What A Comprehensive Redemption

God's brilliant plan of redemption is so far reaching, and unfortunately far to many Christians have limited it to only the forgiveness of sin and a trip to heaven at the end of this life.  The word redemption itself means, deliverance upon payment of ransom; to rescue. For Christians it carries with it, deliverance from sin through the incarnation, sufferings, and death of Christ. Deliverance means, to rescue from bondage; to rescue from moral corruption or evil. This is the price that Jesus paid for humanity. The hope of heaven is just that, it is future. But while we are on this earth we have been delivered, we have been set free from all the bondage, corruption and evil that has come upon the earth through Satan.

Sickness and disease is bondage! To be in bondage is to be bound by, subjected to, or under the influence of an external power. That external power is Satan. How did Satan get this power to hold humanity in bondage? It started in the Garden of Eden when Satan approached the woman as a serpent and deliberately challenged God's Word to deceive her. (Genesis 3:1) Once she allowed her mind to reason, it was all but over for her. The Bible records that the woman was deceived (I Timothy 2:13-15) She believed the lie of Satan instead of God’s Word. However, Adam sin was a deliberate choice. He sinned knowingly. (Genesis 3:6) Due to his position as the representative of all mankind, his sin was therefore charged to the entire human race. (Romans 5:12-21)

In both Genesis 1:26-30 and Psalm 8:3-8 we see that God gave Adam control over creation. In a sense, Adam was the god of the world. However, the Gospel according to Luke records the temptations of Christ. It is here that we see the result of Adam's treason concerning God's original plan for man in man's God given responsibility to have dominion over God's work of creation. "Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” (Luke 4:5-7) Notice that the kingdom's of the world had been delivered to Satan. Adam's act of treason was just that. He forfeited his dominion, authority and control of "The work of God's hands" into the hands of Satan. The Bible tells us that now Satan is the god of this world. (2 Corinthians 4:4) Although Satan is the God of this world, God's incredible plan of redemption came to earth. The Word of God, God the Word became flesh (John 1:1, 14) to save the world, to bring salvation. (John 3:16)

However, taking a closer look at the words save, saved and salvation that we find in the Bible, we see that they have far greater meaning that most believers have come to know. The Greek Words that are translated salvation and saved in most English versions of the Bible are a form of the Greek word sozo. Various forms of this word are used more than 100 times in the New Testament. Although most churches and ministries tend to limit the words salvation and saved to the rebirth experience. However, the full meaning of this word goes beyond just being born again and going to heaven. A more complete meaning of sozo is; to save; deliver; protect; preserve; be made whole; to cure; to be made well; to heal. As we can see, sickness and disease have been dealt with through the redemption that God has brought to humanity through Jesus Christ. PTL..

What's A thorn Anyway

The Bible records another incident in which some teach as being God's Will concerning sickness and disease. It states that the Apostle Paul dealt with sickness in his body. However, a closer look at this reveals something entirely different.  This incident deals with what the Bible records as Paul’s thorn in the flesh. “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

For many, the thought that is widely accepted is that Paul had a sickness which God refused to heal. So let us look at this and see if this thinking is scriptural. First, the expression “thorn in the flesh” is used elsewhere in the Bible. It refers to what God said would happen to the Israelite's if they failed to obey Him by not driving out the inhabitants of the land which the Lord had given to them. “But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell.” (Numbers 33:55) 

Next, Paul says, “…a messenger of Satan to buffet me…” The word messenger is the same word most often transliterated as “angel” elsewhere in the New Testament. Paul is saying that the thorn in the flesh was an angel of Satan that buffeted him. To buffet means to strike with a fist. Paul never says that the buffeting was sickness. After Gods response, Paul then says that he would rather boast in his infirmities. The word infirmity in this scripture does not mean sickness, but weakness. This is why God’s response is as such, “… for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Again, not sickness but weakness. Therefore, we conclude that Paul’s thorn in the flesh was a satanic angel that stirred up persecution against Paul wherever he went.

Let's look at some of the things that Paul dealt with for the gospel's sake that reveals the persecution that he faced. "Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? I speak as a fool, I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness, besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches." (2 Corinthians 11:22-28)

Can any one of us honestly say that they have suffered what Paul had suffered for Christ? No! He was not sick or sickly but persecuted. He understood something that most in the church cannot even comprehend, Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, (weakness) that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, (weakness) in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Paul understood that weakness was nothing more than the place where the power of God could come upon him. Honestly, if God's power is going to come upon a person, sickness and or disease will certainly be dispossessed. PTL

Good and Perfect Things From God

Some of the misconception concerning God's will and sickness again arise out from, "Not knowing the scriptures nor the power of God." (Matthew 22:29) One of these comes from the life of Job. In short, many have taught that because God was present when Satan came before Him concerning Job, that it must have been Gods will for Job to suffer such great loss. But is this true? Let us look at what happened in the life of Job.

