the Blessing and how to avoid the curse.
Jesus walked by the Word of God, instead of yielding to the flesh and bending to what others thought about the scriptures. He walked in a place where the Blessing was always operating in His life. This didn't happen because He was the Son of God, but because He obeyed the Word. Many of God's people have been robbed of the Blessing that belonged to them (by being born-again), because of man-made religious teachings and traditions. Many have allowed man's opinions to rule, instead of following God's Truth found in His Word.
Developing our new creation identity, isn't something left for the pastors or denominations to do, but comes from the individual. Just because some believe that, "God doesn't do these things anymore," doesn't mean that they're right. Under the Law, Priests were given the authority and were commanded to heal and cleanse the people. There were obligations in the Law, that were to be met in order for the Blessing to operate, like God intended. It seemed easier to men to make their own rules and regulations, so the curse entered their midst.
Religion has taught us many things and given us various reasons why "the Blessing doesn't work anymore."We've made the Blessing something that doesn't apply to this life, but is only for Heaven. I'm not sure how we were ever convinced to believe this. We won't need to operate in the Blessing when we get to Heaven. God's Blessing will flow there on it's own, because the curse doesn't operate there.
We operate in God's Blessing, by simply obeying God's Word. We have an enemy who wishes to destroy us and prevent us from becoming what God intended, here on earth. Satan uses strategies and deceits to confuse us, trying to make us give-up until we reach Heaven. In order to do what God created us to do, we must allow the Holy Spirit to direct us. Then, the Blessing will provide us what we need, to fulfill what God intended for us to do on earth. We must develop our new creation spirit, to listen and learn the Truth between the Law and the Grace of the new covenant. We must develop certain skills, in order to live in this natural body, while on earth. This is why God gave us the senses that govern our flesh.
Man needed to develop skills, in order to walk, talk distinguish words and people, and to develop love and integrity in our lives. All these things were already in us when we were born, but they had to be developed in our lives. When we became the new creation family of God, everything needed to walk with Him, were provided in our being born-again. The Fruit of the Spirit was deposited into our new living spirit, as the Character and Likeness of our Father. It requires practice and endurance on our part, to develop these things in our lives.
There are some in the flesh and in the new creation spirit, who choose the path of least resistance and only develop enough to "get by." They're not interested in excelling and becoming what they have the potential to be. This is why there will always be, those who stand out in God's Kingdom, just like they stand out in this world. With God, there's no limit in what we can accomplish, but the world puts limits on people through divisions and prejudices. We've placed limits on people, according to their sex, color, weight, and height. We tell people which schools they will be allowed to attend, because of who and where their family came from. This causes people to feel trapped in their lives, without any way of escaping. They're left believing they're "not as smart as other people," "don't fit in with other people" and "don't belong with others in society."
God has removed all of these limits from mankind, through faith in Jesus. Now, for the first time, men really have been created equal. It's no longer a problem of not having enough, but only that we develop what has been given to us, in Christ. When we develop the Gift of Love or the other Gifts of the Spirit in our lives, we become candidates for whatever the Holy Spirit needs done. Paul writes in 1Corinthians 12:31 (Amplified), "But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best Gifts and Graces (the Higher Gifts and the Choicest Graces) and yet I will show you still more excellent way (one that is better by far and the highest of them all - LOVE)."
Paul is saying that, "in order to obtain the way to operate in the Gifts of the Spirit, we must develop the Gift of Love." The only way these Gifts can operate in and through you, like the Holy Spirit wills, is by having Love. It's true that God chooses some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. These are by His choosing, but God doesn't choose those who have no interest in developing their spirits, to the conformity of the Holy Spirit.
When a coach chooses someone for his team, he doesn't choose from those who don't wish to play. He chooses from those who turn out for the tryouts. Many Christians never show up, when God is choosing those to send. Developing our spirit to obey the Spirit and the Word, is a requirement that brings about the real you, God created you to be. Every individual born-again believer, has the same Lord and the same Holy Spirit and the same Father. God never short-changed any of His children. Development rests on the individual and his/her desire to glorify the Father, in his/her life.
You don't need to try obtaining God's favor, because you belong to Him and are already favored. We must simply believe this Truth and allow it to flow. You are "highly favored," because of Jesus. You are already in right standing or righteous, by His Righteousness. You must develop your faith in His Word and believe what God says about you, instead of what others say about you.
Even Jesus spent time in God's Word. When Jesus was twelve, His parents couldn't find Him. After searching, they found Him teaching and learning in the Synagogue. Jesus told them that, "He was about His Father's business." Jesus came to teach the almost forgotten Blessing of the Lord. This was the first time many heard about the Blessing and this is why the people rejoiced and followed Jesus. They heard Jesus restoring hope in them. We've preached sin and punishment for so long, that we've lost hope of ever being who God created us to be. Instead, we put our hopes in the time, when we get to Heaven.
When we develop Love in our lives, we become vessels that the Master will use. God will use these vessels, not only in our own lives, but to bring the Blessing into the lives of others like Jesus did. This Blessing will reach the saved and the unsaved. This Love will still heal the sick, cleanse the leper and set at liberty all who are bound, just like it did in Jesus' ministry. This is the Blessing and the Promise of the Holy Spirit. It's not a display of power, but one of the power of Love. Love cannot stand to see the people under bondage.
Monday, May 8, 2017
Lesson 211 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
As new creations, we've not only been forgiven of our sins, but the price was paid in full for those sins (by Jesus), when we received Him as our Lord. Romans 6:23 (Amplified) says, "That the wages of sin is death." Thus, it says, "For the wages which sin pays is death, but the (bountiful) free Gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord." When we think of death, we usually think about our natural bodies giving up our spirit and dying. When God thinks of death, He thinks about our spirits that have been now made alive in Jesus. Jesus dies for our sin, but that's not all He died for, according to Romans 6:3-4 (Amplified) which says, "Are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by the Baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious (power) of the Father, so we too might (habitually) live and believe in newness of life."
We've never considered ourselves "dead," because of the unrenewed mind and the habit of the senses that we lived by, before being born-again. This is the powerful Truth about the new creation. We died with Christ as payment for sin and this new creation was raised with Him in newness of Life. We not to intimidated any longer, by what our unrenewed mind tells us about the old man and his shameful way of living. We are to live with Christ in the newness of life.
We knew Jesus died for our sins on the cross, so we only focused on our sins being forgiven. We never realized that we also, in Him, died too. When Jesus died, everyone who would receive Him, died too. And, when Jesus was raised, everyone who would receive Him, was raised as well. When God declared Jesus "righteous," after becoming sin with our sin, everyone who received Him, was also declared righteous.
Paul writes about the entrance of Light (Jesus) into our spirit man, in order to set us free from condemnation, in Romans 8:1-3 (Amplified) saying, "Therefore, (there is) now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live (and) walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. For the Law of the Spirit of Life (which is) in Christ Jesus (the Law of our new being) has freed me from the Law of sin and of death For God has done what the Law could not do (it's power) being weakened by the flesh (the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit) sending His Own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an Offering for sin, (God) condemned sin in the flesh (subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that Sacrifice)."
The awesome thing about this new creation, is that the wages of sin (which is death) has already been paid for, for all who are crucified with Him (have accepted Him as their Lord and Savior). Hebrews 12:1 (Amplified) says, "Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (who have borne testimony to the Truth) let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us."
The King James Version of the above scripture, says "the sin." The Amplified Bible says, "that sin," speaking about a particular sin. I believe "that sin" is the sin of unbelief, which prevents our running this race properly. As long as we continue feeling "unrighteous" by sin in our lives, we can never enter boldly into the place where God created us to be. This was the same sin that held the Israelites in the Wilderness and caused God to be displeased with them. Hebrews 3:12 (Amplified) says, "(Therefore beware) brethren [notice he is talking to 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 desert or stand aloof from the Living God."
God was displeased, because they wouldn't believe in His complete Grace and mercy and "rest in Him." As new creation people, we have to choose whether to believe the Gospel or only believe in what we've been taught and feel. The above scripture says that the Gospel was preached to them, but it didn't benefit them, because they didn't mix faith with what they heard. We've had the very same Gospel preached to us and we should mix faith with it.
If we fail to mix faith in what the Word tells us about our dying, raised and forgiven with Christ, then we will not receive the benefits of the Gospel (just like the Israelites in the Wilderness). The "rest" that the Holy Spirit speaks about is destroyed by our feelings of condemnation and guilt, that the world and unrenewed mind places on those who haven't heard or received the Good News of the Gospel.
It's ironic that the only sin God holds us accountable for (after we're born-again) is the sin of unbelief, that comes from our not mixing faith with the Gospel we've heard. Paul writes in 1Corinthians 4:3-4 (Amplified), "But (as for me personally) it matters very little to me that I should be put on trial by you (on this point), and that you or any other human tribunal should investigate and question and cross-question me. I do not even put myself on trial and judge myself. 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."
Paul wasn't saying that he never made mistakes or that he didn't attempt to walk in the Spirit. What it does means, is Paul accepted himself crucified with Christ and wouldn't let his or the ideas of men to remove him from his faith in being completely cleansed of sin, by Jesus. Paul didn't allow his past of killing and imprisoning Christians, to prevent his entering into revelation and the constant fellowship with the Lord Jesus.
In the natural unrenewed mind of man, seeing himself clean and pure in God's eyes, is more than he could hope for. Entering into God's rest, requires faith in the Gospel and trust in God. No one can walk with God, in the natural man, but only in the new creation. God has done a new thing with the new creation. He has removed even the thought of sin in our lives, by the renewing of our minds with the Word and bringing every thought "into captivity to the obedience of Christ." This is perhaps, the greatest hurdle the Church has before it. Hebrews 10:2 speaks about how accepting the Perfect Sacrifice (Jesus) would result in our "No longer having any guilt or consciousness of sin."
Now, we can "come boldly, into God's Throne of Grace and we can receive grace and mercy from Him, with boldness of faith and without sin in our consciousness." This boldness of faith is needed for the new creation people to ever receive the advanced teachings of Christ, according to Hebrews 6:1-3. The enemy has tried everything, in order to stop the revelation of the Fullness of Christ, to the Church. He knows that, when the Fullness of the Truth comes into our spirits, nothing can stop the progress of the advancing Kingdom of God.
As new creations, we've not only been forgiven of our sins, but the price was paid in full for those sins (by Jesus), when we received Him as our Lord. Romans 6:23 (Amplified) says, "That the wages of sin is death." Thus, it says, "For the wages which sin pays is death, but the (bountiful) free Gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord." When we think of death, we usually think about our natural bodies giving up our spirit and dying. When God thinks of death, He thinks about our spirits that have been now made alive in Jesus. Jesus dies for our sin, but that's not all He died for, according to Romans 6:3-4 (Amplified) which says, "Are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by the Baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious (power) of the Father, so we too might (habitually) live and believe in newness of life."
We've never considered ourselves "dead," because of the unrenewed mind and the habit of the senses that we lived by, before being born-again. This is the powerful Truth about the new creation. We died with Christ as payment for sin and this new creation was raised with Him in newness of Life. We not to intimidated any longer, by what our unrenewed mind tells us about the old man and his shameful way of living. We are to live with Christ in the newness of life.
We knew Jesus died for our sins on the cross, so we only focused on our sins being forgiven. We never realized that we also, in Him, died too. When Jesus died, everyone who would receive Him, died too. And, when Jesus was raised, everyone who would receive Him, was raised as well. When God declared Jesus "righteous," after becoming sin with our sin, everyone who received Him, was also declared righteous.
Paul writes about the entrance of Light (Jesus) into our spirit man, in order to set us free from condemnation, in Romans 8:1-3 (Amplified) saying, "Therefore, (there is) now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live (and) walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. For the Law of the Spirit of Life (which is) in Christ Jesus (the Law of our new being) has freed me from the Law of sin and of death For God has done what the Law could not do (it's power) being weakened by the flesh (the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit) sending His Own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an Offering for sin, (God) condemned sin in the flesh (subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that Sacrifice)."
The awesome thing about this new creation, is that the wages of sin (which is death) has already been paid for, for all who are crucified with Him (have accepted Him as their Lord and Savior). Hebrews 12:1 (Amplified) says, "Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (who have borne testimony to the Truth) let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us."
The King James Version of the above scripture, says "the sin." The Amplified Bible says, "that sin," speaking about a particular sin. I believe "that sin" is the sin of unbelief, which prevents our running this race properly. As long as we continue feeling "unrighteous" by sin in our lives, we can never enter boldly into the place where God created us to be. This was the same sin that held the Israelites in the Wilderness and caused God to be displeased with them. Hebrews 3:12 (Amplified) says, "(Therefore beware) brethren [notice he is talking to 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 desert or stand aloof from the Living God."
God was displeased, because they wouldn't believe in His complete Grace and mercy and "rest in Him." As new creation people, we have to choose whether to believe the Gospel or only believe in what we've been taught and feel. The above scripture says that the Gospel was preached to them, but it didn't benefit them, because they didn't mix faith with what they heard. We've had the very same Gospel preached to us and we should mix faith with it.
