"But God who is rich in mercy because of his great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ, and raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" Eph.2:4-6.
This gracious revelation places us with and in the Son of God as a position secure and steadfast in eternity. By it's very meaning we are seen by God in Christ and no where else forever, our condition as Adam men not withstanding. We must seek for the grace this truth offers us by faith and find it only in faith of we positioned/identified in Christ.
Not in a attempt to realize it in or by improving our condition. We will find our place as Christians in no other way except faith, seeing ourselves in spirit sitting at God's right hand in His Son, according to His Word. "We are citizens of heaven" and "Without faith it is impossible to please God".
By His word we may see ourselves in faith as new creations. "For it is God who works in you both in will and deed" Phil. 2:13. Knowing also by faith the only place where our Father actually sees us is "hid in Christ Jesus", us in union with His Son in heaven. He does not see us in the flesh, "You are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit" Rom 8:9.
We are not under the Law or any earthly kingdom covering or old covenant regulations: by which we are prone to a futile attempt to perform [works] in a proper manner fulfilling a kingdom earthly/law mandate set aside for future Israel. "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law, but under [the dispensation of] grace Rom 6:14. We are freed by grace to enjoy the union with Christ we have in the exercise of our faith! "According as His Divine power has given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness" 2 Pet. 1:3
Even while we are secure of our position in union with Christ in eternity by the declaration of His Word we still often attempt to deal with our condition on earth as Adam men. This is where all goes wrong for most Christians. Even though the Word declares sin does not have dominion over us, as it/and we died in/with Christ on the cross. The Adam man and all our sins gone in God's view forever. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has ordained that we should walk in them" Eph. 2:10
The Adam nature/condition does however continue, so we tend to simply adjust our lives to attending its constant demands....make me better it says, make me holy, train me to be His body in maturity, make me worthy, we must become overcomers to hasten His return and acquire a need to sense being in the spirit etc. Much of Christendom it seems is thoroughly caught up in the home improvement process. All involved alike, a denomination of diligent workers changing things on earth for Jesus.
The simplicity and quiet freedom of God's offer of grace by faith is often overlooked, our heavenly union is only seen a sort of reference point and so we still feel a need for accomplishment as a proof we are worthy. Urged on by the men of the earth who we allow to influence us; how easily we fall victim to well meaning pastors and teachers never a thought to our individual sanctification position in union with the Son in heaven by faith. The group and the leaders narrative/interpretations becomes our master. This has always been true of the Adam condition man. Liberty sacrificed for a comforting conformation amen-ed by the corporate dynamic. How natural for Adam in his great need for approval.
My dear brothers and sisters let us instead of living natural life learn to trust our God by faith. "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the council of His own will" Eph 1:11. "Alive together with Christ".
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Monday, May 11, 2015
HEAVEN'S MYSTERIOUS RELM EXPERIENCED BY FAITH
There is a great deal of interest in the Millennial Kingdom which is to come to the earth in many Christian churches today. For the first time, the I am aware of, a strong emphasis is being placed by some on preparing the saints to become trained or educated so that they will be participators in that coming earthly Kingdom. But my confusion on the kingdom issue lies not only in that idea, but in the fact we are told in the Word of God to; "Set your affections on things above, not on the things on the earth" Col.3:2. So just what is it must we do?
I do understand from the Word in Rev. 20 that there is a role for saints to play in the rule of that coming earthly kingdom; Christians participating with Christ. I also recognize if the Lord's prayer or the sermon on the mount from Mathew is applied to new testament church doctrine [it should not be as it is earthly/Jewish/law] one could make a case for thy Kingdom come and the church working in its stead or under it's covering. In my studies however there is a dispensation wall between the Synoptic Christ Jewish law teachings and the heavenly Pauline grace gospel teachings. A Godly transfer at Christ's rejection, from things earthly to a New Spiritual Life, a Christ union heavenly life for all who except Him as Lord ministered by grace and found by faith only. The mystery Held in God's mind from before the foundation of the world revealed. Paul said; "That by revelation the mystery was made know to me" Eph. 3:3.
