He Has Set Us Free

What does it mean to be free? What are we free from? Well, freedom comes in various forms. From a worlds perspective, freedom is the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Constitutionally, the people of the United States may boast in this definition of freedom. However, is this true freedom? Only in minor respects. Biblically speaking, freedom is the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved to anyone or anything. Although, the United States has more constitutional freedoms than any other country on the earth, these very freedoms are being eroded by the one who imprisons and enslaves many of the people of the earth as well as many American, that is, Satan.

The Bible describes man as the only thing in all creation that was created in the image and likeness of God the Creator. Not only was man created in God's image and likeness, but God gave him dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. (Genesis 1:26) King David tells us, "You (God) have crowned him (man) with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands." (Psalm 8:5-6) In other words, man was (is) God's crown jewel above all else created, even angels. The freedom that man lived in, in the Garden of Eden, was a complete freedom. He had no bounds, no limitations at all. But we know what happened. Satan caused the woman to reason, doubt, that maybe God was holding information from her, so she fell prey to his seduction. The fact was (is) she was already like God. In turn, Adam, the federal representative of mankind chose the woman over obedience to God and forfeited all, which included himself and all future mankind. Now, mankind had become imprisoned, enslaved, under Satan's dominion.

Man was now lost, spiritually dead and unable to fellowship with God. However, God in His great love in which He loved man, did the most amazing, astonishing, stupendous thing that ever happened in the history of mankind, He became a man. (John 1:1, 14) "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son..." (Galatians 4:4) God in His providence had now brought redemption to mankind. In the midst of mankind's condition of despondency, failure, rebellion and hopelessness, there came relief. Only God knew what man's need demanded, and only God could meet that demand. It was the Incarnation.

Man throughout the ages has hungered instinctively for three things. He has desired fellowship with God; he has desired to possess the life of God, eternal life; and he has desired the strength, and ability of God. Every ancient human religion has tried to answer this cry.  Even today, mankind still hungers for the same. All of the knowledge that our educational institutions of learning have provided has not eliminated from man's spirit this hunger. Every modern human religion tries to answer this hunger. It is not only the educated who seek to fill this hunger, but every level of humanity, in every society. It has been the same for every man from the time man died spiritually, through the present day, he has hungered for union with Deity. 

It has been our tendency, when thinking of Christ's coming to earth as a man, to dwell upon His self-denial, His sufferings, in coming to earth from Glory. Yet, as we know Him better, we believe that it was a joy to Him (Hebrews 12:2) who so loved man (John 3:16) and so desired man's fellowship, (1 John 1:3) to dwell on earth among men that He might give to man, who had never known his Creator, a true conception of Him. (John 14:1-11) How clearly Christ realized and appreciated this phase of His mission. The Apostle John said of Him, "No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. (John 1:18) How different was His life from the lives of the greatest philosophers and religious teachers before Him. They had come as seekers of the truth. He came as the revelation of the Truth (John 14:6).

Unlike fallen man, Satan had no dominion over Christ, because Christ was not spiritually dead. He walked in oneness with the Father. Although full human, His body was not mortal, that is, death doomed. He possessed a perfect eternal human body, the kind of a body that Adam had before the fall where Adam died spiritually, that is, became death doomed. Therefore, as Jesus walked this earth His body was not subjected to death. It was impossible for man to have taken the life of Christ before His time had come. (John 10:18) He walked this earth free from Satan's dominion. As He walked the earth, He revealed the Father to man which is seen in His preaching, teaching and delivering them from the bondage of Satan. (Acts 10:38) Jesus said, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) In the life of Jesus, as He lived utterly free, rich and full on earth, we see revealed, the life that the Father had planned for man from the beginning.

Now comes redemption, freedom, through faith in Christ. There are two sides to redemption, the legal and the vital. The legal side is what Father did for us in Christ and the vital side is what the Holy Spirit does in us in Christ. As all mankind were partakers of Adam's death, bondage, judgment and all that spiritual death made him, now God has redeemed man completely from every result of Adam's treason through the identification of humanity with His Son. This is the message that comes to us by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul as recorded in Romans 5:12-21. It reveals, that if the lordship of Satan over humanity was due to the identification of humanity with Adam in his crime of treason, then it is also legally possible for the works of Satan to be destroyed by the identification of humanity with the Son of God, the second Adam. (1 Corinthians 15:45)

The Apostle Paul tells us, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21) Jesus not only bore our sins, but our sin nature itself was laid upon Him, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Christ suffered until God could justify the human race. (Romans 4:25) In the mind of God, it was not Christ who hung on the cross, but the entire human race. So each one of us may say with Paul, "I was crucified with Christ" (Galatians 2:20).