If we fail to mix faith in what the Word tells us about our dying, raised and forgiven with Christ, then we will not receive the benefits of the Gospel (just like the Israelites in the Wilderness). The "rest" that the Holy Spirit speaks about is destroyed by our feelings of condemnation and guilt, that the world and unrenewed mind places on those who haven't heard or received the Good News of the Gospel.
It's ironic that the only sin God holds us accountable for (after we're born-again) is the sin of unbelief, that comes from our not mixing faith with the Gospel we've heard. Paul writes in 1Corinthians 4:3-4 (Amplified), "But (as for me personally) it matters very little to me that I should be put on trial by you (on this point), and that you or any other human tribunal should investigate and question and cross-question me. I do not even put myself on trial and judge myself. 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."
Paul wasn't saying that he never made mistakes or that he didn't attempt to walk in the Spirit. What it does means, is Paul accepted himself crucified with Christ and wouldn't let his or the ideas of men to remove him from his faith in being completely cleansed of sin, by Jesus. Paul didn't allow his past of killing and imprisoning Christians, to prevent his entering into revelation and the constant fellowship with the Lord Jesus.
In the natural unrenewed mind of man, seeing himself clean and pure in God's eyes, is more than he could hope for. Entering into God's rest, requires faith in the Gospel and trust in God. No one can walk with God, in the natural man, but only in the new creation. God has done a new thing with the new creation. He has removed even the thought of sin in our lives, by the renewing of our minds with the Word and bringing every thought "into captivity to the obedience of Christ." This is perhaps, the greatest hurdle the Church has before it. Hebrews 10:2 speaks about how accepting the Perfect Sacrifice (Jesus) would result in our "No longer having any guilt or consciousness of sin."
Now, we can "come boldly, into God's Throne of Grace and we can receive grace and mercy from Him, with boldness of faith and without sin in our consciousness." This boldness of faith is needed for the new creation people to ever receive the advanced teachings of Christ, according to Hebrews 6:1-3. The enemy has tried everything, in order to stop the revelation of the Fullness of Christ, to the Church. He knows that, when the Fullness of the Truth comes into our spirits, nothing can stop the progress of the advancing Kingdom of God.
Friday, May 5, 2017
Lesson 210 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ has reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
Hebrews 9:3-4 (Amplified) says, "For if (the mere) sprinkling of unholy things and defiled persons with blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a burnt heifer is sufficient for the purification of the body How much more surely shall the Blood of Christ, Who by virtue of (His) eternal Spirit (His Own preexistent 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?"
1Corinthians 15:34 (Amplified) says, "AWAKE (from your drunken stupor and return) to sober sense and your right minds; and sin no more. For some of you have not the knowledge of God (you are utterly and willfully and disgracefully ignorant, and continue to be so, lacking the sense of God's Presence and all true knowledge of Him) I say this to your shame." The King James Version says, "Awake unto righteousness and sin no more."
Ephesians 5:14 (Amplified) says, "Therefore He says, Awake O sleeper, and arise from the dead, And Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light." This scripture originates from Isaiah 60:1 (Amplified) which says, "Arise (from the depression and prostitution in which circumstances have kept you-rise to a new life) for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you."
Isaiah was prophesying about the time we're now living in and about the Redeemed of the Lord and the new creation people (us). Isaiah foretold the time when God made a new covenant (with Himself and Jesus), that cannot be broken. Under this new covenant, we're no longer rely on temporal sacrifices of bulls and goats to establish our right standing with God. By faith, we receive our right standing (or righteousness) by faith in Jesus' Sacrifice.
The people in the old covenant were "not righteous," because of the weakness of the flesh. Romans 3:9-10 (Amplified) says, "Well then, are we (Jews) superior and better off than they? No, not at all. We have already charge that all men, both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles) are under sin (held down by and subject to its power and control). As it is written, None is righteous, just and truthful and upright and conscientious, No, not one."
Under the Law, the covering that the blood of bulls and goats provided, was not able to remove the sin or the remembrance of it, in the minds of the people. The yearly pilgrimage to bring offerings and sacrifices, kept the minds of the people focused on their inability to walk in righteousness before God.
Many believe that Paul was telling the people, "Try not to sin," when he wrote "Awake unto righteousness and sin not," in 1Corinthians 15:3-4 (Amplified). Some believe God's grace gives a license to sin, but we are not to sin. Paul was calling them to "Awake to the righteousness that Christ Jesus provided for you and stop trying to obtain right standing by the old ways of sacrifice and rituals."
We find throughout the Word, how God gives us the Truth Righteousness, by faith in Jesus, our Sacrifice Lamb. When we continue to see ourselves in the same unrighteousness we were in before being born-again, it's seen as sin in God's eyes. Romans 3:22-24 (Amplified) says, "Namely, the Righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah) (And it is meant) for all who believe; For there is no distinction. Since all have sinned and are fallen short of the Honor and Glory which God bestows and receives." Verse 24 goes on, "All are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His Grace (His unmerited favor and mercy) through the redemption which is (provided) in Christ Jesus."
When we fail to understand what the Holy Spirit says in the above scripture, we continue thinking we gain righteousness by doing good deeds and through our own merits. Paul said, "Awake unto righteousness." He meant that we've been asleep in our spiritual relationship with God and that we're unaware that we've been already made righteous, in Jesus. This is the key to entering into the depth of who we (the new creation) people are and what we've been created to be.
Righteousness isn't a moral or physical state of being (even though it will produce this), but a place of unity with our Father, where we can hear and obey His Voice. Hebrews 12:1,2 (Amplified) has been a source of controversy for many. Thus, it says, "Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (who have born testimony to the Truth) let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race is set before us." Paul goes on in Verse 2, "Looking unto Jesus (from all that will distract)."
I'm convinced in my spirit, that the sin that so easily besets us is the sin conscience or the act of the senses that keeps the faith of His Truth from our new creation man's spirit. When our senses repeatedly say, "You're still sinners," then it's difficult to act in faith, before a Righteous God. This might be the hardest act of faith we try overcoming, after receiving Jesus as our Lord. The Holy Spirit inspires Paul to write in Hebrews 3:19 (Amplified), "So we see that they were not able to enter (into His rest) because of their unwillingness to adhere to and trust in and rely on God (unbelief had shut them out)."
When we don't trust in what God's Word says about our own right standing with Him, does our "unbelief shut us out?" How can we believe we're righteous or in right standing before God, unless we believe (or put faith in) our own spirit was created new in Him? Your flesh and the devil will never cease reminding you of who you were before being born-again. Only your spirit can accept and receive this Truth, about your new creation man. This sin of seeing ourselves as who we used to be, is probably the most prominent sin, in all of Christianity.
We could never have been born-again, without receiving the Gift of Righteousness from Jesus. God couldn't raise an unrighteous man up, to become His temple and then make this unrighteous "house" His abode. This is why the Holy Spirit speaks about the day in which we live, in Isaiah 54:14 (Amplified), saying, "You shall establish yourself in righteousness (rightness in conformity with God's will and order." He continues, "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 new you."
Most of the depression and oppression we have, derives from the fear of not being in right standing with the Father. We're always conscience of our own weakness, but trusting in His Righteousness must be a greater part of our walk with God instead. We must learn to walk in the Spirit and let Him teach us that we're more than "just forgiven sinners." We must put faith in the Truth of His Word. We must remember that, it's not our own righteousness, but the Righteousness of God, in Christ Jesus
Hebrews 9:3-4 (Amplified) says, "For if (the mere) sprinkling of unholy things and defiled persons with blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a burnt heifer is sufficient for the purification of the body How much more surely shall the Blood of Christ, Who by virtue of (His) eternal Spirit (His Own preexistent 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?"
1Corinthians 15:34 (Amplified) says, "AWAKE (from your drunken stupor and return) to sober sense and your right minds; and sin no more. For some of you have not the knowledge of God (you are utterly and willfully and disgracefully ignorant, and continue to be so, lacking the sense of God's Presence and all true knowledge of Him) I say this to your shame." The King James Version says, "Awake unto righteousness and sin no more."
Ephesians 5:14 (Amplified) says, "Therefore He says, Awake O sleeper, and arise from the dead, And Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light." This scripture originates from Isaiah 60:1 (Amplified) which says, "Arise (from the depression and prostitution in which circumstances have kept you-rise to a new life) for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you."
Isaiah was prophesying about the time we're now living in and about the Redeemed of the Lord and the new creation people (us). Isaiah foretold the time when God made a new covenant (with Himself and Jesus), that cannot be broken. Under this new covenant, we're no longer rely on temporal sacrifices of bulls and goats to establish our right standing with God. By faith, we receive our right standing (or righteousness) by faith in Jesus' Sacrifice.
The people in the old covenant were "not righteous," because of the weakness of the flesh. Romans 3:9-10 (Amplified) says, "Well then, are we (Jews) superior and better off than they? No, not at all. We have already charge that all men, both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles) are under sin (held down by and subject to its power and control). As it is written, None is righteous, just and truthful and upright and conscientious, No, not one."
Under the Law, the covering that the blood of bulls and goats provided, was not able to remove the sin or the remembrance of it, in the minds of the people. The yearly pilgrimage to bring offerings and sacrifices, kept the minds of the people focused on their inability to walk in righteousness before God.
Many believe that Paul was telling the people, "Try not to sin," when he wrote "Awake unto righteousness and sin not," in 1Corinthians 15:3-4 (Amplified). Some believe God's grace gives a license to sin, but we are not to sin. Paul was calling them to "Awake to the righteousness that Christ Jesus provided for you and stop trying to obtain right standing by the old ways of sacrifice and rituals."
We find throughout the Word, how God gives us the Truth Righteousness, by faith in Jesus, our Sacrifice Lamb. When we continue to see ourselves in the same unrighteousness we were in before being born-again, it's seen as sin in God's eyes. Romans 3:22-24 (Amplified) says, "Namely, the Righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah) (And it is meant) for all who believe; For there is no distinction. Since all have sinned and are fallen short of the Honor and Glory which God bestows and receives." Verse 24 goes on, "All are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His Grace (His unmerited favor and mercy) through the redemption which is (provided) in Christ Jesus."
When we fail to understand what the Holy Spirit says in the above scripture, we continue thinking we gain righteousness by doing good deeds and through our own merits. Paul said, "Awake unto righteousness." He meant that we've been asleep in our spiritual relationship with God and that we're unaware that we've been already made righteous, in Jesus. This is the key to entering into the depth of who we (the new creation) people are and what we've been created to be.
Righteousness isn't a moral or physical state of being (even though it will produce this), but a place of unity with our Father, where we can hear and obey His Voice. Hebrews 12:1,2 (Amplified) has been a source of controversy for many. Thus, it says, "Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (who have born testimony to the Truth) let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race is set before us." Paul goes on in Verse 2, "Looking unto Jesus (from all that will distract)."
I'm convinced in my spirit, that the sin that so easily besets us is the sin conscience or the act of the senses that keeps the faith of His Truth from our new creation man's spirit. When our senses repeatedly say, "You're still sinners," then it's difficult to act in faith, before a Righteous God. This might be the hardest act of faith we try overcoming, after receiving Jesus as our Lord. The Holy Spirit inspires Paul to write in Hebrews 3:19 (Amplified), "So we see that they were not able to enter (into His rest) because of their unwillingness to adhere to and trust in and rely on God (unbelief had shut them out)."
When we don't trust in what God's Word says about our own right standing with Him, does our "unbelief shut us out?" How can we believe we're righteous or in right standing before God, unless we believe (or put faith in) our own spirit was created new in Him? Your flesh and the devil will never cease reminding you of who you were before being born-again. Only your spirit can accept and receive this Truth, about your new creation man. This sin of seeing ourselves as who we used to be, is probably the most prominent sin, in all of Christianity.
We could never have been born-again, without receiving the Gift of Righteousness from Jesus. God couldn't raise an unrighteous man up, to become His temple and then make this unrighteous "house" His abode. This is why the Holy Spirit speaks about the day in which we live, in Isaiah 54:14 (Amplified), saying, "You shall establish yourself in righteousness (rightness in conformity with God's will and order." He continues, "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 new you."
Most of the depression and oppression we have, derives from the fear of not being in right standing with the Father. We're always conscience of our own weakness, but trusting in His Righteousness must be a greater part of our walk with God instead. We must learn to walk in the Spirit and let Him teach us that we're more than "just forgiven sinners." We must put faith in the Truth of His Word. We must remember that, it's not our own righteousness, but the Righteousness of God, in Christ Jesus
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Lesson 209 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (brought us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
When we were born-again, we weren't yet in the "Likeness and Image of God." Jesus said in John 4:24 (Amplified) that, "God is a Spirit (a Spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth (reality)." God first created Adam a spirit, like Himself. God created a body for Adam to live in the physical realm, but his true nature was spirit.
