You who have committed yourself to Jesus Christ, who have shared by faith in his death and resurrection have been raised a new being with a new kind of life. At Calvary you with your Adam nature were nailed to the tree with Jesus. The Bible says of believers, "Our old man is crucified with Him."1 Your former identity was with fallen Adam but your new identity is with the Son of the living God.2
When Almighty God invaded the tomb in the Person of the Holy Spirit to raise Jesus from the grave you were "in Christ"3 and your spirit, once imprisoned by sin and death, has come to life. "The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord."4 You have been ignited with the spark of eternal life, God has raised you up, a living spirit. "And you are in Him, made full and have come to fullness of life - in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead: Father, son and Holy Spirit."5 This is spiritual reality, established in the heavens. But you must confirm it in your own spirit and live it out in your life by faith, through the ministry of the Person of the Holy Spirit.
In Jesus Christ the Father has adopted us and given us a divine nature and a royal inheritance, recorded in Scripture in words of absolute truth and life. As part of the Father's own family we are those sons and daughters who satisfy the deepest longing of his heart: we have responded to his love, we have freely chosen to return to our Creator through the finished work of the cross. The Father has opened his arms to greet us joyfully, as He did the prodigal son. By the covenant blood He has redeemed us from "the powers of darkness"6 which enslaved us with fallen Adam. Now we are "children of light" who live in "the kingdom of his dear Son," a spiritual realm not understood by the mind or seen with the eye of flesh but present and powerful in and around all who are in Christ Jesus. Through the power in his mighty Name which He has now shared with us, we have all the authority and privileges of a royal people who represent our King in this world. Every provision for the abundant life, material and spiritual, is ours. God has made us "joint heirs"7 with Jesus, our "elder brother", who is now the "first born of many brethren."8 Deep within us "the Spirit Himself.. testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God."9
To wed us eternally to him in a marriage union that deepens as we love and honor him, the Father has given us a covenant of grace to make us holy. "In order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us,...He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him."10 Having received all that He has and is in Jesus, we, through the Christ-life within us, can now give ourselves fully to him in return.
When I was a new Christian who had suddenly come from darkness into light I did not recognize and walk in all that I had become in Christ. Though I loved him I was unable by human effort to make him Lord of my life. My newly born spirit man was weak, unable to rise up and take hold of "the covenants of promise" that would produce the fruit of Calvary in my life. Most of the time I was still living in the kingdom of self, buffeted by Satan and dominated by my darkened soul--that is my mind, will and emotions. I needed to be enlightened by God's truth, my will was undisciplined and rebellious, and my tangled emotions were crying out to be cleansed and healed. Humbled by such great need, yet encouraged and drawn by the love that had been poured out upon me I turned to the Bible with a hungry heart, taking the Holy Spirit as Teacher and Guide. The Author of God's Word, He alone can give us the revelation and power needed to release our spirits to "walk in newness of life."11
Our Lord had spoken of the Spirit to his disciples just before his crucifixion. Knowing they would remain ignorant and defeated without him He said, "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter...that he may remain with you forever. When He, the Spirit of Truth...comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will (draw upon) what is mine and (transmit) it to you. Everything that the Father has is Mine."12
After his ascension when the risen Christ was seated again in glory at the Father's right hand the Holy Spirit descended to earth on the day of Pentecost. Representing the Godhead He has come to reveal the Lord Jesus Christ, the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world," and the power of his blood. The minister of the new covenant, He draws men to the cross, convicting and cleansing from sin all who believe. Raising them to new birth He continues to work mightily within their souls to conform them to the image of Jesus Christ and to establish them in his purposes for their lives.
Commit your way to the Spirit of Truth and discipline your will to study the Bible faithfully day by day, for the promises of God are fulfilled in those who seek them diligently and walk in them by faith. If you do not know the Word of God begin reading the Gospel of John, written "that we might believe," showing us the heart of God and all that He has made us and freely given us in Christ. The Book of Romans contains the theology of God's plan of salvation, the Epistles to the Ephesians and Colossians show us who we truly are in him. Galatians exhorts and teaches us how to walk in the Spirit with Christ as our life, and in Hebrews, especially chapters 5 - 10. we learn of the "new and the better" covenant in Jesus' blood.
The Bible is simply the Book of the two Testaments or Covenants. The old covenant of the law was given to bring us to the end of ourselves, for it proves that apart from God himself we cannot love him or keep his commandments. Faithful Abraham, the friend of God, desired with all his heart to walk with perfect faith before him and inherit all the blessings, yet many times his human nature failed him. In the covenant of grace the Father in his wisdom had undertaken both for himself and for you and me. He has chosen not to enter into agreement with our frail humanity, but with his own Son, to whom He originally made the promises,13 the One who now lives within us and has become our life.14 Paul says in Galatians, "I have been crucified with Christ - [in Him] I have shared His crucifixion; it is no longer I who live, but Christ, the Messiah, lives in me."15 Because of the resurrection God has now united himself in covenant agreement with a new species of man, those who by faith are one with Christ Jesus.16
Upon this revelation, made real to my inner man, I chose to build my new life: when the Spirit raised me from the dead and breathed his life into me I received the mind of Christ with God's laws written upon it, even as Jehovah had promised. 17 Within me was a heart of flesh, free from sin, that would "delight to do the Father's will." In spite of my old nature that would continually try to rise from the grave to dominate me, in spite of my soul that would draw me back into the kingdom of self I purposed to believe God's Word: "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away ; behold all things become new."18
Receive this revelation in your own spirit. The cross has dealt sovereignly, not only with your sins but with you, the sinner: "You died and your life is hidden with Christ in God."19 By grace He has made you "the righteousness of God in Him." 20 As you learn through God's Spirit and his Word to live moment by moment out of your new being, fully yielding your will to his, the Christ-life within you will always come forth to please the Father. 21
Scripture commands us, "Ever be filled and stimulated with the (Holy) Spirit."22 To strengthen and equip your spirit man to do God's will you must receive "the promise of the Father," the baptism in the Holy Spirit that established the early Christians in supernatural power at Pentecost. Like the new birth this gift is received by faith. Examine the Scripture23 and ask the Lord Jesus, who is the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit to fill you daily with "zoe" life, the life of the Spirit.24
Rise up "holy and beloved", in "the newness of the Spirit."25 Agree now and forever with God's Word: consider yourself "to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord." 26 Your bridegroom calls you to a royal wedding, his own agape27 love has been "shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit."28 Offer yourself to him now in a covenant of love. Vow by his grace to love him freely with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength, for "the end of the commandment is [love] out of a pure heart."29 Respond to those arms that beckon you beyond the veil into his intimate presence, Let his Being overshadow you, as you cleave to him, yielding your spirit to his warm embrace.