In my positional/heavenly/identification studies we are not now members or need prepare ourselves for this earthly kingdom. In fact the word is clear "we are not of this world", but heavenly. Free of earthly connection. As Christians we are strictly heavenly[not active members of a kingdom to come] but" hid in Christ". Where are we then now? It could only be in heaven "we are one Spirit with Him". After all He is there. The problem is we see and live out this truth only by faith! I do realize this is a very difficult Pauline biblical doctrine for most to understand. Why?
Because human being will always seek the understanding of the natural Adam man. In other words they [all of us] want to devise a way to feel truth and know it comprehensively in ourselves. Or see it from our view. This my friends is simply Adam going his own way. He always does. However this truth [heavenly union with Christ] is only accessed by the gift of faith and by God's sovereign will. His view is the one that counts! Not ours. Faith in His heavenly view of all of the Churches creatures contained in His Son. This is God's designated view of us as to the the heavenly church life incorporated in Christ. It's application to us here and now seen by us, by faith only. "Without faith it is impossible to please God".
The coming Kingdom is seen by God as earthly/Jewish/Israel in my studies. Jesus Christ taking His throne there in the future as promised by God. Returning to a world from which He was rejected while on earth. God now however in positional/identification doctrine sees all Christians as heavenly creatures "citizens of heaven" contained in His son who is there. This truth should be our chief concern. The Word tell us Jesus said; "because they are not of this world" Jn. 17:14. They are not of the world even as I Am not of the world" Jn. 14:16.The word world here is the Satanic world system we live in. But the oneness He prayed about in Jn. 17 is all inclusive and spiritual, centered in us being where He is with Him as only oneness can be, so then we are heavenly. From the Fathers standpoint anyway.
To be honest I am having enough trouble simply coming to know my lord as life and my heavenly position in Christ on this plain of existence. Let alone to prepare myself for a earthly Kingdom rule. Which in my mind is simply works. I think the most important thing for the saint to discover is Christ as life first. According to the Word all things will be added to us by the Holy Spirit we need not strive in the Adam mans works to obtain adequate standing for a future Kingdom role. "Faithful is He that calls you, who will also do it" 1 Thess. 5:24.
As I said in my last blog. He has overcome the world, sin and the Adam man. We are "hid in Christ". This is the great need to know. He is seen by the Father "as our very life". It is His life which dwells in us, by Spirit providing/substituting His life as ours. Found/established in us by faith of our heavenly presence with Him. Co-mingling us together by faith, for our experience of it. This is our heavenly position and our union with Him sitting at the right hand of God in heaven. What freedom what assurance. "Rejoice in Christ and have no confidence in the flesh" Phil 3:3.
Any rule, role, work or life as the Body on earth or in the millennial Kingdom must come from and be in our oneness of Spirit with Him. The by faith Christ identification positional life leaves the natural Adam man [which we all seem to be so busy working to improve] with nothing but himself as dead/annulled, as his position. "We died with Christ". There is no place for the Adam man in defining a Christian life, here or in the here after. "For our commonwealth [citizenship] exists in the heavens from which [a present tense] we eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" Phil. 3:20. Only faith will see this as life. Only faith will live this truth out here on earth. "Study [the Word] to show yourself [faith motivated] approved".
We, living in Him as our defined existence, is found/applied, held close to the individuals heart, in a quiet restful faithful attitude. Trusting and knowing God's Word in our heart to be true. Then once made sure by the Holy Spirit in us is shown in the corporate body life by His power. We simply only need wait upon the Holy Spirit. He then provides all the experience we will need to manifest and magnify Jesus Christ on this plane of existence. He will also see to it the next is known to us by the faith He builds in us. Of course this requires waiting patiently, sometimes suffering and all the while standing on the one and only God pleasing platform FAITH! "I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ" Phil. 3:12.