Until Adam's transgression in the Garden, both Adam and Eve were led by their spirits and by the Spirit of the Father. They were sustained by the Blessing that God pronounced on them and they had no physical needs. Everything they could want or need, was supplied through the Promise of the Spirit or the Blessing. The Blessing of Abraham was only an extension of the original Blessing, that God pronounced on Adam and Eve. This was for meeting their every need from Heaven, where God resides. Everything on the earth manifested from the Spirit realm, to provide for those on this natural world.
History cannot record how many years (thousands or millions) Adam and Eve walked here on earth, with the Father. Science says that the earth is billions of years old. I'm not sure just how old the earth is, but I don't believe that God created man one day and that man transgressed the very next day. I have much more faith in my Father, than to believe His Own son Adam would so quickly turn renegade.
Notice how God didn't count time, before the fall. Adam and Eve walked in a timeless, spiritual relationship with the Father, even while in their natural bodies. Time was set into motion, after the fall, because now death (or an end) cane into existence for mankind. Until then, Adam had total dominion and was given authority over everything on earth. Adam was made like God, in the form of a spirit and then God made him a physical body (house for the spirit). As new creation people, we aren't made "like God," but are made IN GOD. The difference is astounding. Instead of being a spirit like Him, we were made "one" spirit in Him.
Adam's spirit was directed from the outside, by the Spirit of God. We are to be directed from the inside, by the indwelling Spirit of God Himself. 1Corinthians 6:19 (Amplified)says, "Do you not know that your body is the temple of (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. You were bought with a price (purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His Own). So then honor God and bring glory to Him in your body." God had once walked with Adam in the Garden. Now, in this new creation, He doesn't just walk with us, He walks in us.
The Last Adam, Jesus, is the true representation of the new creation family of God. Even though He had a natural body, He was led from the inward Presence of the Holy Spirit. We weren't created like Adam was (an independent spirit), but we were created "one with the Holy Spirit." Our spirit's not independent from God, like Adam was. Adam needed to learn how to walk in the natural senses, after he was separated from the Father. We were trained by the world , how to take care of ourselves, by the only source we knew---our senses without God.
In the new creation, we find ourselves going in the reverse of Adam. Instead of having to learn how to walk in the natural (like Adam did), we find ourselves needing to learn how to walk in the Spirit (like Jesus did). Man's ideas of religion, have resulted in our not knowing how to walk in the Super-natural realm.
The carnal mind of man or the reasoning factor of the natural man, has dismissed the Super-natural ability as "foolishness." Jesus told His followers that He would send the Holy Spirit (the same Holy Spirit He received in the Jordan River) to them, in John 14:17 (Amplified) which says, "The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart) because it does not see Him or know Him or recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you (constantly) and will be in you."
Jesus was speaking prophetically about the time of His resurrection and the time of the new creation. Jesus was the only flesh and Blood Man, Who actually had the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus spent His life learning about His Father and how His Father worked in the earth. There was no time when Jesus conferred with His natural man, asking "Do you think this God?" John 14:12 (Amplified) has probably caused the most controversy in the Church. Thus, "Jesus said, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father."
When Jesus "went to the Father," His Sacrifice was accepted, His ministry as the First Born of many brethren was activated, and His position of High Priest of His new covenant, was ratified and the new creation family (that was made in His Image) was about to be birthed. The same Holy Spirit that had been in Jesus to "do the works," is the same Holy Spirit Who gives us Life, with His Life in us.
John 17:21-22 (Amplified) will bear witness to your new creation spirit. Thus, it says, "That they all may be one (just) as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, So that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me. I have given to them [you and me] the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one (even) as We are One." Jesus was speaking about the new creation family, that would be birthed after His resurrection and after He send the Holy Spirit of God to us. God's Spirit would be birthed within every person who believed His Word and accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. The new creation people would have the Father abide in us. In John 14:23 (Amplified) Jesus says, "If a person (really) loves Me, he will keep My Word (obey My teachings) and My Father will love him and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him."
We've come to the place in our lives, where we must listen to the Holy Spirit, just like Jesus listened to Him. In order to learn how to walk in the Spirit, we must first understand who we really are, as a new creation son or daughter of God. The things we're learning in these teachings, aren't impossible. They're just unlearned. When Jesus foretold the coming of the Holy Spirit, He said that the Holy Spirit would not just be with us, but would live in us. He is the Teacher of the new creation believer and lives intertwined with our now living in God, new creation spirit. Jesus said in John 14:26 (Amplified) that, "The Holy Spirit would teach us all things, and will cause us to recall (will remind us of, bring to our remembrance) everything I have told you."
Everything we learn about life in the natural or Super-natural, is a process from birth. We had to learn how to walk, talk, eat, through a trial and error process. We pressed on, until we learned it. Learning to hear and follow the Voice of the Father, in our new creation spirit, is also a process. We must learn and practice how to hear and follow His Voice. It's not impossible to do, it's only different from what we were accustomed to doing.
When we were born-again, we weren't yet in the "Likeness and Image of God." Jesus said in John 4:24 (Amplified) that, "God is a Spirit (a Spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth (reality)." God first created Adam a spirit, like Himself. God created a body for Adam to live in the physical realm, but his true nature was spirit.
Until Adam's transgression in the Garden, both Adam and Eve were led by their spirits and by the Spirit of the Father. They were sustained by the Blessing that God pronounced on them and they had no physical needs. Everything they could want or need, was supplied through the Promise of the Spirit or the Blessing. The Blessing of Abraham was only an extension of the original Blessing, that God pronounced on Adam and Eve. This was for meeting their every need from Heaven, where God resides. Everything on the earth manifested from the Spirit realm, to provide for those on this natural world.
History cannot record how many years (thousands or millions) Adam and Eve walked here on earth, with the Father. Science says that the earth is billions of years old. I'm not sure just how old the earth is, but I don't believe that God created man one day and that man transgressed the very next day. I have much more faith in my Father, than to believe His Own son Adam would so quickly turn renegade.
Notice how God didn't count time, before the fall. Adam and Eve walked in a timeless, spiritual relationship with the Father, even while in their natural bodies. Time was set into motion, after the fall, because now death (or an end) cane into existence for mankind. Until then, Adam had total dominion and was given authority over everything on earth. Adam was made like God, in the form of a spirit and then God made him a physical body (house for the spirit). As new creation people, we aren't made "like God," but are made IN GOD. The difference is astounding. Instead of being a spirit like Him, we were made "one" spirit in Him.
Adam's spirit was directed from the outside, by the Spirit of God. We are to be directed from the inside, by the indwelling Spirit of God Himself. 1Corinthians 6:19 (Amplified)says, "Do you not know that your body is the temple of (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. You were bought with a price (purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His Own). So then honor God and bring glory to Him in your body." God had once walked with Adam in the Garden. Now, in this new creation, He doesn't just walk with us, He walks in us.
The Last Adam, Jesus, is the true representation of the new creation family of God. Even though He had a natural body, He was led from the inward Presence of the Holy Spirit. We weren't created like Adam was (an independent spirit), but we were created "one with the Holy Spirit." Our spirit's not independent from God, like Adam was. Adam needed to learn how to walk in the natural senses, after he was separated from the Father. We were trained by the world , how to take care of ourselves, by the only source we knew---our senses without God.
In the new creation, we find ourselves going in the reverse of Adam. Instead of having to learn how to walk in the natural (like Adam did), we find ourselves needing to learn how to walk in the Spirit (like Jesus did). Man's ideas of religion, have resulted in our not knowing how to walk in the Super-natural realm.
The carnal mind of man or the reasoning factor of the natural man, has dismissed the Super-natural ability as "foolishness." Jesus told His followers that He would send the Holy Spirit (the same Holy Spirit He received in the Jordan River) to them, in John 14:17 (Amplified) which says, "The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart) because it does not see Him or know Him or recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you (constantly) and will be in you."
Jesus was speaking prophetically about the time of His resurrection and the time of the new creation. Jesus was the only flesh and Blood Man, Who actually had the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus spent His life learning about His Father and how His Father worked in the earth. There was no time when Jesus conferred with His natural man, asking "Do you think this God?" John 14:12 (Amplified) has probably caused the most controversy in the Church. Thus, "Jesus said, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father."
When Jesus "went to the Father," His Sacrifice was accepted, His ministry as the First Born of many brethren was activated, and His position of High Priest of His new covenant, was ratified and the new creation family (that was made in His Image) was about to be birthed. The same Holy Spirit that had been in Jesus to "do the works," is the same Holy Spirit Who gives us Life, with His Life in us.
John 17:21-22 (Amplified) will bear witness to your new creation spirit. Thus, it says, "That they all may be one (just) as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, So that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me. I have given to them [you and me] the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one (even) as We are One." Jesus was speaking about the new creation family, that would be birthed after His resurrection and after He send the Holy Spirit of God to us. God's Spirit would be birthed within every person who believed His Word and accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. The new creation people would have the Father abide in us. In John 14:23 (Amplified) Jesus says, "If a person (really) loves Me, he will keep My Word (obey My teachings) and My Father will love him and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him."
We've come to the place in our lives, where we must listen to the Holy Spirit, just like Jesus listened to Him. In order to learn how to walk in the Spirit, we must first understand who we really are, as a new creation son or daughter of God. The things we're learning in these teachings, aren't impossible. They're just unlearned. When Jesus foretold the coming of the Holy Spirit, He said that the Holy Spirit would not just be with us, but would live in us. He is the Teacher of the new creation believer and lives intertwined with our now living in God, new creation spirit. Jesus said in John 14:26 (Amplified) that, "The Holy Spirit would teach us all things, and will cause us to recall (will remind us of, bring to our remembrance) everything I have told you."
Everything we learn about life in the natural or Super-natural, is a process from birth. We had to learn how to walk, talk, eat, through a trial and error process. We pressed on, until we learned it. Learning to hear and follow the Voice of the Father, in our new creation spirit, is also a process. We must learn and practice how to hear and follow His Voice. It's not impossible to do, it's only different from what we were accustomed to doing.
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Lesson 208 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (brought us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
As new creations, we're translated into the actual spirit realm where God resides. Although, we've been assigned to work in this natural realm, our true identity is raised up together and is seated together with Christ, Who seats at the right hand of the Father. We've been created anew in Christ Jesus and we've now children of the Most High God.
If we read these things in the Word with our own intellect, then they're just words that provide us hope for our lives after death. When we receive revelation about the Spiritual Truths, these words contain totally different meanings. Jesus walked as a flesh and Blood Man on this earth, but He was never restrained by the natural things. Jesus commissioned His followers (us) to go into the world and we witness the power of the Spirit that followed them.
These men and women weren't born-again yet, but they functioned in the Super-natural authority of Jesus' Name We've not only been given His Name to use (through the power of Attorney) and we are actually "In Him" and have become the Body of Christ. The Body and the Head are all one person, according to 1John 4:17 (Amplified) which says, "In this union and communion with Him (Love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us), that we may have confidence for the day of judgment (with assurance and boldness to face Him) because as He is, so are we in this world."
We've been waiting until death comes to our physical body, to be as He is, but the Word says that "as He is, so are we in this world." As far as the Father is concerned, our physical man has already undergone death and our life is now in Him. In Galatians 2:20 (Amplified) the Holy Spirit inspires Paul to write, "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 love me and gave Himself up for me."
The above scripture isn't just some "pretty and religious thing to say," but is a Spiritual Truth in Jesus. Even though Paul was given this revelation, he still was confined to live in the natural body, until his time was up and he was delivered up to God. Paul goes on in Galatians 5:25 (Amplified), "If we live by the Holy Spirit, let us also walk by the Holy Spirit, if we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line (our conduct controlled by the Holy Spirit)." Paul was telling us that "Because our new creation life is spirit, then our spirit (by the Holy Spirit) should control our natural body."
Many look at this as being "crazy" and "too far out," but we must remember that the Holy Spirit directed Paul to write them. Hebrews 10:38 (Amplified) reiterates this, saying, "But the just )or those who are justified in Jesus) 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 and conjoined with it) and if he draws back and shrinks in fear, My soul has no delight or pleasure in him)."
We simultaneously know these things, and don't know these things. We read with our intellect, but never receive them into our spirits. What God literally says is, "You are already dead and the only life we now have, is the Life we have from His Spirit, into our spirit." You are already seated in Heavenly places with Jesus. 1John 3:2 (Amplified) says, "Beloved, we are (even here and) now God's children; 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."
We still see the parts of ourselves and others, that don't look like Jesus yet, because we only look at the outer man (the house our new creation lives in). No person on earth looks like he/she will look like when He comes. No one has seen with his natural eyes, what He really looks like, because we can only see the real Christ with our spiritual eyes. 2Corinthians 5:16 (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)."
This is a powerful statement, but we don't seem to understand it in our spirits yet, because we still see ourselves after the flesh. It's Gods Life in our spirits, that actually gives Life to our flesh. When your spirit leaves your body, it will fall down like leaves from a tree. The only life we have now, is by faith. This is what the Word mean. s when it says, "The just shall live, and shall live by their faith." It was (and is) your faith in Him, that gave you life. It's only this faith in Him, that can sustains life, because it's His Life we received. This is what Paul wrote above in Galatians 2:20.
