First of all, I just want to preface this blog by making you aware that this was inspired by a similar teaching I heard from John Crowder. He is an amazing teacher that has entered into amazing revelations about the Gospel and communicates them with such passion and clarity. So, whenever you get a chance, check out his stuff! Now, let's get this thing started.
Throughout church history, I have always heard of pastors, teachers, or simply just church goers speak about "overcoming the flesh." Personally, before I understood the Gospel, I would have bought into this false misconception and ridiculous phrase that has been tossed around the body of Christ for years. However, after being awakened to the true, authentic Gospel of grace and the finished work, I have begun to question the many teachings that so easily kept me blinded by the law driven mentality of works based salvation and not knowing exactly what happened at Calvary. Basically, to sum it up, I had no idea what truly happened at the cross. I mean, I understood that Jesus died for our sins and made a way for us to spend eternity with Him, but that was about the extent of my knowledge about the death and resurrection of Jesus. Oh how sorely deceived I was.
Anyways, back to the statement about "overcoming the flesh." So often, people get confused because of semantics and cliche' Christian language. Many people today don't really have a clear definition for the "flesh." Most likely, the reason is because the word is used in two different ways in the New Testament. In one usage, flesh simply refers to your physical body. It comes from the Greek word, sarx. There's absolutely nothing wrong with your body. Your body is merely amoral, lying outside the sphere to which moral and immoral judgements apply. It's not evil! It's simply a physical, material vehicle that's driven by the one who owns it.
Think about it. Jesus had a fleshly body, in which He walked in on the earth over 2,000 years ago. In fact, He still has that same human body in a glorified, resurrected form! The same body that walked in Nazareth is raised immortal! Many people believe that just because something is in the physical and material world, it's evil. That is called gnosticism. See, Gnostics believed that any material world thing inherently made it evil, and that all "spiritual" or "unseen" things are good. That's why gnostics denied that Jesus came in the flesh. In their frame of thinking, Jesus could not have had a body, because such physical objects are evil.
That's why the Apostle John stated in 2 John 1:7 that anyone who denies Jesus came in the flesh is of the antichrist. However, John corrects the very lie and argument of gnosticism. How can your body be wicked if your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), which was bought at a high price? If our physical bodies aren't evil, then why do people preach on overcoming the flesh? Well, here's where the second usage of the word flesh comes into play. This usage comes from the Greek word, sarkikos. This usage of the word "flesh" indicates the "lusts of the flesh." It simply refers to being governed by mere human nature, not by the Spirit of God. In the New Testament, it's referring to your old sinful nature, or old man. Lets keep in mind that as born again believers, our old sinful nature was nailed to the cross with Jesus. For God made Christ who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (1 Corinthians 5:21 NASB). As a side note, if you still aren't convinced that your old man is dead, read Romans 6 in light of now knowing.
The "bad flesh" is not your body. It's defined as the carnal nature, relating to its appetites and its lusts. The term is synonymous with the sinful nature, or the old man. It's the old, self-seeking existence that died with Christ at conversion! You don't have it anymore! Your old sinful nature was crucified and buried with Christ. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, new things have come (2 Corinthians 5:17). Paul is speaking about your old sinful man has passed away through your conversion in Christ! Behold, your new nature has come because it is no longer you that lives, but Christ in you (Galatians 2:20). You have been given the very nature of Christ! You are the righteousness of Christ! Begin to be awakened to your identity in Christ and Christ in you! It truly is the Good News. Next time you think you need to "overcome the flesh" or "beat down your flesh," realize that you are trying to shadow box something that isn't even there. You are trying to resurrect something that was crucified and died over 2,000 years ago. Begin to walk in the fullness of Christ in you!
Begin to read the New Testament in light of this truth and you will begin to understand what Christ did for us and as us. He didn't just pull you out of sin, but He pulled sin out of you! As believers, sin isn't your identity and should never be your expectancy. You were given new, God-centered longings and desires! It was for freedom that Christ set us free (Galatians 5:1a). Begin to walk in the freedom that Christ gave you!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
It's Time to Feast
The Lord has been revealing to me such an amazing revelation of His grace through the finished works of the cross and allowing this biblical truth to be the foundational rock of my entire way of life. Understanding the fullness of what Jesus did not only for us, but as us on the cross is imperative to receiving the entire revelation of His perfect grace and being able to accept our true identity as sons and daughters by living in a perfect, divine union with Christ that's instant and effortless. A real oneness with God is only achieved and completed on Christ's cross. Nothing was left undone or incomplete. This is the foundational principle of the New Testament and the cornerstone of the Pauline epistles.