The heavenly Church is presented as a mystery by Paul having never before been imagined by man. Kept secret in the heart of the Father in heaven from before time, our predestined place in Him made sure. It is wholly heavenly. We are wholly heavenly. A all inclusive life which Christians participate in equally. Unlike the Kingdom which is earthly a Jewish messianic restoration for 1000 years to come in the end time. "Which [the heavenly position of the church] in other generations [dispensations] was not made known to the sons of man, now revealed by His holy apostles and prophets by spirit" Eph.3:5
Yes I know Christians will be involved in that marvelous age. But, I believe we should not be so deeply concerned with it in the now as we so desperately need to establish Christ as our life positionally, in union with Him before the Father in heaven in our conscience first. Our role in its rule [the kingdom] will come quite naturally very normally in God's will and timing, without effort, no preparation is necessary. Remember we will be transfigured "like Him". Could there be a more worthy position for every Christian insuring our participation in all that God has for us in the coming age and all of eternity. If Paul is correct "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" then surely He will make us up to any task he may have for us in the next life, earthy kingdom or otherwise.
Because we are Christ's Body, a unshakable heavenly position, we are "hidden in Him". He is our life. He has taken up that life in identification with us in heaven and has included His life in our spirit here; and presented it all to the Father in heaven. Where we are held in His supernatural life inclosed, imbedded and consecrated/sanctified in Christ with God in heaven. We can be sure of this my dear friends, if we are in fact in that place by His power and choice, all which is to be applied to every saint by God will be, "it is finished". We can be sure also He will use us to His full pleasure in all worlds, new and old, to come, mature or immature, first or last! "If then you are risen with Christ seek those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God" Col. 3:1.
Ask yourself could it be possible for the Father to exclude us from any part we might play in heaven or any Kingdom rule because we have not trained the Adam man enough? Us who are interwoven with His beloved Son right now. The virgin bride of Christ. The very inheritance of all that the Son is for God. We seen in the same estimation of love as the Son. Him living/resting with the Father in Heaven in a exact identification with man for the purpose of including us in all that He is to the Father. "Not by might, or power [natural effort], but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts" Zech. 4:6.
No my brothers and sisters this is our firm immoveable, rock solid position. Founded/experienced in us by our faith that this is true. All else is simply the good Adam in training. We are made alive on earth as Christians in actualization /experience, by our heavenly factual union with Him. Drawn upon in faith. We are therefore always held in full unchangeable security in the heart and mind of God. "The God of peace working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ Heb. 13:20,21.
Abiding in His place as alive in heaven "Hidden in Christ" involves a choice. But we must know the difference! We can train the old natural man or rest by faith in the risen Lord. In Romans seven is depicted a war between the two. But then the Word says, "The Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death" Rom. 8:2. How then do we abide in His heavenly Life? " Of God are you in Christ" 1 Cor. 1:30. Saints it is the work of God to provide your living place. We simply have to stay there [in recognition] by faith in His Word to experience it, once we discover our heavenly position fully secured in Christ Jesus.
He is the very source of your Christian life. He has placed you in eternal union with His Son the moment you believed. We have no work to do! It is for Him to make good on His glorious promise to form you and not allow sin [the natural Adam man]to have dominion over you, Rom. 6:14. Paul taught that we ourselves were taken through the death of the Lord Jesus. The past was then blotted out, the pardoned sinner counted crucified with the Lord. Too be henceforth joined in heaven as a new creation hidden in the Lord Jesus Christ. Now sharing His life. "Your life is hidden in Christ in God" Col. 3:3.
My brothers and sisters there is no higher life which we must accomplish on earth in Adams struggling works. Nothing to overcome except lack of faith; in the positional, union we have firmly established in Him. The Lord Jesus is all that we need for all that we are, new, old, first, last, immature or mature. We are as He is, fully formed in Him fully matured in Him in heaven. Our God gives no preference to man, pope, priest, elder, overcomer, all are judged and treated equally."It is finished" in His Sons life, held there in perfect security and equal status for all. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace. and not of evil, to give you an expected end" Jer. 29:11.
We need not for a moment worry about the degraded Christian churches. His will for us will be accomplished and them also. Our Adamic cooperation is not necessary. It is our faith in the heavenly positional God inspired truth doctrine of Paul that completes us. Let the Holy Spirit do the work in the Body. Him unencumbered, by our lack of faith in Christ total sufficiency for all things. Abide above with: " He that has raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" Eph. 2:6. Heavens mystery revealed by faith.