Many believe that God allows suffering and sickness to come on His children, believers, in the same or similar way that He allowed it on Job. First, we must keep in mind that Satan is the accuser. (Revelation 12:10) When we look at the account of Jobs life, we must keep this in mind. First, Satan accused God of protecting Job. Next, he accused Job in saying that Job would curse God to His face if he were permitted to assault him, his family and possessions (Job 1:6-22, 2:10) Most are taught that this was all part of God’s will for Job, yet why would God speak so highly of Job in both attacks of the devil if this were so?  "Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” (Job 1:8) "Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.” (Job 2:3)

The fact of the matter is, these attacks on Job had absolutely nothing to do with Gods will nor some mysterious purpose of God for Job. Job himself had given Satan permission to do these things by his own words, “For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me.” (Job 3:25) Fear is not from God, it is from Satan. The Apostle Paul tells Timothy, "God has not given you a spirit of fear…” (2 Timothy 1:7) We must also keep in mind that God is just. Look at what Elihu tells Job and his three friends concerning God, “As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in power, in judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress.” (Job 37:23)

Notice, God is abundant in justice; He does not oppress or afflict. If I may paraphrase in more modern terms what Elihu said, "Hey guys, none of these things that has happened to Job is from God nor a part of His will, He done not afflict, oppress, torment, torture or cause one to suffer." Another important thing to keep in mind is God is just, He is consistent with what is morally right; He is righteous; Everything He does is good and right. Do we honestly believe that what Job had experienced matches up even in the most minute way with God who is just?

The fact is, God who is just does not bend justice for anyone. He is just to Himself, man and even the Satan. If He did not hold His justice on an immovable plain, then man and Satan could accuse God of not being just, showing favoritism and or partiality to who he chooses. However, that is not consistent with scripture. "For there is no partiality with God." (Romans 2:11) No, Gods justice is so immovable that Perfect Deity had to become humanity to satisfy a broken law and the claims of justice. It was not God’s will, nor some mysterious purpose for these things to happen to Job, it was Satan who was given permission by Job's own words. Job gave place to the devil and when accused before God, Gods justice had to be upheld.

Another key factor in these events is revealed at the end of the book of Job. First Job repents before the Lord, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:5-6) Repentance takes away all territory in ones life that Satan has laid claim to. Satan is no place in a believers life through repentance. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) the confessing of sin to God removes the unrighteousness which gives place to Satan in ones life.   

Next, we see what God was able to do, due to Job's repentance, “Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning…” (Job 42:12) Some have been led to believe that it was God's will for Job to suffer in the way he did so that God could bless him. I do not know about you, but that sounds sadistic to me. No, God’s will is to bless, especially those who are in Christ. (Galatians 3:29) There is not one sane person that can honestly say that what Job suffered was a blessing. God is a God of life (John 10:10) There is certainly no life in sickness and disease, on the contrary, sickness and disease is death in progress, but Jesus came to bring life and life more abundantly and James also tells us, "Every GOOD gift and every PERFECT gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." (James 1:17) PTL...

The Devil Is Bad

When considering where sickness and disease come from we need to look no further than what the Bible says concerning the nature of God and the nature of Satan. It is within the nature of both God and Satan that helps us determine not only the origin of sickness and disease but also answers the following questions; Is sickness and disease God's will? Does God use sickness and disease for some divine purpose? Does God have a specific time or season in which He heals? Am I not healed due to a lack of faith? Let's begin by looking at what the Bible says, "As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in power, In judgment and abundant justice; He does not afflict.” (Job 37:23). "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;” (Psalms 34:8). “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.”(Psalms 103:8). "Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24). "… for love is of God…for God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)

Although these few scripture are far from being all inclusive concerning what the Bible says about Gods nature, they are certainly enough to see that God does not afflict; He is good; merciful; gracious; slow to anger; abounding in mercy; exercising loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth; for love is of God…for God is love.” Do any of these attributes that reveal Gods nature even remotely sound like sickness and disease come from Him, or that they are somehow a part of His will? Let us be stark honest, if sickness and disease comes from God or is the will of God, then love has turned to hatred. There is not one sane parent on earth that would agree that sickness or disease is an act of love, especially when it is ravaging their child's body and or mind.