We've been translated into the Kingdom of Heaven, by our faith in Jesus. This isn't something that's "going to happen," but has already happened. We're now to walk in our assigned place in the provision of His Spirit and bring Life through Him as He brought Life to us. We've been delivered from time, to eternity. Healings that should take weeks or years to happen, can now be brought about instantly, because time has been suspended for the new creation family of God.
Time has been man's enemy, since the fall of Adam in the Garden. We began dying, the very moment we were birthed. We're governed by minutes and hours, instead of by the unlimited realm of eternity. Even our prayers have been governed by our awareness of time. Jesus told His followers in Mark 11:24 (Amplified), "For this reason I Am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will (get it)."
We allow time to dictate "when we are to get it (if we get it at all)," but Jesus said "Believe you get it, when you pray." He never told the blind man, "Hold on, because even if you don't receive sight here and now, then you will see in Heaven." Jesus bypassed time altogether and brought a miracle to pass, by faith. Miracles supersede time and there's no "waiting for nature to take its course." It doesn't matter whether it's a premature death or a sickness, time is suspended when the Spirit intervenes. God is timeless. He is eternal and has made us to be eternal too. As Christians, we have never entered into the realm of the timeless eternal, place of God, because we still allow ourselves to be governed by the flesh and time.
When we allow ourselves to live by the Spirit, instead of the flesh and time, then miracles will happen through the Spirit. We find a deacon named Philip, who was sent to minister to an Ethiopian eunuch, in Acts 8:38-40 (Amplified). Philip baptized the eunuch and led him to Jesus, so that the Gospel could be brought back to Ethiopia. Then, the Holy Spirit "removed" Philip from time and he was translated into a town called Azotus. Verses 39-40 says, "And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord (suddenly) caught away Philip, and the eunuch saw him no more, and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus, and passing on he preached the Good News (the Gospel) to all the towns until he reached Caesarea."
As new creations, we're translated into the actual spirit realm where God resides. Although, we've been assigned to work in this natural realm, our true identity is raised up together and is seated together with Christ, Who seats at the right hand of the Father. We've been created anew in Christ Jesus and we've now children of the Most High God.
If we read these things in the Word with our own intellect, then they're just words that provide us hope for our lives after death. When we receive revelation about the Spiritual Truths, these words contain totally different meanings. Jesus walked as a flesh and Blood Man on this earth, but He was never restrained by the natural things. Jesus commissioned His followers (us) to go into the world and we witness the power of the Spirit that followed them.
These men and women weren't born-again yet, but they functioned in the Super-natural authority of Jesus' Name We've not only been given His Name to use (through the power of Attorney) and we are actually "In Him" and have become the Body of Christ. The Body and the Head are all one person, according to 1John 4:17 (Amplified) which says, "In this union and communion with Him (Love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us), that we may have confidence for the day of judgment (with assurance and boldness to face Him) because as He is, so are we in this world."
We've been waiting until death comes to our physical body, to be as He is, but the Word says that "as He is, so are we in this world." As far as the Father is concerned, our physical man has already undergone death and our life is now in Him. In Galatians 2:20 (Amplified) the Holy Spirit inspires Paul to write, "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 love me and gave Himself up for me."
The above scripture isn't just some "pretty and religious thing to say," but is a Spiritual Truth in Jesus. Even though Paul was given this revelation, he still was confined to live in the natural body, until his time was up and he was delivered up to God. Paul goes on in Galatians 5:25 (Amplified), "If we live by the Holy Spirit, let us also walk by the Holy Spirit, if we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line (our conduct controlled by the Holy Spirit)." Paul was telling us that "Because our new creation life is spirit, then our spirit (by the Holy Spirit) should control our natural body."
Many look at this as being "crazy" and "too far out," but we must remember that the Holy Spirit directed Paul to write them. Hebrews 10:38 (Amplified) reiterates this, saying, "But the just )or those who are justified in Jesus) 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 and conjoined with it) and if he draws back and shrinks in fear, My soul has no delight or pleasure in him)."
We simultaneously know these things, and don't know these things. We read with our intellect, but never receive them into our spirits. What God literally says is, "You are already dead and the only life we now have, is the Life we have from His Spirit, into our spirit." You are already seated in Heavenly places with Jesus. 1John 3:2 (Amplified) says, "Beloved, we are (even here and) now God's children; 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."
We still see the parts of ourselves and others, that don't look like Jesus yet, because we only look at the outer man (the house our new creation lives in). No person on earth looks like he/she will look like when He comes. No one has seen with his natural eyes, what He really looks like, because we can only see the real Christ with our spiritual eyes. 2Corinthians 5:16 (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)."
This is a powerful statement, but we don't seem to understand it in our spirits yet, because we still see ourselves after the flesh. It's Gods Life in our spirits, that actually gives Life to our flesh. When your spirit leaves your body, it will fall down like leaves from a tree. The only life we have now, is by faith. This is what the Word mean. s when it says, "The just shall live, and shall live by their faith." It was (and is) your faith in Him, that gave you life. It's only this faith in Him, that can sustains life, because it's His Life we received. This is what Paul wrote above in Galatians 2:20.
We've been translated into the Kingdom of Heaven, by our faith in Jesus. This isn't something that's "going to happen," but has already happened. We're now to walk in our assigned place in the provision of His Spirit and bring Life through Him as He brought Life to us. We've been delivered from time, to eternity. Healings that should take weeks or years to happen, can now be brought about instantly, because time has been suspended for the new creation family of God.
Time has been man's enemy, since the fall of Adam in the Garden. We began dying, the very moment we were birthed. We're governed by minutes and hours, instead of by the unlimited realm of eternity. Even our prayers have been governed by our awareness of time. Jesus told His followers in Mark 11:24 (Amplified), "For this reason I Am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will (get it)."
We allow time to dictate "when we are to get it (if we get it at all)," but Jesus said "Believe you get it, when you pray." He never told the blind man, "Hold on, because even if you don't receive sight here and now, then you will see in Heaven." Jesus bypassed time altogether and brought a miracle to pass, by faith. Miracles supersede time and there's no "waiting for nature to take its course." It doesn't matter whether it's a premature death or a sickness, time is suspended when the Spirit intervenes. God is timeless. He is eternal and has made us to be eternal too. As Christians, we have never entered into the realm of the timeless eternal, place of God, because we still allow ourselves to be governed by the flesh and time.
When we allow ourselves to live by the Spirit, instead of the flesh and time, then miracles will happen through the Spirit. We find a deacon named Philip, who was sent to minister to an Ethiopian eunuch, in Acts 8:38-40 (Amplified). Philip baptized the eunuch and led him to Jesus, so that the Gospel could be brought back to Ethiopia. Then, the Holy Spirit "removed" Philip from time and he was translated into a town called Azotus. Verses 39-40 says, "And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord (suddenly) caught away Philip, and the eunuch saw him no more, and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus, and passing on he preached the Good News (the Gospel) to all the towns until he reached Caesarea."
Friday, April 28, 2017
Lesson 207 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (brought us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
In this new creation, we've been born of God and His Word, just as surely as Jesus was when God raised Him from the dead. Hebrews 1:5-6 (Amplified) says, "For to which of the angels did (God) ever say, You are My Son, Today I have begotten You (established You in an official Sonship relation, with Kingly dignity) And again, I will be to Him a Father and He will be to Me a Son? Moreover, when brings the First Born Son again into the habitable world, He says, Let all the angels of God worship Him."
Hebrews 2:9-10 (Amplified) says, "But we are able to see Jesus, Who was ranked lower than the angels for a little while,crowned with glory and honored because of His having suffered death, in order that by the grace (unmerited favor) of God (to us sinners) He might experience death for every individual person. For it was an act worthy (of God) and fitting (to the divine nature) that He, for Whose sake and by Whom all things have their existence, in bringing many sons into glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect (should bring to maturity the human experience necessary to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest) through suffering."
Notice the Word says, "Again into the habitable world," along with "God says, You are My Son, Today I have begotten You (established You in an office Sonship relation, with Kingly dignity)." When did God ever need to say (like in Hebrews 1:5) "And Again, I will be to Him a Father, and He will be to Me a Son?"
When Jesus was raised from the dead, He was "reestablished" into Sonship with the Father, that He might be the "First Born among many brethren." In Romans 8:29 (Amplified), we see that "Jesus (Who is the Word and the Son of God) was in the beginning with God, before anything was made." The Angel Gabriel came to Mary in Luke 1:35 (Amplified) proclaiming the virgin birth, saying, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you (like a shining cloud) and so the Holy (pure, sinless) thing (Offspirng) which shall be born of you will be called the Son of God."
Now, we can understand Hebrews 1:5, when God says, "Again I will be to Him a Father and He will be to Me a Son." This was said after Jesus was raised from the dead and was was separated from the Father, because of our sin. Jesus was born again, as a new creation and restored back into God's Presence, where He brought us with Him as the First Born of many brethren."
Jesus died in the sinners' place and was separated from His Father, because of our sins. We see this in Hebrews 5:7 (Amplified) which says, "In the days of His flesh (Jesus) offered up definite special petitions (for that which He not only wanted, but needed) and supplications with strong crying and tears to Him Who was (always) able to save Him (out) from death, and He was heard because of His reverence toward God (His Godly fear, His piety, in that He shrank from the horrors of separation from the bright Presence of the Father)."
That's why God said, "Again I will be to Him a Father, and he will be to Me a Son." When Jesus was separated from the Father with our sin, He became separated from Himself (like we were) and was raised again as "the First Born from the dead." Colossians 1:18 (Amplified) says, "He also is the Head of (His) body, the Church seeing He is the Beginning, the First Born among the dead, so that He alone in everything and in every respect might occupy the Chief Place (stand first and be preeminent)."
Many of us struggle to understand the meaning of "First Born among the dead." Some today, ask if this means spiritual death. If He was to be the First Born from the dead, then it must be Spiritual death, otherwise He isn't the First Born. Jesus raised several people from the dead (including Lazarus, the widow's son), during His earthly ministry. We even find that in the old covenant, people were raised from the dead.
These people were raised physically from the dead. Jesus was the First Born and the Seed from spiritual death (separation from the Father), because we were "dead in trespass and sin." If this doesn't mean spiritual death, then He isn't the First Born from the dead. That's why Paul calls us "the new creation." We were created from the Seed of an entirely new Being, Who is the First Born of many brethren.
For too many years, we've seen ourselves as merely forgiven sinners and haven't seen ourselves as new creation son and daughters of God. God didn't only forgive our sins, but paid fro the penalty of it, which was separation from Life, which comes from God Himself. Once Jesus was raised from the dead and was declared to be "again the Son of God," our sin is not only forgiven (when we received Him as our Lord and Savior), but is paid for and done.
In the new creation, we are sons and daughters in God's family. God didn't make covenant with me, He made covenant with Jesus. I was "ingrafted" into a covenant that cannot be broken, when I received Jesus. If God made covenant with man (like He did with Adam), then it wouldn't stand the test. God made covenant with flesh and blood man, but the Word says that, "the flesh was weak and sinful" and "could not live up to its end of the covenant." Now though, because He has made covenant with Jesus (and not us), if we sin, then the covenant isn't annulled and void. Jesus is the "Surety and Guarantor of this new creation family covenant. Hebrews 7:22 (Amplified) says, "In keeping with (the oath's greater strength and force). Jesus has become the Guarantee of a better (stronger) agreement (a more excellent and more advantageous covenant)." We've lived under the teachings of the Law, for so long, that we focus on our failure to uphold the covenant, the way we feel we should. I don't mean that we should live without applying ourselves to righteousness, but we must understand that we're not the ones who uphold our new creation covenant..Jesus is.
He is our righteousness, not you in your righteousness. If we are "the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus," like 2Corinthians 5:21 says, and if it's His righteousness by which I stand, then I can't improve on His righteousness. If I fail, then He does not. If I falter, then He does not. If I quit, then He does not and He is the One in Whom God made covenant with, not me. Even in my own shortcomings, my family relationship with God is still intact, because Jesus if the Guarantor, not me. Hebrews 1:14 (Amplified) tells us, "In as much then as we have a Great High Priest Who has (already) ascended and passed through the Heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession (of faith in Him)." Our faith is in Him!
In this new creation, we've been born of God and His Word, just as surely as Jesus was when God raised Him from the dead. Hebrews 1:5-6 (Amplified) says, "For to which of the angels did (God) ever say, You are My Son, Today I have begotten You (established You in an official Sonship relation, with Kingly dignity) And again, I will be to Him a Father and He will be to Me a Son? Moreover, when brings the First Born Son again into the habitable world, He says, Let all the angels of God worship Him."
Hebrews 2:9-10 (Amplified) says, "But we are able to see Jesus, Who was ranked lower than the angels for a little while,crowned with glory and honored because of His having suffered death, in order that by the grace (unmerited favor) of God (to us sinners) He might experience death for every individual person. For it was an act worthy (of God) and fitting (to the divine nature) that He, for Whose sake and by Whom all things have their existence, in bringing many sons into glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect (should bring to maturity the human experience necessary to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest) through suffering."
