Hi everyone. Its been such a long time since I last posted anything. God has spoken some really exciting things and reminded me of some outstanding prophetic words from years back and all the while, has been continuing to reveal the sweetness of His love in the simplicity of the Gospel.
Jesus, continue to reveal your amazing grace to us all, and the reality of your kingdom that is "at hand".
The amazing thing about the Gospel is that the more we see Gods Goodness revealed through his heart of love towards us, the more we realise his heart to do only good to us(Jer 32:40-41). And the more we see that His heart is to do only good to us, the more we receive from Him in faith. We begin to trust Holy Spirit and an expectancy grows to see His kingdom, His glory presence in our midst - on earth as it is in heaven.
An increased revelation of Grace leads to an increased expectancy of His Glory.
Most times, in my experience, those that are most "anti" signs, wonders and miracles, are also "anti" what they call "radical grace".
(I say, if grace isn't radical then its not Biblical.)
The Gospel of the Grace of God that Paul preached wherever he went (Act 20:24), was given to him by revelation directly from Jesus. It's this self same Gospel that deserves the center stage in every facet of Christian life, it is the be all and end all, it is Jesus, the perfect lamb that takes away the sin of the world and exchanges it with Gods righteousness for all who would believe it.
Paul goes on to say in Acts 20:27 after just saying 3 verses earlier that he only preached the Gospel of Gods Grace, that He had not shrunk back from declaring the "whole council of God" to them. That phrase "whole council of God" is not referring to a long list of doctrines and theologies, but rather, "the completed will/purpose of God". All of which is summed up in one word: Redemption.
Its Jesus Christ and Him Crucified, and all who would believe are made righteous by faith apart from works.
Gods plan to re-unite us to His arms was announced 750 years before hand:
Isa 54:14 In righteousness you shall be established;
When we receive His Righteousness as a gift, we become firm and established in our hope. We become stable, secure people, that are not tossed about, but seem to have our foundations on Rock instead of sand. As if, in a world at sea, we have an Anchor that keeps us stable.
It is this Righteousness that guards our hearts against the enemy as our Breastplate of Righteousness (Eph 6). It is this Breastplate of His Righteousness that keeps the soil of our hearts (our understanding) soft and ready to receive more revelation of His Goodness.
This Righteousness is given as a gift by believing the gospel.
If the "gospel" you are believing doesn't make you Righteous (give you perfect right standing before God) as a GIFT, then its NOT the gospel of the New Testament, and it can never cause you to become Established and stable:
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."
But Andrew, "We get saved and then we need to do stuff to maintain our right standing by doing good deeds. Jesus did His part, now we must do ours."
I say...
Col 2:6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, (You received Him "by grace through faith - Eph 2:8)
Col 2:7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
If we fall short in our understanding of "He died for our sins once for all" (the Good News), then we will fall short in our understanding of "The Gift of Righteousness". If we fall short in our understanding of "The Gift of Righteousness", we will live with a perverted view of "Redemption", and If we live with a perverted view of "Redemption", then we will live with a False understanding of Gods LOVE for us, and if this is so, then we can never truly love others with Gods love and will never truly find satisfaction and rest.
His Gift of Righteousness to us gives us access to his lap!! To approach his Throne of Grace, to partake of His divine nature and the Glory of His Kingdom, here on earth.
Mat 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Now, The Kingdom of God is a matter of RIGHTEOUSNESS (His, not yours), PEACE (Because you have right standing) and JOY (Because His presence is now always with you and "in His presence there is fullness of JOY......and He is really happy that we are now ransomed).
Then He says... and "HIS Righteousness"....
In the New Covenant - (post the Cross) - Scripture tells us that as believers are given Gods Righteousness as a gift.
It is only in Gods Righteousness that we can be established - not our own.
As long as we try to keep our "moral ducks" in a row in order to earn Gods favor, we will never attain the stability and consistency that Holy Spirit longs to bring through our lives to the world around.
When we embrace His Righteousness as our own (by faith), then... "all these things will be given to you" because now you deserve them because of your right standing before the Father.
Lets drink deep of the finished work of Jesus, and live boldly in His Love.
God blessed you
Andrew
Showing posts with label Righteousness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Righteousness. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Feasting on the Evidence
Hi guys, i have not written for a while because I simply have not been able to express what Ive been feeling in my heart, and I have not had a chunk of time to sit down and put it all down in writing.
I came across this which is very much in line with the Freedom and love of God that has become something of an inexpressible reality in my heart.
There is just so much more in the realms of tangible love for us.
"As we are now absorbed into a new Kingdom with a new King that reigns in our new hearts, I feel it wise for us to know what this Kingdom consists of. After all, if one never knows, how can one experience its treasures?
The Apostle Paul is genius in communicating this kingdoms ingredients and I feel it necessary to add nothing to His words. Romans 14:17 "[After all] the Kingdom of God is not a matter of [getting the ] food and drink [ one likes ] , but instead it is righteousness [ that state which makes a person acceptable to God] and [heart] peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.-amp. Righteousness, peace and joy, amazingly, are the evidence of the Kingdom of God.
The Great Gospel of imparted righteousness is in continual orbit around this glorious King and His Kingdom; Like the living creatures surrounding the throne continually singing, "Holy, Holy, Holy". All of heaven is enraptured in the ecstasy of His holiness and astonished that this holiness has been graced to us!
