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)."
How can we be new creations and still not be in right standing or be righteous before God? This wouldn't be a new creation, but one that's still under the very thing that held us back from God, since Adam's fall in the Garden of Eden. We seem to have difficulty distinguishing between the new creation family's Father and the God of the old covenant and His people. We still expect our Father to deal with us, in the same manner He dealt with the old covenant people.
The old covenant people weren't born-again and although they operated under the old covenant Law, they weren't considered to be righteous before God. Their sins needed to be covered daily, by the blood of bulls and goats that were sacrificed, in order for Him to be able to do anything for them. The blood of the bulls and goats could give Him the "right" to keep them. If the sacrifice for covering sin wasn't made, then God was obligated to "not bless" them.
The Blood of Jesus didn't cover our sins, but removed it completely (past, present and future). In Isaiah 54:13-15 (Amplified) God says, "All of your (spiritual) children shall be disciples (taught by the Lord and obedient to His will) and great shall be the peace and undisturbed composure of your children. You shall establish yourself in righteousness (rightness in conformity with God's will and order), you shall be far from even the thought of oppression or destruction, for you shall not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near you. Behold! they may gather together and stir up strife, but it is not from Me. Whoever stirs up strife against you shall fall and surrender to you."
The above scripture tells us to "Establish ourselves in righteousness," speaking about the Blood of Jesus that not only took the sin, but restored righteousness or right standing with God. Most of the sermons we've heard, have been directed to the soulish part of man, rather than to the new creation spirit. We've preached more to the feelings and senses, rather than to the newborn spirit. We've preached more to the conscious mind, instead of renewing the mind. We've been taught we should make up for our failures, instead of meditating on what Jesus has done for us. We've believed we've been forgiven, but not necessarily that we were cleansed from our entire past and have been elevated into the place of right standing with not only our God, but our Father.
Many in today's Church, seem to believe it's sacrilegious to declare you're righteous before God. When we fail to understand that we've been made to be the righteousness of God, then everything we do is hindered. Why would the Father answer prayer, if we were still in sin? Why would our righteousness only be for "when we die and get to Heaven?" How could we dare to believe that God would heal, bless, indwell or deliver any of us? Only those who are righteous or in right standing with Him, could dare to believe His Promises to His children. How could we believe we are His children and still be considered "sinners?"
Every believer should read Romans 1:17 (Amplified) and take it to heart. Thus, it says, "For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed. [Notice! It is a revelation] both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith)." [Notice that God's ascribed way of righteousness is revealed through faith and now that we understand His revelation of our being righteous, our faith can grow and continue to become stronger] "As it is written, the man who through faith is just and upright, shall live and shall live by faith."
If you are a new creation man or woman, then you are already now living by that faith. Without putting faith towards salvation, then one remains dead in trespass and sin. The only life we have towards God, is the life that is now in the spirit of the new creation man. This is God's Own Life and His Life is righteous. You cannot be living the Life of God that was "ingrafted" in you through Jesus, and still be unrighteous in Him. This is why God said in Isaiah 54:14 (Amplified), "You shall establish yourself in righteousness." No one else can establish you in this righteousness, it must come by faith in your own heart. I can show you this from the Word, but you're the only one who can now "by faith establish" this Truth in your relationship with the Father. Some might call it "prideful," to declare you're righteous in God's eyes. I would say, that "It's prideful for you to hold onto what you think, in the Light of what God says about you." If God declares you are righteous before Him, because of Jesus, then who are you to say that Jesus wasn't enough to make you righteous? There is no more sacrifice, Jesus is the Last Sacrifice to be made. If He cannot establish this righteousness in you, then there's no hope of ever obtaining it any other way. It is a Gift of Grace!
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
Tuesday, August 8, 2017
Lesson 243 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)."
2Corinthians 3:21 (Amplified) tells us, "For our sake He made Christ (virtually) to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become (endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of) the righteousness of God (what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness)."
We don't seem to hold any doubts about or see any problems with the first half of the above scripture, which speaks about Jesus being our "sin sacrifice." But, many of those who believe that Jesus "bore our sins," seem to have trouble believing the second half of that same scripture which says, "Jesus also restored us into righteousness." The enemy has successfully deceived the Church and causing it to deny that they are NOW in right standing with the Father. The Truth hasn't been preached the Truth and many in the Church demonstrate no difference between the world and themselves.
We've heard the message preached many times about how, "None are righteous," Romans 3:10 (Amplified) says, "As it is written, None is righteous, and just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one." It's no wonder that the new creation has very little faith, where our prayer lives and relationship with the Father is concerned. Even though this scripture is in God's Word and was true, we need to read what the Holy Spirit reveals to Paul, in Romans 3:21-24 (Amplified) which says, "BUT NOW the righteousness of God has been revealed independently and altogether apart from the Law, although actually it is attested by the Law and the prophets, Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah) (and it is meant) for all who believe. For there is no distinction. Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives." Verse 24 continues, "(All) are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy) through the redemption which is (provided) in Christ Jesus."
When we read these scriptures for ourselves, instead of relying on the things others tell us about "righteousness," we find that Jesus didn't only "take our sins, but He provided righteousness to those who believe." The new creation man isn't only absolved from sin, but is restored into righteousness, by Jesus' Sacrifice. The Church hasn't been taught this distinction between the world's standing with the Father and our standing in righteousness before the Father because of Jesus. This has resulted with the Church's having little faith in our prayers or in our fellowship with the Father. The new creation is exactly that...a new creation.
Romans 4:5 (Amplified) says, "But to one who, not working (by the Law), trust (believes fully) in Him Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to him as righteousness (the standing acceptable to God)." We've been taught and placed our faith in the fact that Jesus was and is our "sin bearer," but we haven't put our faith in His being our righteousness. This has resulted in the Church being what James wrote about in James 1:5-8 (Amplified) where he says, "If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the Giving God (Who gives) to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly without reproach or fault finding, and it will be given him Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitation, no doubting); For the one who wavers (hesitation, no doubting) is like a billowing surge out to sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything (he asks for) from the Lord (For being as he is) a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute) (he is) unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything (he thinks, feels, decides)." If we read Verse 9, then we find that it's an "act of humility" to believe we are elevated by His grace." It's not being arrogant or proud, when we declare what Jesus has done for us. Thus Verse 9 says, "Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his elevation (as a Christian) (called to the true riches and to be an heir of God)."
Notice, that the above scripture didn't instruct us to "Deny God's wisdom and try to remain humble by not accepting His wisdom." God's Word tells us to "ask for God's wisdom and "glory in our elevation as Christians," being "called to the true riches of heirs of God." We must understand that having the righteousness we've been given through Jesus, is the only way we can "have boldness to enter int His Presence by faith." If our faith remains in the wisdom of men, then we do not have the access into His Own Presence where we need to be, in order to obtain assurance to His promises for us.
Listen to what James has to say to these Jewish brothers who were still trying to become righteous by the Law, in James 1:18 (Amplified) where he says, "And it was of His Own (free will) that He gave us birth (as sons) by (His) Word of Truth, so that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures (a sample of what He created to be consecrated to Himself)."
Let's review the prophesies spoken about the new creation people, as the Lord revealed His plan for us in the Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah 54:13-15 (Amplified) says, "All your (spiritual) children shall be disciples (taught by the Lord and obedient to His will) and great shall be the peace and undisturbed composure of your children. You shall establish yourself in righteousness (rightness in conformity with God's will and order) you shall be far from even the though of oppression or destruction, for you shall not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near you. Behold! they may gather together and stir up strife, but it is not from Me. Whoever stirs up strife against you shall fall and surrender to you."
We've been taught for so long that "It's God Who brings all the terrible things that come up against us," that it's difficult to keep our faith in His Words that, "It is not from Me." God likens His displeasure and discipline of the old covenant to the "waters of Noah," in Isaiah 54:8-9 (Amplified) saying, "For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion and mercy I will gather (to Me) again. For this is like the days of Noah to Me; as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I wil not be angry with you or rebuke you."
After the flood, God made covenant with Noah and put a rainbow in the Heavens, insuring Noah that God would never flood the earth again. Every time Noah witnessed a rainbow in the sky, he could be at peace within himself. Isaiah 52,53,54 and 55 prophesies about the cross being a sign to us, like the rainbow was for Noah. Every time something arises to bring fear and strife into our lives, we are to look upon the cross of Christ, just like Noah looked at the rainbow. We can know that God would never do these things to us again. The cross of Christ is our assurance that God will not be angry or rebuke us again.
We are to establish ourselves in His righteousness. It's not our righteousness, but His. We're not trying to be humble and deny that as new creation family, we're righteous in Him by Jesus Christ. This might seem like a teaching that doesn't need to be said, but if we rely on man's understanding of what God's Word says and fail to understand the Truth of God's Word, then hinder the prayers and efforts of the new creation family of God.
2Corinthians 3:21 (Amplified) tells us, "For our sake He made Christ (virtually) to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become (endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of) the righteousness of God (what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness)."
We don't seem to hold any doubts about or see any problems with the first half of the above scripture, which speaks about Jesus being our "sin sacrifice." But, many of those who believe that Jesus "bore our sins," seem to have trouble believing the second half of that same scripture which says, "Jesus also restored us into righteousness." The enemy has successfully deceived the Church and causing it to deny that they are NOW in right standing with the Father. The Truth hasn't been preached the Truth and many in the Church demonstrate no difference between the world and themselves.
We've heard the message preached many times about how, "None are righteous," Romans 3:10 (Amplified) says, "As it is written, None is righteous, and just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one." It's no wonder that the new creation has very little faith, where our prayer lives and relationship with the Father is concerned. Even though this scripture is in God's Word and was true, we need to read what the Holy Spirit reveals to Paul, in Romans 3:21-24 (Amplified) which says, "BUT NOW the righteousness of God has been revealed independently and altogether apart from the Law, although actually it is attested by the Law and the prophets, Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah) (and it is meant) for all who believe. For there is no distinction. Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives." Verse 24 continues, "(All) are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy) through the redemption which is (provided) in Christ Jesus."
When we read these scriptures for ourselves, instead of relying on the things others tell us about "righteousness," we find that Jesus didn't only "take our sins, but He provided righteousness to those who believe." The new creation man isn't only absolved from sin, but is restored into righteousness, by Jesus' Sacrifice. The Church hasn't been taught this distinction between the world's standing with the Father and our standing in righteousness before the Father because of Jesus. This has resulted with the Church's having little faith in our prayers or in our fellowship with the Father. The new creation is exactly that...a new creation.
Romans 4:5 (Amplified) says, "But to one who, not working (by the Law), trust (believes fully) in Him Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to him as righteousness (the standing acceptable to God)." We've been taught and placed our faith in the fact that Jesus was and is our "sin bearer," but we haven't put our faith in His being our righteousness. This has resulted in the Church being what James wrote about in James 1:5-8 (Amplified) where he says, "If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the Giving God (Who gives) to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly without reproach or fault finding, and it will be given him Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitation, no doubting); For the one who wavers (hesitation, no doubting) is like a billowing surge out to sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything (he asks for) from the Lord (For being as he is) a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute) (he is) unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything (he thinks, feels, decides)." If we read Verse 9, then we find that it's an "act of humility" to believe we are elevated by His grace." It's not being arrogant or proud, when we declare what Jesus has done for us. Thus Verse 9 says, "Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his elevation (as a Christian) (called to the true riches and to be an heir of God)."
Notice, that the above scripture didn't instruct us to "Deny God's wisdom and try to remain humble by not accepting His wisdom." God's Word tells us to "ask for God's wisdom and "glory in our elevation as Christians," being "called to the true riches of heirs of God." We must understand that having the righteousness we've been given through Jesus, is the only way we can "have boldness to enter int His Presence by faith." If our faith remains in the wisdom of men, then we do not have the access into His Own Presence where we need to be, in order to obtain assurance to His promises for us.
Listen to what James has to say to these Jewish brothers who were still trying to become righteous by the Law, in James 1:18 (Amplified) where he says, "And it was of His Own (free will) that He gave us birth (as sons) by (His) Word of Truth, so that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures (a sample of what He created to be consecrated to Himself)."
Let's review the prophesies spoken about the new creation people, as the Lord revealed His plan for us in the Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah 54:13-15 (Amplified) says, "All your (spiritual) children shall be disciples (taught by the Lord and obedient to His will) and great shall be the peace and undisturbed composure of your children. You shall establish yourself in righteousness (rightness in conformity with God's will and order) you shall be far from even the though of oppression or destruction, for you shall not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near you. Behold! they may gather together and stir up strife, but it is not from Me. Whoever stirs up strife against you shall fall and surrender to you."
We've been taught for so long that "It's God Who brings all the terrible things that come up against us," that it's difficult to keep our faith in His Words that, "It is not from Me." God likens His displeasure and discipline of the old covenant to the "waters of Noah," in Isaiah 54:8-9 (Amplified) saying, "For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion and mercy I will gather (to Me) again. For this is like the days of Noah to Me; as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I wil not be angry with you or rebuke you."
After the flood, God made covenant with Noah and put a rainbow in the Heavens, insuring Noah that God would never flood the earth again. Every time Noah witnessed a rainbow in the sky, he could be at peace within himself. Isaiah 52,53,54 and 55 prophesies about the cross being a sign to us, like the rainbow was for Noah. Every time something arises to bring fear and strife into our lives, we are to look upon the cross of Christ, just like Noah looked at the rainbow. We can know that God would never do these things to us again. The cross of Christ is our assurance that God will not be angry or rebuke us again.
We are to establish ourselves in His righteousness. It's not our righteousness, but His. We're not trying to be humble and deny that as new creation family, we're righteous in Him by Jesus Christ. This might seem like a teaching that doesn't need to be said, but if we rely on man's understanding of what God's Word says and fail to understand the Truth of God's Word, then hinder the prayers and efforts of the new creation family of God.
Friday, August 4, 2017
Lesson 242 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)."
In these latter days, we've lost sight of the Truth about the new creation. After Jesus' Ascension to Heaven, the early Church walked in the super-natural ability of the new creation. We only find records of certain of these in the scriptures, there is evidence of many people who walked in miracles and super-natural works.
Religion began controlling the teachings and function of the "called out" ones and bound those persons once again, into rituals and laws. Paul never taught these things and was against the "renewing of the Law" and of rituals. He wrote to the Church in Galatians 3:2-3 (Amplified) saying, "Let me ask you this one question; Did you receive the Holy Spirit as the result of obeying the Law and doing its works, or was it by hearing (the Message of the Gospel) and believing (it)? Was it from observing a law of rituals or from a Message of faith? Are you so foolish and so senseless and so silly? Having begun (your new life spiritually) with the Holy Spirit, are you now reaching perfection (by dependence) on the flesh?"
Paul was seeing this new creation people being brought back under the control and the subjection to man's rules and rituals. For some time, those who were actually walking in the new creation life were hunted down and killed, by those who opposed this new creation people.
We find the religious leaders losing control of the people and making it impossible for them to continue in the new creation life. In Acts 4:16-17 (Amplified) they clamored, "Saying, what are we to do with these me? For that an extraordinary miracle has been performed by (through them) is plain to all the residents of Jerusalem and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may not spread further among the people, and the nations, let us warn and forbid them with a stern threat to speak anymore to anyone in this Name (or about this Person)."
Satan has tried stamping out the very image of these new creation people, from the very beginning. Satan knew he couldn't keep the people from believing, so he set out to make sure of what they believed. It didn't matter that they were simply "religious," but the degree of their faith did matter. If he could only contain their faith to rituals and observances of laws, then satan could continue controlling mankind with his own brand of observances. So, we fell into the bondage of man's (or satan's) way of knowing and believing. The Church fell back into a powerless group of people and were once again under bondage and control.