I do understand from the Word in Rev. 20 that there is a role for saints to play in the rule of that coming earthly kingdom; Christians participating with Christ. I also recognize if the Lord's prayer or the sermon on the mount from Mathew is applied to new testament church doctrine [it should not be as it is earthly/Jewish/law] one could make a case for thy Kingdom come and the church working in its stead or under it's covering. In my studies however there is a dispensation wall between the Synoptic Christ Jewish law teachings and the heavenly Pauline grace gospel teachings. A Godly transfer at Christ's rejection, from things earthly to a New Spiritual Life, a Christ union heavenly life for all who except Him as Lord ministered by grace and found by faith only. The mystery Held in God's mind from before the foundation of the world revealed. Paul said; "That by revelation the mystery was made know to me" Eph. 3:3.
In my positional/heavenly/identification studies we are not now members or need prepare ourselves for this earthly kingdom. In fact the word is clear "we are not of this world", but heavenly. Free of earthly connection. As Christians we are strictly heavenly[not active members of a kingdom to come] but" hid in Christ". Where are we then now? It could only be in heaven "we are one Spirit with Him". After all He is there. The problem is we see and live out this truth only by faith! I do realize this is a very difficult Pauline biblical doctrine for most to understand. Why?
Because human being will always seek the understanding of the natural Adam man. In other words they [all of us] want to devise a way to feel truth and know it comprehensively in ourselves. Or see it from our view. This my friends is simply Adam going his own way. He always does. However this truth [heavenly union with Christ] is only accessed by the gift of faith and by God's sovereign will. His view is the one that counts! Not ours. Faith in His heavenly view of all of the Churches creatures contained in His Son. This is God's designated view of us as to the the heavenly church life incorporated in Christ. It's application to us here and now seen by us, by faith only. "Without faith it is impossible to please God".
The coming Kingdom is seen by God as earthly/Jewish/Israel in my studies. Jesus Christ taking His throne there in the future as promised by God. Returning to a world from which He was rejected while on earth. God now however in positional/identification doctrine sees all Christians as heavenly creatures "citizens of heaven" contained in His son who is there. This truth should be our chief concern. The Word tell us Jesus said; "because they are not of this world" Jn. 17:14. They are not of the world even as I Am not of the world" Jn. 14:16.The word world here is the Satanic world system we live in. But the oneness He prayed about in Jn. 17 is all inclusive and spiritual, centered in us being where He is with Him as only oneness can be, so then we are heavenly. From the Fathers standpoint anyway.
To be honest I am having enough trouble simply coming to know my lord as life and my heavenly position in Christ on this plain of existence. Let alone to prepare myself for a earthly Kingdom rule. Which in my mind is simply works. I think the most important thing for the saint to discover is Christ as life first. According to the Word all things will be added to us by the Holy Spirit we need not strive in the Adam mans works to obtain adequate standing for a future Kingdom role. "Faithful is He that calls you, who will also do it" 1 Thess. 5:24.
As I said in my last blog. He has overcome the world, sin and the Adam man. We are "hid in Christ". This is the great need to know. He is seen by the Father "as our very life". It is His life which dwells in us, by Spirit providing/substituting His life as ours. Found/established in us by faith of our heavenly presence with Him. Co-mingling us together by faith, for our experience of it. This is our heavenly position and our union with Him sitting at the right hand of God in heaven. What freedom what assurance. "Rejoice in Christ and have no confidence in the flesh" Phil 3:3.
Any rule, role, work or life as the Body on earth or in the millennial Kingdom must come from and be in our oneness of Spirit with Him. The by faith Christ identification positional life leaves the natural Adam man [which we all seem to be so busy working to improve] with nothing but himself as dead/annulled, as his position. "We died with Christ". There is no place for the Adam man in defining a Christian life, here or in the here after. "For our commonwealth [citizenship] exists in the heavens from which [a present tense] we eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" Phil. 3:20. Only faith will see this as life. Only faith will live this truth out here on earth. "Study [the Word] to show yourself [faith motivated] approved".