Notice the Word says, "Again into the habitable world," along with "God says, You are My Son, Today I have begotten You (established You in an office Sonship relation, with Kingly dignity)." When did God ever need to say (like in Hebrews 1:5) "And Again, I will be to Him a Father, and He will be to Me a Son?"
When Jesus was raised from the dead, He was "reestablished" into Sonship with the Father, that He might be the "First Born among many brethren." In Romans 8:29 (Amplified), we see that "Jesus (Who is the Word and the Son of God) was in the beginning with God, before anything was made." The Angel Gabriel came to Mary in Luke 1:35 (Amplified) proclaiming the virgin birth, saying, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you (like a shining cloud) and so the Holy (pure, sinless) thing (Offspirng) which shall be born of you will be called the Son of God."
Now, we can understand Hebrews 1:5, when God says, "Again I will be to Him a Father and He will be to Me a Son." This was said after Jesus was raised from the dead and was was separated from the Father, because of our sin. Jesus was born again, as a new creation and restored back into God's Presence, where He brought us with Him as the First Born of many brethren."
Jesus died in the sinners' place and was separated from His Father, because of our sins. We see this in Hebrews 5:7 (Amplified) which says, "In the days of His flesh (Jesus) offered up definite special petitions (for that which He not only wanted, but needed) and supplications with strong crying and tears to Him Who was (always) able to save Him (out) from death, and He was heard because of His reverence toward God (His Godly fear, His piety, in that He shrank from the horrors of separation from the bright Presence of the Father)."
That's why God said, "Again I will be to Him a Father, and he will be to Me a Son." When Jesus was separated from the Father with our sin, He became separated from Himself (like we were) and was raised again as "the First Born from the dead." Colossians 1:18 (Amplified) says, "He also is the Head of (His) body, the Church seeing He is the Beginning, the First Born among the dead, so that He alone in everything and in every respect might occupy the Chief Place (stand first and be preeminent)."
Many of us struggle to understand the meaning of "First Born among the dead." Some today, ask if this means spiritual death. If He was to be the First Born from the dead, then it must be Spiritual death, otherwise He isn't the First Born. Jesus raised several people from the dead (including Lazarus, the widow's son), during His earthly ministry. We even find that in the old covenant, people were raised from the dead.
These people were raised physically from the dead. Jesus was the First Born and the Seed from spiritual death (separation from the Father), because we were "dead in trespass and sin." If this doesn't mean spiritual death, then He isn't the First Born from the dead. That's why Paul calls us "the new creation." We were created from the Seed of an entirely new Being, Who is the First Born of many brethren.
For too many years, we've seen ourselves as merely forgiven sinners and haven't seen ourselves as new creation son and daughters of God. God didn't only forgive our sins, but paid fro the penalty of it, which was separation from Life, which comes from God Himself. Once Jesus was raised from the dead and was declared to be "again the Son of God," our sin is not only forgiven (when we received Him as our Lord and Savior), but is paid for and done.
In the new creation, we are sons and daughters in God's family. God didn't make covenant with me, He made covenant with Jesus. I was "ingrafted" into a covenant that cannot be broken, when I received Jesus. If God made covenant with man (like He did with Adam), then it wouldn't stand the test. God made covenant with flesh and blood man, but the Word says that, "the flesh was weak and sinful" and "could not live up to its end of the covenant." Now though, because He has made covenant with Jesus (and not us), if we sin, then the covenant isn't annulled and void. Jesus is the "Surety and Guarantor of this new creation family covenant. Hebrews 7:22 (Amplified) says, "In keeping with (the oath's greater strength and force). Jesus has become the Guarantee of a better (stronger) agreement (a more excellent and more advantageous covenant)." We've lived under the teachings of the Law, for so long, that we focus on our failure to uphold the covenant, the way we feel we should. I don't mean that we should live without applying ourselves to righteousness, but we must understand that we're not the ones who uphold our new creation covenant..Jesus is.
He is our righteousness, not you in your righteousness. If we are "the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus," like 2Corinthians 5:21 says, and if it's His righteousness by which I stand, then I can't improve on His righteousness. If I fail, then He does not. If I falter, then He does not. If I quit, then He does not and He is the One in Whom God made covenant with, not me. Even in my own shortcomings, my family relationship with God is still intact, because Jesus if the Guarantor, not me. Hebrews 1:14 (Amplified) tells us, "In as much then as we have a Great High Priest Who has (already) ascended and passed through the Heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession (of faith in Him)." Our faith is in Him!
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Lesson 206 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (brought us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
Galatians 2:20 (Amplified) says, "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 (adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
Our new creation faith is the faith we received by our new birth and it's the Very faith of Jesus, by which our life now exists. Paul spoke about this faith, in Galatians 3:25-27 (Amplified) saying, "But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a trainer (the guardian of our childhood) For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. For as man (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."
Christ has not only entered into our new creation spirit, but our spirit has entered into Him. I, by myself, am only "one glass of water," but when I pour that water into Chaumont Bay, I'm joined into something much larger, than myself. Once this glass of water is mixed with Chaumont Bay, I can never retrieve that same water. I can fill my glass again, but it will never be the "same water." When my spirit is mixed with His Spirit, there's no way to ever separate it again. Now. My spirit is more than "just my spirit that is born-again," because my spirit is enhanced with His Own Spirit.
His Spirit is one with my spirit and my spirit is one with His Spirit. His righteousness has become my righteousness, His justification has become my justification. His holiness has become my holiness and His faith has now become my faith. Now "the just shall live by faith," because it's His Life and His faith we now live by. His faith is where my Father expects me to now live in and by. Romans 1:17 (Amplified) says, "For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith, that arouses to more faith) as it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith."
Learning to develop this God kind of faith, is a desire that arises to and through each individual being. One might simply be content to live right and be with the Lord, when he leaves this planet in physical death. Others desire much more while they're still in this mortal body, wishing to reveal Jesus in glory to the dying world. A baby has the same amount of muscles as an adult, with the difference comes by maturity and exercising those muscles. Every new creation being, has the very same ability in and through this new creation in Christ Jesus.
No one needs to be part of the five-fold ministry, in order to develop his faith and walk in faith and he doesn't have to walk in the Gifts of the Spirit, in order to operate these Gifts. You have the Holy Spirit, Who has and gives these Gifts or Operations of His Presence in our lives, "as He wills." All of these things work by faith. It requires time to develop this God kind of faith, to a place of trusting in God's Word, for the demonstration of His faith among mankind.
Romans 10:17 (Amplified) says, "So faith comes by hearing (what is told) and what is heard comes by the preaching (of the Message that comes from the lips) of Christ (the Messiah Himself)." It's been difficult for us to exercise and develop our faith on the things we've been taught and have heard, because so many things have been taught and it confuses the Truth.
Satan might by insane, but he isn't stupid. He knows that if he can keep the new creation from actually receiving Truth, then he can still control the outcome, here on earth. Jesus said that, "A house divided cannot stand." Having the Church divided from and in Truth, has resulted in our not develop our faith beyond "we will go to Heaven when we die." We've heard and still hear, numerous and various gospels being taught, today. If we dislike what's being preached in one church, then we can search until we find a gospel we're comfortable with. This doesn't develop our faith, but actually undermines it and keeps us carnally minded.
Thank God for preachers, but let's all preach the same Gospel. 1Corinthians 14:7-8 (Amplified) says, "If even inanimate musical instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone (listening) know or under what is played? And if the war bugle gives an uncertain (indistinct) call, who will prepare for battle?" If the Gospel being preached doesn't have a "distinct sound," then we remain in confusion. You cannot develop faith in a confused Word. Every individual has the responsibility before God, to listen to the Holy Spirit and determine Truth for himself.
1John 2:20,27(Amplified) says, "But you have been anointed by (you hold a sacred appointment from, you have been given an unction from) the Holy One, and you all know (the Truth) or you know all things." Verse 27 goes on, "But as for you, the Anointing (the Sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides (permanently) in you (So) then you have no need that anyone should instruct you. But just as His Anointing teaches you concerning everything and is True and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him (being rooted in Him, Knit to Him) just as (His Anointing) has taught you (to do)."
We are each responsible to hear and determine Truth, as it comes to our spirit. We weren't designed by this new creation, to simply believe everything we hear, but to discern by our new spirit and by His Word, whether it is true or not. In order to develop our faith in the Word, we must learn the Nature of God, the will of God and the Word of God, before we can release faith in it and move in it for ourselves. You cannot always live on someone else's study and faith, but you must build your own faith in God.
Galatians 2:20 (Amplified) says, "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 (adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
Our new creation faith is the faith we received by our new birth and it's the Very faith of Jesus, by which our life now exists. Paul spoke about this faith, in Galatians 3:25-27 (Amplified) saying, "But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a trainer (the guardian of our childhood) For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. For as man (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."
Christ has not only entered into our new creation spirit, but our spirit has entered into Him. I, by myself, am only "one glass of water," but when I pour that water into Chaumont Bay, I'm joined into something much larger, than myself. Once this glass of water is mixed with Chaumont Bay, I can never retrieve that same water. I can fill my glass again, but it will never be the "same water." When my spirit is mixed with His Spirit, there's no way to ever separate it again. Now. My spirit is more than "just my spirit that is born-again," because my spirit is enhanced with His Own Spirit.
His Spirit is one with my spirit and my spirit is one with His Spirit. His righteousness has become my righteousness, His justification has become my justification. His holiness has become my holiness and His faith has now become my faith. Now "the just shall live by faith," because it's His Life and His faith we now live by. His faith is where my Father expects me to now live in and by. Romans 1:17 (Amplified) says, "For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith, that arouses to more faith) as it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith."
Learning to develop this God kind of faith, is a desire that arises to and through each individual being. One might simply be content to live right and be with the Lord, when he leaves this planet in physical death. Others desire much more while they're still in this mortal body, wishing to reveal Jesus in glory to the dying world. A baby has the same amount of muscles as an adult, with the difference comes by maturity and exercising those muscles. Every new creation being, has the very same ability in and through this new creation in Christ Jesus.
No one needs to be part of the five-fold ministry, in order to develop his faith and walk in faith and he doesn't have to walk in the Gifts of the Spirit, in order to operate these Gifts. You have the Holy Spirit, Who has and gives these Gifts or Operations of His Presence in our lives, "as He wills." All of these things work by faith. It requires time to develop this God kind of faith, to a place of trusting in God's Word, for the demonstration of His faith among mankind.
Romans 10:17 (Amplified) says, "So faith comes by hearing (what is told) and what is heard comes by the preaching (of the Message that comes from the lips) of Christ (the Messiah Himself)." It's been difficult for us to exercise and develop our faith on the things we've been taught and have heard, because so many things have been taught and it confuses the Truth.
Satan might by insane, but he isn't stupid. He knows that if he can keep the new creation from actually receiving Truth, then he can still control the outcome, here on earth. Jesus said that, "A house divided cannot stand." Having the Church divided from and in Truth, has resulted in our not develop our faith beyond "we will go to Heaven when we die." We've heard and still hear, numerous and various gospels being taught, today. If we dislike what's being preached in one church, then we can search until we find a gospel we're comfortable with. This doesn't develop our faith, but actually undermines it and keeps us carnally minded.
Thank God for preachers, but let's all preach the same Gospel. 1Corinthians 14:7-8 (Amplified) says, "If even inanimate musical instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone (listening) know or under what is played? And if the war bugle gives an uncertain (indistinct) call, who will prepare for battle?" If the Gospel being preached doesn't have a "distinct sound," then we remain in confusion. You cannot develop faith in a confused Word. Every individual has the responsibility before God, to listen to the Holy Spirit and determine Truth for himself.
1John 2:20,27(Amplified) says, "But you have been anointed by (you hold a sacred appointment from, you have been given an unction from) the Holy One, and you all know (the Truth) or you know all things." Verse 27 goes on, "But as for you, the Anointing (the Sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides (permanently) in you (So) then you have no need that anyone should instruct you. But just as His Anointing teaches you concerning everything and is True and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him (being rooted in Him, Knit to Him) just as (His Anointing) has taught you (to do)."
We are each responsible to hear and determine Truth, as it comes to our spirit. We weren't designed by this new creation, to simply believe everything we hear, but to discern by our new spirit and by His Word, whether it is true or not. In order to develop our faith in the Word, we must learn the Nature of God, the will of God and the Word of God, before we can release faith in it and move in it for ourselves. You cannot always live on someone else's study and faith, but you must build your own faith in God.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Lesson 205 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (brought us into favor, brought us into favor with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
We in this world, have had "the measure of faith" dealt t us by God, from the beginning. Romans 12:3 (Amplified) says, "According as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith." If would be unfair and unjust, for God to tell us that we are "saved by faith" and then not give us the faith by which to be saved by grace. It's not a matter of our having faith, but by our developing this "God kind of faith." Mark 11:22 (Amplified) tells us, "Jesus said to them, Have faith in God (constantly)."