We forgot who we were created to be in this new creation and returned to walking by our own efforts and works. Even miracles needed to be substantiated by certain people, in order to decide if they were truly miracles. The very works of God were to be judged by mere man, to see if they were really "from God." If what He had done failed to fit man's ideas of miracles, then it was dismissed as being fraud. In certain places, religion teaches what we can now believe and what is no longer available from God to His people. As a result, we've been trapped into being quiet, silent mass of people, extending limited hope for this world.
We've not only been taught that "there is no God," but that "He is only interested in us, when we die and leave this earth." This has resulted in the Promises for the new creation people being delayed and put aside, thus leaving us only in the realm of the flesh again. God was once again, a Figure of Hope for only those who followed man's ruled and only for after we died. God became a Hope, only for the life after death and not for those living here on earth.
Since the Church's birth, even those who were caught up in the mighty moves of the Holy Spirit have been talked out of these outpourings and are only referred to as being past events, instead of enduring events. Over the years, we've read about the mighty outpourings of the Spirit, but it seems like God has once again, left mankind on his own.
We've never seen the new creation man in actions on the earth for very long, because these things have mostly been "swept under the rug." We read and hear about people who got hold of their identity with Jesus, but they are mostly from history. Even such men as Smith Wigglesworth were denied and were rejected by a great number of religious people in his time. Rather than embracing the Super-natural, we've hid from it and allowed the Truth of it to be stolen from us.
In these last days, God is once again moving on the hearts of His people, calling us to step into the place He called us to be in. Many are still opposing and fighting this Awakening, because they are comfortable in their own ideas of God. Some are afraid to enter into this Awakening, because they fear being cast aside, but there are those will will still reveal Jesus as Lord of all.
NOW IS THE TIME, for us to decide where we place our faith. Is our faith truly in God's Word or in the word of the world's religions? Is this the time that is now spoken of as "The time of the manifestation of the sons of God?" Romans 8:19 (Amplified) says, "For (even the whole) creation (all nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God's sons to be made known (waits for the revealing, the disclosing of their son-ship) that nature (creation) itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and corruption (and gain entrance) into the glorious freedom of God's children."
Is this about an event that happens after we die and go to Heaven? Or is this for nature and creation, when Heaven is revealed here by God's new creation family? I might be wrong in what I believe, but I still believe that we are on the verge of seeing the revealing of the Father (through His new creation family) and the least to the greatest on earth will have the opportunity to see God's Glory for themselves. This age is climaxing and we will undergo the greatest unveiling of God's Presence like never before seen on earth. Nations will see and be changed by God's Presence and we (the Church) will receive the nations as our inheritance. Psalm 2 (Amplified) says, "Why are the nations in an uproar (in turmoil against God), And why do the people device a vain and hopeless plot? The kings of the earth take their stand; And the rulers take counsel together Against the Lord and His Anointed (the Davidic King, the Messiah, the Christ), saying, Let us break apart their )divine) bands (of restraint) And cast away their cords (of control) from us. He Who sits (enthroned) in the Heavens laughs (at their rebellion); The (Sovereign) Lord scoffs at them (and in supreme contempt He mocks them). Then He will speak to them in His (profound) anger And terrify them with His displeasure, saying Yet as for Me, I have anointed and firmly installed My King upon Zion, My Holy mountain. I will declare the decree of the Lord; He said to Me, You are My Son; This day (I proclaim) I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will assuredly give (You) the nations as Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth as Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall shatter them (in pieces) like earthenware. Now therefore, O kings, act wisely; Be instructed and take warning, O leader (judges, rulers) of the earth. Worship the Lord and serve Him with reverence (with awe-inspired fear and submissive wonder); Rejoice (yet do so) with trembling. Kiss (pay respect to)the Son, so that He does not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled and set aflame. How blessed (fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God) are all those who take refuge in Him!"
In these latter days, we've lost sight of the Truth about the new creation. After Jesus' Ascension to Heaven, the early Church walked in the super-natural ability of the new creation. We only find records of certain of these in the scriptures, there is evidence of many people who walked in miracles and super-natural works.
Religion began controlling the teachings and function of the "called out" ones and bound those persons once again, into rituals and laws. Paul never taught these things and was against the "renewing of the Law" and of rituals. He wrote to the Church in Galatians 3:2-3 (Amplified) saying, "Let me ask you this one question; Did you receive the Holy Spirit as the result of obeying the Law and doing its works, or was it by hearing (the Message of the Gospel) and believing (it)? Was it from observing a law of rituals or from a Message of faith? Are you so foolish and so senseless and so silly? Having begun (your new life spiritually) with the Holy Spirit, are you now reaching perfection (by dependence) on the flesh?"
Paul was seeing this new creation people being brought back under the control and the subjection to man's rules and rituals. For some time, those who were actually walking in the new creation life were hunted down and killed, by those who opposed this new creation people.
We find the religious leaders losing control of the people and making it impossible for them to continue in the new creation life. In Acts 4:16-17 (Amplified) they clamored, "Saying, what are we to do with these me? For that an extraordinary miracle has been performed by (through them) is plain to all the residents of Jerusalem and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may not spread further among the people, and the nations, let us warn and forbid them with a stern threat to speak anymore to anyone in this Name (or about this Person)."
Satan has tried stamping out the very image of these new creation people, from the very beginning. Satan knew he couldn't keep the people from believing, so he set out to make sure of what they believed. It didn't matter that they were simply "religious," but the degree of their faith did matter. If he could only contain their faith to rituals and observances of laws, then satan could continue controlling mankind with his own brand of observances. So, we fell into the bondage of man's (or satan's) way of knowing and believing. The Church fell back into a powerless group of people and were once again under bondage and control.
We forgot who we were created to be in this new creation and returned to walking by our own efforts and works. Even miracles needed to be substantiated by certain people, in order to decide if they were truly miracles. The very works of God were to be judged by mere man, to see if they were really "from God." If what He had done failed to fit man's ideas of miracles, then it was dismissed as being fraud. In certain places, religion teaches what we can now believe and what is no longer available from God to His people. As a result, we've been trapped into being quiet, silent mass of people, extending limited hope for this world.
We've not only been taught that "there is no God," but that "He is only interested in us, when we die and leave this earth." This has resulted in the Promises for the new creation people being delayed and put aside, thus leaving us only in the realm of the flesh again. God was once again, a Figure of Hope for only those who followed man's ruled and only for after we died. God became a Hope, only for the life after death and not for those living here on earth.
Since the Church's birth, even those who were caught up in the mighty moves of the Holy Spirit have been talked out of these outpourings and are only referred to as being past events, instead of enduring events. Over the years, we've read about the mighty outpourings of the Spirit, but it seems like God has once again, left mankind on his own.
We've never seen the new creation man in actions on the earth for very long, because these things have mostly been "swept under the rug." We read and hear about people who got hold of their identity with Jesus, but they are mostly from history. Even such men as Smith Wigglesworth were denied and were rejected by a great number of religious people in his time. Rather than embracing the Super-natural, we've hid from it and allowed the Truth of it to be stolen from us.
In these last days, God is once again moving on the hearts of His people, calling us to step into the place He called us to be in. Many are still opposing and fighting this Awakening, because they are comfortable in their own ideas of God. Some are afraid to enter into this Awakening, because they fear being cast aside, but there are those will will still reveal Jesus as Lord of all.
NOW IS THE TIME, for us to decide where we place our faith. Is our faith truly in God's Word or in the word of the world's religions? Is this the time that is now spoken of as "The time of the manifestation of the sons of God?" Romans 8:19 (Amplified) says, "For (even the whole) creation (all nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God's sons to be made known (waits for the revealing, the disclosing of their son-ship) that nature (creation) itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and corruption (and gain entrance) into the glorious freedom of God's children."
Is this about an event that happens after we die and go to Heaven? Or is this for nature and creation, when Heaven is revealed here by God's new creation family? I might be wrong in what I believe, but I still believe that we are on the verge of seeing the revealing of the Father (through His new creation family) and the least to the greatest on earth will have the opportunity to see God's Glory for themselves. This age is climaxing and we will undergo the greatest unveiling of God's Presence like never before seen on earth. Nations will see and be changed by God's Presence and we (the Church) will receive the nations as our inheritance. Psalm 2 (Amplified) says, "Why are the nations in an uproar (in turmoil against God), And why do the people device a vain and hopeless plot? The kings of the earth take their stand; And the rulers take counsel together Against the Lord and His Anointed (the Davidic King, the Messiah, the Christ), saying, Let us break apart their )divine) bands (of restraint) And cast away their cords (of control) from us. He Who sits (enthroned) in the Heavens laughs (at their rebellion); The (Sovereign) Lord scoffs at them (and in supreme contempt He mocks them). Then He will speak to them in His (profound) anger And terrify them with His displeasure, saying Yet as for Me, I have anointed and firmly installed My King upon Zion, My Holy mountain. I will declare the decree of the Lord; He said to Me, You are My Son; This day (I proclaim) I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will assuredly give (You) the nations as Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth as Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall shatter them (in pieces) like earthenware. Now therefore, O kings, act wisely; Be instructed and take warning, O leader (judges, rulers) of the earth. Worship the Lord and serve Him with reverence (with awe-inspired fear and submissive wonder); Rejoice (yet do so) with trembling. Kiss (pay respect to)the Son, so that He does not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled and set aflame. How blessed (fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God) are all those who take refuge in Him!"
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Lesson 241 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). Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ has reconciled us to Himself (brought us into harmony, received 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 must always hold fast our new identity in Christ Jesus, in order to fully walk in this new creation being. One of satan's favorite traps is keeping us focused on who we used to be, instead of what the Father has made us to be. The enemy is an identity thief and doesn't work only in the world to steal someone's identity, but also works in the spirit realm to keep us from seeing our identity in Christ Jesus.
James 1:23-25 (Amplified) says, "For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it, and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his (own) natural face in a mirror; For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like. But he who looks carefully into the faultless law (the law) of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer (who obeys), he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience)."
2Corinthians 3:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom) And all of us, with unveiled face (because we) continued to behold (in the Word of God) as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His Very Own Image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another (for this comes) from the Lord (Who is) the Spirit."
The very first things satan did to seduce Adam and Eve, was getting them to see themselves as different than what God made them to be in Genesis 2:27 (Amplified) which says, "So God created man in His Own Image, in the Image and Likeness of God He created them." Genesis 3:4-5 (Amplified) goes on, "But the serpent said to the woman, you shall not surely die For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil and blessing and calamity."
They were already like God and only needed to know good and blessing. God never intended "evil and calamity" for His children. When Eve began to have her God-given identity changed, she saw herself as different than what God had created her to be. Satan did the same with the Israelites in Numbers 13:30-33 (Amplified) which says, "But Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once and possess it [the Promised Land]. We are well able to conquer it. But his fellow scouts said, we are not able to go up against the people (of Canaan), for they are stronger than we are. So they brought the Israelites an evil report of the Land which they had scouted out, saying, The Land through which we went to spy out is a Land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the Nephilim (the giants) the sons of Anak, who come from the giants; and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight."
Satan had stolen the image of their identity in God from them and reduced their identity as being "as grasshoppers." The Israelites no longer viewed themselves as being what God made them to be, but saw themselves like satan portrayed them. In Luke 4:3 (Amplified) Jesus was on the Mount of Temptation and, "Then the devil said to Him, If you are the Son of God, order this stone to turn into a (loaf of bread)." Satan even tried to make Jesus question Who He was and steal His identity.
When we read about the new creation throughout the Word, we see ourselves as we truly are in God's eyes. We conflict the identities of the outer-man and the inner-man. The outer-man is the flesh and bone body (or house) that our inner-man lives in, while we're on this earth. Your inner-man, the new creation is the real you. If you get born-again, but continue seeing only your outer-man, then you're not seeing the real you and satan will robe you of your new identity as God's Own family. We never see ourselves as what our new creation man really is.
The new creation man is once again made in the "Very Likeness and Image of God." The new creation man is righteous, redeemed, sanctified, holy, consecrated and purified, by the Sacrifice of Jesus. These aren't attributes of our new man for "when we die," but are the NOW attributes for while we remain on earth. We have failed the Church, by identifying our true nature and preaching to the outer-man. The Church has lost sight of who we truly are in Christ. We've actually postponed our new identity, for being "when we get to Heaven."
When are you made righteous? When you die in the natural or when you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior? When does the things God says about you, become "true" in you? After you die or when you were raised with Christ Jesus? When is what God says about you going to become who you really are? Our new creation man is identified through Jesus, not by the world or religion, but by faith in what Jesus has done for and through us. We don't have the old sin nature in our lost spirit man. We have the Very nature of God, Who now lives in our new creation being.
The new creation man is the one we're supposed to see in the "perfect Law of Liberty," not the outer-man. This mirror is supposed to reflect our new identity in Christ Jesus. If what God did through Jesus on the cross, wasn't enough to purify you, then there is no hope left for mankind.
We've never learned to walk in our new creation man and were taught by man, instead of God. Natural man can only teach natural things, but the Holy Spirit will now teach the new creation man. We've failed in the Church, because we never saw ourselves in the new creation man and taught ourselves only the outer-man. We've tried walking in the Spirit, by the same Laws that govern the world and the outer-man. Romans 6:11 (Amplified) says, "Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God (living in unbroken fellowship with Him) in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:16 (Amplified) says, "The Spirit Himself (thus) testifies together with our own spirit, (assuring us) that we are children of God."
Paul goes on in Romans 8:29 (Amplified) saying, "For those whom He fore knew (of whom He was aware and loved beforehand), He also destined from the beginning (foreordaining them) to be molded into the Image of His Son (and share inwardly His Likeness) that He might become the Firstborn among many brethren."
Do you read the New Testament as a new creation man, who is made in "the Image of His Son" or do you read it, while identifying with the old man you were before receiving Jesus? This identity crisis in the downfall of the Church. Paul writes in 1Corinthians 4:4 (Amplified), "I am not conscious of anything against myself, and I feel blameless; but I am not vindicated and acquitted before God on that account. It is the Lord (Himself) Who examines and judges me."
Jesus met all the requirements of the Law of Sin and Death, on our behalf. He is the Total Fulfillment of our new creation being. The Curse of the Law was placed upon Him, so that the Blessing of Abraham can be ours. The stripes Jesus took for our healing and the chastisement needful for our obtaining peace of mind and well-being, was also placed on Him. Jesus paid the price that was required by the Law of Sin and Death for our salvation and the new creation being has been raised by the new Law of Life. Romans 8:2 (Amplified) says, "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."
We must always hold fast our new identity in Christ Jesus, in order to fully walk in this new creation being. One of satan's favorite traps is keeping us focused on who we used to be, instead of what the Father has made us to be. The enemy is an identity thief and doesn't work only in the world to steal someone's identity, but also works in the spirit realm to keep us from seeing our identity in Christ Jesus.
James 1:23-25 (Amplified) says, "For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it, and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his (own) natural face in a mirror; For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like. But he who looks carefully into the faultless law (the law) of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer (who obeys), he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience)."
2Corinthians 3:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom) And all of us, with unveiled face (because we) continued to behold (in the Word of God) as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His Very Own Image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another (for this comes) from the Lord (Who is) the Spirit."
The very first things satan did to seduce Adam and Eve, was getting them to see themselves as different than what God made them to be in Genesis 2:27 (Amplified) which says, "So God created man in His Own Image, in the Image and Likeness of God He created them." Genesis 3:4-5 (Amplified) goes on, "But the serpent said to the woman, you shall not surely die For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil and blessing and calamity."
They were already like God and only needed to know good and blessing. God never intended "evil and calamity" for His children. When Eve began to have her God-given identity changed, she saw herself as different than what God had created her to be. Satan did the same with the Israelites in Numbers 13:30-33 (Amplified) which says, "But Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once and possess it [the Promised Land]. We are well able to conquer it. But his fellow scouts said, we are not able to go up against the people (of Canaan), for they are stronger than we are. So they brought the Israelites an evil report of the Land which they had scouted out, saying, The Land through which we went to spy out is a Land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the Nephilim (the giants) the sons of Anak, who come from the giants; and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight."