Jesus legally put all things under His feet (that is, under His Body, the church) in His resurrection. (Ephesians 1:22-23) We believers, are seated with Him in heavenly places. (Ephesians 2:6) In this position, that of triumph, in His Name every enemy of ours is under our feet that we might reign as kings in this life with Him. (Romans 5:17) Christ has destroyed the work of Satan (Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8) and now those who confess Jesus as Lord and take Him as Savior are completely free from, sin, sickness, poverty and all the works of the devil. We are no long slaves under Satan's rule, but masters, reigning with Christ. This is freedom.

So, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5:1) "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:36) PTL...

Labor Through Love

According to the United States Department of Labor, Labor Day, which falls on the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. From a life perspective, Labor Day for most means, summer vacation is over, students return to school, college and universities to begin a new year of learning, which labels Labor Day as the unofficial end of summer.

In a similar way, believers are called also too celebrate Labor Day but for more than one day a year. The Apostle Paul tells us, "And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves." (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13) Who they were is not mentioned. However, it is evident that the church was not left without appointed persons to equip the saints for the work of ministry. We know that there were elders ordained over the church at Ephesus, and over the churches in Crete (Acts 20:17; Titus 1:5), and that there were bishops and deacons at Philippi (Philemon 1:1), and here, "who are over you in the Lord" would lead us to believe that similar leaders would have been appointed in every newly organized church. 

In the King James Version of the Bible the phrase "recognize those who labor among you" is "know them which labor among you." This gives the idea of not only church leaders, but also those who labor as coordinators or head over ministries, those active in ministry, as well as elders, bishops and deacons. The word “know” carries with it the idea that the believers in the local church were not to make themselves strangers toward those who labor in ministry or to be ignorant of their needs. They should also seek to be personally acquainted with them and trust them concerning their own personal life as well as spiritual matters. 

"And admonish you" means, to put in mind; and then to warn, entreat, exhort. It is a part of the duty of church leaders to put the people in whom they serve and lead in mind of the truth; to warn them of danger; to exhort them to perform their duty; to admonish them if they go astray. As those who labor perform these duties, believers are to respond by "esteeming them very highly in love." Church leaders who are faithful in their office and function, can expect high regard from the believers they lead and serve, not because they deserve it, per se, but because of their unwavering labors. The Apostle Paul tells Timothy something similar, "Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine." (1 Timothy 5:17)

Paul tells, of these laborers, "My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you." (Galatians 4:19) Here is a striking illustration of what church leaders are to do concerning the people they lead and serve. Church leaders are to labor over the people until Christ reigns wholly in their hearts. Church leaders who are truly called into the ministry will labor over the people they lead and serve not as a labor of struggle or because it is their "job," but as a labor of love. Paul tells us, "We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves." (Romans 15:1) The phrase "who are strong" means the strong “in faith” not limited to, but most likely church leaders who should not be novices, but be mature, strong in faith. They ought to bear; to lift up; to bear away; to remove; to bear with; to endure patiently, the weaknesses of the weaker believers. Church leaders should be willing to deny themselves to promote the happiness of others. 

Finally, Jesus tells us , "But when He (Jesus) saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:36-38) Let us keep in mind that all believers are called by the LORD to be laborers to reach the lost, win souls and make disciples. (Matthew 28:18-20)

 So, this Labor Day let us be mindful, that as Christians, especially those called into the ministry, we are not to observe a day free of labor, but we are called to labor with one another in love, until Christ is formed in you. Happy Labor Days...     

Why Worry

Worry and anxiety steals life from all people. They are synonymous in definition meaning, "a feeling of nervousness, or uneasiness, concerning an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome which causes one's mind to dwell on difficulty, troubles or uncertainty over actual or potential problems." Jesus tells us, "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" (Matthew 6:27) Basically, worry cannot add anything to one's life. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Peter says, "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) The Amplified Bible presents it this way, "Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." 