We need to realize that as born again believers, we are dead. Yes, we died over 2,000 years ago when Jesus was crucified. You may ask, "What do you mean by that?" Well, Paul does an excellent job in explaining in 1 Corinthians 5:21 that God made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin on OUR behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Do you realize that you were co-crucified, co-buried, and co-raised into a new life with God when you gave Him your heart? You may ask, "What does that mean?" It means that your old "sinful" self is dead. It doesn't even exist! It was crucified with Christ. He bore your sin so that you could become righteous through Him. Paul states it very clearly in Galatians 2:20a, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ in me." Therefore, Christ in you, the hope of glory consumes your very being. You literally have the DNA of Jesus Christ flowing through every part of your being. You have been adopted into a royal bloodline and are now the righteousness of God.
Read Romans 6 with this mindset and see the religious, old covenant mindsets break and flake right off. Believers are dead to sin and alive to God. It's very important to know that all of this comes from NOTHING we did, but EVERYTHING Christ did. It's not about achieving, but it's about receiving. In Joseph Prince's book, "Destined to Reign," He states that, "God's ways are contrary to man's ways. Man thinks that for God to bless him, he needs to deserve, earn, and merit God's favor and blessings by his own efforts. Man thinks God's blessings are based on his performance and good works." The truth is, God's ways are all about receiving. He promised that when we RECEIVE the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, which He made completely available through the finished works of the cross, we would reign in life through a relationship with Him.
Honestly, I could go on and on about this amazing truth. However, this is a blog and most people don't like reading a short novel that poses as a blog. I will not sell the Good News short of anything less than what it truly is. The truth will set you free. We need to awaken to the realization that the fullness of Christ and the Kingdom of Heaven live inside of us as believers. When we come into greater revelations of this truth, we will begin to walk in the full measure of His goodness and grace that has been available since His beautiful death and resurrection. The cross is not a symbol of sadness and sorrow. It's a symbol of celebration and victory! Begin to live in the fullness of Christ, the hope of glory! It's time to feast on the finished works of the cross!
We need to realize that as born again believers, we are dead. Yes, we died over 2,000 years ago when Jesus was crucified. You may ask, "What do you mean by that?" Well, Paul does an excellent job in explaining in 1 Corinthians 5:21 that God made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin on OUR behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Do you realize that you were co-crucified, co-buried, and co-raised into a new life with God when you gave Him your heart? You may ask, "What does that mean?" It means that your old "sinful" self is dead. It doesn't even exist! It was crucified with Christ. He bore your sin so that you could become righteous through Him. Paul states it very clearly in Galatians 2:20a, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ in me." Therefore, Christ in you, the hope of glory consumes your very being. You literally have the DNA of Jesus Christ flowing through every part of your being. You have been adopted into a royal bloodline and are now the righteousness of God.
Read Romans 6 with this mindset and see the religious, old covenant mindsets break and flake right off. Believers are dead to sin and alive to God. It's very important to know that all of this comes from NOTHING we did, but EVERYTHING Christ did. It's not about achieving, but it's about receiving. In Joseph Prince's book, "Destined to Reign," He states that, "God's ways are contrary to man's ways. Man thinks that for God to bless him, he needs to deserve, earn, and merit God's favor and blessings by his own efforts. Man thinks God's blessings are based on his performance and good works." The truth is, God's ways are all about receiving. He promised that when we RECEIVE the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, which He made completely available through the finished works of the cross, we would reign in life through a relationship with Him.
Honestly, I could go on and on about this amazing truth. However, this is a blog and most people don't like reading a short novel that poses as a blog. I will not sell the Good News short of anything less than what it truly is. The truth will set you free. We need to awaken to the realization that the fullness of Christ and the Kingdom of Heaven live inside of us as believers. When we come into greater revelations of this truth, we will begin to walk in the full measure of His goodness and grace that has been available since His beautiful death and resurrection. The cross is not a symbol of sadness and sorrow. It's a symbol of celebration and victory! Begin to live in the fullness of Christ, the hope of glory! It's time to feast on the finished works of the cross!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Forever Joyful
Lately, the Holy Spirit has been highlighting different facets, characteristics, and truths about Himself that every Believer should be manifesting and living in daily. The characteristic that He has been teaching me is JOY. Not only is it a fruit of the Spirit, but it's also an internal state of being. See, happiness and joy are two different, yet similar manifestations. They can be easily mistaken to be interchangeable, but in my opinion, they are very different. It is my conviction that happiness is an external manifestation that is produced from the outside in, due to a favorable circumstance or situation. It makes us feel "good" temporarily. On the other-hand, joy is an internal state of being that is manifested from the inside out from an understanding of who we are and what we have obtained through the death and resurrection of Jesus. When we feast on the finished works of the cross, it's impossible not to produce joy. This type of fruit cannot be altered due to conditions or circumstances because it's an internal state of being that isn't temporary, but eternal. The only possible way of not producing this fruit is by not abiding in the true vine, which is Jesus Christ Himself.