Jesus was speaking to Old Testament people, who hadn't been born-again yet, but Jesus expected them to have "faith in God." We are a faith people. Both saved or unsaved persons have faith. It's not a matter of having faith, but it's what we place our faith in. We instinctively and constantly place our faith in something. We have faith that the sun will come up every morning and it doesn't need us in order to do so. Some call this a natural faith, but it is the Gift of God, according to Ephesians 2:8 (Amplified) which says, "For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through (your) faith." God tells us to have faith and man would need to get faith from some other source other than God, if He didn't supply man with faith when He created him. We have natural faith, even when we sit down in a chair. If we didn't have faith that the chair would hold us up, then we wouldn't sit down on it. This faith is a Gift from God.
Man has used faith to get along in this earth for millennium, but never developed that faith beyond our natural needs. We put faith in our currency, having faith that we will be able to purchase something with it. Your boss gives you a paycheck and by faith you receive it "as good." You take that check to the bank, where you receive a promissory note (the US dollar) and you have faith that it is good. Then, you take this money to the store, where you believe by faith, the store will accept it, in exchange for their goods. Everything we do, is by faith.
We placed our faith in God and were saved, but we must develop that faith into a higher degree. We've used faith in various ways, but we must now grow that faith, into a realm we're not accustomed to. Romans 1:19-21 (Amplified) says, "For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their inner conscience, because God (Himself) has shown it to them. For ever since creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity have been made (intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So (men) are without excuse (altogether without any defiance or justification). Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor Him or glorify Hi as God or give Him thanks; But instead they became futile and Godless in their vain thinking (with vain imaginings, foolish reasonings and stupid speculations) and their senseless minds were darkened."
So, we have no excuse for not having faith in God, Who has called us unto Himself. We haven't developed our faith, in order to believe beyond where we've always walked in until now. We continue trying to hold God in the same realm of faith, in which we've always relied on. We still struggle with the Super-natural realm of God (even though we're born-again into this realm through Jesus), because we haven't developed our faith. The Church divides itself about things found in God's Word, because of undeveloped faith.
Some have developed their faith from salvation and have come to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and now are speaking in tongues. Some believe that this "is not for today" or that these things are "passed away." Every person in the Body of Christ, has the potential to do whatever Jesus has sent the Church to do, in these last days.
We are a new creation people, who haven't just been born-again, but have been born-again by the same Seed that Jesus was born of (the Word of God). 1Peter 1:23 (Amplified) says, "You have been regenerated (born-again) not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm) but from one that is immortal by the Ever Living and Lasting Word of God." The potential for developing a higher degree of faith, come from God's Spirit, Who now lives in us.
We initiated this form of believing this greater faith, by believing we were forgiven of our sin and were born-again in Christ Jesus. This is the beginning of our developing faith, for God's children. We've used or placed this new and greater faith on Him and are called to be mature or adults in that faith. Many in the Church have been content with the degree of faith used to become saved, but our faith is supposed to grow into the completed form of God's children. Don't allow yourself to become discouraged and have your growth be stunted. Be determined to continue in growing up, in Him.
Some believe that these things aren't for everyone, but God has never said that about His children. The people we call "giants of the faith" in the Word, are just men and women who continued in faith, beyond simply being born-again. They developed their faith to grow into a maturity with God, while others didn't. God has never limited His children and He will never desire anything more other than our growing into a deeper relationship with Him. God has always challenged us to go "from faith to faith" and from "glory to glory." This is a progressive faith that won't be denied, until it sees Him face-to-face.
Many say this is "radical and crazy," but God calls our getting to know Him better, LOVE. We search our DNA, trying to discover who our family was and where they came from. Many go to great lengths, trying to do so. Some discover their heritage and adopted the culture of their family lineage. We should be this serious about our new creation family in God. You have so much potential in this new creation, so much untapped ability in Him, so much ability to change yourself and the things around you. Even Jesus had a forerunner in John the Baptist. We are the forerunners, preparing for His soon coming return.
We in this world, have had "the measure of faith" dealt t us by God, from the beginning. Romans 12:3 (Amplified) says, "According as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith." If would be unfair and unjust, for God to tell us that we are "saved by faith" and then not give us the faith by which to be saved by grace. It's not a matter of our having faith, but by our developing this "God kind of faith." Mark 11:22 (Amplified) tells us, "Jesus said to them, Have faith in God (constantly)."
Jesus was speaking to Old Testament people, who hadn't been born-again yet, but Jesus expected them to have "faith in God." We are a faith people. Both saved or unsaved persons have faith. It's not a matter of having faith, but it's what we place our faith in. We instinctively and constantly place our faith in something. We have faith that the sun will come up every morning and it doesn't need us in order to do so. Some call this a natural faith, but it is the Gift of God, according to Ephesians 2:8 (Amplified) which says, "For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through (your) faith." God tells us to have faith and man would need to get faith from some other source other than God, if He didn't supply man with faith when He created him. We have natural faith, even when we sit down in a chair. If we didn't have faith that the chair would hold us up, then we wouldn't sit down on it. This faith is a Gift from God.
Man has used faith to get along in this earth for millennium, but never developed that faith beyond our natural needs. We put faith in our currency, having faith that we will be able to purchase something with it. Your boss gives you a paycheck and by faith you receive it "as good." You take that check to the bank, where you receive a promissory note (the US dollar) and you have faith that it is good. Then, you take this money to the store, where you believe by faith, the store will accept it, in exchange for their goods. Everything we do, is by faith.
We placed our faith in God and were saved, but we must develop that faith into a higher degree. We've used faith in various ways, but we must now grow that faith, into a realm we're not accustomed to. Romans 1:19-21 (Amplified) says, "For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their inner conscience, because God (Himself) has shown it to them. For ever since creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity have been made (intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So (men) are without excuse (altogether without any defiance or justification). Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor Him or glorify Hi as God or give Him thanks; But instead they became futile and Godless in their vain thinking (with vain imaginings, foolish reasonings and stupid speculations) and their senseless minds were darkened."
So, we have no excuse for not having faith in God, Who has called us unto Himself. We haven't developed our faith, in order to believe beyond where we've always walked in until now. We continue trying to hold God in the same realm of faith, in which we've always relied on. We still struggle with the Super-natural realm of God (even though we're born-again into this realm through Jesus), because we haven't developed our faith. The Church divides itself about things found in God's Word, because of undeveloped faith.
Some have developed their faith from salvation and have come to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and now are speaking in tongues. Some believe that this "is not for today" or that these things are "passed away." Every person in the Body of Christ, has the potential to do whatever Jesus has sent the Church to do, in these last days.
We are a new creation people, who haven't just been born-again, but have been born-again by the same Seed that Jesus was born of (the Word of God). 1Peter 1:23 (Amplified) says, "You have been regenerated (born-again) not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm) but from one that is immortal by the Ever Living and Lasting Word of God." The potential for developing a higher degree of faith, come from God's Spirit, Who now lives in us.
We initiated this form of believing this greater faith, by believing we were forgiven of our sin and were born-again in Christ Jesus. This is the beginning of our developing faith, for God's children. We've used or placed this new and greater faith on Him and are called to be mature or adults in that faith. Many in the Church have been content with the degree of faith used to become saved, but our faith is supposed to grow into the completed form of God's children. Don't allow yourself to become discouraged and have your growth be stunted. Be determined to continue in growing up, in Him.
Some believe that these things aren't for everyone, but God has never said that about His children. The people we call "giants of the faith" in the Word, are just men and women who continued in faith, beyond simply being born-again. They developed their faith to grow into a maturity with God, while others didn't. God has never limited His children and He will never desire anything more other than our growing into a deeper relationship with Him. God has always challenged us to go "from faith to faith" and from "glory to glory." This is a progressive faith that won't be denied, until it sees Him face-to-face.
Many say this is "radical and crazy," but God calls our getting to know Him better, LOVE. We search our DNA, trying to discover who our family was and where they came from. Many go to great lengths, trying to do so. Some discover their heritage and adopted the culture of their family lineage. We should be this serious about our new creation family in God. You have so much potential in this new creation, so much untapped ability in Him, so much ability to change yourself and the things around you. Even Jesus had a forerunner in John the Baptist. We are the forerunners, preparing for His soon coming return.
Monday, April 24, 2017
Lesson 204 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) tells us, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (brought us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
In Luke 10:20 (Amplified), Jesus said, "Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in Heaven."
All who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, have their "names enrolled in Heaven." This is the greatest thing that can happen to any person. Even if you're a baby Christian, you're still part of God's family and have your name enrolled in Heaven. When we arrive in the Father's Home, we are "all one in Him." There might be baby Christians who will never get the chance to grow into mature Christians on earth, but others should be mature Christians already.
It's not only a matter of being grown up in Christ for our own sake, but in order to care for those who are not. Paul instructs those who are mature in the Word and faith, to show the babies in Christ, how to behave as Christians in Titus 2:1-15. Paul instructs the older, more mature women to teach the younger women, how to be wives and mothers in the faith. He also instructs the older men to train the younger men, in the faith.
This doesn't mean acting like dictators, but acting in love and maturity in the faith. Many teachers are given in today's churches, that have very little to do with growing up in the Lord. Some believe it matters little about how we believe, as long as we believe. This might be true, as far as our "getting to Heaven someday." Most of what we've been taught about the new creation, is for "when we get to Heaven," but in truth, as new creation people we have already reached the other side, in the spirit. Our mortal bodies aren't home with the Lord yet, but there's no need to exercise authority when we get there.
The things we've been learning, are for our growing and maturing here, on earth. The anointing to bring sons and daughters into salvation, is for here. The faith to lay hands on the sick, is for here. The power of prayer is for here. The training up of the Church, is for here and the authority for the believer, is for here. All these things are given for God's family to function on earth. Most of the things we're supposed to grow up into, are not so much for ourselves, but for leading others to God.
We can do little for the world, other than leading them to salvation, without maturity in Christ. Many have never learned about righteousness, faith, healing of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues or the Power of His Presence. Some believe they don't need these things, in order to get to Heaven and they are right. Most of these things are to demonstrate the glory and manifestation of God, to the unsaved masses.
For nearly two-thousand years, the Church has remained infants in Christ, but the Coming of the Lord is at hand and His glory is about to be revealed, in a manner the earth has never seen. I want to be ready to move, when He is ready to move. Once the glory is revealed, we won't have two-thousand years to mature, so we must be ready when He is ready. This is a time for training and growing into vessels, to be used by the Master.
Most of us have been primarily concerned with our family members (and we should be), but we must reach out to others too. Simply going to Church, isn't what we're all about, we can't miss out on what the Lord needs us to do. We've become like babies who need to be constantly entertained, in order to be content. One of the most urgent and important lessons we must learn, is how to hear the Voice of the Lord. When God speaks to us, He doesn't speak in generalities, but in the specifics of His Truth and Spirit. When God spoke to Noah about the Ark, He didn't say to "Build a boat," but He gave specific instructions concerning the dimensions, wood, and every part of it. If Noah didn't build the Ark according to God's instructions, then it would never has sustained the flood. When God spoke to Moses about the Tabernacle, He gave very specific instructions for it's construction. If Moses chose to ignore these instructions, then anyone who entered the wrong way, would have died.
When we pray, we pray in generalities, instead of specifics and send mixed messages to Heaven. We excuse praying in generalities, saying, "God knows what I mean." This isn't how Jesus taught us to pray. If you phoned my house and left out a number, then would that call go through? Relying on the operator to "know my number," doesn't work. God's Kingdom functions on specifics and not generalities. This is how Christians are supposed to pray and to teach others to pray.
We pray, "Thy will be done" and leave it at that. Did you notice that the Word says, "Jesus came to do His will?" It was God's will to heal, but He needed One that would "Do His will" here on earth. This is our most important role, as God's sons and daughters. We are to do His will on "earth as it is in Heaven." We know it's God's will to heal, because Jesus healed the people. Jesus commanded us to "Go into all the world and heal the sick." If it wasn't God's will, then Jesus would never have instructed us to do so. This is a part of our earthly ministry.
I've prayed general prayers that didn't work, but when I asked the Father why they didn't work, He gave me instructions that brought results. Once I prayed for an elderly person who suffered with arthritis in her hands. As I prayed for her hands to be healed, nothing happened. After seeking the Lord's guidance in this matter, He said that, "She required loosing and not healing", like Jesus loosed a woman in Luke 13. I returned to this woman and commanded that she be loosed from her infirmity. I watched as her hands immediately straightened, moving like they were supposed to. My specific prayer worked.
We've been afraid to trust God's Word, because we've seen or heard that, "It doesn't work." What might not work for one person, might work for another, because we didn't give specific instructions. The difference is walking in relationship, instead of religion. We are family and are to receive instructions from the Father, about what He wants done. No one can hear from God for you, all the time. We might be able to hear from Him, as we preach the Word to the Church, but this is a general Word for many people. To receive from what is preached to the Church and in order to operate in it, we need specific instructions. Both are good, but one is a faith that you can move on.
Jesus spoke about two houses that were built. One house was built on the sand, while the other was built on rock. Both were hit by a storm. The house built on sand fell, while the house built on rock did not. Jesus likened these to a "Doer of the Word" and a "Hearer of the Word." One heard in generalities, while the other heard specific instructions. The "Parable of the Sower" in Mark 4, says the same thing. One heard in general, while one person heard specifics.