Peter is not the first person to suggest that believers should do this. We see David with the same revelation, "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved." (Psalm 55:22) David also exposes the real problem behind worry or anxiety, "Do not fret (to be constantly or visibly worried or anxious) it only causes harm." (Psalm 37:8) Although we cannot throw away, run away from or pretend that problems do not exist, we can get rid of the anxiety that is caused by life's problems. We can refuse to be burdened down by cares. We can reject the kind of worry that disturbs our peace and distracts our mind. What can we do? Turn to the LORD.

We find relief in Him. We hand our worry over to Him so that we do not have to carry them. How do we do this? "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; the results of doing this, "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)  We pour out our anxiety, our worries to the Lord in prayer. "We cast our cares on God." When we do this, we can feel at peace. We can be calm even in the midst of times of trouble. We can experience the serenity that God promises and that Jesus exemplifies.

Peter gives us the reason why we should "cast our cares on the Lord." Because "He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." Although Peter does not mention this, there is another reason for casting our cares on God. Let's face it, God is big enough to carry our cares for us. He is so big, He can carry all of our cares and burdens. Even the burdens of the whole world are not too much for Him. (Jeremiah 32:17) In times of trouble, let us respond to Jesus' invitation, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) 

Next, Peter moves on with more instruction. He tells us, "Be sober, be vigilant; because our adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8) While casting our cares upon God, we must not let doubt fill our minds, because we see that he is able and willing to support us, but be watchful against, the devil, our foe. We should act wisely as one does when he or she senses danger. In other words, we are to be on our guard against the wiles, the schemes of the evil one who opposes us. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul warns us, "And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14) 

Sometimes Satan is represented as transforming himself into an angel of light, and sometimes, as revealed by Peter, as a roaring lion. This means, Satan puts great effort in trying to to alarm and overpower believers, trying to rob us of our faith. However, believers must remember that Satan is a defeated foe, "Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:15) According to the Amplified; American Standard; Phillips; Rotherham; Weymouth; and Conybeare Versions of the same scripture, Jesus, spoiled; disarmed; stripped of power; exposed; shattered; empty; defeated; shook off, Satan and his evil hosts in triumph!!! Hallelujah

Next, Peter tells us to, "Resist him, (Satan) steadfast in the faith." We are resisting our adversary’s fight against us, by upholding and enforcing what Jesus has already accomplished for us as we also see, "Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil." (Hebrews 2:14) Again, in the American Standard; Rotherham; and Conybeare Versions of the same scripture, Jesus brought to nothing, paralyzed, destroyed, Satan who had the power of death, that is spiritual death. We also see the same thing as revealed by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle John, "He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8) Again, we find in the American Standard; Phillips; and Rotherham Versions of the same scripture, Jesus, undid; destroyed; liquidated the works of the devil.

Because Satan is a defeated foe, believers are to stand firm in faith. The Apostle Paul tells us, "my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." (Ephesians 6:10) We are to stand in the power of God's might. Paul also reveals, "Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]." (Ephesians 3:20 AMP), and, "[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight." (Philippians 2:13 AMP) PTL...

Finally, God is the God of grace. He freely forgave us our sins through His own Son, Jesus. (Ephesians 2:8) He freely gives us grace even now, grace that sustains us and upholds us. (2 Corinthians 12:9) We know that our salvation is not based on our works of righteousness. (Romans 3:26) Our salvation is based on the meritorious work and promises of Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 87:6) The Father includes us in His promise because He loves us. These truths about God should give us great comfort, great hope, great strength and increase our faith. If the God of all grace called us in Jesus Christ, then we can be assured that in times of discouragement, He will encourage us. In times of weakness, He will give us strength. When we fall down, He will pick us up. When we are tempted, He gives us a way of escape. When we fail, He will forgive us.

So, when life's problems, the wiles or schemes of the devil try us, never forget what God's Word encourages us to do, "Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." Amen...

Faith to be Healed

The gospel of Matthew reveals some very interesting things concerning the connection of the Lord Jesus Christ to humanity. We see a good portion of this, beginning at the end of chapter three, Christ's baptism, through chapter ten, the sending out of the twelve apostles. This is not to exclude the rest of Matthew's gospel, but to simply see that much is missing in the church when it comes to sound teaching on various important topics, mainly that of healing.