We, living in Him as our defined existence, is found/applied, held close to the individuals heart, in a quiet restful faithful attitude. Trusting and knowing God's Word in our heart to be true. Then once made sure by the Holy Spirit in us is shown in the corporate body life by His power. We simply only need wait upon the Holy Spirit. He then provides all the experience we will need to manifest and magnify Jesus Christ on this plane of existence. He will also see to it the next is known to us by the faith He builds in us. Of course this requires waiting patiently, sometimes suffering and all the while standing on the one and only God pleasing platform FAITH! "I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ" Phil. 3:12.
The heavenly Church is presented as a mystery by Paul having never before been imagined by man. Kept secret in the heart of the Father in heaven from before time, our predestined place in Him made sure. It is wholly heavenly. We are wholly heavenly. A all inclusive life which Christians participate in equally. Unlike the Kingdom which is earthly a Jewish messianic restoration for 1000 years to come in the end time. "Which [the heavenly position of the church] in other generations [dispensations] was not made known to the sons of man, now revealed by His holy apostles and prophets by spirit" Eph.3:5
Yes I know Christians will be involved in that marvelous age. But, I believe we should not be so deeply concerned with it in the now as we so desperately need to establish Christ as our life positionally, in union with Him before the Father in heaven in our conscience first. Our role in its rule [the kingdom] will come quite naturally very normally in God's will and timing, without effort, no preparation is necessary. Remember we will be transfigured "like Him". Could there be a more worthy position for every Christian insuring our participation in all that God has for us in the coming age and all of eternity. If Paul is correct "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" then surely He will make us up to any task he may have for us in the next life, earthy kingdom or otherwise.
Because we are Christ's Body, a unshakable heavenly position, we are "hidden in Him". He is our life. He has taken up that life in identification with us in heaven and has included His life in our spirit here; and presented it all to the Father in heaven. Where we are held in His supernatural life inclosed, imbedded and consecrated/sanctified in Christ with God in heaven. We can be sure of this my dear friends, if we are in fact in that place by His power and choice, all which is to be applied to every saint by God will be, "it is finished". We can be sure also He will use us to His full pleasure in all worlds, new and old, to come, mature or immature, first or last! "If then you are risen with Christ seek those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God" Col. 3:1.
Ask yourself could it be possible for the Father to exclude us from any part we might play in heaven or any Kingdom rule because we have not trained the Adam man enough? Us who are interwoven with His beloved Son right now. The virgin bride of Christ. The very inheritance of all that the Son is for God. We seen in the same estimation of love as the Son. Him living/resting with the Father in Heaven in a exact identification with man for the purpose of including us in all that He is to the Father. "Not by might, or power [natural effort], but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts" Zech. 4:6.
No my brothers and sisters this is our firm immoveable, rock solid position. Founded/experienced in us by our faith that this is true. All else is simply the good Adam in training. We are made alive on earth as Christians in actualization /experience, by our heavenly factual union with Him. Drawn upon in faith. We are therefore always held in full unchangeable security in the heart and mind of God. "The God of peace working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ Heb. 13:20,21.
Abiding in His place as alive in heaven "Hidden in Christ" involves a choice. But we must know the difference! We can train the old natural man or rest by faith in the risen Lord. In Romans seven is depicted a war between the two. But then the Word says, "The Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death" Rom. 8:2. How then do we abide in His heavenly Life? " Of God are you in Christ" 1 Cor. 1:30. Saints it is the work of God to provide your living place. We simply have to stay there [in recognition] by faith in His Word to experience it, once we discover our heavenly position fully secured in Christ Jesus.
He is the very source of your Christian life. He has placed you in eternal union with His Son the moment you believed. We have no work to do! It is for Him to make good on His glorious promise to form you and not allow sin [the natural Adam man]to have dominion over you, Rom. 6:14. Paul taught that we ourselves were taken through the death of the Lord Jesus. The past was then blotted out, the pardoned sinner counted crucified with the Lord. Too be henceforth joined in heaven as a new creation hidden in the Lord Jesus Christ. Now sharing His life. "Your life is hidden in Christ in God" Col. 3:3.