If we only do what we feel like doing, we're not believers, we're feelers. With happiness, we tend to need "something" to be happy about, therefore, it's circumstantial. However, with joy, we live from a state of being, not circumstance. See, in the world, feelings precede actions. In the Kingdom, feelings follow actions. So, if you want joy, REJOICE! There is so much to be joyful about. In John 15:11, Jesus says, "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full." God has given us the fullness of joy through His Son, Jesus and has given us complete access of the fullness of HIS joy. Our evidence for things to be true aren't determined by our circumstances but on God's promises. I'm not saying that we shouldn't deny negative facts, but we should focus on a greater reality; God's truth!
Lastly, we need to understand that we cannot produce this fruit of joy apart from the Holy Spirit. You see, when Jesus speaks about the fruits of the Spirit, we need to understand that it's not our fruit to bear. It's the fruit OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. It doesn't say the fruit of Nate or the fruit of (your name). We cannot produce or bear our own fruit, but only the fruit of the Holy Spirit. In John 15:5, Jesus clearly states this, "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." We cannot produce this fruit apart from Him. The only way we can manifest these fruits is through intimacy and connectivity with the Holy Spirit. If we have a relationship with the Holy Spirit and allow Him to manifest Himself through us, the fruit will flow freely and naturally.
With that being said, you were designed to be the most joyful beings on this planet and were made to live from a place of complete ecstasy and pleasure! It's such a glorious thing! REJOICE!
If we only do what we feel like doing, we're not believers, we're feelers. With happiness, we tend to need "something" to be happy about, therefore, it's circumstantial. However, with joy, we live from a state of being, not circumstance. See, in the world, feelings precede actions. In the Kingdom, feelings follow actions. So, if you want joy, REJOICE! There is so much to be joyful about. In John 15:11, Jesus says, "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full." God has given us the fullness of joy through His Son, Jesus and has given us complete access of the fullness of HIS joy. Our evidence for things to be true aren't determined by our circumstances but on God's promises. I'm not saying that we shouldn't deny negative facts, but we should focus on a greater reality; God's truth!
Lastly, we need to understand that we cannot produce this fruit of joy apart from the Holy Spirit. You see, when Jesus speaks about the fruits of the Spirit, we need to understand that it's not our fruit to bear. It's the fruit OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. It doesn't say the fruit of Nate or the fruit of (your name). We cannot produce or bear our own fruit, but only the fruit of the Holy Spirit. In John 15:5, Jesus clearly states this, "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." We cannot produce this fruit apart from Him. The only way we can manifest these fruits is through intimacy and connectivity with the Holy Spirit. If we have a relationship with the Holy Spirit and allow Him to manifest Himself through us, the fruit will flow freely and naturally.
With that being said, you were designed to be the most joyful beings on this planet and were made to live from a place of complete ecstasy and pleasure! It's such a glorious thing! REJOICE!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
A New Hope
First off, I just wanted to apologize for not blogging much at all last semester. I am going to be more intentional about blogging this semester and keeping you all updated on what I am learning, experiencing, and receiving here in Redding, CA at the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry.
The first week being back, I was able to receive such an amazing revelation and impartation of hope that each Believer should be manifesting each day through every circumstance and situation that arises in their lives. There's never a hopeless circumstance or situation, just hopeless people. Our "evidence" for things being true is not according to our circumstances, but according to God's promises. We shouldn't deny negative facts in our lives, but we should choose to focus on a higher reality; God's truth!! That truth is embedded throughout the Word of God and in the person Himself.
See, hopelessness actually empowers a disempowered devil. We shouldn't do for the devil what he can't do for himself! There's always hope in every area of our lives because of the blood of Jesus and as Believers, we are continually washed by His blood. Therefore, hope is continually being washed over us and through us. In fact, if there's anywhere in your life that isn't glistening with hope, then you are believing a lie. Why? Well, Philippians 4:19 says, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." See, God doesn't supply according to our needs, but according to His riches! His riches are abundant and everlasting, so therefore, you will never lack anything apart from Christ Himself!
See, hope is the constant expectation that great is coming, and as Believers, we should be glistening with hope in every area of our lives because of what Jesus did for us and through us when we received Him. We are blessed because of what He did, not anything we do. All we have to do is believe, accept, and receive the abundance and inheritance that He has so freely given. So, next time you feel discouragement, worry, doubt, or any unbelief into your thoughts, words, or actions, begin to declare His perfect provision and ever abundant riches over your circumstances, situations, areas of need, and your very life!
Walk in the confidence and hope in every area of your very being. Our Daddy provides according to His riches and those riches are forever abundant! Bless you all!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)