Satan had stolen the image of their identity in God from them and reduced their identity as being "as grasshoppers." The Israelites no longer viewed themselves as being what God made them to be, but saw themselves like satan portrayed them. In Luke 4:3 (Amplified) Jesus was on the Mount of Temptation and, "Then the devil said to Him, If you are the Son of God, order this stone to turn into a (loaf of bread)." Satan even tried to make Jesus question Who He was and steal His identity.
When we read about the new creation throughout the Word, we see ourselves as we truly are in God's eyes. We conflict the identities of the outer-man and the inner-man. The outer-man is the flesh and bone body (or house) that our inner-man lives in, while we're on this earth. Your inner-man, the new creation is the real you. If you get born-again, but continue seeing only your outer-man, then you're not seeing the real you and satan will robe you of your new identity as God's Own family. We never see ourselves as what our new creation man really is.
The new creation man is once again made in the "Very Likeness and Image of God." The new creation man is righteous, redeemed, sanctified, holy, consecrated and purified, by the Sacrifice of Jesus. These aren't attributes of our new man for "when we die," but are the NOW attributes for while we remain on earth. We have failed the Church, by identifying our true nature and preaching to the outer-man. The Church has lost sight of who we truly are in Christ. We've actually postponed our new identity, for being "when we get to Heaven."
When are you made righteous? When you die in the natural or when you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior? When does the things God says about you, become "true" in you? After you die or when you were raised with Christ Jesus? When is what God says about you going to become who you really are? Our new creation man is identified through Jesus, not by the world or religion, but by faith in what Jesus has done for and through us. We don't have the old sin nature in our lost spirit man. We have the Very nature of God, Who now lives in our new creation being.
The new creation man is the one we're supposed to see in the "perfect Law of Liberty," not the outer-man. This mirror is supposed to reflect our new identity in Christ Jesus. If what God did through Jesus on the cross, wasn't enough to purify you, then there is no hope left for mankind.
We've never learned to walk in our new creation man and were taught by man, instead of God. Natural man can only teach natural things, but the Holy Spirit will now teach the new creation man. We've failed in the Church, because we never saw ourselves in the new creation man and taught ourselves only the outer-man. We've tried walking in the Spirit, by the same Laws that govern the world and the outer-man. Romans 6:11 (Amplified) says, "Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God (living in unbroken fellowship with Him) in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:16 (Amplified) says, "The Spirit Himself (thus) testifies together with our own spirit, (assuring us) that we are children of God."
Paul goes on in Romans 8:29 (Amplified) saying, "For those whom He fore knew (of whom He was aware and loved beforehand), He also destined from the beginning (foreordaining them) to be molded into the Image of His Son (and share inwardly His Likeness) that He might become the Firstborn among many brethren."
Do you read the New Testament as a new creation man, who is made in "the Image of His Son" or do you read it, while identifying with the old man you were before receiving Jesus? This identity crisis in the downfall of the Church. Paul writes in 1Corinthians 4:4 (Amplified), "I am not conscious of anything against myself, and I feel blameless; but I am not vindicated and acquitted before God on that account. It is the Lord (Himself) Who examines and judges me."
Jesus met all the requirements of the Law of Sin and Death, on our behalf. He is the Total Fulfillment of our new creation being. The Curse of the Law was placed upon Him, so that the Blessing of Abraham can be ours. The stripes Jesus took for our healing and the chastisement needful for our obtaining peace of mind and well-being, was also placed on Him. Jesus paid the price that was required by the Law of Sin and Death for our salvation and the new creation being has been raised by the new Law of Life. Romans 8:2 (Amplified) says, "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."
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Friday, July 7, 2017
Lesson 240 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)."
Romans 4:16,20 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, (inheriting) the Promise is the outcome of faith and depends (entirely) on faith, in order that it might be given as an act of Grace (unmerited favor) to make it stable and valid and guaranteed to all his descendants-not only to the devotees and adherents of the Law, but also to those who share the faith of Abraham, who is (thus) the father of faith." Verse 20 continues, "No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the Promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God."
In our new creation relationship with God through Jesus, we not only have the covenant made between the Father and Jesus, but we have actually been born into the family of God by our new creation birth. The Promises made to Abraham, were the beginning of this covenant of Grace that was established by Jesus and are now ours by faith in Christ Jesus. The covenant of Promise is carried forward in Galatians 3:16 ,29(Amplified) which says, "Now the Promises (covenants, agreements) were decreed and made to Abraham and his Seed (his Offspring, his Heir)." God does not say, "Now the Promises were decreed and made to Abraham and his seeds (descendants, heirs,)," as if referring to "many persons." God says, "Now the Promises were decreed unto Abraham and his Seed (his Offspring, his Heir)," obviously referring to One Individual, Who is none other than Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Verse 29 continues, "And if you belong to Christ (are in Him Who is Abraham's Seed) then are you Abraham's offspring and (spiritual) heirs according to Promise." 2Corinthians 1:20 (Amplified) says, "For as many are the Promises of God, they all find their Yes (answer) in Him (Christ). For this reason we also utter the Amen (So be it) to God through Him (in His Person and by His Agency) to the glory of God."
Romans 4:13 (Amplified) expands on God's Promise to Abraham (that is now ours through our union with Jesus), to a place that will challenge your faith and my faith, saying, "For the Promise to Abraham or to his posterity, that he should inherit the world, did not come through (observing the commands of) the Law, but through the righteousness of faith." This gives us a new understanding about what "faith" holds in the Promise of things we "hope for," in Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified) which says, "Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things (we) hope for, being the proof of things (we) do not see and the conviction of their reality (faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses)."
Many things have been taught, preached, said and written about faith. Much of these were done by those whose faith failed them, so they determined, "If it didn't work for me, then it's not for us today." Many taught from their own experience, instead of Abraham's experience. The awesome thing about faith is, it will work for "whosoever will." We've tried to work formulas and laws, in order to make faith work for us, but 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 came from the lips of Christ, the Messiah Himself)."
Much of what we've "heard," hasn't come from "the lips of Christ, but were man's interpretation of what he believed Christ said. A lot of our faith is based on merely human experience, instead of on God's Word. This isn't an indictment against men and women over the years, but it's a challenge to those who believe Jesus is more than "just going to Heaven when we die." All of God's Promises are "Yes and Amen, to the glory of God," according to 2Corinthians 1:20. We haven't received the Promises by faith, like the Word instructs. We continue trying to "make the Word work," instead of allowing Grace to flow into the Promises, by faith in God's Word alone. If God said it, then He will do what He said. We only need believe that God's Word will create what He said, as in the beginning.
This is the so-called "problem," we've had with the new creation people we've become. We've been trying to form our own creation image, instead of just being what God already created us to be in Christ. An apple tree doesn't need to "try" being an apple tree. It is an apple tree, because that is what the seed made it to be. We are what the Seed has made us to be and must allow the Seed to mature us into what God's Image of the new creation family is supposed to be.
We often quote Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) without understanding it. Thus, it says, "But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him For whoever would come near to God must (necessarily) believe that God exists and that He is the Rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him (out)." We are still depending upon our works for the Promises, instead of our faith. This isn't an act of Grace, but is a debt that God is now obligated to pay. This will not work in our family relationship of faith and that's why "its impossible to please God without faith." When we try doing works to please Him, we have denied His Gift of Grace through Jesus and have decided we can gain acceptance again by works.
The Father wants to bring all His Promises to pass and fulfillment in our lives. This was His intent from the beginning. He only needs for us to believe Him, by faith in His Promises.
Romans 4:16,20 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, (inheriting) the Promise is the outcome of faith and depends (entirely) on faith, in order that it might be given as an act of Grace (unmerited favor) to make it stable and valid and guaranteed to all his descendants-not only to the devotees and adherents of the Law, but also to those who share the faith of Abraham, who is (thus) the father of faith." Verse 20 continues, "No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the Promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God."
In our new creation relationship with God through Jesus, we not only have the covenant made between the Father and Jesus, but we have actually been born into the family of God by our new creation birth. The Promises made to Abraham, were the beginning of this covenant of Grace that was established by Jesus and are now ours by faith in Christ Jesus. The covenant of Promise is carried forward in Galatians 3:16 ,29(Amplified) which says, "Now the Promises (covenants, agreements) were decreed and made to Abraham and his Seed (his Offspring, his Heir)." God does not say, "Now the Promises were decreed and made to Abraham and his seeds (descendants, heirs,)," as if referring to "many persons." God says, "Now the Promises were decreed unto Abraham and his Seed (his Offspring, his Heir)," obviously referring to One Individual, Who is none other than Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Verse 29 continues, "And if you belong to Christ (are in Him Who is Abraham's Seed) then are you Abraham's offspring and (spiritual) heirs according to Promise." 2Corinthians 1:20 (Amplified) says, "For as many are the Promises of God, they all find their Yes (answer) in Him (Christ). For this reason we also utter the Amen (So be it) to God through Him (in His Person and by His Agency) to the glory of God."
Romans 4:13 (Amplified) expands on God's Promise to Abraham (that is now ours through our union with Jesus), to a place that will challenge your faith and my faith, saying, "For the Promise to Abraham or to his posterity, that he should inherit the world, did not come through (observing the commands of) the Law, but through the righteousness of faith." This gives us a new understanding about what "faith" holds in the Promise of things we "hope for," in Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified) which says, "Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things (we) hope for, being the proof of things (we) do not see and the conviction of their reality (faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses)."
Many things have been taught, preached, said and written about faith. Much of these were done by those whose faith failed them, so they determined, "If it didn't work for me, then it's not for us today." Many taught from their own experience, instead of Abraham's experience. The awesome thing about faith is, it will work for "whosoever will." We've tried to work formulas and laws, in order to make faith work for us, but 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 came from the lips of Christ, the Messiah Himself)."
Much of what we've "heard," hasn't come from "the lips of Christ, but were man's interpretation of what he believed Christ said. A lot of our faith is based on merely human experience, instead of on God's Word. This isn't an indictment against men and women over the years, but it's a challenge to those who believe Jesus is more than "just going to Heaven when we die." All of God's Promises are "Yes and Amen, to the glory of God," according to 2Corinthians 1:20. We haven't received the Promises by faith, like the Word instructs. We continue trying to "make the Word work," instead of allowing Grace to flow into the Promises, by faith in God's Word alone. If God said it, then He will do what He said. We only need believe that God's Word will create what He said, as in the beginning.
This is the so-called "problem," we've had with the new creation people we've become. We've been trying to form our own creation image, instead of just being what God already created us to be in Christ. An apple tree doesn't need to "try" being an apple tree. It is an apple tree, because that is what the seed made it to be. We are what the Seed has made us to be and must allow the Seed to mature us into what God's Image of the new creation family is supposed to be.
We often quote Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) without understanding it. Thus, it says, "But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him For whoever would come near to God must (necessarily) believe that God exists and that He is the Rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him (out)." We are still depending upon our works for the Promises, instead of our faith. This isn't an act of Grace, but is a debt that God is now obligated to pay. This will not work in our family relationship of faith and that's why "its impossible to please God without faith." When we try doing works to please Him, we have denied His Gift of Grace through Jesus and have decided we can gain acceptance again by works.
The Father wants to bring all His Promises to pass and fulfillment in our lives. This was His intent from the beginning. He only needs for us to believe Him, by faith in His Promises.
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Lesson 239 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)."
In John 3:3 (Amplified) Jesus said, "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above) he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the Kingdom of God." John the Baptist said this in John 3:27 (Amplified), by inspiration from the Holy Spirit, "A man can." receive nothing (he can claim nothing, he can take unto himself nothing) except it has been granted to him from Heaven (a man must be content to receive the Gift which is given him from Heaven); there is no other source."
It's easy to forget that everything we see in this natural world, first came into being by the Spirit and Word of God. There is no other source. We've been born-again "from above," and are like Jesus said in John 17:16 (Amplified), "Are not of this world." Even though we "know" this and actually confess this, I'm not sure we truly understand it. Our being born-again, doesn't just mean that we "go to Heaven when we die." Going to Heaven is undoubtedly the greatest thing any person can imagine, but we must realize that we are citizens of Heaven now.
Our lives, health, prosperity, citizenship and family are all "from above." 2Corinthians 5:20 (Amplified) says, "So we are Christ's ambassadors." We are representatives of Heaven, on this earth. We are no longer simple, natural, mere men, but we are God's family here on this earth. Even though we claim to know this, we still walk as mere men and women.
We are governed only by the Kingdom's Laws, while walking here on earth. As ambassadors from a different Kingdom, we have diplomatic immunity here on earth. In Matthew 18:18 (Amplified) Jesus stated, "Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth, must be what is already forbidden in Heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already permitted in Heaven." The King James Version says it like this, "Whatever you bind on earth must be what is bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth must be what is already loosed in Heaven." Luke 13:11-13 (Amplified) says, "And there was a woman there who for eighteen years had an infirmity caused by a spirit (a demon of sickness). She was bent completely forward and utterly unable to straighten herself up or to look upward . And when Jesus saw her, He called (her to Him) and said to her, Woman, you are released from your infirmity. And He laid (His) hands on her, and instantly she was made straight, and she recognized and thanked and praised God."
The King James Version reads the above scripture, "Jesus said to her, Woman! I loose you from your infirmity." The sickness or demon this woman had, must have been, "Whatever you loose on earth, must be what is already loosed in Heaven." If sickness wasn't already loosed in Heaven, then what Jesus told His followers in Matthew 18:18 concerning "binding and loosing," must have been untrue. We don't seem to understand that authority given to us, through our union with Jesus and our new birth. We use very little of our authority in Jesus, here on earth. Jesus said in Luke 10:19-20 (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."
When we truly understand that we are even now, citizens and family of Heaven, we can walk in this authority while on earth. We've been taught so many things we "must do," in order to walk in this realm with God and we've overlooked the privilege of being born-again from on High. There's nothing we need to do, in order to be His children and heirs. The only thing we're required to do, is believe in what He has done. The Faith Message has been misunderstood by the Church. We're only required to believe in His Promises.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote about the Father of our faith (Abraham) in Romans 4:21-22 (Amplified) saying, "Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His Word and do what He had Promised THAT IS WHY his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God)." One might ask, "What did Abraham do that it was 'credited to him as righteousness?'" Abraham simply believed God's Promises. What else did he do? Nothing!
We are only required to believe in God's Word of Promise. We don't need to struggle or try to be righteous before Him, we must only believe in the righteousness He gave us in Jesus. All of God's Promises to us, depend upon our ability to believe what He said. This isn't a list of things we must do (like in the Law), but is only believing what He said. If one man believes, then that the Promise is his. If another person doesn't believe, then he will not appropriate the Promise, because of his unbelief. Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified) tells us, "Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things (we) hope for, being the proof of things (we) do not see and the conviction of their reality (faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses)."
We've struggled and cried for the Promises of God to be made manifest in our lives, while Hebrews 11:1 says that "Faith is our assurance of these things." We've been told that "God uses these things to teach us," "God is holding back these things," and "Some kind of sin is preventing these things from you." We've been fed a false gospel, in place of Truth in these matters. We must do like Abraham did and simply believe that what God Promised, He is also able to perform. Our inheritance is already ours, by faith in what He said. It's not by works or crying or by Law, but simply by faith.
The entire Promise of salvation, must be appropriated by faith in Jesus Christ. "Those who believe, will be saved and those who do not believe, will be damned," according to Mark 16:16. The entire Gospel of Salvation doesn't depend on God, because He has already given His Promise. It depends on us, to either believe or not to believe His Promise. God so Loved the world, that He gave His Son Jesus. His part is already completed. Our part is to believe in what He has done. This is true for every Promise God has made to us. We must accept by faith, what His Grace already done and then to receive it by His Word.
In John 3:3 (Amplified) Jesus said, "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above) he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the Kingdom of God." John the Baptist said this in John 3:27 (Amplified), by inspiration from the Holy Spirit, "A man can." receive nothing (he can claim nothing, he can take unto himself nothing) except it has been granted to him from Heaven (a man must be content to receive the Gift which is given him from Heaven); there is no other source."