My brothers and sisters there is no higher life which we must accomplish on earth in Adams struggling works. Nothing to overcome except lack of faith; in the positional, union we have firmly established in Him. The Lord Jesus is all that we need for all that we are, new, old, first, last, immature or mature. We are as He is, fully formed in Him fully matured in Him in heaven. Our God gives no preference to man, pope, priest, elder, overcomer, all are judged and treated equally."It is finished" in His Sons life, held there in perfect security and equal status for all. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace. and not of evil, to give you an expected end" Jer. 29:11.
We need not for a moment worry about the degraded Christian churches. His will for us will be accomplished and them also. Our Adamic cooperation is not necessary. It is our faith in the heavenly positional God inspired truth doctrine of Paul that completes us. Let the Holy Spirit do the work in the Body. Him unencumbered, by our lack of faith in Christ total sufficiency for all things. Abide above with: " He that has raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" Eph. 2:6. Heavens mystery revealed by faith.
Saturday, May 2, 2015
HIM AS OUR OVERCOMING EXPERIENCE
The following is taken from and inspired by the spiritual anthologies complied by Miles Stanford, who's book The Complete Green letters will serve you well in growth of Christ as life. I hope you will acquire it.
"As we stand steadfastly upon the ground of what Christ is, we find all that is true of Him becomes experientially true of us".
Much of my difficulties stem from the sense of myself. I sin, I feel down, I have anxiety regarding the future, etc. etc. Soon my own concerns loom larger than the identification I have in Christ. Perhaps that is because my identification in Him is not adequate. Might that sound familiar to some reading this?
What we are in Him as to forgiveness is displayed to the Father by His blood shed for our sins, and His death on the Cross to the old Adam man, who we are. This means these two truths originated in Him, but are applied to us and are viewed by God in His Son; we are identified/associated in that view by the Father as He looks upon the Son. Unfortunately many Christians do not know securely or understand this in knowledge or in faith as their identification, and therefore cannot apply it to their life in experience; they view themselves from their own perspective or even perhaps a expectation of others, not God's. Therefore their Christian life is relegated to the interpretation of the old man. That is why much of Christianity is seeking merit with God by works.
For those that do identify with Christ's heavenly life however still many often try to sense it or to feel it's value. When we should be estimating its value based upon how God sees His son revealed in His Word. Why should we ? Because He is sovereign and has said so in that Word, 1Peter 1:18,19. Saints we must remember nothing of God originates from ourselves! That is why the faith path is the only path; all else is the old man. If God says He has accepted His Son's shed blood and death as the price for our redemption, then we can rest assured by faith that it is paid. Therefore our total satisfaction must be in the object of the Son and His identification to us, just as the Fathers is. Only faith in the revealed Word of God supplies this.
It is through the merit of the Son alone we may approach the Father, not anything we may ever do. Our being made alive to the Father must always come from His place, His view, His identification of us, in His Son. It was for the Fathers satisfaction He sacrificed His Son, not ours.
All that we are as to sins and the old man is finished in God's mind and if so our conscience should never be based upon anything we might accomplish ourselves subjectively. But only on the work of Christ and that in God's identification of us in Him as the object. The objectivity of the shed Blood deals with our sins, our justification, but the sin principal must be dealt with by knowing the death of Jesus makes our old man annulled, the sinner himself being finally completely pronounced dead in God's sight.Therefore there is no need to become a overcomer by studies and work or behavior. He has overcome for us. "It is finished". We are in the age of Grace; He is that grace wholly applied to us completely!
After we receive this mighty truth and forgiveness we discover something shocking; we still sin. We still also allow the old man to take the helm in much of our life decisions. So something dear saints is very wrong indeed. Yes we still have a sin nature! A inward inclination to sin. Yes we may always be forgiven and accepted in heaven seated at the right hand of God in Christ Jesus: but we most desperately need deliverance from what we are in Adam, in a conscious way. Focusing on Jesus Christ as the object in faith provides that way.