This holiness and righteousness is not attained by self-submission and self-obedience. No, this righteousness can only be drunk down as a gift. For no other kind of righteousness can stand before His presence. No other dance floor can hold His Joy and His Glory. Nothing but an unearned, unachieved, glorious gift!
In turn this Happy Message produces in a man such heart filling peace and enamoring joy that he realizes that he need nothing else. This man, that receives such a glorious existence given only by such a glorious God, becomes completely satisfied!
This is the state of Kingdom existence. Ecstatic satisfaction! This is what the Gospel affords and imparts to those who believe.
Many other things are mistaken to be evidence of Kingdom fullness. These are twisted ideas that measure a mans nearness to the Lord by a mans gift of miracles, encounters, ability or works. Such notions that leave room only for self-achievement, self-attainment and eventually lead to self-disappointment. When one gives his heart over to such a system of believing he forgets the very heart of the true Gospel, which is simple childlike faith. Instead of trusting in the ability of God, one finds himself in a place where his efforts are needed to produce the desired result. Whether it be miracles, holiness or any other good thing.
Language, then, also follows suit and what is heard from the mans tongue is no longer the glories of The Gift, but rather a boast in the need to pursue and to press. The song sung to the well of salvation is no longer heard.
The Jews were guilty because they demanded signs and wonders but missed the scandalous Grand Miracle, which was Christ coming to dwell in their hearts. The crime I believe was not the wanting of the miraculous but missing it when it came. The Greeks were equally guilty in their want for wisdom but again they missed Christ, who is the manifold wisdom of God. All of us are guilty of this subtle mesmerizing of the soul, but as subtle as it may be it leads to a polluted and stagnant pool. Surrendering to such ideas build up for ourselves a kingdom made of salt and castles made of sand, which inevitably fall with the changing of the wind.
Religion always wants something additional to simple faith and trust. Of course miracles do come, but they come at the call of faith. Jesus said that the signs would follow those who believe upon the Gospel. Believing upon the joyful message of what Christ has done is all that God really wants.
Let me put forth a simple truth. God does not need our help! This is a simple yet revolutionary truth. He does the miraculous sovereignly and independent of our striving, achieving or lack thereof. Paul in Galatians 3 reminds the bewitched Galatian church that Christ did miraculous and wondrous, supernatural things not according to their law rituals of fasting and self denial, but according to their clinging to and trusting in the message of the Gospel.
Yes, let us desire miracles and the endless, wondrous realms of heaven. But don't forget that heaven is at our hands. Forget not that heaven has invaded our hearts like a king conquering a foreign land needing permission from none. Forget not that Jesus is heaven and that He does not come and go. He abides with us and in us always. He, once and for all, opened heaven for all to taste and to drink their fill.
It's not just the for few who can press in for it. No, it is for all who believe! Don't take your eyes off of the Grand Miracle of a life possessed by God.
Scour the scriptures if you dare and see what you find. But be carful, major foundations of what you believe may be shaken and may even fall to their knees and bow to the Majestic Gospel.
The true evidence of fullness of the Kingdom and its realities is childlike faith being empowered and expressed by love. When this simple truth arrests a mans heart he sets sail on an endless ocean of bliss. The measuring rod of comparison is tossed overboard. The storms of un-fulfillment and disappointment disintegrate into nothing. No longer let down by the lack of seeing the miraculous, he is absorbed in a gaze at THE Miracle. Heaven is the wind in his sails and signs and wonders ripple endlessly behind. This man sings the melody of faith endlessly and joyously, like a drunken sailor singing after having too much rum. This is the true evidence of the realities of the Kingdom.
Let this be your song, let it drip from your lips like sticky honey dripping from the comb. Let all who hear it taste its sweetness and be addicted to its effects upon their soul."
Guys, how simple is this!!
Oh God, reveal the hugeness of your love for us, to us that we could represent this reality to others!!!
God Blessed you
Andrew
I came across this which is very much in line with the Freedom and love of God that has become something of an inexpressible reality in my heart.
There is just so much more in the realms of tangible love for us.
"As we are now absorbed into a new Kingdom with a new King that reigns in our new hearts, I feel it wise for us to know what this Kingdom consists of. After all, if one never knows, how can one experience its treasures?
The Apostle Paul is genius in communicating this kingdoms ingredients and I feel it necessary to add nothing to His words. Romans 14:17 "[After all] the Kingdom of God is not a matter of [getting the ] food and drink [ one likes ] , but instead it is righteousness [ that state which makes a person acceptable to God] and [heart] peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.-amp. Righteousness, peace and joy, amazingly, are the evidence of the Kingdom of God.
The Great Gospel of imparted righteousness is in continual orbit around this glorious King and His Kingdom; Like the living creatures surrounding the throne continually singing, "Holy, Holy, Holy". All of heaven is enraptured in the ecstasy of His holiness and astonished that this holiness has been graced to us!
This holiness and righteousness is not attained by self-submission and self-obedience. No, this righteousness can only be drunk down as a gift. For no other kind of righteousness can stand before His presence. No other dance floor can hold His Joy and His Glory. Nothing but an unearned, unachieved, glorious gift!