It's easy to forget that everything we see in this natural world, first came into being by the Spirit and Word of God. There is no other source. We've been born-again "from above," and are like Jesus said in John 17:16 (Amplified), "Are not of this world." Even though we "know" this and actually confess this, I'm not sure we truly understand it. Our being born-again, doesn't just mean that we "go to Heaven when we die." Going to Heaven is undoubtedly the greatest thing any person can imagine, but we must realize that we are citizens of Heaven now.
Our lives, health, prosperity, citizenship and family are all "from above." 2Corinthians 5:20 (Amplified) says, "So we are Christ's ambassadors." We are representatives of Heaven, on this earth. We are no longer simple, natural, mere men, but we are God's family here on this earth. Even though we claim to know this, we still walk as mere men and women.
We are governed only by the Kingdom's Laws, while walking here on earth. As ambassadors from a different Kingdom, we have diplomatic immunity here on earth. In Matthew 18:18 (Amplified) Jesus stated, "Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth, must be what is already forbidden in Heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already permitted in Heaven." The King James Version says it like this, "Whatever you bind on earth must be what is bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth must be what is already loosed in Heaven." Luke 13:11-13 (Amplified) says, "And there was a woman there who for eighteen years had an infirmity caused by a spirit (a demon of sickness). She was bent completely forward and utterly unable to straighten herself up or to look upward . And when Jesus saw her, He called (her to Him) and said to her, Woman, you are released from your infirmity. And He laid (His) hands on her, and instantly she was made straight, and she recognized and thanked and praised God."
The King James Version reads the above scripture, "Jesus said to her, Woman! I loose you from your infirmity." The sickness or demon this woman had, must have been, "Whatever you loose on earth, must be what is already loosed in Heaven." If sickness wasn't already loosed in Heaven, then what Jesus told His followers in Matthew 18:18 concerning "binding and loosing," must have been untrue. We don't seem to understand that authority given to us, through our union with Jesus and our new birth. We use very little of our authority in Jesus, here on earth. Jesus said in Luke 10:19-20 (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."
When we truly understand that we are even now, citizens and family of Heaven, we can walk in this authority while on earth. We've been taught so many things we "must do," in order to walk in this realm with God and we've overlooked the privilege of being born-again from on High. There's nothing we need to do, in order to be His children and heirs. The only thing we're required to do, is believe in what He has done. The Faith Message has been misunderstood by the Church. We're only required to believe in His Promises.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote about the Father of our faith (Abraham) in Romans 4:21-22 (Amplified) saying, "Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His Word and do what He had Promised THAT IS WHY his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God)." One might ask, "What did Abraham do that it was 'credited to him as righteousness?'" Abraham simply believed God's Promises. What else did he do? Nothing!
We are only required to believe in God's Word of Promise. We don't need to struggle or try to be righteous before Him, we must only believe in the righteousness He gave us in Jesus. All of God's Promises to us, depend upon our ability to believe what He said. This isn't a list of things we must do (like in the Law), but is only believing what He said. If one man believes, then that the Promise is his. If another person doesn't believe, then he will not appropriate the Promise, because of his unbelief. Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified) tells us, "Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things (we) hope for, being the proof of things (we) do not see and the conviction of their reality (faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses)."
We've struggled and cried for the Promises of God to be made manifest in our lives, while Hebrews 11:1 says that "Faith is our assurance of these things." We've been told that "God uses these things to teach us," "God is holding back these things," and "Some kind of sin is preventing these things from you." We've been fed a false gospel, in place of Truth in these matters. We must do like Abraham did and simply believe that what God Promised, He is also able to perform. Our inheritance is already ours, by faith in what He said. It's not by works or crying or by Law, but simply by faith.
The entire Promise of salvation, must be appropriated by faith in Jesus Christ. "Those who believe, will be saved and those who do not believe, will be damned," according to Mark 16:16. The entire Gospel of Salvation doesn't depend on God, because He has already given His Promise. It depends on us, to either believe or not to believe His Promise. God so Loved the world, that He gave His Son Jesus. His part is already completed. Our part is to believe in what He has done. This is true for every Promise God has made to us. We must accept by faith, what His Grace already done and then to receive it by His Word.
Friday, June 30, 2017
Lesson 238 The New Creation
2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) into 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 deeds we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
Romans 4:20-22 (Amplified) says, "No unbelief or distrust made him (Abraham) waver (doubtingly question) concerning the Promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God. Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His Word and to do what He had promised That is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God)."
Abraham was a natural man, who wasn't born-again and hadn't received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but trusted God would keep the Promise He made to Abraham. His faith put him in right standing with God. God considered him to be right before Him, because of His faith in God's Word to him. Our right standing comes from the same faith as Abraham's faith. In Christianity today, we still struggle with the Truth of our being righteous or in right standing with God.
Our lack of faith in God's Promises, has placed the Church in a double-minded position with our Father and has made it difficult for Him to fulfill His Promises, in our lives. Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified) says, "Now faith is the assurance (the conformation, the title deed) of the things (we) hope for, being the proof of things (we) do not see and the conviction of their reality (faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses)."
God 's Promise to Abraham (who was 100 years old) that he would not only have a son, but a multitude of children, must have seemed staggering to him and his wife Sarah, The Word says that, "Abraham staggered not at the Promise, but believed that God was not only able to it, but that He would perform that which He had promised." Today, we have all of the Promises of God, freely given to us through our union with Christ Jesus. These Promises are even greater than the one He made to Abraham. Our Promises aren't based on a covenant of the blood of bulls and goats, but on the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ Himself.
We've not only entered into and have a Blood covenant with Jesus, the this covenant was made between God the Father and God the Son and was fulfilled by God the Holy Spirit. God made this covenant with Himself and it didn't depend on man, in order to keep it and make it valid. God sword by Himself and this makes the covenant unbreakable, according to Hebrew 8:6-7 (Amplified) which says, "But as it now is, He (Christ) has acquired a (Priestly) ministry which is as much superior and made excellent (than the old) as the covenant (the agreement) of which He is the Mediator (the Arbiter, Agent) is Superior and more excellent, (because) it is enacted and rests upon a more important (sublimer, higher, and nobler) promises. For if that first covenant had been without defect, there would have been no room for another one or an attempt to institute another one." 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)"
The covenant that has been enacted between Jesus and the Father, has brought us into an "unbreakable covenant" between God and the Man Jesus. And, through His resurrection, this covenant has made us family and heirs, according to the Promise. Hebrews 9:15-17 (Amplified) says, "Christ (the Messiah) is therefore the Negotiator and Mediator of an (entirely) new agreement (testament, covenant) so that those who are called and offered it may receive the fulfillment of the Promised everlasting inheritance since a death has taken place which rescues and delivers and redeems them from the transgression committed under the (old) first agreement For where there is a (last) will and testament involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will and Testament is valid and takes effect only at death, since it has no force or legal power as long as the one who made it is alive."
If I wrote out my will and testament and left all my possessions to you, then when would you expect to receive them? Of course, you receive them when I die, right? Well, did Jesus die and validate His will? We are to receive our inheritance at His death, not our deaths. We've been waiting until we die, in order to receive what He has left us.
Through Jesus, God made a will and has left everything to us through the death of Jesus, according to Hebrews 10:10 (Amplified), which says, "And in accordance with this will (of God) we have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through the offering made once for all of the Body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed One)." Romans 8:16-17 (Amplified) says, "The Spirit Himself (thus) testifies, together with our own spirit, (assuring us) that we are children of God. And if we are (His) children, then we are (His) heirs also; heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ (sharing His inheritance with Him); only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory."
Jesus' "suffering" was not from sickness, disease or being the tail and not the head. His suffering is the rejection and persecution from the world and the strategies of the evil one, who tries to undermine our place here on earth. Jesus even "faced down" the devil on our behalf, to prove His authority in Matthew 4:1-10 (Amplified). Jesus describes the authority given as part of our inheritance in Luke 10:9 (Amplified) saying, "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."
Paul spoke about the Last Will and Testament of Jesus, in Galatians 3:14-16 (Amplified) saying, "To the end that through (their receiving) Christ Jesus, the Blessing (promised) to Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that we through faith might (all) (receive the realization of) the Promise of the Holy Spirit To speak in terms of human relations, brethren, (if) even a man makes a last will and testament (a merely human covenant) no one sets it aside or makes it void or adds to it when once it has been drawn up and signed (ratified, confirmed) Now the Promises (covenants, agreements) were decreed and made to Abraham and his Seed (his offspring, his Heir)." God didn't refer to "seeds, heirs, descendants," as if referring to many persons, but says, "And to your Seed (his offspring, his Heir)," which refers to One Individual, Who is Christ (the Messiah).
This Promise is also for us, who are "fellow heirs with Christ Jesus" and was left to us by the Last Will and Testament of Jesus Himself. These Promises are to be received by faith, just like the "Father of Faith" Abraham received them. We should be just as persuaded by our faith, to receive the great and precious Promises, as Abraham was in receiving his Promise for a son and inheritance.
All of the Promises made to Abraham, are now made ours through Jesus, but we must receive them by faith and nothing else. We've been trying to "deserve" the Blessing and "make it work." We are only required to believe His Promises and trust that He is well able to perform them. Hebrews 8:8 (Amplified) says, "But as it now is He (Christ) has acquired a (Priestly) ministry, which is as much Superior and more Excellent (than the old) as the covenant (the agreement) of which He is the Mediator (the Arbiter, Agent) is Superior and more Excellent, (because) it is enacted and rests upon more important (superior, higher and nobler) Promises."
The Promises made to us in this new covenant, are much greater and more assuring, than that which was made to Abraham, it was made to Jesus. As His fellow heirs (or joint heirs), we share in these Promises through Jesus, as surely as Jesus Himself share in in His inheritance from the Father. Romans 4:16 (Amplified) says, "Therefore (inheriting) the Promise is the outcome of faith, and depends (entirely) on faith, in order that it might be given as an act of Grace."
We must read the Will, discover ourselves in it and receive what Jesus has bequeathed to us, by His death. "All of these Promises are Yes and So be it in Christ Jesus," but they must be appropriated by faith. Healing, long life, peace, and answered prayer are all part of our inheritance, by our faith in our Testator and His Last Will and Testament. Many don't know that these Promises were left to us, in His will. Some don't know that they are "even in the Will." As the Holy Spirit reads the Will to you, then you must by faith, accept and receive all that Jesus left us, when He ratified the Will with His Own death.
Jesus told His followers in John 16:14-15 (Amplified), "He (the Holy Spirit) will honor and glorify Me, because He will take of (receive, draw upon) what is Mine, and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you. Everything that the Father has is Mine, that is what I meant when I said that He (the Holy Spirit) will take the things that are Mine, and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you." The Holy Spirit has now become the Executor of the Will and will reveal to us, what our inheritance truly is.
Romans 4:20-22 (Amplified) says, "No unbelief or distrust made him (Abraham) waver (doubtingly question) concerning the Promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God. Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His Word and to do what He had promised That is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God)."
Abraham was a natural man, who wasn't born-again and hadn't received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but trusted God would keep the Promise He made to Abraham. His faith put him in right standing with God. God considered him to be right before Him, because of His faith in God's Word to him. Our right standing comes from the same faith as Abraham's faith. In Christianity today, we still struggle with the Truth of our being righteous or in right standing with God.
Our lack of faith in God's Promises, has placed the Church in a double-minded position with our Father and has made it difficult for Him to fulfill His Promises, in our lives. Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified) says, "Now faith is the assurance (the conformation, the title deed) of the things (we) hope for, being the proof of things (we) do not see and the conviction of their reality (faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses)."
God 's Promise to Abraham (who was 100 years old) that he would not only have a son, but a multitude of children, must have seemed staggering to him and his wife Sarah, The Word says that, "Abraham staggered not at the Promise, but believed that God was not only able to it, but that He would perform that which He had promised." Today, we have all of the Promises of God, freely given to us through our union with Christ Jesus. These Promises are even greater than the one He made to Abraham. Our Promises aren't based on a covenant of the blood of bulls and goats, but on the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ Himself.
We've not only entered into and have a Blood covenant with Jesus, the this covenant was made between God the Father and God the Son and was fulfilled by God the Holy Spirit. God made this covenant with Himself and it didn't depend on man, in order to keep it and make it valid. God sword by Himself and this makes the covenant unbreakable, according to Hebrew 8:6-7 (Amplified) which says, "But as it now is, He (Christ) has acquired a (Priestly) ministry which is as much superior and made excellent (than the old) as the covenant (the agreement) of which He is the Mediator (the Arbiter, Agent) is Superior and more excellent, (because) it is enacted and rests upon a more important (sublimer, higher, and nobler) promises. For if that first covenant had been without defect, there would have been no room for another one or an attempt to institute another one." 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)"
The covenant that has been enacted between Jesus and the Father, has brought us into an "unbreakable covenant" between God and the Man Jesus. And, through His resurrection, this covenant has made us family and heirs, according to the Promise. Hebrews 9:15-17 (Amplified) says, "Christ (the Messiah) is therefore the Negotiator and Mediator of an (entirely) new agreement (testament, covenant) so that those who are called and offered it may receive the fulfillment of the Promised everlasting inheritance since a death has taken place which rescues and delivers and redeems them from the transgression committed under the (old) first agreement For where there is a (last) will and testament involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will and Testament is valid and takes effect only at death, since it has no force or legal power as long as the one who made it is alive."
If I wrote out my will and testament and left all my possessions to you, then when would you expect to receive them? Of course, you receive them when I die, right? Well, did Jesus die and validate His will? We are to receive our inheritance at His death, not our deaths. We've been waiting until we die, in order to receive what He has left us.
Through Jesus, God made a will and has left everything to us through the death of Jesus, according to Hebrews 10:10 (Amplified), which says, "And in accordance with this will (of God) we have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through the offering made once for all of the Body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed One)." Romans 8:16-17 (Amplified) says, "The Spirit Himself (thus) testifies, together with our own spirit, (assuring us) that we are children of God. And if we are (His) children, then we are (His) heirs also; heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ (sharing His inheritance with Him); only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory."
Jesus' "suffering" was not from sickness, disease or being the tail and not the head. His suffering is the rejection and persecution from the world and the strategies of the evil one, who tries to undermine our place here on earth. Jesus even "faced down" the devil on our behalf, to prove His authority in Matthew 4:1-10 (Amplified). Jesus describes the authority given as part of our inheritance in Luke 10:9 (Amplified) saying, "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."
Paul spoke about the Last Will and Testament of Jesus, in Galatians 3:14-16 (Amplified) saying, "To the end that through (their receiving) Christ Jesus, the Blessing (promised) to Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that we through faith might (all) (receive the realization of) the Promise of the Holy Spirit To speak in terms of human relations, brethren, (if) even a man makes a last will and testament (a merely human covenant) no one sets it aside or makes it void or adds to it when once it has been drawn up and signed (ratified, confirmed) Now the Promises (covenants, agreements) were decreed and made to Abraham and his Seed (his offspring, his Heir)." God didn't refer to "seeds, heirs, descendants," as if referring to many persons, but says, "And to your Seed (his offspring, his Heir)," which refers to One Individual, Who is Christ (the Messiah).
This Promise is also for us, who are "fellow heirs with Christ Jesus" and was left to us by the Last Will and Testament of Jesus Himself. These Promises are to be received by faith, just like the "Father of Faith" Abraham received them. We should be just as persuaded by our faith, to receive the great and precious Promises, as Abraham was in receiving his Promise for a son and inheritance.