After the forty days and nights that Jesus spent in the wilderness being tempted of the devil, He comes out of the wilderness in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14) and begins His ministry to humanity as the Son of Man. Not only does He begin to chose His disciples, but what we see that stands out most, is, "And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them." (Matthew 4:23-24) Jesus begins to show us by word and action, something that most only see from one side. Not only did He teach and preach the gospel of the kingdom (of God, of Heaven), but He also assaulted the kingdom of darkness that had been holding humanity captive since the fall of man. (Genesis 3)

Assaulting the kingdom of darkness is very important for believers to not only know about, but to also implement in their daily lives. Unfortunately, we have a serious problem in many sectors of the church. The fact is, most are instructed on the Word of God concerning the salvation of the soul, but our education concerning ministering healing to the sick and disease and casting out demons has been neglected. What has happened is simple, yet disheartening. The church has lost her faith in God and has replaced faith with an intellectual approach, mental assent, to His Word. In doing so, we began to teach believers that maybe it is not God's will to heal them. With that, the church then has introduced the phrase, "Lord, if it be Your will." However, not only did Jesus heal all who came to Him, (Matthew 4:24, 8:16, 12:15), He also shows us that healing and deliverance from Satan, demons and evil spirits is not only in the plan of redemption, (Isaiah 53; John 8:36; Ephesians 1:19-23, 2:4-6; Colossians 1:13-14), but also the ministry of the church, all believers. (Mark 16:17-18; John 14:12)

In fact, Jesus did not leave us in a place where we should have any doubts about God's will concerning the supernatural flowing through believers, as we see, "When He (Jesus) had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean. Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, I am willing; be cleansed. Immediately his leprosy was cleansed." (Matthew 8:1-3) Taking this a step further, we see Jesus saying repeatedly, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work." (John 4:34) "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner." (John 5:19) "I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me." (John 5:30) "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." (John 6:38) (Also see, John 7:16, 8:26-29, 9:4, 10:25) 

Although there are many church doctrines that have created more doubt than faith when it comes to God's position concerning these things, we can honestly conclude that it was, is, and will always be God's will to heal, period. The church in general is very clear in her faith on the subject of salvation of the soul through the vicarious sacrifice of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. However, the majority of believers today, have much doubt and are very inexperienced when it comes the the power of God. I believe the root of this problem has been and is reoccurring today, when believers do not see immediate results when it comes to healing. In most instances this has opened the door for doubt to overtake them and healing has come down to, "Lord, if it be Your will." However, we need to keep in mind that sometimes healing is instantaneous and sometimes progressive. Either way, it does not mean in any way that God does not heal or that He uses sickness and disease to perfect His children in some mysterious way that only He knows. In fact, looking at the ministry of Jesus we clearly see that God methods of healing are not always the same and not always instant, based on various conditions.  For instances... 

"Then He (Jesus) came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.And he looked up and said, I see men like trees, walking. Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly." (Mark 8:22-25) "Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us! So when He saw them, He said to them, Go, show yourselves to the priests. And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed." (Luke 17:11-14) "Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented. And Jesus said to him, I will come and heal him.The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed...Then Jesus said to the centurion, Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour." (Matthew 8:5-8, 13) 

These are only a few examples that show us that healing is not always instantaneous, yet it was still God's will to heal. Keep in mind that Jesus flowed in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. He completely and wholly relied and depended of the Holy Spirit. Although believers receive the same Holy Spirit, as they yield more of themselves to Him, depend more on Him, He is able to operate in a greater way through us all. (Acts 2:4, 4:31; Ephesians 5:18) So, beloved, you and I must use the level of the Holy Spirit that we possess, knowing, we can, as a member of His body, operate in the same level of the Spirit as Jesus did. God does not expect us to fulfill Mark 16:17-18 and John 14:12 with less equipment than Jesus had. 

For us to return to the place that God had intended the church to flow, in the supernatural, we must first let go of doubt, fear and unbelief and know, what God's Word says, is, and what God's Word says, becomes! Therefore, if you pray and do not experience instant healing, do not give into doubt. Also, if you do not experience healing at all or receive only a certain amount of healing, keep praying and believing until healing is complete. This, however, is where many believer falter. They will pray for a day or two, and then quit when they see little or no results. This is one of the things that has discredited healing. For instance, a minister of the gospel will hold meetings. Many sick will come and be prayed for. Some are absolutely healed, others are only half-healed or quarter-healed and still others have only received a little touch of healing. This is where believers have permitted doubt, fear and unbelief to flood their soul, which causes faith to erode. Interestingly enough, this very thing occurs many times when the gospel message for salvation is preached and the call to receive Jesus is presented. 