In turn this Happy Message produces in a man such heart filling peace and enamoring joy that he realizes that he need nothing else. This man, that receives such a glorious existence given only by such a glorious God, becomes completely satisfied!
This is the state of Kingdom existence. Ecstatic satisfaction! This is what the Gospel affords and imparts to those who believe.
Many other things are mistaken to be evidence of Kingdom fullness. These are twisted ideas that measure a mans nearness to the Lord by a mans gift of miracles, encounters, ability or works. Such notions that leave room only for self-achievement, self-attainment and eventually lead to self-disappointment. When one gives his heart over to such a system of believing he forgets the very heart of the true Gospel, which is simple childlike faith. Instead of trusting in the ability of God, one finds himself in a place where his efforts are needed to produce the desired result. Whether it be miracles, holiness or any other good thing.
Language, then, also follows suit and what is heard from the mans tongue is no longer the glories of The Gift, but rather a boast in the need to pursue and to press. The song sung to the well of salvation is no longer heard.
The Jews were guilty because they demanded signs and wonders but missed the scandalous Grand Miracle, which was Christ coming to dwell in their hearts. The crime I believe was not the wanting of the miraculous but missing it when it came. The Greeks were equally guilty in their want for wisdom but again they missed Christ, who is the manifold wisdom of God. All of us are guilty of this subtle mesmerizing of the soul, but as subtle as it may be it leads to a polluted and stagnant pool. Surrendering to such ideas build up for ourselves a kingdom made of salt and castles made of sand, which inevitably fall with the changing of the wind.
Religion always wants something additional to simple faith and trust. Of course miracles do come, but they come at the call of faith. Jesus said that the signs would follow those who believe upon the Gospel. Believing upon the joyful message of what Christ has done is all that God really wants.
Let me put forth a simple truth. God does not need our help! This is a simple yet revolutionary truth. He does the miraculous sovereignly and independent of our striving, achieving or lack thereof. Paul in Galatians 3 reminds the bewitched Galatian church that Christ did miraculous and wondrous, supernatural things not according to their law rituals of fasting and self denial, but according to their clinging to and trusting in the message of the Gospel.
Yes, let us desire miracles and the endless, wondrous realms of heaven. But don't forget that heaven is at our hands. Forget not that heaven has invaded our hearts like a king conquering a foreign land needing permission from none. Forget not that Jesus is heaven and that He does not come and go. He abides with us and in us always. He, once and for all, opened heaven for all to taste and to drink their fill.
It's not just the for few who can press in for it. No, it is for all who believe! Don't take your eyes off of the Grand Miracle of a life possessed by God.
Scour the scriptures if you dare and see what you find. But be carful, major foundations of what you believe may be shaken and may even fall to their knees and bow to the Majestic Gospel.
The true evidence of fullness of the Kingdom and its realities is childlike faith being empowered and expressed by love. When this simple truth arrests a mans heart he sets sail on an endless ocean of bliss. The measuring rod of comparison is tossed overboard. The storms of un-fulfillment and disappointment disintegrate into nothing. No longer let down by the lack of seeing the miraculous, he is absorbed in a gaze at THE Miracle. Heaven is the wind in his sails and signs and wonders ripple endlessly behind. This man sings the melody of faith endlessly and joyously, like a drunken sailor singing after having too much rum. This is the true evidence of the realities of the Kingdom.
Let this be your song, let it drip from your lips like sticky honey dripping from the comb. Let all who hear it taste its sweetness and be addicted to its effects upon their soul."
Guys, how simple is this!!
Oh God, reveal the hugeness of your love for us, to us that we could represent this reality to others!!!
God Blessed you
Andrew
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Revelation VS Obligation
Many teachings invading the bride of Christ today are based on out-of-context scriptures that seem to command believers to do certain things or live in a certain way, or make the believer responsible "to keep" their own salvation. This is the exact same issue that Paul aggressively wrote against in many of his letters.
Your ability to respond to the Gospel must only based on your revelation of what Jesus satisfied on the cross. Without a personal Revelation of the “Good News” revealed through “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified”, your “ability to respond” will only be man-empowered and therefore, doomed to end in failure.
If this Radical Gospel of Grace is not Clearly understood, the results will be no deferent from dead religion:
Satan says, “Yes, you’re under grace… but if you sin, you give me permission to come in and mess up your life”….. Friends, If we believe that, then we have just made Jesus death of no value to us.
If the message you are hearing has Fear attached to it – you have either misunderstood the message or you have understood the WRONG message because the Gospel has got NO fear attached to it. (1 john)
God is pleased with you because HE is pleased with JESUS
All of your faithless actions – which is sin (Rom 14), Has been declared, “paid for!” and “atoned for” ALL our disobedience – past, present, and future has been SWALLOWED up in the OBEDIANCE of JESUS on the cross.
Our understanding the Gospel is the sole Key for you to be Who God made YOU to be.
1Co 15:56 The “sting of death” is sin; (The thing that leads to DEATH is sin….. its like a deadly scorpion sting. That’s a "sting of death". There is nothing you can do in your own strength to stop it, working its poison.