All of the Promises made to Abraham, are now made ours through Jesus, but we must receive them by faith and nothing else. We've been trying to "deserve" the Blessing and "make it work." We are only required to believe His Promises and trust that He is well able to perform them. Hebrews 8:8 (Amplified) says, "But as it now is He (Christ) has acquired a (Priestly) ministry, which is as much Superior and more Excellent (than the old) as the covenant (the agreement) of which He is the Mediator (the Arbiter, Agent) is Superior and more Excellent, (because) it is enacted and rests upon more important (superior, higher and nobler) Promises."
The Promises made to us in this new covenant, are much greater and more assuring, than that which was made to Abraham, it was made to Jesus. As His fellow heirs (or joint heirs), we share in these Promises through Jesus, as surely as Jesus Himself share in in His inheritance from the Father. Romans 4:16 (Amplified) says, "Therefore (inheriting) the Promise is the outcome of faith, and depends (entirely) on faith, in order that it might be given as an act of Grace."
We must read the Will, discover ourselves in it and receive what Jesus has bequeathed to us, by His death. "All of these Promises are Yes and So be it in Christ Jesus," but they must be appropriated by faith. Healing, long life, peace, and answered prayer are all part of our inheritance, by our faith in our Testator and His Last Will and Testament. Many don't know that these Promises were left to us, in His will. Some don't know that they are "even in the Will." As the Holy Spirit reads the Will to you, then you must by faith, accept and receive all that Jesus left us, when He ratified the Will with His Own death.
Jesus told His followers in John 16:14-15 (Amplified), "He (the Holy Spirit) will honor and glorify Me, because He will take of (receive, draw upon) what is Mine, and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you. Everything that the Father has is Mine, that is what I meant when I said that He (the Holy Spirit) will take the things that are Mine, and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you." The Holy Spirit has now become the Executor of the Will and will reveal to us, what our inheritance truly is.
Monday, June 26, 2017
Lesson 237 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) ad gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
Many of the things the new creation people have been taught, left them believing that they are still under the Law. We construct a checklist of things we "must do" each day, in order to walk in this new life through Jesus. This isn't the understanding of Wisdom, according to Proverbs 4:7 (Amplified) which says, "The beginning of Wisdom is; get Wisdom (skillful and Godly Wisdom) (for skillful and Godly Wisdom is the principal thing) And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation)."
When we received Jesus (Who is the Word), we received Wisdom, because Jesus (the Word) is Wisdom. This is what the new creation man must realize, this is the understanding of Wisdom. The Blessing and right standing (along with the advantages of being a child of God), came with our accepting Jesus and being born-again into this new creation. This isn't something we work for, but simply a position with God that you accept b y faith and learn to walk in. Romans 4:16 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, (inheriting) the Promise is the outcome of faith and depends (entirely) on faith; in order that it might be given as an act of Grace (unmerited favor) to make it stable and valid and guaranteed to all his descendants not only the devotees and inheritors of the Law, but also to those who share the faith of Abraham, who is (thus) the father of us all."
A great part of understanding Wisdom, is knowing that the Blessing already came upon us when we were born-again. Our simply accepting (by faith) the guarantee of this Blessing is all that is required of the new creation family. This understanding of the Promise (by Grace) gives the new creation people a distinct advantage over the rest of the world. Those who are unsaved or who aren't yet born-again, are still at the mercy of the world and must deal with it with a human understanding.
The greatest revelation we can know while still on earth, it knowing what we received when we received Jesus as our Lord. It's true that there "In this world you will have tribulation," but Jesus went on to say, "But, be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." This means that, even though I'm still in this world, when I come to the understanding of the Blessing, I know that in Him, I have overcoming ability. This doesn't have anything to do with works and rituals, but with accepting (by faith) what has already come upon me, as a new creation being.
Faith is what activates and receives this new Blessing, that has become our inheritance. We don't "make the Blessing work," we allow the Blessing to work. The Blessing operates by faith in what we've received through Jesus. This Blessing will bring God's favor upon everything we have and are, when we allow it to do, what God has sent it to do. The Lord describes and lists this Blessing that is for everything who receives Him and Lord and follows His instructions, in Deuteronomy 28:1-14 (Amplified) saying, "If you will listen diligently to the Voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these Blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the Voice of the Lord your God."
"Heeding, listening to and observing" what God's Word instructs us to do, is our part of the Blessing and Promise. The "commandment" we've been given as new creation people, is to walk in Love with Him and with one another. As long as we observe His commandment to Love one another as He has Loved us, this Blessing cannot be stopped. Even if people don't walk in love towards you, your must be "Heed the Voice of the Lord and walk in Love with them." Those who speak out against you or bodily threaten you, cannot stop the Blessing from coming on you. You're the only person who can stop the Blessing from coming on you. We've tried "making" the Blessing work in our lives, to no avail. It doesn't work by works of the flesh, but by the Promise of the Spirit of God.
Understanding this Wisdom and having it all come together, means acknowledging and knowing His Grace. It goes without saying that as God's children, we're to keep ourselves out of sin, wrongdoing, and unforgiveness. This is walking in Love with Him and with one another, just like Jesus commanded. 1John 5:18 (Amplified) says, "We know (absolutely) that anyone born of God does not (deliberately and knowingly) practice committing sin, but the One Who was Begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him (Christ's Divine Presence within him preserves him against the evil), and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch him."
The Holy Spirit Who lives in us, will watch over and protect us by His Presence and Guidance. He will keep us from the wicked on and hold us in His Love. The only thing we (as God's children) need do, is walk in Love with Him and with one another. Then, our faith will allow the Blessing of His Promise to flow unhindered in our lives. Understanding the Wisdom of the new creation, allows us to enter into His rest and accept His Blessing of Grace for our lives here on earth.
It should not be a struggle for us to accept the Goodness of our Father. We should have childlike faith, in His Promise to and for us. In order for the Blessing to flow in our lives, we must have faith in His Love for us and "rest in Him." Galatians 5:6 (Amplified) says, "For (if we are) in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through Love."
The rest and Blessing are both dependent upon understanding what Wisdom has already done and having faith in His love. We must (by faith) in His Love, rest and walk in the inheritance of His Promise to us, His new creation family.
Many of the things the new creation people have been taught, left them believing that they are still under the Law. We construct a checklist of things we "must do" each day, in order to walk in this new life through Jesus. This isn't the understanding of Wisdom, according to Proverbs 4:7 (Amplified) which says, "The beginning of Wisdom is; get Wisdom (skillful and Godly Wisdom) (for skillful and Godly Wisdom is the principal thing) And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation)."
When we received Jesus (Who is the Word), we received Wisdom, because Jesus (the Word) is Wisdom. This is what the new creation man must realize, this is the understanding of Wisdom. The Blessing and right standing (along with the advantages of being a child of God), came with our accepting Jesus and being born-again into this new creation. This isn't something we work for, but simply a position with God that you accept b y faith and learn to walk in. Romans 4:16 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, (inheriting) the Promise is the outcome of faith and depends (entirely) on faith; in order that it might be given as an act of Grace (unmerited favor) to make it stable and valid and guaranteed to all his descendants not only the devotees and inheritors of the Law, but also to those who share the faith of Abraham, who is (thus) the father of us all."
A great part of understanding Wisdom, is knowing that the Blessing already came upon us when we were born-again. Our simply accepting (by faith) the guarantee of this Blessing is all that is required of the new creation family. This understanding of the Promise (by Grace) gives the new creation people a distinct advantage over the rest of the world. Those who are unsaved or who aren't yet born-again, are still at the mercy of the world and must deal with it with a human understanding.
The greatest revelation we can know while still on earth, it knowing what we received when we received Jesus as our Lord. It's true that there "In this world you will have tribulation," but Jesus went on to say, "But, be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." This means that, even though I'm still in this world, when I come to the understanding of the Blessing, I know that in Him, I have overcoming ability. This doesn't have anything to do with works and rituals, but with accepting (by faith) what has already come upon me, as a new creation being.
Faith is what activates and receives this new Blessing, that has become our inheritance. We don't "make the Blessing work," we allow the Blessing to work. The Blessing operates by faith in what we've received through Jesus. This Blessing will bring God's favor upon everything we have and are, when we allow it to do, what God has sent it to do. The Lord describes and lists this Blessing that is for everything who receives Him and Lord and follows His instructions, in Deuteronomy 28:1-14 (Amplified) saying, "If you will listen diligently to the Voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these Blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the Voice of the Lord your God."
"Heeding, listening to and observing" what God's Word instructs us to do, is our part of the Blessing and Promise. The "commandment" we've been given as new creation people, is to walk in Love with Him and with one another. As long as we observe His commandment to Love one another as He has Loved us, this Blessing cannot be stopped. Even if people don't walk in love towards you, your must be "Heed the Voice of the Lord and walk in Love with them." Those who speak out against you or bodily threaten you, cannot stop the Blessing from coming on you. You're the only person who can stop the Blessing from coming on you. We've tried "making" the Blessing work in our lives, to no avail. It doesn't work by works of the flesh, but by the Promise of the Spirit of God.
Understanding this Wisdom and having it all come together, means acknowledging and knowing His Grace. It goes without saying that as God's children, we're to keep ourselves out of sin, wrongdoing, and unforgiveness. This is walking in Love with Him and with one another, just like Jesus commanded. 1John 5:18 (Amplified) says, "We know (absolutely) that anyone born of God does not (deliberately and knowingly) practice committing sin, but the One Who was Begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him (Christ's Divine Presence within him preserves him against the evil), and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch him."
The Holy Spirit Who lives in us, will watch over and protect us by His Presence and Guidance. He will keep us from the wicked on and hold us in His Love. The only thing we (as God's children) need do, is walk in Love with Him and with one another. Then, our faith will allow the Blessing of His Promise to flow unhindered in our lives. Understanding the Wisdom of the new creation, allows us to enter into His rest and accept His Blessing of Grace for our lives here on earth.
It should not be a struggle for us to accept the Goodness of our Father. We should have childlike faith, in His Promise to and for us. In order for the Blessing to flow in our lives, we must have faith in His Love for us and "rest in Him." Galatians 5:6 (Amplified) says, "For (if we are) in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through Love."
The rest and Blessing are both dependent upon understanding what Wisdom has already done and having faith in His love. We must (by faith) in His Love, rest and walk in the inheritance of His Promise to us, His new creation family.
Friday, June 23, 2017
Lesson 236 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've been seeking wisdom from God's Word, about who we truly are as new creations in Christ Jesus. We've accepted the world's teachings and traditions for far too long, about our true identity. As we venture through the Word, we find we were created by the Same Word that created the Heavens and the earth, in the beginning. This Very Word became flesh and Jesus was the proof of what the Word produced.
We've been taught to see and walk more by our senses (our flesh), rather than by our new being created in the Image and Likeness of Jesus. The Law of Genesis says that, "Everything produces after kind." An apple seed only produces an apple tree and the fruit, is the proof of the seed. If we plant corn, then we will only produce corn, because this is the Law of Genesis. This Law continues into everything that was and is created. We might have different sorts of apples, but they are all produced from an apple seed.
As the First Seed died and was planted or buried in the earth, Jesus became the First Fruits of the new creation. Jesus declared in John 15:1-11 (Amplified) that, "He had now (by Himself being the Seed) become the Vine that produced the fruit of this new being." As the Father if the Husbandman (or Owner) of this new Vine and Fruit, we would be the product of this Vine. The Seed produced a new creation when Jesus was raised from the dead. Everyone who was and is ingrafted in this Vine, is just like the Seed Who produced this fruit.
We seemingly recognize this as Truth, in every other realm of our lives, except in the realm that matters most. According to John 6:63 (Amplified), "This is Spirit and Life." At the time Jesus said these things, He was the Only Product of this Word (Seed) and He was the Fruit of it. Now, through the Seed of this new Living Fruit, "we who were dead unto God, have been created new, by this New and Living Seed of the Word."
We often quote John 3:16 (Amplified) which says, "God gave His Only Begotten Son." Jesus was "The Only Begotten Son," at the time, but after His death and resurrection, He is now called the First Fruit and the First Born of many brethren. We are the product or family of the First Seed, sown unto the family of our Heavenly Father.
We never knew any other way of life in the Spirit before being born-again and we settled for tradition and everything it says we are. We are a Super-natural family, produced by a d Super-natural Seed and that Seed (Jesus) is the Word of God Himself. We read these Truths and mentally accept them as being True, because "they are in the Bible, but we never receive the revelation of the fullness of their Truth in our new lives through Christ Jesus.
We've tried teaching our new being (the new creation spirit), by the outward teachings of the flesh. This has resulted in changing some of our moral habits and conduct, but only in the same manner that the Law of the old covenant did. This has also result in our new being remaining in the infant stage of our new life. We lead others to Christ, but they also remain in the infant stage. we are spirit beings and must feed this new being on Spiritual Food, in order to develop in maturity and growth.
In Matthew 4:4 (Amplified), Jesus said, "Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every Word that comes forth from the Mouth 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." 1Peter 2:2 (Amplified) reveals to us what Jesus meant when He said that, we do not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the Mouth of God." Thus, it says, "Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) Spiritual Milk (the Word) that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto (completed) salvation."
Babies don't require only bread or natural food for their bodies to grow. Newborn babies in Christ, must feed our spirits with the Word of God, in order to grow and develop. Feeding the intellect on the Word, only produces religion to the senses. Feeding the new creation man on the Spirit and Life of revelation, produces the maturity and submission to the Truth, without the Law of Moses to have to govern.
We have few examples of how and what this new creation being is or does. The image of this new man has almost been lost to the Church, except by the Word and the Holy Spirit. History and tradition only reflect to us, what the world's religions could produce, but the Holy Spirit will reveal the new man from the revelation of the Word Himself.
The things we do as God's Church today (giving, feeding the hungry,caring for widows and orphans, giving to the poor, going into the world and producing Christians by preaching, and governing the outward man) all all noble and necessary for the Church to day. I'm not saying th we've been completely wrong in what we're doing, but there is a maturity that we haven't reached yet. The maturing of the new creation Church, is that which comes from the Super-natural man, within us.
The time has come for the Church to bring forth fruit from the inward man, that the outward man cannot produce. Don't stop doing the good works, but add to them by the Higher Law of the Spirit. We aren't to use only the bread we have to feed the people, but we're to multiply it and feed more people. It's good to take five loaves and two fishes and be willing to give these to the hungry. It's much better though, to take these small gifts of the natural and by the Spirit, multiply them into a feast for thousands or millions. This can only be done by the maturing of the new creation being, who is born of the Super-natural Seed of the Word of God.
Don't wait for someone else to do the growing up, but be willing to have the Spirit bring you to maturity and the rest will follow you (like they did for Joshua and Caleb). Most of us are waiting for someone to lead the way, into the Spirit realm of Truth. Paul had to be willing for this new man to lead him into a new realm for the Gentile. Many have followed into what he revealed, since then. There must always be someone who will step out of the boat, go into the furnace, sing the jail down, walk into the lion's mouth and even build an Ark, when it had never rained before. The people who ridiculed these leaders, didn't do so after they saw the results that followed these leader's faith. They might have laughed at Abraham and Sarah, after he he declared he was the "Father of Many Nations." No one is laughing now, though.
We must dare move by and in the Holy Spirit, into the realm of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Father is always bringing us into a place where we cannot accomplish on our own. We can only reveal Him to the world, by Him and the power of His might. This requires mature people in the spirit and Word of God. We've been created by the Same Seed and we are nourished by this Vine that produces Life and ability (both to and through us), to His glory and praise.
We've been seeking wisdom from God's Word, about who we truly are as new creations in Christ Jesus. We've accepted the world's teachings and traditions for far too long, about our true identity. As we venture through the Word, we find we were created by the Same Word that created the Heavens and the earth, in the beginning. This Very Word became flesh and Jesus was the proof of what the Word produced.
We've been taught to see and walk more by our senses (our flesh), rather than by our new being created in the Image and Likeness of Jesus. The Law of Genesis says that, "Everything produces after kind." An apple seed only produces an apple tree and the fruit, is the proof of the seed. If we plant corn, then we will only produce corn, because this is the Law of Genesis. This Law continues into everything that was and is created. We might have different sorts of apples, but they are all produced from an apple seed.