However, the Bible reveals Satan's nature as the antithesis of Gods nature. Here we will see more that the Bible reveals concerning Satan's nature, Adversary, Hater, Opponent, Enemy. (1 Kings 11:1, 23-25; 1 Chronicles 21:1; Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7; Zechariah 3:1-7; 2 Corinthians 2:11). Accuser, Slanderer, Whisperer. Slanders God to man and man to God. (Matthew 4:1; 13:39; 25:41; John 8:44; Ephesians 4:27, 6:11; Hebrews 2:14; James 4:7; Revelation 12:10). Serpent, Enchanter, Beguiler (Genesis 3:1-14; Isaiah 27:1; Matthew 10:16; 2 Corinthians 11:3; James 3:15; Revelation 12:9,14-15, 20:2) Beelzebub: Prince of Devils. Derived from Beelzebub or Lord of the Flies, God of the Dunghill. (2 Kings 1:2; Matthew 10:25; 12:24,27; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15-19) Belial, Worthless, Perverse, Lawless (1 Samuel 10:27; 30:22; 2 Samuel 23:6; 2 Corinthians 6:15) The Enemy, Hater, The Tempter, Enticer (Matthew 13:39; 1 Chronicles 21:1; Matthew 4:3; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:5). The Wicked One, (Matthew 13:19, 38-39; 1 John 5:18-19; 3:12). Adversary, The enemy, The one who opposes (1 Peter 5:8). Murderer, Killer, destroyer of life (John 8:44). Liar, Thief, Wicked one, (John 8:44; Luke 8:12; John 10:10; Matthew 13:19). Son of Perdition: (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12). 

I admit that I have revealed many scriptures concerning Satan's nature, but this list is still not all inclusive concerning what the Bible reveals. I show these so that we can fully understand who Satan is which is directly reflective of what he does. Do we see the extremes between Gods nature and Satan's? The contrast that we see between Gods nature and Satan's should unarguably begin to strip away a lack of knowledge and begin to correctly answer the questions shown above. As King David clearly states concerning the LORD, "You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes." (Psalm 119:68). May the grace and peace of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ be multiplied to you...

A Good, Good Father

The majority of people on earth tend to always blame disasters and or traumatic situations on God. This is not limited to those who are of the world, but unfortunately many who call themselves Christians. In contrast, you almost never hear people thank God when something good happens. Why is this? Although God told the Prophet Hosea to speak these words Israel, I believe the same words are an indictment against all people who blame God for disasters and or traumatic situations. "My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me." (Hosea 4:6 NLT) 

God's will, nature, character, purposes and plan is clearly revealed in the Bible, especially in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. But as Hosea tells us, a lack of knowing God has promoted the idea that He is the one responsible for disasters and traumatic situations happening. Jesus reveals some very important information concerning His connection with the Father in a conversation that He has with His disciples. "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him. Philip said to Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us. Jesus said to him, Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves." (John 14:7-11) As we clearly see, Jesus entire life and ministry reveals the Father's will, nature, character, purposes and plan. If we want to know God the Father, we simply study the life and ministry of Jesus. 

There is another reason why people blame God for bad things. It also deals with the area of having a lack of knowledge. This time, it deals with a lack knowing the schemes that the Bible reveals concerning God's enemy, Satan. The very names that Satan is associated with as revealed in the Bible (and they are many) are a direct reflection of his nature and actions. To discover how this all came about, we begin by using what is know as the Hermeneutical Law of Double Reference. It is speaking of or to one person in reference to another person beyond or behind them.  There are two main scripture references that we can look at to discover these events, Isaiah 14:4-23, Ezekiel 28:1-19. 

In short, Lucifer was a magnificent created being, a powerful Archangel that was at the throne of God. However, in the pureness and holiness of heaven he manifested self-will against God's will; I will ascend into heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High. We see that he fell through pride and self-will, the very essence of sin; He wanted to be independent of God and be worship as God, so in his rebellion against God, he was cast down by God because iniquity (lawlessness) was found in him. 

Although the Bible does not reveal the actual origin of sin, we do find here that Lucifer, now Satan is  credited as the originator of all sin, the beginning of sin, sin personified, the first and original sinner. The Bible records Satan's nature and actions to be, the enemy (Matthew 13:39); Antichrist (1 John 2:18-22); the adversary (1 Peter 5:8); the accuser (Job 1:6-7); a liar and murderer (John 8:44); a thief (John 10:10); the opposer (Zechariah 1:3); the deceiver (Revelation 12:9). Although these are just a few, we can clearly see who he is which is what he does. Basically, he opposes God, people and everything good with his evil schemes.

As we see in the above, the two reasons why people blame God for bad things is through a lack of knowing God, that is, His will, nature, character, purposes and plan and also through a lack of knowing the schemes that Satan. Satan's lawless acts continuously oppose God, people and all that is good.  However, God is good and does good all of the time. (Psalm 119:68) Grace and peace be with you all.

God's Billboard

No matter where you travel throughout the USA you will always find commercials, billboards, magazines, websites and pretty much any type of media advertising churches. There is certainly nothing wrong with using advertising methods to reach people. But what is the bottom line? How many souls are being saved and added to the church with all the costly advertisements run each year? According to researchers approximately 4000 new congregation start up every year in the USA but approximately 7000 existing congregations close their doors every year. If fact even with the millions of dollars in advertisement each year, research shows that church attendance has been and is still declining. So how can the church in the USA save money on advertising and still grow? Simply, we must return to the very principles that have always caused church growth without paying one cent for advertising.