The “sting of death” is sin; ("sin" here, is a Noun. It is our position in First Adam)
and the power of sin is the law:
The Law is what empowers sin - DO’s and DONT’s to attain Gods blessing.
You may say, but I’m not trying to be justified by the 10 commandments or the Old Testament LAW.
But If you believe:
That you need to have a QT to stay in Gods favor – you are under the LAW.
You have to be here today (in a Sunday meeting)to keep God Happy with you, you are UNDER the LAW
You have to pray for the sick to keep Gods favor on you, you are UNDER the LAW.
You have to share your Faith to Keep Gods favor – you are under the LAW.
Now, These things are all good, when they are out of a place of Holy Spirit given REVELATION!
The scorpion was disarmed at the cross because the LAW was fulfilled by Jesus on behalf of mankind.
The power of that poisonous "sin-sting" was made null and void. However, SATAN STILL ILLEGALLY tells those still laboring under Law OBLIGATIONS, that it’s really sore, and paralyzes them with CONDEMNATION.
“If you are Laboring under OBLIGATION instead of REVELATION, you will end up under CONDEMNATION because you will always fail in your own efforts.”
The Law will empower your failure (Under Obligation)….. To show you your need to walk in what Jesus has already done on your behalf (Gal 2:24)
If your Christian walk is more “HAVE TO” than “GET TO” then you have not yet fully understood the GOSPEL of Gods Grace. The Solution of FINDING rest is not to try harder in your own efforts, but to keep feeding on his Grace so that this REVELATION gets deep inside us.
This knowledge of His Goodness will allow you to receive and encounter Holy Spirit like never before. We wont be offended by Him, because we now know His NATURE. HE IS GOOD, and Only Good… ALL the time
Rom 10:4 "Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness for all who believe.
(there is no more righteousness to be attained via the LAW. CHRIST Ended it and has become “OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS”
God always intended for you to live in victory over sin. His Grace (undeserved, unmerited favor)was given to empower us to walk in victory.
Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under law, but under grace.
The only reason sin will dominate our life is because we don’t know the truth about GRACE and are still living under the Law. Not the other way around….. Grace does not stir up sin.
The Law stirs up sin.
This Gospel, which is the Good news about Gods Grace was the sole subject of Paul's preaching, and nothing else. When we read his letters to churches, we MUST be sure to know the historic context into which he is writing. That, in most cases, he had already spent time sharing the truths about the Gospel of "Jesus Christ and Him Crucified" with them - A Gospel, that it seems, so many have no idea of. This is not spoken as an accusation, but rather as an observation - (including me up till a short while ago!!).
Our "job" as believers, is to believe the finished work of Jesus. The rest (works of Faith) will flow out of a REVELATION (not obligation) to this truth.
God wants you to be true to your own personal revelation of Him, not somebody else's. Be free to be you.
God blessed you!!
Andrew
Your ability to respond to the Gospel must only based on your revelation of what Jesus satisfied on the cross. Without a personal Revelation of the “Good News” revealed through “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified”, your “ability to respond” will only be man-empowered and therefore, doomed to end in failure.
If this Radical Gospel of Grace is not Clearly understood, the results will be no deferent from dead religion:
Satan says, “Yes, you’re under grace… but if you sin, you give me permission to come in and mess up your life”….. Friends, If we believe that, then we have just made Jesus death of no value to us.
If the message you are hearing has Fear attached to it – you have either misunderstood the message or you have understood the WRONG message because the Gospel has got NO fear attached to it. (1 john)
God is pleased with you because HE is pleased with JESUS
All of your faithless actions – which is sin (Rom 14), Has been declared, “paid for!” and “atoned for” ALL our disobedience – past, present, and future has been SWALLOWED up in the OBEDIANCE of JESUS on the cross.
Our understanding the Gospel is the sole Key for you to be Who God made YOU to be.
1Co 15:56 The “sting of death” is sin; (The thing that leads to DEATH is sin….. its like a deadly scorpion sting. That’s a "sting of death". There is nothing you can do in your own strength to stop it, working its poison.
The “sting of death” is sin; ("sin" here, is a Noun. It is our position in First Adam)
and the power of sin is the law:
The Law is what empowers sin - DO’s and DONT’s to attain Gods blessing.
You may say, but I’m not trying to be justified by the 10 commandments or the Old Testament LAW.
But If you believe:
That you need to have a QT to stay in Gods favor – you are under the LAW.
You have to be here today (in a Sunday meeting)to keep God Happy with you, you are UNDER the LAW
You have to pray for the sick to keep Gods favor on you, you are UNDER the LAW.
You have to share your Faith to Keep Gods favor – you are under the LAW.
Now, These things are all good, when they are out of a place of Holy Spirit given REVELATION!
The scorpion was disarmed at the cross because the LAW was fulfilled by Jesus on behalf of mankind.
The power of that poisonous "sin-sting" was made null and void. However, SATAN STILL ILLEGALLY tells those still laboring under Law OBLIGATIONS, that it’s really sore, and paralyzes them with CONDEMNATION.
“If you are Laboring under OBLIGATION instead of REVELATION, you will end up under CONDEMNATION because you will always fail in your own efforts.”