Each person is responsible for "how he hears" and the amount of thought and study to what we "hear," is measured back to you, according to Mark 4. Every believer is responsible for what they hear and mature in the things of God. We are supposed to "have ears to hear." These are the ears of your spirit man, to hear spiritual Truths. Human ears don't hear spiritual things, but the eyes of our new creation spirit, "see" into the things of the spirit world.
In Luke 10:20 (Amplified), Jesus said, "Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in Heaven."
All who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, have their "names enrolled in Heaven." This is the greatest thing that can happen to any person. Even if you're a baby Christian, you're still part of God's family and have your name enrolled in Heaven. When we arrive in the Father's Home, we are "all one in Him." There might be baby Christians who will never get the chance to grow into mature Christians on earth, but others should be mature Christians already.
It's not only a matter of being grown up in Christ for our own sake, but in order to care for those who are not. Paul instructs those who are mature in the Word and faith, to show the babies in Christ, how to behave as Christians in Titus 2:1-15. Paul instructs the older, more mature women to teach the younger women, how to be wives and mothers in the faith. He also instructs the older men to train the younger men, in the faith.
This doesn't mean acting like dictators, but acting in love and maturity in the faith. Many teachers are given in today's churches, that have very little to do with growing up in the Lord. Some believe it matters little about how we believe, as long as we believe. This might be true, as far as our "getting to Heaven someday." Most of what we've been taught about the new creation, is for "when we get to Heaven," but in truth, as new creation people we have already reached the other side, in the spirit. Our mortal bodies aren't home with the Lord yet, but there's no need to exercise authority when we get there.
The things we've been learning, are for our growing and maturing here, on earth. The anointing to bring sons and daughters into salvation, is for here. The faith to lay hands on the sick, is for here. The power of prayer is for here. The training up of the Church, is for here and the authority for the believer, is for here. All these things are given for God's family to function on earth. Most of the things we're supposed to grow up into, are not so much for ourselves, but for leading others to God.
We can do little for the world, other than leading them to salvation, without maturity in Christ. Many have never learned about righteousness, faith, healing of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues or the Power of His Presence. Some believe they don't need these things, in order to get to Heaven and they are right. Most of these things are to demonstrate the glory and manifestation of God, to the unsaved masses.
For nearly two-thousand years, the Church has remained infants in Christ, but the Coming of the Lord is at hand and His glory is about to be revealed, in a manner the earth has never seen. I want to be ready to move, when He is ready to move. Once the glory is revealed, we won't have two-thousand years to mature, so we must be ready when He is ready. This is a time for training and growing into vessels, to be used by the Master.
Most of us have been primarily concerned with our family members (and we should be), but we must reach out to others too. Simply going to Church, isn't what we're all about, we can't miss out on what the Lord needs us to do. We've become like babies who need to be constantly entertained, in order to be content. One of the most urgent and important lessons we must learn, is how to hear the Voice of the Lord. When God speaks to us, He doesn't speak in generalities, but in the specifics of His Truth and Spirit. When God spoke to Noah about the Ark, He didn't say to "Build a boat," but He gave specific instructions concerning the dimensions, wood, and every part of it. If Noah didn't build the Ark according to God's instructions, then it would never has sustained the flood. When God spoke to Moses about the Tabernacle, He gave very specific instructions for it's construction. If Moses chose to ignore these instructions, then anyone who entered the wrong way, would have died.
When we pray, we pray in generalities, instead of specifics and send mixed messages to Heaven. We excuse praying in generalities, saying, "God knows what I mean." This isn't how Jesus taught us to pray. If you phoned my house and left out a number, then would that call go through? Relying on the operator to "know my number," doesn't work. God's Kingdom functions on specifics and not generalities. This is how Christians are supposed to pray and to teach others to pray.
We pray, "Thy will be done" and leave it at that. Did you notice that the Word says, "Jesus came to do His will?" It was God's will to heal, but He needed One that would "Do His will" here on earth. This is our most important role, as God's sons and daughters. We are to do His will on "earth as it is in Heaven." We know it's God's will to heal, because Jesus healed the people. Jesus commanded us to "Go into all the world and heal the sick." If it wasn't God's will, then Jesus would never have instructed us to do so. This is a part of our earthly ministry.
I've prayed general prayers that didn't work, but when I asked the Father why they didn't work, He gave me instructions that brought results. Once I prayed for an elderly person who suffered with arthritis in her hands. As I prayed for her hands to be healed, nothing happened. After seeking the Lord's guidance in this matter, He said that, "She required loosing and not healing", like Jesus loosed a woman in Luke 13. I returned to this woman and commanded that she be loosed from her infirmity. I watched as her hands immediately straightened, moving like they were supposed to. My specific prayer worked.
We've been afraid to trust God's Word, because we've seen or heard that, "It doesn't work." What might not work for one person, might work for another, because we didn't give specific instructions. The difference is walking in relationship, instead of religion. We are family and are to receive instructions from the Father, about what He wants done. No one can hear from God for you, all the time. We might be able to hear from Him, as we preach the Word to the Church, but this is a general Word for many people. To receive from what is preached to the Church and in order to operate in it, we need specific instructions. Both are good, but one is a faith that you can move on.
Jesus spoke about two houses that were built. One house was built on the sand, while the other was built on rock. Both were hit by a storm. The house built on sand fell, while the house built on rock did not. Jesus likened these to a "Doer of the Word" and a "Hearer of the Word." One heard in generalities, while the other heard specific instructions. The "Parable of the Sower" in Mark 4, says the same thing. One heard in general, while one person heard specifics.
Each person is responsible for "how he hears" and the amount of thought and study to what we "hear," is measured back to you, according to Mark 4. Every believer is responsible for what they hear and mature in the things of God. We are supposed to "have ears to hear." These are the ears of your spirit man, to hear spiritual Truths. Human ears don't hear spiritual things, but the eyes of our new creation spirit, "see" into the things of the spirit world.
Friday, April 21, 2017
Lesson 203 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
We continue viewing ourselves the way we were, before being born-again. The Word tells us that we were "crucified with Christ" and that God considers our old man "dead and buried," but we persist in being more familiar with the old man, rather than with the new creation. This is why Paul instructs us to "renew our minds with the Word." Paul also says we are to "pull down strongholds, bringing every one of our thoughts that exalts themselves against the Truth and knowledge of God, into captivity."
Religious teachings have taught us to focus more on our sins, instead of who we were born-again to be. We've been erroneously taught that if we don't feel guilty, then we're not really saved, and many view it as being "sinful" to teach otherwise. This makes us the "double-minded" man that James speaks about. We profess to be a new creation, and walk in the memory of our old, unsaved, and sinful past.
In order to be family with the Father, we must learn how to approach Him as His child, instead of as strangers and sinners. This doesn't mean we're to live anyway way we wish, without having any concept of wrong doing, but we're to govern ourselves by the Word and bring the senses into submission to the spirit.
We've looked to our pastors and elders to keep us "in line with the Father," by reminding us how sinful our ways and thoughts are. The Holy Spirit is supposed to be our Teacher, working through them, not reminding us of our past, but by the "washing of water, by the Word." We continue trying to make the flesh do like we want it too, through willpower. This might help to some extent, but even in using willpower, we must surrender our will to God's will.
Children learn using consistency and if we teach them to fear (not reverence, but fear) their parents, then we won't raise good adults. The time will come when they are grown and we can no longer send them to bed without the iPhone or take away the car keys for a week. Soon enough, they will own a car and provide for themselves and then both parent and child, must rely on what they've retained from their training as children.
My children made mistakes while growing up, just like everyone does. Some of us had a good and Godly teachings, while others didn't. Many have based their entire character and life, by the past. Sometimes, even when we're adults, we blame our failures on the past. There comes a time for everyone (saved or unsaved), when we are required to take responsibility for ourselves.
2Timothy 2:21 (Amplified) says, "So whoever cleanses himself (from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contaminating and corrupting influences) will (then himself) be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work."
Paul speaks to Christians who haven't grown into adulthood, are still on "milk of the Word," and haven't taken responsibility for their relationship with the Father, in Hebrews 5:14 (Amplified) saying, "But 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 evel and contrary either to Divine or human law."
We come into sonship with the Father, by training ourselves by His Word and His instructions. As we hear His instructions and are obedient to them, we can govern our adult lives, without someone needing to tell us what is right, wrong, moral and immoral. I've never required anyone to tell me how to sin, but I listen to the Holy Spirit's instructions on how to live right before my Father.
Our walk with the Father should be one of respect and reverence and we should do what is right, out of respect for His Name and for His Sake. We are to be careful not to being reproach on the Father, by our actions and words. It's not about our being good, but everything we do and say reflects on Him, because we are called by His Name. When a Christian is doing wrong, we know he is still a child of God while doing wrong, but the world sees that Christian as being phony and superficial and this reflects on Him.
My children are scrutinized more than others, because their daddy is a preacher. We sometimes fail to understand that God doesn't have one way for preacher's kids and another way for someone else's kids. His ways apply to both sets of kids equally, because we are all His kids. As we grow into being mature Christians, we must know what the Father expects of His, through His Word and the Holy Spirit. The expectations others have of us, aren't really important, but we must strive to live upright before them. The religious teachings of the Church have laid out certain laws and rituals for us, that have very little (if anything) to do with our being family.
All of the things God's Word Promises to His family, are true and they've already been made ours. We don't need to earn the right to come before Him, but we must always be respectful of the right to be in His Presence. My siblings and I grew up with the "Old School" teachings about family. I knew who my daddy was and I understood his ways and teachings. We were taught to respect our elders and were taught to have good manners at all times. I either addressed him as "Dad" or "Sir." This wasn't a military term (as some would believe), but it was one of respect. When he spoke to me or gave me instructions, I gave him my full attention, listened carefully and then followed through with those instructions. We addressed our mother as "Mom" or "Ma'am." We answered her questions with, "Yes, ma'am" or "No ma'am," out of respect. We weren't trying to get something from our parents by using these terms, but were showing respect for all they gave us and who they were to us. We bore our father's Sir name and we knew better than to bring reproach on his name. It would hurt me more than it did him, if I brought shame on him. He would have bore that shame for our sake and never allowed it to diminish the love He had for us.
When Jesus told us to "Love the Lord with all our hearts and to Love our neighbor as ourselves," He meant more than our just being nice. When we truly love Him with all of our hearts, we are very conscience of His Name and His reputation before others. There will always be trials and tests, while we've in this life, despite how well we walk with the Lord. We are to be His representatives, even while going through these things.
The world lives in adultery and openly sins and no one seems to notice, but everyone notices when a Christian does these things. It's not because of who you are, but because of Who your Father is. I don't stay away from certain venues or things, because I am "so holy," but because I am God's son and don't want His Name to be connected with these things.
I don't need to try and be His son, He has already taken care of that, according to James 1:18 (Amplified) which says, "It was of His Own (free) will that He gave us birth (as sons) by (His) Word of Truth, so that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures (a sample of what He created to be, consecrated to Himself)." 1Peter 1:17 (Amplified) says, "If you call upon Him as (your) Father, Who judges each one impartially according to what he does, (then) you should conduct yourselves with true reverence throughout the time of your temporary residence (on the earth, whether long or short)."
This is how we "govern" ourselves, by His Word and the witness of His Spirit within us. Another preacher once scolded me, for not "preaching enough about sin and conviction." I believe, that if the Holy Spirit (Who lives in you) can't convict you of sin in your life, then what do you expect from me? We must follow Paul's instructions from Hebrews 5:14 (Amplified) and "Train your senses and mental faculties to discriminate between what is right and wrong." The Father doesn't only tell us when we do something wrong, but He will tell us it's wrong, before we do it. This is governing ourselves, by His Word.
My children didn't need to ask if something was "wrongful" to do, because they were raised to know what whether something was right or wrong, before deciding to do it. This is what maturity is. Both my sons are married and have sons of their own now, but they too have raised and are raising their children into adulthood. There comes a time in every person's life (both saved and saved), where he/she is solely responsible for their decisions and actions. We are supposed to apply the things we learned as children, governing our own lives and change other's lives.
1Corinthians 13:11 (Amplified) says, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child, now that I have become a man, I am alone with childish ways and have put them aside." We have varying ideas about how a child of God should walk, but I'm more interested about the way God says I'm to walk. I don't do things in order to impress others, but to please my Heavenly Father. I've heard many say, "I don't believe you have to do these things to get to Heaven." This might be true, but I do them in order to honor God. I do these things, that "by words and deeds, I might bring others to Him."
We continue viewing ourselves the way we were, before being born-again. The Word tells us that we were "crucified with Christ" and that God considers our old man "dead and buried," but we persist in being more familiar with the old man, rather than with the new creation. This is why Paul instructs us to "renew our minds with the Word." Paul also says we are to "pull down strongholds, bringing every one of our thoughts that exalts themselves against the Truth and knowledge of God, into captivity."