Jesus emulated before twelve men, His Father's will, nature, character, purposes and plan for three and one half years. During this intense time of training He sent them to do the same thing. Notice His instructions, "And when Jesus had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease...Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:1, 8) In Luke's gospel we see another set of disciples that Jesus also sent out, "After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest...heal the sick there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you." (Luke 10:1-2, 9)

After Jesus' resurrection and before His ascension, He meets with His disciples and gives them further instruction, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs." Amen. (Mark 16:15-20)

Do we see the picture that Jesus has painted not only for His disciples but for all who believe. As soon as a person became born again, God planned that they should advertise the transformed life that they experience in Christ by healing the sick in the Name of Jesus no matter where they would go throughout the world. Jesus' entire ministry was a battle against demonic forces. It is the same for the church today. All sickness, disease, pain and sin is a result of Satan's hatred of all humanity. The very ministry of Jesus was carried out in the early church as normal life in the Kingdom of God. No matter where believers went, miracles, signs and wonders were always present at the preaching of the Gospel.  What Jesus told His disciples is true for today also, Freely you have received, freely give.

Unfortunately, the church has missed its greatest method of advertising. God's method of advertising that reveals Himself to the natural mind was and still is through miracles, signs and wonders. Due to the lack of sound doctrine being taught today, there is a severe lack of spiritual development or growth among most believers. The apostle Paul had to deal with such with the church at Corinth. "And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?" (1 Corinthians 3:1-3) The writer of Hebrews faced the same problem. "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5:12-14) Ouch!!!

Now I know that some who read this may have been taught that God does not do the miracles today as He did in the early church. That God uses sickness and disease in a believers life for various reasons that only He knows as a means of the continuing work of sanctification. That God chooses who He wants to heal and when He wants to do it. But this is extremely distant from the truth. Even logic should dictate that we are missing it when we look at so many in the church today that are sick and diseased.  Disease and sickness are never the will of the Father, to believe that they are is to be disillusioned by the devil. If healing had not been in the plan of redemption, the Father would not have spoken it in His Word. Jesus healed all who came to Him, because He was carrying out the will of the Father.

The only reason sickness is in the body of Christ is due to a low state of knowledge of our rights and privileges in our redemption that has been provided by God through Jesus Christ. It is only our ignorance of our rights and or refusal to act upon God's Word that keeps believers ill. Every believer has a right to be free from sickness and disease. You are the ruler of your body. You have the greater one in you. All that is needed is for you to command sickness or disease to leave in the Name of Jesus. Healing is not only for the believer, but for all believers to also "lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." This was, is and always will be God's method of advertising and revealing Himself to the natural mind.

"Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy] But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole. (Isaiah 53:4-5 AMP). "He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree [as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24 AMP)...

"And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; They will pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well." (Mark 16:17-18) This is free advertisement God's Way!!!

Made New In Christ

There are four major expressions in the Epistles that far to many Christians have not embraced and applied into their lives. They are, "In Him"..."In Christ"..."Christ in you"..."Christ in us." These expression are what is referred to as the believers identification. The Bible tells us, "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..." (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)

I want you to meditate on those verses of scripture because it is a necessity if we are going to walk in the complete freedom that redemption has purchased for us. If God had simply forgiven humanity for the crimes that were committed against Him from the fall of man and did nothing more, then every person, including believers, would continue to commit sin. However, God through all of His wisdom does not only forgive the sinner, He makes him a new creation! Not only does He remit, wipe out, our sin (Isaiah 43:25; Acts 2:38) but He takes away the dominion of sin over the believer, so that the believer never has to walk in sin again. "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:12-14) Of course this does not mean that a believer's free-will has been taken away. Every believe still has the choice to exercise faith and stay free from sin, or live in the flesh and live in sin.

You see, God imparts His very nature into everyone who is born again. "...put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:24). "which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." (2 Peter 1:4) The old things have passed away and now all things become new "In Christ." The Apostle Paul tells us, "For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin." (Romans 6:5-7) What spectacular news, "knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin."  The old man, the body of sin, is done away with in the new creation. The sin nature is gone and God's nature has taken its place.

So many of us have tried to get rid of the old nature on our own, not realizing that all it takes is faith in what God says in His Word. For the most part, most believers have not understood or may not have been told that the old nature has been done away with and the new creation, God's nature, has been imparted to our spirit. We must not depend on experience, but truth. We must renew our minds with God's Word. As we do this, His Word will become the reality and we will know that sin no longer has dominion over us. As we persistently fix our thoughts by renewing the mind with God's Word, we will discover who we are in Christ which will lift us out of weakness and failure into His strength. Remember,  "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." (PTL)