As the First Seed died and was planted or buried in the earth, Jesus became the First Fruits of the new creation. Jesus declared in John 15:1-11 (Amplified) that, "He had now (by Himself being the Seed) become the Vine that produced the fruit of this new being." As the Father if the Husbandman (or Owner) of this new Vine and Fruit, we would be the product of this Vine. The Seed produced a new creation when Jesus was raised from the dead. Everyone who was and is ingrafted in this Vine, is just like the Seed Who produced this fruit.
We seemingly recognize this as Truth, in every other realm of our lives, except in the realm that matters most. According to John 6:63 (Amplified), "This is Spirit and Life." At the time Jesus said these things, He was the Only Product of this Word (Seed) and He was the Fruit of it. Now, through the Seed of this new Living Fruit, "we who were dead unto God, have been created new, by this New and Living Seed of the Word."
We often quote John 3:16 (Amplified) which says, "God gave His Only Begotten Son." Jesus was "The Only Begotten Son," at the time, but after His death and resurrection, He is now called the First Fruit and the First Born of many brethren. We are the product or family of the First Seed, sown unto the family of our Heavenly Father.
We never knew any other way of life in the Spirit before being born-again and we settled for tradition and everything it says we are. We are a Super-natural family, produced by a d Super-natural Seed and that Seed (Jesus) is the Word of God Himself. We read these Truths and mentally accept them as being True, because "they are in the Bible, but we never receive the revelation of the fullness of their Truth in our new lives through Christ Jesus.
We've tried teaching our new being (the new creation spirit), by the outward teachings of the flesh. This has resulted in changing some of our moral habits and conduct, but only in the same manner that the Law of the old covenant did. This has also result in our new being remaining in the infant stage of our new life. We lead others to Christ, but they also remain in the infant stage. we are spirit beings and must feed this new being on Spiritual Food, in order to develop in maturity and growth.
In Matthew 4:4 (Amplified), Jesus said, "Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every Word that comes forth from the Mouth 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." 1Peter 2:2 (Amplified) reveals to us what Jesus meant when He said that, we do not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the Mouth of God." Thus, it says, "Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) Spiritual Milk (the Word) that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto (completed) salvation."
Babies don't require only bread or natural food for their bodies to grow. Newborn babies in Christ, must feed our spirits with the Word of God, in order to grow and develop. Feeding the intellect on the Word, only produces religion to the senses. Feeding the new creation man on the Spirit and Life of revelation, produces the maturity and submission to the Truth, without the Law of Moses to have to govern.
We have few examples of how and what this new creation being is or does. The image of this new man has almost been lost to the Church, except by the Word and the Holy Spirit. History and tradition only reflect to us, what the world's religions could produce, but the Holy Spirit will reveal the new man from the revelation of the Word Himself.
The things we do as God's Church today (giving, feeding the hungry,caring for widows and orphans, giving to the poor, going into the world and producing Christians by preaching, and governing the outward man) all all noble and necessary for the Church to day. I'm not saying th we've been completely wrong in what we're doing, but there is a maturity that we haven't reached yet. The maturing of the new creation Church, is that which comes from the Super-natural man, within us.
The time has come for the Church to bring forth fruit from the inward man, that the outward man cannot produce. Don't stop doing the good works, but add to them by the Higher Law of the Spirit. We aren't to use only the bread we have to feed the people, but we're to multiply it and feed more people. It's good to take five loaves and two fishes and be willing to give these to the hungry. It's much better though, to take these small gifts of the natural and by the Spirit, multiply them into a feast for thousands or millions. This can only be done by the maturing of the new creation being, who is born of the Super-natural Seed of the Word of God.
Don't wait for someone else to do the growing up, but be willing to have the Spirit bring you to maturity and the rest will follow you (like they did for Joshua and Caleb). Most of us are waiting for someone to lead the way, into the Spirit realm of Truth. Paul had to be willing for this new man to lead him into a new realm for the Gentile. Many have followed into what he revealed, since then. There must always be someone who will step out of the boat, go into the furnace, sing the jail down, walk into the lion's mouth and even build an Ark, when it had never rained before. The people who ridiculed these leaders, didn't do so after they saw the results that followed these leader's faith. They might have laughed at Abraham and Sarah, after he he declared he was the "Father of Many Nations." No one is laughing now, though.
We must dare move by and in the Holy Spirit, into the realm of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Father is always bringing us into a place where we cannot accomplish on our own. We can only reveal Him to the world, by Him and the power of His might. This requires mature people in the spirit and Word of God. We've been created by the Same Seed and we are nourished by this Vine that produces Life and ability (both to and through us), to His glory and praise.
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Prophecy given on June 4, 2017 at Christian Life Center in Chaumont, NY 13622/Pastor James L. Hayes
"Have I not said in My Word, for those that hunger and thirst after righteousness, you shall be filled? I see the hunger in the hearts of My people, throughout the world. I've seen the thirsting after the things of the reality of My Presence, saith the Lord of the Most High.
I see those that are seeking, those that are learning, those that are coveting the very things of the Spirit of the Living God. I see the hunger of the hearts of My people. I hear the cries of the nations of the world, as they come before Me seeking help and seeking for that which they know not. I see the religions of the world that have held My people once again in bondage and I say unto you this day, as I say unto My people throughout the nations of the world, The time of My coming, the time of My Presence, that the time of My outpouring and the time of My raising up a people of glory to Myself, has reached the zenith here and the time has become now, that My glory will cover this earth like the waters that cover the seas and My Presence will be known from the least to the greatest and they shall know the very things of the Most High God."
I see those that are seeking, those that are learning, those that are coveting the very things of the Spirit of the Living God. I see the hunger of the hearts of My people. I hear the cries of the nations of the world, as they come before Me seeking help and seeking for that which they know not. I see the religions of the world that have held My people once again in bondage and I say unto you this day, as I say unto My people throughout the nations of the world, The time of My coming, the time of My Presence, that the time of My outpouring and the time of My raising up a people of glory to Myself, has reached the zenith here and the time has become now, that My glory will cover this earth like the waters that cover the seas and My Presence will be known from the least to the greatest and they shall know the very things of the Most High God."
Lesson 235 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 Himself)."
God didn't only forgive our sins and trespasses through Jesus, but He completely did away with them, when our old man was crucified with Jesus. We've still looked at ourselves as just forgiven sinners and not new creations. The old man of sin and trespasses died with the Sacrifice of Jesus, was buried with Him in our baptism and was justified, brought back into right standing, accepted as His Own child and raised up (resurrected) with Jesus in His resurrection. This is the new creation family of our Heavenly Father. This new creation never existed before this time. We are truly new creations.
The enemy would like for us to believe we haven't changed and remain the way we once were, fearing we're on the edge of rejection at all times. The enemy would like to keep us guessing whether God will even hear our prayers (let alone answer them), because we're "still only sinners, with no right to justly petition Him." Once the Holy Spirit reveals who we (the Church) really are in Jesus, things will forever change. My children will always be my children. They have my blood, my name, and my inheritance as their own, for all their lives. My grandchildren and great-grandchildren for a thousand generations, are still my blood. Can it possibly be less with God's Own children now?
As new creations, we've never truly understood what has happened to and for us, when we received Jesus and He received us. We not only received Him (although we finally called on His Name), but He had already made His decision to accept us, when He entered this world as a Child. When Jesus was raised from the pit and seated at the Father's right hand, He had already accepted whosoever would come to Him. When we received Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He received us. We're not only saved, but we're truly one in Him. If we are one with Him and are in Him, then we are His right standing, His justification and His place in His seating with the Father.
For centuries, we've tried making ourselves right before God by rituals and sacrifice, but to no avail. We always had the sense of unworthiness and condemnation, that held us back from the Face of the Father. This is the carnal mind and a lie of satan, that keeps us from bringing destruction to his dark kingdom, which he rules over with deception. When the Light of Revelation of the new creation comes into God's family, satan's dark rule is done for the child of God.
As God's children begin understanding the work that is now a new creation, satan's rule will be broken on an individual basis in the lives of those who will step out in their new identity. As the family of God begins taking its rightful place in the earth, not only will our lives change, but once I know who I am, I can begin to change lives around me as God's new creation son.
Even Jesus could only be in one place, at one time, in His earthly ministry. His Presence here as a Man, only effected the place He was at the time. His Presence in Jerusalem and His miracles in Bethany, didn't effect anything or bring any healings in Rome. Jesus could only change things, where He was. The Church has been told and believed, that only Jesus could do these things and have viewed His statement in John 14:12 (Amplified) as a mistake. 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." Jesus was speaking about the new creation man, that would be raised in His Own Likeness, when He went to the Father. The Same Spirit that came upon and into and empowered Jesus in the Jordan River, is the Same Spirit Who would created this new creation in His Likeness. Jesus mentioned the Spirit of Truth to us, in John 14:17 (Amplified), saying, "The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart) because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him; But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you (constantly) and will be in you."
Before His ascension, Jesus told His followers in Acts 1:8 (Amplified), "But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth." Notice! It was to start in the place where they were at the time. Just like Jesus could only do things where He was, these individuals could only do things where they were. But, now the Holy Spirit was available to whosoever would receive Him and where they went, He went in them. The things that Jesus did, by the Holy Spirit, they could do also and greater things than Jesus did, because He went to the Father for this purpose. Now, instead of having only One Man Who was filled with His Spirit, God could have multiplied millions of men and women who were filled with Him. 1Corinthians 6:19 (Amplified) says, "Do you not know that your body is the Temple (the very Sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received (as a Gift) from God? You are not your own."
You are not your own, you are a new creation who was made, bought, received as a vehicle of honor, to transport the Holy Spirit from "Jerusalem, to Judea, and Samaria, and to the very bounds of the earth." There is no longer just One Man (Jesus) who is filled with God, but millions of men and women are filled with God and taking Him to the very bounds of the earth. Do you think you can still be a sinner and transgressor and still be pure enough for God to live in and empower you as the Temple of God?
Your Creator lives in your new creation spirit. You're not only just forgiven, but you've become a "new creature altogether." God has made us to be a new creature, that is so clean, new and pure, that He Himself can live in us and walk in us. The Holy Spirit, Who is God Himself, cannot and will not make His Temple in union with sin and unclean things. Now we can understand what Jesus meant in John 17:16 20 (Amplified) when He prayed, "They are not of this world (worldly, belonging to the world) just as I am not of the world." Jesus identified us with "not being of this world, even as [He] was not of this world." Jesus was presenting the new creation man, before the Father on our behalf. Jesus makes it clear that He wasn't only praying for His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, but for us too. Thus, He goes on in Verse 20, "Neither for these alone for I pray (it is not for their sake only that I make this request) but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching." Now, through this new creation, this living temple and tangible Presence of God is being taken into all the world. The Church is His temple and we now "do the work that Jesus did," because this new creation is like He was in the earth. The new creation is what Emmanuel God with us, in the world. The Body of Christ have in this new creation, become what the Ark of the Covenant was in the old covenant. Now, though, we are not in a temple, but have become the temple.
God didn't only forgive our sins and trespasses through Jesus, but He completely did away with them, when our old man was crucified with Jesus. We've still looked at ourselves as just forgiven sinners and not new creations. The old man of sin and trespasses died with the Sacrifice of Jesus, was buried with Him in our baptism and was justified, brought back into right standing, accepted as His Own child and raised up (resurrected) with Jesus in His resurrection. This is the new creation family of our Heavenly Father. This new creation never existed before this time. We are truly new creations.
The enemy would like for us to believe we haven't changed and remain the way we once were, fearing we're on the edge of rejection at all times. The enemy would like to keep us guessing whether God will even hear our prayers (let alone answer them), because we're "still only sinners, with no right to justly petition Him." Once the Holy Spirit reveals who we (the Church) really are in Jesus, things will forever change. My children will always be my children. They have my blood, my name, and my inheritance as their own, for all their lives. My grandchildren and great-grandchildren for a thousand generations, are still my blood. Can it possibly be less with God's Own children now?
As new creations, we've never truly understood what has happened to and for us, when we received Jesus and He received us. We not only received Him (although we finally called on His Name), but He had already made His decision to accept us, when He entered this world as a Child. When Jesus was raised from the pit and seated at the Father's right hand, He had already accepted whosoever would come to Him. When we received Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He received us. We're not only saved, but we're truly one in Him. If we are one with Him and are in Him, then we are His right standing, His justification and His place in His seating with the Father.
For centuries, we've tried making ourselves right before God by rituals and sacrifice, but to no avail. We always had the sense of unworthiness and condemnation, that held us back from the Face of the Father. This is the carnal mind and a lie of satan, that keeps us from bringing destruction to his dark kingdom, which he rules over with deception. When the Light of Revelation of the new creation comes into God's family, satan's dark rule is done for the child of God.
As God's children begin understanding the work that is now a new creation, satan's rule will be broken on an individual basis in the lives of those who will step out in their new identity. As the family of God begins taking its rightful place in the earth, not only will our lives change, but once I know who I am, I can begin to change lives around me as God's new creation son.
Even Jesus could only be in one place, at one time, in His earthly ministry. His Presence here as a Man, only effected the place He was at the time. His Presence in Jerusalem and His miracles in Bethany, didn't effect anything or bring any healings in Rome. Jesus could only change things, where He was. The Church has been told and believed, that only Jesus could do these things and have viewed His statement in John 14:12 (Amplified) as a mistake. 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." Jesus was speaking about the new creation man, that would be raised in His Own Likeness, when He went to the Father. The Same Spirit that came upon and into and empowered Jesus in the Jordan River, is the Same Spirit Who would created this new creation in His Likeness. Jesus mentioned the Spirit of Truth to us, in John 14:17 (Amplified), saying, "The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart) because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him; But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you (constantly) and will be in you."
Before His ascension, Jesus told His followers in Acts 1:8 (Amplified), "But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth." Notice! It was to start in the place where they were at the time. Just like Jesus could only do things where He was, these individuals could only do things where they were. But, now the Holy Spirit was available to whosoever would receive Him and where they went, He went in them. The things that Jesus did, by the Holy Spirit, they could do also and greater things than Jesus did, because He went to the Father for this purpose. Now, instead of having only One Man Who was filled with His Spirit, God could have multiplied millions of men and women who were filled with Him. 1Corinthians 6:19 (Amplified) says, "Do you not know that your body is the Temple (the very Sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received (as a Gift) from God? You are not your own."
You are not your own, you are a new creation who was made, bought, received as a vehicle of honor, to transport the Holy Spirit from "Jerusalem, to Judea, and Samaria, and to the very bounds of the earth." There is no longer just One Man (Jesus) who is filled with God, but millions of men and women are filled with God and taking Him to the very bounds of the earth. Do you think you can still be a sinner and transgressor and still be pure enough for God to live in and empower you as the Temple of God?
Your Creator lives in your new creation spirit. You're not only just forgiven, but you've become a "new creature altogether." God has made us to be a new creature, that is so clean, new and pure, that He Himself can live in us and walk in us. The Holy Spirit, Who is God Himself, cannot and will not make His Temple in union with sin and unclean things. Now we can understand what Jesus meant in John 17:16 20 (Amplified) when He prayed, "They are not of this world (worldly, belonging to the world) just as I am not of the world." Jesus identified us with "not being of this world, even as [He] was not of this world." Jesus was presenting the new creation man, before the Father on our behalf. Jesus makes it clear that He wasn't only praying for His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, but for us too. Thus, He goes on in Verse 20, "Neither for these alone for I pray (it is not for their sake only that I make this request) but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching." Now, through this new creation, this living temple and tangible Presence of God is being taken into all the world. The Church is His temple and we now "do the work that Jesus did," because this new creation is like He was in the earth. The new creation is what Emmanuel God with us, in the world. The Body of Christ have in this new creation, become what the Ark of the Covenant was in the old covenant. Now, though, we are not in a temple, but have become the temple.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Lesson 234 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)."