For instance, ten people come to the altar at the invitation of the minister. One confesses Christ without hesitation because he/she recognizes the lost state of their soul. Another person may come and hear the gospel message preached again the next week, another for a month, and another even longer before they are convinced that they are in need of the Savior. The difference is not with God. The difference is inside the person. They have not permitted themselves to opened up to God. It is the same with healing. Every law of the Spirit that applies to salvation applies to healing, by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8) The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul puts it this way, "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (to save, deliver from danger and suffering, made whole, delivered from the bondage of sin, healed, preserved) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10) 

The promise of God through Jesus Christ is not only that believers can be healed and walk in divine health (1 Peter 2:24; Proverbs 4:20-22; John 10:10) but believers are to be ministers of the power of God to the world. (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:17-20; John 14:12; Romans 15:18-19; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5) However, the reality of this will not be experienced, but remain a mystery that is unpredictable and even unreliable until we believe God's Word and act upon it. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle James tells us, "faith without corresponding works is dead." (James 2:20) So, let us loose the Holy Spirit in us and believe. Jesus said, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40) PTL!!!

The Word is Truth

The Holy Spirit speaking through the writer of Hebrews gives us some great insight into God's Word that believers need to really and literally take to heart, "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)  In other words, there can be no escape from the penetrating, searching application of the Word of God. His Word is truth (John 17:17). It is not dead or powerless, but in fact is an active, living and powerful. It is like a penetrating sword that reveals, every part of man, what man is. It shows what the thoughts and intentions of the heart are. (Luke 8:17) 

God's Word becomes a living thing only as we act upon it. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle James tells us, "...faith without corresponding action is dead." (James 2:18) His Word is also a part of Himself, that is, God and His Word are one. It is also the will of the Father, just as Jesus, the Word made flesh, (John 1:14) was the will of the Father sent to earth to save humanity. (John 3:16) We also must keep in mind this very important aspect concerning God's Word. What God says, is; what God says, will become. If He did not want it to be so, He would not have said it. Furthermore, you can utterly depend upon His Word. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Due to our five senses being the source of learning, prior to becoming born again, we have depended on the words that have come from institutions, that is, the words of man. However, institutions may fail, individuals may die, nations may disintegrate, but God cannot deny Himself. (2 Timothy 2:13) Behind the Word is the integrity of God, as He told Abraham, "By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord..." (Genesis 22:16) "For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself." (Hebrews 6:13) Not only this, but Jesus Himself is also behind every Word, "by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant." (Hebrews 7:22) "...Jesus is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises." (Hebrews  8:6) 

There must be a clear distinction in your mind between believing God's Word, and mental assenting to God's Word. Although there is a vast difference, for many, it is difficult to distinguish between the two. Simply put, believing God's Word (as we saw in James) is acting on the Word. Whereas, mental assent is acknowledging the truthfulness of the Word, the integrity of the Word, but never acting on it. It's like going into a bakery and possessing the cake that you desire verse standing outside the bakery desiring the cake in the window but not possessing it.

Hope is a necessary part of the Christians life, (1 Corinthians 13:13), but hope is also not faith, because hope is always living in the future, whereas, faith is always now. Faith is not only recognizing the truthfulness of God's Word, but also taking it to be your very own. (James 1:21) By simply hoping that the Word will become true sometime, is to passively lie quiet, even rejoicing in it, but not seeing the manifestation of it. Jesus tells us, "He who believes has..." (John 3:36, 6:47) He also tells us, "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." (Mark 11:24) Therefore, if you believe, you have and the Father is glorified. (John 14:13)  Remember, to believe is to act.

So, let us always remember that God's throne backs His Word and His integrity is involved in it. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle John tells us, "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." (1 John 5:14-15) PTL...