Our sins are forgiven by the Blood. But God acting by His Holy Spirit is showing us by our guilt and shame our conscience, that we are in great need of a new bolder sanctification awareness: That awareness is in knowledge that the Cross of Christ has procured our deliverance from what we are, by faith in the Revelation of the Word. We are identified in Christ. His death is our Adams death. Freedom is ours, faith has applied this truth. We may experience Christ only in believing it true and that by faith in His Word saying it is so.
There is no spiritual progress however until His identification and our union in it has been made clear by faith. If we do not see clearly Him bearing us on the Cross [leaving the old Adam identification there] we cannot grow in sanctification. Not only have our sins been laid upon Him, but we ourselves have been identified with Him, both as Adam men in His death; and in union with Him as a new creation in heaven now seated at God's right hand.
It is not simply reckoning are exclaiming this as true, but it is in the knowing of our all inclusive inclusion in a divinely reveled fact; His death is ours and for a purpose. So that we might know union, oneness with God! For otherwise faith has no legitimate foundation upon which to rest. When we know of a truth as fact we may act upon it spontaneously. We experience Christ at all times by belief in a factual revelation. We are then becoming experientially identified in Christ. Eph. 1: 17,18.
Now the case is; it is, because I have died....because I see now what God has done with me in Christ. Therefore we now may reckon ourselves to have died unto sin. We are even commanded to reckon, a definite attitude must be taken. When He was on the Cross so was I. I have died unto sin with Him. Knowing this is a question of faith, not in yourself by sense or feeling, but in Him, trusting in His Revelation. We must look at Him as the object, us out of the way, in His replacement of ourselves before the Father. This is identification in Christ lived out.
If we get to this wonderful life experience by faith we have everything if we try coming in ourselves by overcoming works we will find the old man always waiting; Satan's goal accomplished. But when we look to the glorified Jesus Christ as our life with faith in Him as our identification, us in union with His death and new resurrection life, we are actively alive unto God in Christ Jesus. We then may live in effortless grace waiting upon the transfiguration of our bodies. Yes we are the Body we have our role here, but now it is entirely by the Holy Spirit. We may rest!
Saints we all know that justification required no work on our part, but somehow most think sanctification is dependent upon our efforts; know more, study more, pray more; mold ourselves into overcomers by our own effort. We fear if we do nothing nothing will happen; this is the old man at work. Then God's Word comes "it is finished". He has done it all on the Cross, it is only for us to believe! In His Son all is accomplished. Our faith in this revelation of truth makes for Him as our experience forever: then as result of faith all that we are to be for the recovery will be revealed and accomplished by The Holy Spirit in us.
"As we stand steadfastly upon the ground of what Christ is, we find all that is true of Him becomes experientially true of us".
Much of my difficulties stem from the sense of myself. I sin, I feel down, I have anxiety regarding the future, etc. etc. Soon my own concerns loom larger than the identification I have in Christ. Perhaps that is because my identification in Him is not adequate. Might that sound familiar to some reading this?
What we are in Him as to forgiveness is displayed to the Father by His blood shed for our sins, and His death on the Cross to the old Adam man, who we are. This means these two truths originated in Him, but are applied to us and are viewed by God in His Son; we are identified/associated in that view by the Father as He looks upon the Son. Unfortunately many Christians do not know securely or understand this in knowledge or in faith as their identification, and therefore cannot apply it to their life in experience; they view themselves from their own perspective or even perhaps a expectation of others, not God's. Therefore their Christian life is relegated to the interpretation of the old man. That is why much of Christianity is seeking merit with God by works.
For those that do identify with Christ's heavenly life however still many often try to sense it or to feel it's value. When we should be estimating its value based upon how God sees His son revealed in His Word. Why should we ? Because He is sovereign and has said so in that Word, 1Peter 1:18,19. Saints we must remember nothing of God originates from ourselves! That is why the faith path is the only path; all else is the old man. If God says He has accepted His Son's shed blood and death as the price for our redemption, then we can rest assured by faith that it is paid. Therefore our total satisfaction must be in the object of the Son and His identification to us, just as the Fathers is. Only faith in the revealed Word of God supplies this.