The Law will empower your failure (Under Obligation)….. To show you your need to walk in what Jesus has already done on your behalf (Gal 2:24)
If your Christian walk is more “HAVE TO” than “GET TO” then you have not yet fully understood the GOSPEL of Gods Grace. The Solution of FINDING rest is not to try harder in your own efforts, but to keep feeding on his Grace so that this REVELATION gets deep inside us.
This knowledge of His Goodness will allow you to receive and encounter Holy Spirit like never before. We wont be offended by Him, because we now know His NATURE. HE IS GOOD, and Only Good… ALL the time
Rom 10:4 "Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness for all who believe.
(there is no more righteousness to be attained via the LAW. CHRIST Ended it and has become “OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS”
God always intended for you to live in victory over sin. His Grace (undeserved, unmerited favor)was given to empower us to walk in victory.
Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under law, but under grace.
The only reason sin will dominate our life is because we don’t know the truth about GRACE and are still living under the Law. Not the other way around….. Grace does not stir up sin.
The Law stirs up sin.
This Gospel, which is the Good news about Gods Grace was the sole subject of Paul's preaching, and nothing else. When we read his letters to churches, we MUST be sure to know the historic context into which he is writing. That, in most cases, he had already spent time sharing the truths about the Gospel of "Jesus Christ and Him Crucified" with them - A Gospel, that it seems, so many have no idea of. This is not spoken as an accusation, but rather as an observation - (including me up till a short while ago!!).
Our "job" as believers, is to believe the finished work of Jesus. The rest (works of Faith) will flow out of a REVELATION (not obligation) to this truth.
God wants you to be true to your own personal revelation of Him, not somebody else's. Be free to be you.
God blessed you!!
Andrew
Monday, January 4, 2010
Jesus’ Blood Keeps On Cleansing You
Heres a thought: God would be Unjust, and Unrighteous to call believers Righteous IF He was still holding sin to their account.
Yet so often Believers are rather believing the devil when he accuses us and reminds us of things we have done wrong. We often take note of his accusations quicker than we remember what God said about us..... and its only Gods call that really counts!!
God said that if you believe the Good News about Jesus taking your place at Calvery, you will be saved. And if you are saved, then you inherit as your own, the very self same Righteousness of GOD as your own forever!! (2 Cor 5:21).
It really is NOT "being humble" to GROVEL before God as a "sinner" after He has DECLARED you to be RIGHTEOUS. This is not "humility", that is actually PRIDE, because you are saying that you know better than God. (Of course, when we do this, it doesnt stop us from still maintaining our perfect righteousness, but it does stop us from walking in the blessings and freedom of it).
1 John 1:7
7But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
"During the day, the devil may whisper in your head, “You cannot go into God’s presence because you have not been reading your Bible and serving in church.” Or he will tell you that it is because of the sin which you have just committed.
The devil will always make you feel that you are not qualified or clean enough to go near God. But the truth is, regardless of how you feel and what you have done, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.
In the original Greek text, the tense for the word “cleanses” denotes a present continuous action. This means that once you are a believer, the blood of Jesus Christ keeps on cleansing you from every sin!
So you can rest knowing that you are always forgiven in this continuous “wash cycle” of Jesus’ blood. Because you are continually cleansed, you are always in the light. Of course, you will fail here and there, but you are still in the light because the blood is continuously washing you!
The Bible says that we overcome the devil, the accuser of our brethren, by the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 12:11) If you have sinned, remind yourself that Jesus’ blood keeps on cleansing you from every sin — 24 hours a day, seven days a week — and move on with God! The devil cannot defeat you when your faith is in the blood that cleanses you continuously.
Some Christians are guilt-ridden because their consciousness of their sins condemns them. Although Jesus’ blood continuously cleanses them, they would rather hold on to their past mistakes and feel bad about them, thinking that they are being humble and holy when they do this. But this is nothing more than self-righteousness.
My friend, the eternal blood of Jesus Christ offers you eternal redemption and everlasting righteousness. Accept the payment of His blood as the final, perfect and only sacrifice you will ever need!"
(PS, some may point out that the text says "If we walk in the light...". If you are saved, you are in the light. check: http://thesoundofreign.blogspot.com/2009/12/walking-in-light_01.html
God Blessed You
Andrew
Yet so often Believers are rather believing the devil when he accuses us and reminds us of things we have done wrong. We often take note of his accusations quicker than we remember what God said about us..... and its only Gods call that really counts!!
God said that if you believe the Good News about Jesus taking your place at Calvery, you will be saved. And if you are saved, then you inherit as your own, the very self same Righteousness of GOD as your own forever!! (2 Cor 5:21).
It really is NOT "being humble" to GROVEL before God as a "sinner" after He has DECLARED you to be RIGHTEOUS. This is not "humility", that is actually PRIDE, because you are saying that you know better than God. (Of course, when we do this, it doesnt stop us from still maintaining our perfect righteousness, but it does stop us from walking in the blessings and freedom of it).
1 John 1:7
7But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
"During the day, the devil may whisper in your head, “You cannot go into God’s presence because you have not been reading your Bible and serving in church.” Or he will tell you that it is because of the sin which you have just committed.
The devil will always make you feel that you are not qualified or clean enough to go near God. But the truth is, regardless of how you feel and what you have done, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.