Religious teachings have taught us to focus more on our sins, instead of who we were born-again to be. We've been erroneously taught that if we don't feel guilty, then we're not really saved, and many view it as being "sinful" to teach otherwise. This makes us the "double-minded" man that James speaks about. We profess to be a new creation, and walk in the memory of our old, unsaved, and sinful past.
In order to be family with the Father, we must learn how to approach Him as His child, instead of as strangers and sinners. This doesn't mean we're to live anyway way we wish, without having any concept of wrong doing, but we're to govern ourselves by the Word and bring the senses into submission to the spirit.
We've looked to our pastors and elders to keep us "in line with the Father," by reminding us how sinful our ways and thoughts are. The Holy Spirit is supposed to be our Teacher, working through them, not reminding us of our past, but by the "washing of water, by the Word." We continue trying to make the flesh do like we want it too, through willpower. This might help to some extent, but even in using willpower, we must surrender our will to God's will.
Children learn using consistency and if we teach them to fear (not reverence, but fear) their parents, then we won't raise good adults. The time will come when they are grown and we can no longer send them to bed without the iPhone or take away the car keys for a week. Soon enough, they will own a car and provide for themselves and then both parent and child, must rely on what they've retained from their training as children.
My children made mistakes while growing up, just like everyone does. Some of us had a good and Godly teachings, while others didn't. Many have based their entire character and life, by the past. Sometimes, even when we're adults, we blame our failures on the past. There comes a time for everyone (saved or unsaved), when we are required to take responsibility for ourselves.
2Timothy 2:21 (Amplified) says, "So whoever cleanses himself (from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contaminating and corrupting influences) will (then himself) be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work."
Paul speaks to Christians who haven't grown into adulthood, are still on "milk of the Word," and haven't taken responsibility for their relationship with the Father, in Hebrews 5:14 (Amplified) saying, "But 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 evel and contrary either to Divine or human law."
We come into sonship with the Father, by training ourselves by His Word and His instructions. As we hear His instructions and are obedient to them, we can govern our adult lives, without someone needing to tell us what is right, wrong, moral and immoral. I've never required anyone to tell me how to sin, but I listen to the Holy Spirit's instructions on how to live right before my Father.
Our walk with the Father should be one of respect and reverence and we should do what is right, out of respect for His Name and for His Sake. We are to be careful not to being reproach on the Father, by our actions and words. It's not about our being good, but everything we do and say reflects on Him, because we are called by His Name. When a Christian is doing wrong, we know he is still a child of God while doing wrong, but the world sees that Christian as being phony and superficial and this reflects on Him.
My children are scrutinized more than others, because their daddy is a preacher. We sometimes fail to understand that God doesn't have one way for preacher's kids and another way for someone else's kids. His ways apply to both sets of kids equally, because we are all His kids. As we grow into being mature Christians, we must know what the Father expects of His, through His Word and the Holy Spirit. The expectations others have of us, aren't really important, but we must strive to live upright before them. The religious teachings of the Church have laid out certain laws and rituals for us, that have very little (if anything) to do with our being family.
All of the things God's Word Promises to His family, are true and they've already been made ours. We don't need to earn the right to come before Him, but we must always be respectful of the right to be in His Presence. My siblings and I grew up with the "Old School" teachings about family. I knew who my daddy was and I understood his ways and teachings. We were taught to respect our elders and were taught to have good manners at all times. I either addressed him as "Dad" or "Sir." This wasn't a military term (as some would believe), but it was one of respect. When he spoke to me or gave me instructions, I gave him my full attention, listened carefully and then followed through with those instructions. We addressed our mother as "Mom" or "Ma'am." We answered her questions with, "Yes, ma'am" or "No ma'am," out of respect. We weren't trying to get something from our parents by using these terms, but were showing respect for all they gave us and who they were to us. We bore our father's Sir name and we knew better than to bring reproach on his name. It would hurt me more than it did him, if I brought shame on him. He would have bore that shame for our sake and never allowed it to diminish the love He had for us.
When Jesus told us to "Love the Lord with all our hearts and to Love our neighbor as ourselves," He meant more than our just being nice. When we truly love Him with all of our hearts, we are very conscience of His Name and His reputation before others. There will always be trials and tests, while we've in this life, despite how well we walk with the Lord. We are to be His representatives, even while going through these things.
The world lives in adultery and openly sins and no one seems to notice, but everyone notices when a Christian does these things. It's not because of who you are, but because of Who your Father is. I don't stay away from certain venues or things, because I am "so holy," but because I am God's son and don't want His Name to be connected with these things.
I don't need to try and be His son, He has already taken care of that, according to James 1:18 (Amplified) which says, "It was of His Own (free) will that He gave us birth (as sons) by (His) Word of Truth, so that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures (a sample of what He created to be, consecrated to Himself)." 1Peter 1:17 (Amplified) says, "If you call upon Him as (your) Father, Who judges each one impartially according to what he does, (then) you should conduct yourselves with true reverence throughout the time of your temporary residence (on the earth, whether long or short)."
This is how we "govern" ourselves, by His Word and the witness of His Spirit within us. Another preacher once scolded me, for not "preaching enough about sin and conviction." I believe, that if the Holy Spirit (Who lives in you) can't convict you of sin in your life, then what do you expect from me? We must follow Paul's instructions from Hebrews 5:14 (Amplified) and "Train your senses and mental faculties to discriminate between what is right and wrong." The Father doesn't only tell us when we do something wrong, but He will tell us it's wrong, before we do it. This is governing ourselves, by His Word.
My children didn't need to ask if something was "wrongful" to do, because they were raised to know what whether something was right or wrong, before deciding to do it. This is what maturity is. Both my sons are married and have sons of their own now, but they too have raised and are raising their children into adulthood. There comes a time in every person's life (both saved and saved), where he/she is solely responsible for their decisions and actions. We are supposed to apply the things we learned as children, governing our own lives and change other's lives.
1Corinthians 13:11 (Amplified) says, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child, now that I have become a man, I am alone with childish ways and have put them aside." We have varying ideas about how a child of God should walk, but I'm more interested about the way God says I'm to walk. I don't do things in order to impress others, but to please my Heavenly Father. I've heard many say, "I don't believe you have to do these things to get to Heaven." This might be true, but I do them in order to honor God. I do these things, that "by words and deeds, I might bring others to Him."
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Lesson 202 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
The day my children were born to my wife and myself, they were a new creation. These children had never existed before that time. There had never been one like and there would never be another like them in all the world, they were new creations. I never had a covenant or contract with them, saying that if they held up their end of it, then I would "be their father," but by my own volition, I created them out of love.
My children never had anything to do with their being "family," because they were born into the family and would always be family. Through our children, we have grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who are also family. They aren't hirelings or servants, but family. This is their birthright and it belongs to them, for as long as they live. As God's new creation family, we have a birthright through Jesus, that separates us from all others on this planet. We aren't observers of the Law, like the old covenant people, nor are we covenant people who have God's Blessing and protections fall upon us, if we perform certain rituals and traditions. We are family.
Most of us call ourselves "children of the Most High God" and even refer to Him as "Father," but we continue acting and living like we are the old covenant servants of God, instead of His family. We still try operating in what the old covenant people walked in and have made Grace of no avail, in many areas of our lives. Grace works through faith in the Father's ability to provide for His children, but we continue trying to earn His grace.
We were "Saved by grace through faith and this is not of ourselves, but it was the Gift of God," according to Ephesians 2:8 (Amplified). This "Grace" to accept and live in faith with our Father, was His Grace before we were ever born-again. The Love that grave the Grace and faith, was extended towards us while we were yet sinners. We didn't need to earn it then and we don't need to earn it now. God's Grace has already given everything needed to take care of His children, His family. And, God has already given us the faith, by which to receive it.
We've failed to differentiate between covenant and family. Since man didn't and could never hold up his end of the covenant, God established a covenant with Himself, through Jesus. God promised and prophesied His Blessing to Abraham, that through Jesus, His children or family would be assured of receiving that Blessing, without works, but by faith.
God gave these things freely, as an inheritance through Jesus, to His family. My children inherited my sir name, when they were born. I watched over and provided for them as "mine" and for "my name's sake." No one will ever be able to point out one of my children and say, "Their father didn't take care of them" or that "Their father abandoned them." This is the eternal Promise our Heavenly Father has made to us, through Jesus. Psalm 23:3 (Amplified) says, "He refreshes and restores my life (my inner self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness (uprightness and right standing with Him-not for my earning it, but) For His Name's sake."
We are His "Name's sake" and we are called by His Name, because we are His. Proverbs 22:1 (Amplified) says, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches and living favor rather than silver and gold." We don't need to be concerned about riches or the things sought by the world, because we bear "the Name that is above all names" and God's favor is upon us forever. It is this Name, that has brought about all the persecution in our lives. It's not our denomination or our own name, but His Name. As family, we bear the Name and resemblance to our Father. The world condemns that Name and rejects Jesus. The world hates doesn't hate the Church, because we are so different, but because He is so different. We might not always do the things we're supposed to do, but we are always His family. The only way satan can bring hurt to God's heart, is through the hardship he places on God's family.
Being in God's family, gives us privileges and Blessings and an inheritance, that the world doesn't have. Those of the world can be born-again and enter into God's family too. Until then, though, we have all the advantages, but don't know it. Even the old covenant people were considered "special" because of God. How much more special are we, being family and not just servants?
As our inheritance, and being God's family, we have access to the greatest Source of power, wealth, dominion, authority and ability. We've never really seen it as being obtainable now, but always look towards the future. Understanding the great difference between being covenant and family, will change everything in our walk with the Father. Because God made covenant with Himself (through Jesus), there's nothing we must do in this covenant, but receive what has already become our inheritance as God's children.
The day my children were born to my wife and myself, they were a new creation. These children had never existed before that time. There had never been one like and there would never be another like them in all the world, they were new creations. I never had a covenant or contract with them, saying that if they held up their end of it, then I would "be their father," but by my own volition, I created them out of love.
My children never had anything to do with their being "family," because they were born into the family and would always be family. Through our children, we have grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who are also family. They aren't hirelings or servants, but family. This is their birthright and it belongs to them, for as long as they live. As God's new creation family, we have a birthright through Jesus, that separates us from all others on this planet. We aren't observers of the Law, like the old covenant people, nor are we covenant people who have God's Blessing and protections fall upon us, if we perform certain rituals and traditions. We are family.
Most of us call ourselves "children of the Most High God" and even refer to Him as "Father," but we continue acting and living like we are the old covenant servants of God, instead of His family. We still try operating in what the old covenant people walked in and have made Grace of no avail, in many areas of our lives. Grace works through faith in the Father's ability to provide for His children, but we continue trying to earn His grace.
We were "Saved by grace through faith and this is not of ourselves, but it was the Gift of God," according to Ephesians 2:8 (Amplified). This "Grace" to accept and live in faith with our Father, was His Grace before we were ever born-again. The Love that grave the Grace and faith, was extended towards us while we were yet sinners. We didn't need to earn it then and we don't need to earn it now. God's Grace has already given everything needed to take care of His children, His family. And, God has already given us the faith, by which to receive it.
We've failed to differentiate between covenant and family. Since man didn't and could never hold up his end of the covenant, God established a covenant with Himself, through Jesus. God promised and prophesied His Blessing to Abraham, that through Jesus, His children or family would be assured of receiving that Blessing, without works, but by faith.
God gave these things freely, as an inheritance through Jesus, to His family. My children inherited my sir name, when they were born. I watched over and provided for them as "mine" and for "my name's sake." No one will ever be able to point out one of my children and say, "Their father didn't take care of them" or that "Their father abandoned them." This is the eternal Promise our Heavenly Father has made to us, through Jesus. Psalm 23:3 (Amplified) says, "He refreshes and restores my life (my inner self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness (uprightness and right standing with Him-not for my earning it, but) For His Name's sake."
We are His "Name's sake" and we are called by His Name, because we are His. Proverbs 22:1 (Amplified) says, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches and living favor rather than silver and gold." We don't need to be concerned about riches or the things sought by the world, because we bear "the Name that is above all names" and God's favor is upon us forever. It is this Name, that has brought about all the persecution in our lives. It's not our denomination or our own name, but His Name. As family, we bear the Name and resemblance to our Father. The world condemns that Name and rejects Jesus. The world hates doesn't hate the Church, because we are so different, but because He is so different. We might not always do the things we're supposed to do, but we are always His family. The only way satan can bring hurt to God's heart, is through the hardship he places on God's family.
Being in God's family, gives us privileges and Blessings and an inheritance, that the world doesn't have. Those of the world can be born-again and enter into God's family too. Until then, though, we have all the advantages, but don't know it. Even the old covenant people were considered "special" because of God. How much more special are we, being family and not just servants?
As our inheritance, and being God's family, we have access to the greatest Source of power, wealth, dominion, authority and ability. We've never really seen it as being obtainable now, but always look towards the future. Understanding the great difference between being covenant and family, will change everything in our walk with the Father. Because God made covenant with Himself (through Jesus), there's nothing we must do in this covenant, but receive what has already become our inheritance as God's children.
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