Romans 4:17 ,22-24 (Amplified) says, "As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations, (He was appointed our Father) in the sight of God in Whom he believed. Who gives Life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that (He has foretold and promised) as if they (already) existed."
God spoke of the "Father of faith" that He promised, as though it already was. Verses 22-24 go on, "That is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God) But (the words), I was credited to him, were written not for his sake alone. But they (were written) for our sake too (Righteousness, standing acceptable to God) will be granted and credited to us also who believe in (trust in, adhere to, and rely on) God, Who raised Jesus from the dead."
Abraham stood a test of faith, that none of us have yet to make a stand for. He was one-hundred years old and his wife (Sarah) was ninety plus years, which by any human standard, meant they were beyond child bearing ages. Sarah had been childless her entire life, but Abraham dared believe what God said about him and like God, he called "nonexistent" things as though they were.
Many of today, wouldn't dare speak about healing, when we are sick. We wouldn't dare speak about life, when we'd been given a diagnosis of death. Many of us are afraid to speak "the Blessing" over our lives today. Abraham wasn't a born-again man, but he believed what God said about his being, "the Father of our faith."
The Holy Spirit directs Paul to write about the believer, in Galatians 3:14 (Amplified) saying, "To the end that through (their receiving) Christ Jesus, the Blessing (promised) to Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that we through faith might (all) receive (the realization of) the Promise of the Holy Spirit." This Promise wasn't just God's sending the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, but our receiving the things of the power of the Holy Spirit.
It's through the Spirit, that the Promise came and through the Spirit, that he Blessing came. This is the Life of the Spirit realm, being manifested in this natural realm. Only the Spirit of God could override the natural "deadness" of Sarah's womb. The Promise and Blessing that came through faith (alone), placed Abraham in a position of right standing with God. This Blessing and right standing, made Abraham the richest, most powerful, strongest and longest enduring name in all of God's Word...with the exception of Jesus, of course. The Jews, the Muslims and Christian faiths, all claim Abraham as "the father of their lineage." These things were bestowed on Abraham, because of his faith in what God Promised through His Word alone.
As Christians, we have a new covenant based on better Promises and "All of these Promises are yes and Amen, and so be it in Christ Jesus." Why would it seem strange for Christians, that we should believe, like Abraham did. It's like we failed in our faith and don't expect to receive from God, while we're still on earth. We've postponed our Blessing, for when we arrive in Heaven. Abraham didn't postpone his Promise, but received it while he was on earth. This kind of faith has nearly been expunged from the teachings and preaching for today's believer.
Romans 4:20-21 (Amplified) says, "No unbelief or distrust made him (Abraham) waiver (doubtingly question) concerning the Promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God. Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His Word and do what He had promised." Today, how many of God's Promises to us, do we GROW STRONG AND BE EMPOWERED BY FAITH in and give praise and glory to God for, in our lives?
God's Word is "Forever settled in Heaven." It holds the entirety of the universe in place and is the very essence of our lives today. We confess we "believe by faith" in the new birth, but then we act like it's only for "after we leave this planet in mortal death." God's Promises to His family, are mostly for this earthly life, so that "His will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven." This is the Promise of the Spirit.
Abraham didn't have the covenant we've received as God's Own children, but God has honored his faith, by declaring him the "Father of our faith." In John 3:3 (Amplified) Jesus told Nicodemus, "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born-again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with and experience) the Kingdom of God." The only way to understand and "see the Kingdom of God," is to be born into the Kingdom, by the Promise of the Spirit. Now that we've been born into new creations, we have access into all that the Spirit realm of the Kingdom, has to offer God's family.
Things that "were not," can now "become." Things "that are," can "now be changed." The things of the Spirit are eternal, while the things we can "see" are temporal or subject to change. This is the Promise of the Spirit, to those who believe.
The condition of Sarah's womb, was temporal and subject to change, by the Promise of the Spirit. We can now (through the Spirit) change things in our new lives from the Spirit. We now have the ability to change the outcome and direction of temporal things in this earth, through the Spirit. John 1:1-3 (Amplified) says, "In the beginning (before all time) was the Word (Christ) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He (the Word, Christ) was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being."
Everything we can and cannot see, were and still are, being created and sustained by the Word of God, "Calling things that be not as though they are." The Word is still creating and propelling all things today. Creation is (by no means), completed today. Even you and I, and those who will believe, are considered by God, "a new creation." The Word is creating and changing all things in the earth, as well as the heavens. We've not grasped the creative Promise of God's Word to us and in us, which is the Promise of the Spirit. Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified), "The Words (Truths) I am speaking to you, are Spirit and they are Life."
Romans 4:17 ,22-24 (Amplified) says, "As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations, (He was appointed our Father) in the sight of God in Whom he believed. Who gives Life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that (He has foretold and promised) as if they (already) existed."
God spoke of the "Father of faith" that He promised, as though it already was. Verses 22-24 go on, "That is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God) But (the words), I was credited to him, were written not for his sake alone. But they (were written) for our sake too (Righteousness, standing acceptable to God) will be granted and credited to us also who believe in (trust in, adhere to, and rely on) God, Who raised Jesus from the dead."
Abraham stood a test of faith, that none of us have yet to make a stand for. He was one-hundred years old and his wife (Sarah) was ninety plus years, which by any human standard, meant they were beyond child bearing ages. Sarah had been childless her entire life, but Abraham dared believe what God said about him and like God, he called "nonexistent" things as though they were.
Many of today, wouldn't dare speak about healing, when we are sick. We wouldn't dare speak about life, when we'd been given a diagnosis of death. Many of us are afraid to speak "the Blessing" over our lives today. Abraham wasn't a born-again man, but he believed what God said about his being, "the Father of our faith."
The Holy Spirit directs Paul to write about the believer, in Galatians 3:14 (Amplified) saying, "To the end that through (their receiving) Christ Jesus, the Blessing (promised) to Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that we through faith might (all) receive (the realization of) the Promise of the Holy Spirit." This Promise wasn't just God's sending the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, but our receiving the things of the power of the Holy Spirit.
It's through the Spirit, that the Promise came and through the Spirit, that he Blessing came. This is the Life of the Spirit realm, being manifested in this natural realm. Only the Spirit of God could override the natural "deadness" of Sarah's womb. The Promise and Blessing that came through faith (alone), placed Abraham in a position of right standing with God. This Blessing and right standing, made Abraham the richest, most powerful, strongest and longest enduring name in all of God's Word...with the exception of Jesus, of course. The Jews, the Muslims and Christian faiths, all claim Abraham as "the father of their lineage." These things were bestowed on Abraham, because of his faith in what God Promised through His Word alone.
As Christians, we have a new covenant based on better Promises and "All of these Promises are yes and Amen, and so be it in Christ Jesus." Why would it seem strange for Christians, that we should believe, like Abraham did. It's like we failed in our faith and don't expect to receive from God, while we're still on earth. We've postponed our Blessing, for when we arrive in Heaven. Abraham didn't postpone his Promise, but received it while he was on earth. This kind of faith has nearly been expunged from the teachings and preaching for today's believer.
Romans 4:20-21 (Amplified) says, "No unbelief or distrust made him (Abraham) waiver (doubtingly question) concerning the Promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God. Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His Word and do what He had promised." Today, how many of God's Promises to us, do we GROW STRONG AND BE EMPOWERED BY FAITH in and give praise and glory to God for, in our lives?
God's Word is "Forever settled in Heaven." It holds the entirety of the universe in place and is the very essence of our lives today. We confess we "believe by faith" in the new birth, but then we act like it's only for "after we leave this planet in mortal death." God's Promises to His family, are mostly for this earthly life, so that "His will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven." This is the Promise of the Spirit.
Abraham didn't have the covenant we've received as God's Own children, but God has honored his faith, by declaring him the "Father of our faith." In John 3:3 (Amplified) Jesus told Nicodemus, "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born-again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with and experience) the Kingdom of God." The only way to understand and "see the Kingdom of God," is to be born into the Kingdom, by the Promise of the Spirit. Now that we've been born into new creations, we have access into all that the Spirit realm of the Kingdom, has to offer God's family.
Things that "were not," can now "become." Things "that are," can "now be changed." The things of the Spirit are eternal, while the things we can "see" are temporal or subject to change. This is the Promise of the Spirit, to those who believe.
The condition of Sarah's womb, was temporal and subject to change, by the Promise of the Spirit. We can now (through the Spirit) change things in our new lives from the Spirit. We now have the ability to change the outcome and direction of temporal things in this earth, through the Spirit. John 1:1-3 (Amplified) says, "In the beginning (before all time) was the Word (Christ) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He (the Word, Christ) was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being."
Everything we can and cannot see, were and still are, being created and sustained by the Word of God, "Calling things that be not as though they are." The Word is still creating and propelling all things today. Creation is (by no means), completed today. Even you and I, and those who will believe, are considered by God, "a new creation." The Word is creating and changing all things in the earth, as well as the heavens. We've not grasped the creative Promise of God's Word to us and in us, which is the Promise of the Spirit. Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified), "The Words (Truths) I am speaking to you, are Spirit and they are Life."
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Lesson 233 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)."
1Corinthians 3:1-2 (Amplified) says, "However, Brethren, I could not talk to you as to spiritual (men) but as to non-spiritual (men of the flesh, in whom the carnal nature predominates) as to mere infants (in the new life) in Christ (unable to talk yet) I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not yet strong enough (to be ready for it) but even yet you are not strong enough (to be ready for it)."
Paul wrote the above letter to the Church in Corinth, nearly two-thousand years ago, and even now we are still carnal in our thinking and actions. This isn't a "put-down," but an encouragement for us to see what the new creation family is and what lies ahead, for those who will step into it. 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 (Hab. 2:4)."
As new creation people, we are "living by faith" already. We were dead in sin and trespass, but God has made us "alive in Christ Jesus, by faith." Galatians 5:25 (Amplified) tells us, "If we live by the Holy Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit (If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit)."
For many years, we've been taught the carnal things of Christianity (like what's good and right), but nothing about how to develop our spirit man. Behaving properly and doing good things, are things that should derive from a developed mature spirit, instead of a restraint of the senses. I'm sure those who received Jesus as Lord, are sincere about walking with Him. We've never been taught how to develop our new creation man, but to simply subdue the outward man.
Although the outward man certainly needs to be brought into subjection to the things of God, it shouldn't be a battle to keep him out of sin. Galatians 5:16 (Amplified) says, "But I say, walk and live (habitually) in the Holy Spirit (responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit; the you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God)."
We've been taught to control the old man, by laws and rituals that have no power to control him, and have bound ourselves from enjoying the liberty of Christ. In order to develop our new creation spirit man, we must feed faith by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit into our new creation spirit. With the exception of those who are disabled or handicapped from birth, most humans have the ability to walk. We had needed to learn how to master this ability. It was easier for some to learn how to walk, than it was for others, but we all needed determination and encouragement and live, to do so.
Many have heard things teachings about faith and the walk of faith. Some have dismissed this as "foolishness" or "not for everyone." Walking by faith in the spirit realm, isn't any more strange than walking in the natural realm. This is something we must individually determine. Faith isn't something that one person has and another doesn't have, but is the Life of the new creation being. It was and is how, the new creation being exists, because it is only by faith that we can receive Life and salvation (by grace).
Every believer is born-again by faith in Christ Jesus. This faith doesn't stop at being born, but continues into the progression of maturity into love, fellowship with the Father and receiving and giving life to those around us, as well as having our prayers answered.
Faith is the Nature of God that has now come alive within the heart of every Christian. It's what connects us to the Super-natural ability and realm, from which we are now born. Everything in this natural world came from the Spirit world (or realm of God). When the Spirit of God and the Word of God, went forth from the beginning, matter and substance were formed from the Spirit realm, into the natural realm.
Faith is as "natural" to the new creation child of God, as walking is to the natural child of man. This is the way we hear, talk, walk, and receive guidance and revelation from the Father. Through the years, we've tried connecting with the Holy Spirit by our natural senses and have failed miserably. Spiritual things come and are revealed by and through the Spirit. Some might see the results of what the Spirit has done and have actually been drawn into this by natural faith After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, the believers "saw and heard" the Word that was preached and received the Holy Spirit.
This was as far as faith went for some, but for others like Phillip and Stephen (who were deacons), this faith grew into much more in their lives. Miracles, healings and sharing God with the people happened because of their faith. Today, most of the Church's faith has come by "showing restraint," from the old way of life. This is a wonderful witness for unsaved and saved alike. I'm convinced though, that our Father wants us to seek Him, like never before. He wants to develop Himself within us, so that even the unsaved (who have no faith in Him), can "see" Him, with just the natural eyes. The Father is searching for those who will use this Super-natural faith, to reveal Him to the world, as He really is.
King Saul could have done like David did and killed Goliath, but even as King, he lacked the faith to declare that "the God of Israel was God and not just a God of history." There's always been people who would go a little further with God, than others before. They were ridiculed and even shammed by the mainstream population, but we're not seeking the praises of men, only the praises of God. You and you alone, can determine how far you will dare believe and walk with the Father. No man call tell you where you must stop growing in your faith in God. You might be like Joshua and Caleb, who were the only two of two million men, who believed that God was still true in His Promise. Let God be True and every man a liar.
1Corinthians 3:1-2 (Amplified) says, "However, Brethren, I could not talk to you as to spiritual (men) but as to non-spiritual (men of the flesh, in whom the carnal nature predominates) as to mere infants (in the new life) in Christ (unable to talk yet) I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not yet strong enough (to be ready for it) but even yet you are not strong enough (to be ready for it)."
Paul wrote the above letter to the Church in Corinth, nearly two-thousand years ago, and even now we are still carnal in our thinking and actions. This isn't a "put-down," but an encouragement for us to see what the new creation family is and what lies ahead, for those who will step into it. 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 (Hab. 2:4)."
As new creation people, we are "living by faith" already. We were dead in sin and trespass, but God has made us "alive in Christ Jesus, by faith." Galatians 5:25 (Amplified) tells us, "If we live by the Holy Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit (If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit)."
For many years, we've been taught the carnal things of Christianity (like what's good and right), but nothing about how to develop our spirit man. Behaving properly and doing good things, are things that should derive from a developed mature spirit, instead of a restraint of the senses. I'm sure those who received Jesus as Lord, are sincere about walking with Him. We've never been taught how to develop our new creation man, but to simply subdue the outward man.
Although the outward man certainly needs to be brought into subjection to the things of God, it shouldn't be a battle to keep him out of sin. Galatians 5:16 (Amplified) says, "But I say, walk and live (habitually) in the Holy Spirit (responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit; the you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God)."
We've been taught to control the old man, by laws and rituals that have no power to control him, and have bound ourselves from enjoying the liberty of Christ. In order to develop our new creation spirit man, we must feed faith by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit into our new creation spirit. With the exception of those who are disabled or handicapped from birth, most humans have the ability to walk. We had needed to learn how to master this ability. It was easier for some to learn how to walk, than it was for others, but we all needed determination and encouragement and live, to do so.
Many have heard things teachings about faith and the walk of faith. Some have dismissed this as "foolishness" or "not for everyone." Walking by faith in the spirit realm, isn't any more strange than walking in the natural realm. This is something we must individually determine. Faith isn't something that one person has and another doesn't have, but is the Life of the new creation being. It was and is how, the new creation being exists, because it is only by faith that we can receive Life and salvation (by grace).
Every believer is born-again by faith in Christ Jesus. This faith doesn't stop at being born, but continues into the progression of maturity into love, fellowship with the Father and receiving and giving life to those around us, as well as having our prayers answered.
Faith is the Nature of God that has now come alive within the heart of every Christian. It's what connects us to the Super-natural ability and realm, from which we are now born. Everything in this natural world came from the Spirit world (or realm of God). When the Spirit of God and the Word of God, went forth from the beginning, matter and substance were formed from the Spirit realm, into the natural realm.