In the original Greek text, the tense for the word “cleanses” denotes a present continuous action. This means that once you are a believer, the blood of Jesus Christ keeps on cleansing you from every sin!
So you can rest knowing that you are always forgiven in this continuous “wash cycle” of Jesus’ blood. Because you are continually cleansed, you are always in the light. Of course, you will fail here and there, but you are still in the light because the blood is continuously washing you!
The Bible says that we overcome the devil, the accuser of our brethren, by the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 12:11) If you have sinned, remind yourself that Jesus’ blood keeps on cleansing you from every sin — 24 hours a day, seven days a week — and move on with God! The devil cannot defeat you when your faith is in the blood that cleanses you continuously.
Some Christians are guilt-ridden because their consciousness of their sins condemns them. Although Jesus’ blood continuously cleanses them, they would rather hold on to their past mistakes and feel bad about them, thinking that they are being humble and holy when they do this. But this is nothing more than self-righteousness.
My friend, the eternal blood of Jesus Christ offers you eternal redemption and everlasting righteousness. Accept the payment of His blood as the final, perfect and only sacrifice you will ever need!"
(PS, some may point out that the text says "If we walk in the light...". If you are saved, you are in the light. check: http://thesoundofreign.blogspot.com/2009/12/walking-in-light_01.html
God Blessed You
Andrew
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Keep the Gospel Simple!!
You could call this part 2 of my "Lordship Salvation" post.
"Acts 15:1, “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”
The Bible says that “certain men” came down from Judaea who taught false doctrine to the brethren, perverting the Gospel message. They taught that a person who is not circumcised and fails to keep the Law cannot be saved. This greatly troubled the brethren, who had been previously taught by the Apostle Paul that salvation was wholly of God's grace and not of works.
The Bible tells us in Romans 4:5,6,
"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works."
Carefully notice the words "to him that worketh not." Salvation is without works of self-righteousness. This cannot be overstated. Also notice the words "unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works." We are saved by Christ's righteousness, and not our own efforts. It's not what we do that saves us, but what Jesus did.
The Word of God teaches that if the sinner recognizes his sinnership—acknowledging that he is guilty of being as vile as God's Word has declared him to be—and that person believes on the Lord Jesus Christ to be forgiven—he will be saved. Acts 10:43, "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." We don't forsake a sinful life as a prerequisite to be saved; rather, we trust upon the Lord to forgive our sins and then he makes the necessary changes in our life.
There is no greater truth in the universe than the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are the sinners and Jesus is the Savior. Eternal life is a free gift (Romans 5:15,6:23). Salvation is receiving, not giving. It's not what you're doing that gets you to Heaven, it's where you're looking. Isaiah 45:22, "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else." This is the simplicity and power of the Gospel."
“The Gospel is not a call to repentance, or to amendment of our ways, to make restitution for past sins, or to promise to do better in the future. These things are proper in their place, but they do not constitute the Gospel; for the Gospel is not good advice to be obeyed, it is good news to be believed. Do not make the mistake then of thinking that the Gospel is a call to duty or a call to reformation, a call to better your condition, to behave yourself in a more perfect way than you have been doing in the past …
Nor is the Gospel a demand that you give up the world, that you give up your sins, that you break off bad habits, and try to cultivate good ones. You may do all these things, and yet never believe the Gospel and consequently never be saved at all.”
A Quote by Harry Ironside (1876-1951)
The Words of that great old Hymn are so true:
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus
look full in His wonderfull face
and the things of this world will grow strangely dim
in the light of His Glory (Goodness) and Grace"
Many teachers/preachers will insist on preaching a "self examination" message, but that, simply, is NOT the Gospel, and it's NOT the way to overcome "sin cycles".
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus" is the way to overcome the things of this world. The Bible says that our FAITH is the victory that overcomes the World. Have Faith in the Gospel that Jesus has done it all already on your behalf in terms of your rightstanding before the Father - and all because He Loves us so much.
God wants us to be Jesus concious and NOT sin concious! (Heb 10)
Perhaps more of this in another post.
Remember, God Already Blessed you!!
Andrew
"Acts 15:1, “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”
The Bible says that “certain men” came down from Judaea who taught false doctrine to the brethren, perverting the Gospel message. They taught that a person who is not circumcised and fails to keep the Law cannot be saved. This greatly troubled the brethren, who had been previously taught by the Apostle Paul that salvation was wholly of God's grace and not of works.
The Bible tells us in Romans 4:5,6,
"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works."
Carefully notice the words "to him that worketh not." Salvation is without works of self-righteousness. This cannot be overstated. Also notice the words "unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works." We are saved by Christ's righteousness, and not our own efforts. It's not what we do that saves us, but what Jesus did.
The Word of God teaches that if the sinner recognizes his sinnership—acknowledging that he is guilty of being as vile as God's Word has declared him to be—and that person believes on the Lord Jesus Christ to be forgiven—he will be saved. Acts 10:43, "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." We don't forsake a sinful life as a prerequisite to be saved; rather, we trust upon the Lord to forgive our sins and then he makes the necessary changes in our life.
There is no greater truth in the universe than the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are the sinners and Jesus is the Savior. Eternal life is a free gift (Romans 5:15,6:23). Salvation is receiving, not giving. It's not what you're doing that gets you to Heaven, it's where you're looking. Isaiah 45:22, "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else." This is the simplicity and power of the Gospel."