"The King has brought me into his chambers."30
"Your love is more delightful than wine."31
As you surrender to him alone, your personal devotion satisfies and delights the heart of the great Lover. This is the purpose for which He made you, this is the reason for which Christ died. No longer need you hide like Adam, feeling unworthy or condemned, no longer pretend or wish to be someone other than yourself. Cease striving to please him with your good works and take time to rest quietly in him. 32 Let his own voice persuade you that you are "accepted in the Beloved" for yourself, just as you are.
The lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He
will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his
love, he will rejoice over you with singing. 33
When the Father chose you in Christ "before the foundation of the world" He knew you intimately, He desired to unite with you in a love bond so that you might reflect his character through the beauty of your unique spirit. In his wisdom He also planned to relate you with others in his royal family in a world-wide body of believers, which is his Church. Jew and Gentile alike, all who return to the Father through faith in the finished work of the cross are being joined together by the Holy Spirit as members of the body of Christ. In every circumstance of our lives He is working through the power of Jesus' blood to refine us, showing us areas of continuing sin, that we might repent, enabling us to stand firmly against the wiles of the enemy, who would destroy our faith. As we choose to crucify, to put to death the self-life, submitting in love and humility to him and to one another, He will be able set each of us in his special place of ministry within the body. We will become that "glorious Church" 34 that expresses the life of Jesus here on earth and satisfies his great heart. For our Lord prayed just before his death that his Church "be made perfect in one." that through us the world would experience the Father's love, and know and believe that He has sent the Son. 35
As an expression of your love come daily into his presence with praise and adoration, with a heart open and waiting to meet a Holy God. Confess any known sin and be washed anew by the blood of Jesus, which alone cleanses us from all unrighteousness 36 and brings us into the Holy of Holies. The veil of the temple that separated man from God was literally "torn in two" 37 when Jesus gave his sinless body to be pierced and torn for us. The sin that was merely "covered" of "passed over" by the blood of animals has now been "remitted," 38 sent away from the lives of believers, for Jesus, our great High Priest, has presented his own blood on our behalf before the Father. 39 When we remain surrendered and obedient before him that blood has power to remove from us even the consciousness of sin and of our old sin nature. A fresh awareness of the heart and life of Christ within us inspires us and sets us free "to serve the living God." 40
You and I will determine the height and depth of our relationship with him, even as Abraham and Moses did. To those who desire him alone, spending quality time each day ministering love to him, growing in understanding of his Word and yielding their souls to its cleansing, healing power He will give his intimate friendship. The sweet fragrance of the bridal chamber will be upon them, the mark of the covenant in them will be a heart of flesh, circumcised from sin and yielded to his will. 41 Out of their inner most being will flow rivers of living water, the power of the Spirit that will bring others into relationship with the Father and increase his kingdom. For the "full knowledge of God" brings as a part of its very meaning a "greater participation in his life and purposes." 42
Deep healing of the emotions came to me in the presence of the Father as I meditated upon his character, revealed in Scripture and seen clearly in Jesus. 43 I realized that my image of God had been based upon the traits of my human father, who truly loved me but found it difficult to express his love through words or human affection and who expected more of me as the oldest child than I was able to give. Buried in my subconscious mind were wounds, hurts that had come from rejection and failure. Those hidden memories and emotions that had bred hostility and led me into rebellion began to come to the surface, where they could be forgiven and healed by the Lover of my soul. My heart was softened, fear and anger gave place to reverential awe and deep affection as He revealed himself personally to me as my Father, Shepherd, Provider. As my understanding and faith in his promises deepened I began to discover him dwelling within me as Immanuel. my life, my health and well-being, my strength, peace and joy. I realized I had demanded things from others which they could not possibly give me. Now I look to him and wait upon him alone, for my God fulfills my every need: "My beloved is mine and I am his." 44
Though many times old thought patterns and emotions sweep in to stir up the sin nature, and the enemy come to lure me into rebellion I am learning through the Spirit and the Word to rise up as an overcomer. 45 God had given me "the mind of Christ," 46 that knows and obeys the Word of God, and I have determined to "possess my soul,"47 patiently to teach her to yield to my spirit and walk in love. My Lord has shown me that when I remember past failures or harbor bitterness for old injuries I grieve him deeply: I deny the wonder of the cross where He, God's Lamb. gave his precious blood that makes all things new.
By his grace I have chosen to forgive my parents48 and all who have disappointed and hurt me in the past, as well as those who may offend me day by day. By his Spirit He continues to work that pardon deep into my heart and mind, and through the power of forgiveness, those prison walls of anger and resentment fall away. My joyful spirit is set free to express my calling, to bless others, to exhort and encourage and lead them to my Lord. Truly my Redeemer lives!
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God, our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen Jude 24-25.