Faith is as "natural" to the new creation child of God, as walking is to the natural child of man. This is the way we hear, talk, walk, and receive guidance and revelation from the Father. Through the years, we've tried connecting with the Holy Spirit by our natural senses and have failed miserably. Spiritual things come and are revealed by and through the Spirit. Some might see the results of what the Spirit has done and have actually been drawn into this by natural faith After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, the believers "saw and heard" the Word that was preached and received the Holy Spirit.
This was as far as faith went for some, but for others like Phillip and Stephen (who were deacons), this faith grew into much more in their lives. Miracles, healings and sharing God with the people happened because of their faith. Today, most of the Church's faith has come by "showing restraint," from the old way of life. This is a wonderful witness for unsaved and saved alike. I'm convinced though, that our Father wants us to seek Him, like never before. He wants to develop Himself within us, so that even the unsaved (who have no faith in Him), can "see" Him, with just the natural eyes. The Father is searching for those who will use this Super-natural faith, to reveal Him to the world, as He really is.
King Saul could have done like David did and killed Goliath, but even as King, he lacked the faith to declare that "the God of Israel was God and not just a God of history." There's always been people who would go a little further with God, than others before. They were ridiculed and even shammed by the mainstream population, but we're not seeking the praises of men, only the praises of God. You and you alone, can determine how far you will dare believe and walk with the Father. No man call tell you where you must stop growing in your faith in God. You might be like Joshua and Caleb, who were the only two of two million men, who believed that God was still true in His Promise. Let God be True and every man a liar.
Friday, June 16, 2017
Lesson 232 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)."
Revelation and learning! These are not the same in the spirit realm. Teaching, without the Holy Spirit to give it Life, is no more than man's carnal mind building a new religion. Revelation is inspired and revealed into your new creation spirit, as pictures and real Life. It's not something that your ears hear, but a revealing picture that is painted by the Word of God, into your spirit. Many times, the picture is hard to speak or preach, with the fullness of what you've seen in the spirit.
Notice how Paul described his own revelation from the Lord Jesus, in 2Corinthians 12:1-4 (Amplified) saying, "True, there is nothing to be gained by it, but (as I am obliged) to boast, I will go on to visions and to revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know-God knows-was caught up to the third Heaven [Notice,how Paul wasn't certain whether he was taken up into Heaven in the flesh or in the spirit]. And I know that this man-whether in the body or away from the body I do not know, God knows. [Once again, Paul comments on his carnal mind's inability to distinguish this event accurately. In an event like the one that Paul experienced, natural thinking and explanation are overshadowed]. Verse 4 goes on, "(This man, who was Saul of Tarsis) was caught up into paradise, and he heard utterances beyond the power of man to put into words, which man is not permitted to utter."
The above revelation didn't only change the life of Saul of Tarsus, but all who've understood by the same Holy Spirit, for centuries. God changed Saul's name Paul. Paul then, began putting the things he saw and perceived in the spirit, into words. These things were so radical to the natural mind, that today's men, still struggle to understand them. Paul speaks about this event again in Galatians 1:10-11 (Amplified) saying, "For I want you to know, brethren, that the Gospel which was proclaimed and made known by me is not man's gospel (a human invention, according to or patterned after any human standard) For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it but (it came to me) through a (direct) revelation (given) by Jesus Christ (the Messiah)."
The understanding of this revelation, is strongly debated by men, throughout the world today. When we read the Words, but don't receive the revelation, we tend to put the entire thing into man's perspective. Paul revealed the things he had "seen" through revelation from Jesus, little by little. Some received it, while others didn't. The Gentiles were without God and covenant, at the time of Paul's writing, but they were happy to receive these Truths. The carnal, religious people were perplexed and jealous, because of the great liberty that the Gentiles gained with Almighty God.
When the religious men, saw what was happening to the Gentile world, they immediately set out to bring them back into subjection to their own thinking. Galatians 1:6 (Amplified) says, "I am surprised and astonished that you are so quickly turning renegade and deserting Him Who invited and called you by the grace (unmerited favor) of Christ (the Messiah)and that you are transferring your allegiance) to a different (even an opposition gospel)."
We've received and have been taught many "different gospels" from this one revelation, throughout the centuries. The Truth of salvation, as Jesus the Cornerstone and Foundation, has been the stable point in most all of them, but the revelation of who we are in Him, and Who He is in us, has been distorted, by man-made doctrines. This hasn't stopped Jesus from being preached and hasn't stopped God from performing the new birth into this world, but it has nearly stopped the furtherance of the revelation.
Paul spoke about this revelation in 2Corinthians 12:1 (Amplified) saying, "I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord." The revelation Paul received from Jesus Himself, was an ongoing revelation, that extended into the time of his departure from this earth. As Paul grew and matured in his relationship with the Lord, his revelation also continued to unfold in his Epistles to the Church.
This revelation was given by the Spirit, into Paul's spirit and natural man (with the natural mind) have no insight into it. Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified), "It is the Spirit Who gives Life (He is the Life-Giver) the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it). The Words (Truths) that I have been speaking to you are SPIRIT and LIFE." Jesus' Words and the revelation in them, must be sown into your spirit, in order to bring forth the True Revelation (or picture) of who you really are in Him.
God's Words build a picture (or image) of the true being that we have become in Christ. This picture or image, is painted in your spirit by the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in Mark 4:12 (Amplified), "They may look and look but not see and perceive, and may hear and hear but not grasp and comprehend." Only the Holy Spirit can reveal these Truths, into your spirit, by the Word (which is Spirit).
Before the resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, men were spiritually dead and couldn't perceive His Words, like we can today because of the new birth. Only those Jesus chose in His ministry, had the ability to understand the Truth of His Words. Mark 4:11 (Amplified) tells us, "And [Jesus] said to them, To you has been entrusted the mystery of the Kingdom of God (that is, the secret councils of God which are hidden from the ungodly) but for those outside (of our circle) everything became a parable."
There was no picture being revealed in the dead spirits of unsaved men, only a few truly grasped what Jesus was all about. They were moved by what they could see with their natural eyes. Today, the Church is moved more by natural eyesight, than by spiritual eyesight. Seeing in the spirit is more of a perception, than a seeing. Hearing in the spirit is more a perceiving and revealing in our spirit, than actually hearing. The natural ears and spiritual ears, don't operate on the same frequency. Hearing in the spirit is more of having a knowing or perception, than a voice. God spoke audibly to Jesus at Lazarus' tomb and although everyone "heard it," only Jesus perceived what God said. The others believed they heard thunder.
We've had difficulty separating the spirit from the soul (or carnal man). Many Christians still have trouble "hearing" the Voice of God, even though His Voice speaks to us in many ways. We've walked more in man-made doctrines, instead of Spirit Led doctrines. Even though those preaching and teaching are "good people" and sincere in their beliefs, it must be something the Spirit reveals or it's just man's ideas of what God has said.
This is why there are so many differing factions in today's Church. We must heed Paul's directions in 2Corinthians 12:1 (Amplified) and, "Go on to visions and revelations of the Lord." We receive revelation from such men as Martin Luther and stop at this one revelation of a truth, without continuing into The Truth. We must continue in the Holy Spirit's revelations of the Lord. They must agree with the Words of the revelation given to Paul and with the Word of God. This is why they must be "discerned and revealed" in and by the Holy Spirit, into your spirit. When we don't know what the Word says, we open a door to deception and eventually return to the bondage of man-made doctrines.
The new creation being was created to walk, talk, fellowship and know the Father, in an intimate relationship. We've spent so much time "educating" the natural man, and very little time bringing the new creation man into maturity of the Spirit. Prayer isn't just asking God for things and then hoping they come to pass. Prayer also involves listening to the Voice of the Spirit, as He guides us into all the Truth.
We're not to be obnoxious and overbearing, when sharing revelations from the Spirit, but we aren't to be subdued and return to man-made rituals and beliefs. Paul wasn't received as an Apostle, everywhere he went, but he still maintained his identity in Christ...no matter what. Paul met Peter and perceived Peter was living a double standard in his walk with the Gentiles and Jews. Paul stood on the Truth of the revelation and wasn't swayed by the people.
Paul never backed off or backed up, despite the hardships satan brought against him. Paul continued preaching the direct revelation, in both good and bad times, according to 2Corinthians 3:18 (Amplified) which says, "And all of us, as with unveiled face (because we) continue to behold (in the Word of God) as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His Very Image in ever increasing splendor, and from one degree of glory to another (for this comes) from the Lord (Who is) the Spirit (revealed image)."
The revelation of the new creation family of God, is our seeing ourselves in this "mirror" or the true reflection of us in Him, "from one degree of glory to another." Looking into the Word, like a mirror of the Spirit, is the revelation Paul received about the Church. The Word (by the Spirit) is reflecting this same revelation to us, as we go from "one degree of glory to another."
Revelation and learning! These are not the same in the spirit realm. Teaching, without the Holy Spirit to give it Life, is no more than man's carnal mind building a new religion. Revelation is inspired and revealed into your new creation spirit, as pictures and real Life. It's not something that your ears hear, but a revealing picture that is painted by the Word of God, into your spirit. Many times, the picture is hard to speak or preach, with the fullness of what you've seen in the spirit.
Notice how Paul described his own revelation from the Lord Jesus, in 2Corinthians 12:1-4 (Amplified) saying, "True, there is nothing to be gained by it, but (as I am obliged) to boast, I will go on to visions and to revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know-God knows-was caught up to the third Heaven [Notice,how Paul wasn't certain whether he was taken up into Heaven in the flesh or in the spirit]. And I know that this man-whether in the body or away from the body I do not know, God knows. [Once again, Paul comments on his carnal mind's inability to distinguish this event accurately. In an event like the one that Paul experienced, natural thinking and explanation are overshadowed]. Verse 4 goes on, "(This man, who was Saul of Tarsis) was caught up into paradise, and he heard utterances beyond the power of man to put into words, which man is not permitted to utter."
The above revelation didn't only change the life of Saul of Tarsus, but all who've understood by the same Holy Spirit, for centuries. God changed Saul's name Paul. Paul then, began putting the things he saw and perceived in the spirit, into words. These things were so radical to the natural mind, that today's men, still struggle to understand them. Paul speaks about this event again in Galatians 1:10-11 (Amplified) saying, "For I want you to know, brethren, that the Gospel which was proclaimed and made known by me is not man's gospel (a human invention, according to or patterned after any human standard) For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it but (it came to me) through a (direct) revelation (given) by Jesus Christ (the Messiah)."
The understanding of this revelation, is strongly debated by men, throughout the world today. When we read the Words, but don't receive the revelation, we tend to put the entire thing into man's perspective. Paul revealed the things he had "seen" through revelation from Jesus, little by little. Some received it, while others didn't. The Gentiles were without God and covenant, at the time of Paul's writing, but they were happy to receive these Truths. The carnal, religious people were perplexed and jealous, because of the great liberty that the Gentiles gained with Almighty God.
When the religious men, saw what was happening to the Gentile world, they immediately set out to bring them back into subjection to their own thinking. Galatians 1:6 (Amplified) says, "I am surprised and astonished that you are so quickly turning renegade and deserting Him Who invited and called you by the grace (unmerited favor) of Christ (the Messiah)and that you are transferring your allegiance) to a different (even an opposition gospel)."
We've received and have been taught many "different gospels" from this one revelation, throughout the centuries. The Truth of salvation, as Jesus the Cornerstone and Foundation, has been the stable point in most all of them, but the revelation of who we are in Him, and Who He is in us, has been distorted, by man-made doctrines. This hasn't stopped Jesus from being preached and hasn't stopped God from performing the new birth into this world, but it has nearly stopped the furtherance of the revelation.
Paul spoke about this revelation in 2Corinthians 12:1 (Amplified) saying, "I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord." The revelation Paul received from Jesus Himself, was an ongoing revelation, that extended into the time of his departure from this earth. As Paul grew and matured in his relationship with the Lord, his revelation also continued to unfold in his Epistles to the Church.
This revelation was given by the Spirit, into Paul's spirit and natural man (with the natural mind) have no insight into it. Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified), "It is the Spirit Who gives Life (He is the Life-Giver) the flesh conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it). The Words (Truths) that I have been speaking to you are SPIRIT and LIFE." Jesus' Words and the revelation in them, must be sown into your spirit, in order to bring forth the True Revelation (or picture) of who you really are in Him.
God's Words build a picture (or image) of the true being that we have become in Christ. This picture or image, is painted in your spirit by the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in Mark 4:12 (Amplified), "They may look and look but not see and perceive, and may hear and hear but not grasp and comprehend." Only the Holy Spirit can reveal these Truths, into your spirit, by the Word (which is Spirit).
Before the resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, men were spiritually dead and couldn't perceive His Words, like we can today because of the new birth. Only those Jesus chose in His ministry, had the ability to understand the Truth of His Words. Mark 4:11 (Amplified) tells us, "And [Jesus] said to them, To you has been entrusted the mystery of the Kingdom of God (that is, the secret councils of God which are hidden from the ungodly) but for those outside (of our circle) everything became a parable."
There was no picture being revealed in the dead spirits of unsaved men, only a few truly grasped what Jesus was all about. They were moved by what they could see with their natural eyes. Today, the Church is moved more by natural eyesight, than by spiritual eyesight. Seeing in the spirit is more of a perception, than a seeing. Hearing in the spirit is more a perceiving and revealing in our spirit, than actually hearing. The natural ears and spiritual ears, don't operate on the same frequency. Hearing in the spirit is more of having a knowing or perception, than a voice. God spoke audibly to Jesus at Lazarus' tomb and although everyone "heard it," only Jesus perceived what God said. The others believed they heard thunder.
We've had difficulty separating the spirit from the soul (or carnal man). Many Christians still have trouble "hearing" the Voice of God, even though His Voice speaks to us in many ways. We've walked more in man-made doctrines, instead of Spirit Led doctrines. Even though those preaching and teaching are "good people" and sincere in their beliefs, it must be something the Spirit reveals or it's just man's ideas of what God has said.
This is why there are so many differing factions in today's Church. We must heed Paul's directions in 2Corinthians 12:1 (Amplified) and, "Go on to visions and revelations of the Lord." We receive revelation from such men as Martin Luther and stop at this one revelation of a truth, without continuing into The Truth. We must continue in the Holy Spirit's revelations of the Lord. They must agree with the Words of the revelation given to Paul and with the Word of God. This is why they must be "discerned and revealed" in and by the Holy Spirit, into your spirit. When we don't know what the Word says, we open a door to deception and eventually return to the bondage of man-made doctrines.
The new creation being was created to walk, talk, fellowship and know the Father, in an intimate relationship. We've spent so much time "educating" the natural man, and very little time bringing the new creation man into maturity of the Spirit. Prayer isn't just asking God for things and then hoping they come to pass. Prayer also involves listening to the Voice of the Spirit, as He guides us into all the Truth.
We're not to be obnoxious and overbearing, when sharing revelations from the Spirit, but we aren't to be subdued and return to man-made rituals and beliefs. Paul wasn't received as an Apostle, everywhere he went, but he still maintained his identity in Christ...no matter what. Paul met Peter and perceived Peter was living a double standard in his walk with the Gentiles and Jews. Paul stood on the Truth of the revelation and wasn't swayed by the people.
Paul never backed off or backed up, despite the hardships satan brought against him. Paul continued preaching the direct revelation, in both good and bad times, according to 2Corinthians 3:18 (Amplified) which says, "And all of us, as with unveiled face (because we) continue to behold (in the Word of God) as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His Very Image in ever increasing splendor, and from one degree of glory to another (for this comes) from the Lord (Who is) the Spirit (revealed image)."
The revelation of the new creation family of God, is our seeing ourselves in this "mirror" or the true reflection of us in Him, "from one degree of glory to another." Looking into the Word, like a mirror of the Spirit, is the revelation Paul received about the Church. The Word (by the Spirit) is reflecting this same revelation to us, as we go from "one degree of glory to another."
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