“The Gospel is not a call to repentance, or to amendment of our ways, to make restitution for past sins, or to promise to do better in the future. These things are proper in their place, but they do not constitute the Gospel; for the Gospel is not good advice to be obeyed, it is good news to be believed. Do not make the mistake then of thinking that the Gospel is a call to duty or a call to reformation, a call to better your condition, to behave yourself in a more perfect way than you have been doing in the past …
Nor is the Gospel a demand that you give up the world, that you give up your sins, that you break off bad habits, and try to cultivate good ones. You may do all these things, and yet never believe the Gospel and consequently never be saved at all.”
A Quote by Harry Ironside (1876-1951)
The Words of that great old Hymn are so true:
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus
look full in His wonderfull face
and the things of this world will grow strangely dim
in the light of His Glory (Goodness) and Grace"
Many teachers/preachers will insist on preaching a "self examination" message, but that, simply, is NOT the Gospel, and it's NOT the way to overcome "sin cycles".
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus" is the way to overcome the things of this world. The Bible says that our FAITH is the victory that overcomes the World. Have Faith in the Gospel that Jesus has done it all already on your behalf in terms of your rightstanding before the Father - and all because He Loves us so much.
God wants us to be Jesus concious and NOT sin concious! (Heb 10)
Perhaps more of this in another post.
Remember, God Already Blessed you!!
Andrew
Are We Literally Righteous Or Positionally Righteous?
How true. Many believers these days accept we are Righteous because the Bible tells us so: "we are the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus", and then comes the BIG..... "BUT" in the actual outworking whereby many still believe that "yes we are righteous, BUT not really......we still have to maintain that righteousness in order to keep it.
There are No big "Buts" in Gods economy.... God's "yes" is "Yes"!
By Steve McVey
"For years I couldn’t reconcile what I saw taught in the Bible. I read verses that clearly say we are righteous (Romans 5:17, Ephesians 4:24, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, etc.), but struggled with my own inconsistent behavior. So I took this aspect of truth to be only a positional truth. My argument went like this: “We aren’t literally righteous. God only sees us that way. Our position is one of righteousness, but our condition is that we are unrighteous.”
Let’s dissect that argument for a moment. We’ll get rid of the glaring error first — the idea that God only sees us as righteous. Exactly what could this mean? Would one suggest that God sees something that isn’t really there? It reminds me of the arrogant professor who saw the unlearned custodian reading his Bible and sneered, “Do you believe that book as it is?” Without hesitation, the custodian replied, “Do you believe it as it ain’t?” That’s a good question for this matter. Does God see something as it is or as it ain’t?
When we consider the argument that the righteousness of the Christian is positional, but not literal we must be intellectually honest. Romans 5:19 corrects the error of believing that we are only positionally righteous.
For as through the one man’s disobedience, the many were made sinners,even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.
This verse very simply presents the truth of our present righteousness in Christ. Paul reminds us that in Adam we were made to be sinners. In the same way, he says, we are now made righteous in Christ. According to principles of biblical hermeneutics, we must be consistent in interpreting scripture. If the last half of this verse means that we are only positionally righteous in Christ, then the first part of the verse must be interpreted to say that we were only positionally sinners in Adam. Were we literally a sinner in Adam or was it only positional? If we were literally sinners then, we are literally righteous now.
Some say that the verse teaches that we will be made righteous when we get to heaven. Does that mean that a person doesn’t become a sinner until he gets to hell? We were sinners for one simple reason — we were in Adam. Now are righteous because we have been placed into Christ.
Let’s don’t resist the truth! God says we are righteous because we are in Christ. It is a literal truth. That doesn’t mean we always act that way. How we act and who we are may not always coincide. Sometimes I act like a child even though I was born in 1954. Identity isn’t determined by our behavior, but by our birth. Occasionally my wife, Melanie, has even called me a big baby. But I know it’s not true! I have my birth certificate to prove it!"
Gos Blessed you!!
Andrew
There are No big "Buts" in Gods economy.... God's "yes" is "Yes"!
By Steve McVey
"For years I couldn’t reconcile what I saw taught in the Bible. I read verses that clearly say we are righteous (Romans 5:17, Ephesians 4:24, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, etc.), but struggled with my own inconsistent behavior. So I took this aspect of truth to be only a positional truth. My argument went like this: “We aren’t literally righteous. God only sees us that way. Our position is one of righteousness, but our condition is that we are unrighteous.”
Let’s dissect that argument for a moment. We’ll get rid of the glaring error first — the idea that God only sees us as righteous. Exactly what could this mean? Would one suggest that God sees something that isn’t really there? It reminds me of the arrogant professor who saw the unlearned custodian reading his Bible and sneered, “Do you believe that book as it is?” Without hesitation, the custodian replied, “Do you believe it as it ain’t?” That’s a good question for this matter. Does God see something as it is or as it ain’t?
When we consider the argument that the righteousness of the Christian is positional, but not literal we must be intellectually honest. Romans 5:19 corrects the error of believing that we are only positionally righteous.
For as through the one man’s disobedience, the many were made sinners,even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.