The New Covenant

The Bible records eight covenants established between God and man. However, of these eight covenants, there are only two contrasted throughout the Bible, the Abrahamic Covenant and the New Covenant. It was from the Abrahamic Covenant that Israel and the Mosaic Law was established. Keep in mind that when the Israelite's were delivered from Egypt they had no government nor laws to govern them, so God gave them the law. It is the Covenant Law, with its priesthood, sacrifices, ceremonies and offerings. Within the law, God provided atonement which was needed, for not much longer after the law was given it was broken. The word atonement means, to cover. It is not a New Testament term because the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses, instead of merely covering.

The First Covenant did not take away sin, it merely covered it. It did not give eternal life or new birth but only a promise of it. It did not give fellowship with God, only a type of it. However, due to the covenant between Abraham and God, it gave protection to Israel as a nation, it met their physical needs. God was Israel's Healer, Provider. and Protector. The Holy Spirit through the writer of Hebrews tells us, "For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect." (Hebrews 10:1) So, we see that the Law and the First Covenant was a shadow of the good things to come. The animal sacrifices could never make perfect the man under the First Covenant, "For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins." (Hebrews 10:2) 

As we can clearly see, the blood of bulls and goats did not cleanse the conscience. It did not take away sin consciousness from mankind. The inference is that there is a sacrifice that takes away the sin consciousness so that man can stand in God's presence uncondemned. The First Covenant was sealed by the blood of Abraham through circumcision. (Genesis 17:10-11) The New Covenant is sealed with the blood of Jesus Christ, God's own Son. "Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption." (Hebrews 9:12) "Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens." (Hebrews 8:1) 

Everything centered around the High Priest under the Old Covenant. Without the office of the High Priest, the people of Israel had no approach to God. Today, everything centers around our New High Priest Jesus Christ, under the New Covenant, "But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises." (Hebrews 8:6) To see these things from a greater perspective, we look at the Book of Hebrews, which has several vital contrasts; Moses and Jesus; Aaron, the High Priest, and Jesus the Great High Priest; the blood of bulls and goats and the blood of Christ; the tabernacle of Moses and the tabernacle in Heaven. 

The Priest under the Old Covenant could only stay long enough to make the Atonement. We see in Hebrews how the tabernacle and all the vessels were cleansed with blood, "Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. Next, we see the climax of it all. For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us" (Hebrews 9:21-24) This lets us see the contrast of the high premium that God places on the blood of Christ verses that of the blood of bulls and goats. As we come to value the blood of Christ as God values it, there will no longer come into question our standing and relationship with the Father. 

Because the Father accepted Jesus' blood when He carried it into the Heavenly Holy of Holies, He has become, by that act, the Mediator of the New Covenant. "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus." (1Timothy 2:5) The reason man needs a mediator is because he had lost his standing with God when Adam sinned. Due to Adam's act of treason, mankind has no ground on which he can approach God. "...at that time you were without Christ...having no hope and without God in the world." (Ephesians 2:12) Jesus is now the Mediator between God and fallen man. Although the blood of bulls and goats did not take away sin, it merely covered it temporarily, when Christ came, He redeemed all of those who had trusted in the blood of bulls and goats. "And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance." (Hebrews 9:15) 

Under the New Covenant our sins are not covered, they are remitted. It as though they had never been, "not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another, He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself." (Hebrews 9:25-26) The expression "end of the ages" means where the two ages met, the Old Covenant met with the New Covenant. The thing that stood between man and God was Adam's transgression, but Jesus settled the sin problem, made it possible for God to legally remit all that we have ever done, make us new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17) and give us eternal life through faith in the meritorious work of redemption in Jesus Christ. 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of  reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:17-21) PTL 

The Old Covenant had the Levitical Priesthood. The New Covenant has Jesus as the High Priest, and we as a Royal and Holy Priesthood. (1 Peter 2:7-10) The first priesthood had a temple in which God dwelt in the Holy of Holies with the Ark of the Covenant. (Exodus 40) In the New Covenant our bodies are the temple of God, and the Holy Spirit dwells within them. (1 Corinthians 3:16) As God was the surety of the Old Covenant, (Hebrews 6:13), now, Jesus stands as surety of the New Covenant, backing every Word in the New Covenant. He is the great Intercessor of the New Covenant. (Hebrews 7:25) 

Strong faith should be built into every believer upon the foundation of these facts. All the resources of Heaven are backed by Jesus in the New Covenant in His Blood. So, let us never forget, that under the New Covenant, "to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." (Romans 3:26) "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2) "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all...