It is through the merit of the Son alone we may approach the Father, not anything we may ever do. Our being made alive to the Father must always come from His place, His view, His identification of us, in His Son. It was for the Fathers satisfaction He sacrificed His Son, not ours.
All that we are as to sins and the old man is finished in God's mind and if so our conscience should never be based upon anything we might accomplish ourselves subjectively. But only on the work of Christ and that in God's identification of us in Him as the object. The objectivity of the shed Blood deals with our sins, our justification, but the sin principal must be dealt with by knowing the death of Jesus makes our old man annulled, the sinner himself being finally completely pronounced dead in God's sight.Therefore there is no need to become a overcomer by studies and work or behavior. He has overcome for us. "It is finished". We are in the age of Grace; He is that grace wholly applied to us completely!
After we receive this mighty truth and forgiveness we discover something shocking; we still sin. We still also allow the old man to take the helm in much of our life decisions. So something dear saints is very wrong indeed. Yes we still have a sin nature! A inward inclination to sin. Yes we may always be forgiven and accepted in heaven seated at the right hand of God in Christ Jesus: but we most desperately need deliverance from what we are in Adam, in a conscious way. Focusing on Jesus Christ as the object in faith provides that way.
Our sins are forgiven by the Blood. But God acting by His Holy Spirit is showing us by our guilt and shame our conscience, that we are in great need of a new bolder sanctification awareness: That awareness is in knowledge that the Cross of Christ has procured our deliverance from what we are, by faith in the Revelation of the Word. We are identified in Christ. His death is our Adams death. Freedom is ours, faith has applied this truth. We may experience Christ only in believing it true and that by faith in His Word saying it is so.
There is no spiritual progress however until His identification and our union in it has been made clear by faith. If we do not see clearly Him bearing us on the Cross [leaving the old Adam identification there] we cannot grow in sanctification. Not only have our sins been laid upon Him, but we ourselves have been identified with Him, both as Adam men in His death; and in union with Him as a new creation in heaven now seated at God's right hand.
It is not simply reckoning are exclaiming this as true, but it is in the knowing of our all inclusive inclusion in a divinely reveled fact; His death is ours and for a purpose. So that we might know union, oneness with God! For otherwise faith has no legitimate foundation upon which to rest. When we know of a truth as fact we may act upon it spontaneously. We experience Christ at all times by belief in a factual revelation. We are then becoming experientially identified in Christ. Eph. 1: 17,18.
Now the case is; it is, because I have died....because I see now what God has done with me in Christ. Therefore we now may reckon ourselves to have died unto sin. We are even commanded to reckon, a definite attitude must be taken. When He was on the Cross so was I. I have died unto sin with Him. Knowing this is a question of faith, not in yourself by sense or feeling, but in Him, trusting in His Revelation. We must look at Him as the object, us out of the way, in His replacement of ourselves before the Father. This is identification in Christ lived out.
If we get to this wonderful life experience by faith we have everything if we try coming in ourselves by overcoming works we will find the old man always waiting; Satan's goal accomplished. But when we look to the glorified Jesus Christ as our life with faith in Him as our identification, us in union with His death and new resurrection life, we are actively alive unto God in Christ Jesus. We then may live in effortless grace waiting upon the transfiguration of our bodies. Yes we are the Body we have our role here, but now it is entirely by the Holy Spirit. We may rest!
Saints we all know that justification required no work on our part, but somehow most think sanctification is dependent upon our efforts; know more, study more, pray more; mold ourselves into overcomers by our own effort. We fear if we do nothing nothing will happen; this is the old man at work. Then God's Word comes "it is finished". He has done it all on the Cross, it is only for us to believe! In His Son all is accomplished. Our faith in this revelation of truth makes for Him as our experience forever: then as result of faith all that we are to be for the recovery will be revealed and accomplished by The Holy Spirit in us.
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