This verse very simply presents the truth of our present righteousness in Christ. Paul reminds us that in Adam we were made to be sinners. In the same way, he says, we are now made righteous in Christ. According to principles of biblical hermeneutics, we must be consistent in interpreting scripture. If the last half of this verse means that we are only positionally righteous in Christ, then the first part of the verse must be interpreted to say that we were only positionally sinners in Adam. Were we literally a sinner in Adam or was it only positional? If we were literally sinners then, we are literally righteous now.
Some say that the verse teaches that we will be made righteous when we get to heaven. Does that mean that a person doesn’t become a sinner until he gets to hell? We were sinners for one simple reason — we were in Adam. Now are righteous because we have been placed into Christ.
Let’s don’t resist the truth! God says we are righteous because we are in Christ. It is a literal truth. That doesn’t mean we always act that way. How we act and who we are may not always coincide. Sometimes I act like a child even though I was born in 1954. Identity isn’t determined by our behavior, but by our birth. Occasionally my wife, Melanie, has even called me a big baby. But I know it’s not true! I have my birth certificate to prove it!"
Gos Blessed you!!
Andrew
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Ministers of Righteousness...... self righteousness!!
Much preaching and teaching happening today around the world has to do with ministers getting listeners to "live right" in order to recieve Gods blessing, and "live right" in order to avoid Gods jugement. This is contrary to the Good News of the Gospel which says that we are "made right" by simply believing the gospel.
The effortless glory in of believing the Gospel is that Right Believing = Right living.
When we get revelation of this amazing truth of what was accomplished by God through Jesus on the cross, we will automatically/accidentally begin to live right and overcome the things that we previously struggled with.
Whatever we give our attention to, to that will our hearts become receptive towards. If we give our attention to God and His Word, we will renew our minds to the exesting reality of who we are in Christ: A new creature, the righteousness of God, a co-heir with Jesus, a son.....
So, the more we focus on the Goodness of God, the more God concious we become.
On the other hand, when we incesantly focus on our shortfalls and sin issues, our hearts loose focus on God. This is the reason why preaching that focuses on behavioural modification instead of on the finished work of Jesus that earned for us as a free Gift, Gods righteousness for all who believe, is actually anti the Gospel.
Some would say that that is too harsh, well this is what Paul had to say:
2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Here Paul says that there are ministers (even apostles), who, just as Satan appears as an angle of light - not TRUE light! - they too, are ministers that are preaching righteousness!! But its not a true righteousness. Its a self righteousness.
Outwardly, these ministers appear "holy" and are preaching a message that says "live Right", but that is NOT the Gospel! The Gospel has not: "live right" as its primary focus, it has: "Believe right" at its centre. Thats Grace!
If our righteousness had to do with our right living then it is no longer by Grace, its by self effort.
Salvation is a free Gift for all who believe. Paul ends that off by saying that their end will be according to their works!
Now, a good question to ask is, would we want our end to be according to our own works, or rather according to Jesus' work on our behalf.....
We'll take Jesus any day, right? Then lets be keenly aware to avoid a "gospel" of false righteousness that appears good but doesnt have Jesus at the centre.
For God so Loved the world...... When we realise that God loved us First, before we ever became aware of Him, then we'll see that all our own efforts to please God by living right are meaningless.
Stay focussed on the Gospel and our behaviour will soon follow suit - trust God!
God Blessed you!!
The effortless glory in of believing the Gospel is that Right Believing = Right living.
When we get revelation of this amazing truth of what was accomplished by God through Jesus on the cross, we will automatically/accidentally begin to live right and overcome the things that we previously struggled with.
Whatever we give our attention to, to that will our hearts become receptive towards. If we give our attention to God and His Word, we will renew our minds to the exesting reality of who we are in Christ: A new creature, the righteousness of God, a co-heir with Jesus, a son.....
So, the more we focus on the Goodness of God, the more God concious we become.
On the other hand, when we incesantly focus on our shortfalls and sin issues, our hearts loose focus on God. This is the reason why preaching that focuses on behavioural modification instead of on the finished work of Jesus that earned for us as a free Gift, Gods righteousness for all who believe, is actually anti the Gospel.
Some would say that that is too harsh, well this is what Paul had to say:
2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Here Paul says that there are ministers (even apostles), who, just as Satan appears as an angle of light - not TRUE light! - they too, are ministers that are preaching righteousness!! But its not a true righteousness. Its a self righteousness.
Outwardly, these ministers appear "holy" and are preaching a message that says "live Right", but that is NOT the Gospel! The Gospel has not: "live right" as its primary focus, it has: "Believe right" at its centre. Thats Grace!
If our righteousness had to do with our right living then it is no longer by Grace, its by self effort.
Salvation is a free Gift for all who believe. Paul ends that off by saying that their end will be according to their works!
Now, a good question to ask is, would we want our end to be according to our own works, or rather according to Jesus' work on our behalf.....
We'll take Jesus any day, right? Then lets be keenly aware to avoid a "gospel" of false righteousness that appears good but doesnt have Jesus at the centre.
For God so Loved the world...... When we realise that God loved us First, before we ever became aware of Him, then we'll see that all our own efforts to please God by living right are meaningless.
Stay focussed on the Gospel and our behaviour will soon follow suit - trust God!
God Blessed you!!
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