Put On The New Man

Through a good part of the 1980's the doctrine or principle of spiritual warfare became a major part of the teachings and music in a large portion of the church, especially in the USA. Its focus was mainly tearing down the strongholds of the devil. Like many doctrines or principles that enter the church, this also had many flaws when compared to what the Bible teaches, as a whole, concerning this matter. For instance, many believers were taught that pretty much everything that is wrong in life is the work of an evil spirit, when in fact many of the problems are really nothing more than works of the flesh. When the Word of God talks about keeping the flesh under the dominion of the believers recreated spirit, it not only refers to keeping sexual desires under control, but everything that is associated with the flesh. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul reveals the works of the flesh, "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like..." (Galatians 5:19-21)  

What many believers have been calling the works of the devil, the Bible calls the works of the flesh. Again, we see the Holy Spirit reveal to us through Paul some of the traits of the old man (old unregenerate nature, the works of the flesh), "Therefore, putting away lying...Be angry, and do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor...Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:25-32) So, let us not be quick to blame the devil on the problems of life when it may be the old nature that has not been brought under the dominion of the believers recreated spirit. 

God's Word tells us how to deal with the body and soul (mind, will and emotions) which were not recreated when one is born again. Believers are to, "put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:22-24) Who is to put off the nature of the old man or the works of the flesh? The believer! God is not going to put off the old man for you. However, God has given us the way, His way, to put off the works of the flesh, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:1-2) 

God's way of putting off the old man and put on the new man is devoting your body to the service of the Lord and by renewing your mind with His Word. Putting off the old man and putting on the new man is part of your reasonable service or your spiritual worship. If you didn't have your flesh and its carnal nature to deal with, there would be no problem. However, as long as we are in these body, we will have our fleshly, carnal nature to contend with. For example, if someone physically hits you or says something hurtful to you or about you and your flesh is not in subjection to your spirit, it will want to retaliate in some way. That's the way the carnal nature acts apart from God. Not only does it want to seek retaliation, but it also wants to hold bitterness, resentment and even unforgiveness against the person. Why?

The Apostle Paul tells us, "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." (Galatians 5:17-18) There is a war, so-to-speak, going on in your members that wants to let the works of the flesh have control. But the writer of Hebrews tells us, "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12) Notice, God's Word is living and powerful. It exposes that which is of the flesh and that which is of the spirit. This is why it is of the highest importance for every believer to read, study and meditate on God's Word daily. It does not matter how much you have done these things in the past, it matters that you are daily about God's Word. 

Look at the advice, command, that the Lord gave to Joshua, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." (Joshua 1:8) The Holy Spirit through Solomon reveals, "My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh." (Proverbs 4:20-22) Through David the Holy Spirit reveals, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105) These are but a few scriptures that shows us the transforming power of God's Word.  

The Holy Spirit through the Apostle James tells us, "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, (to embed; rooted in the heart) which is able to save (make whole; rescue from danger and destruction; to make well; save from evil; preserve) your souls (mind, will and emotions)." (James 1:21) In other words as believers receive God's word, and give it complete access into our life and let it take hold, it transforms the soul. The realization of the Word that Jesus spoke is no longer simply a nice scripture, but a life changing event that believers now embrace. "It is the Spirit Who gives life [He is the Life-giver]; the flesh conveys no benefit whatever [there is no profit in it]. The words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life." (John 6:63 AMP) 

Therefore, putting off the old man and putting on the new man is a choice. Believers do not have to give in to the dictates of their flesh. Paul tells us, "Walk in the spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16) However, if you let the flesh dominate you, you can get out of control and do and say things you will regret later. Many people want to blame the devil when they let the flesh have its way. But the truth is, they are simply giving in to their flesh and letting it dominate them. By not keeping their flesh in check, they are opening a door to the devil. The Apostle Paul warns, "Do not give place to the devil." (Ephesians 4:27) 

I am not saying that we do not contend with spiritual forces of darkness, simply that the flesh must not be given place in our lives. So, before we blame the devil for all the problems of life, let God's Word do its job of dividing the soul from the spirit and revealing the thoughts and intents of the heart to see who is really behind what is going on. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all...