The Real Secret

The Real Secret

“Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost parts. “Psalms 51:6 Amplified

“The spirit of man [that factor in human personality which proceeds immediately from God] is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts. “  Proverbs 20:21 Amplified

Why are God’s word, power, and principles hidden from many today?  The answer lies in finding the “Real Secret” to living in the presence of God. 

A “secret” was recently formatted, packaged, and presented to the world as “the power to speak positive things and have them come to pass”.  This is a biblical and spiritual principle that demonstrates power in the natural world. (Mark 11:23).  However, it loses its power to heal a life when it is mixed with selfish desires that operate in lives of those who do not know the Author of Truth.  The truth is that a biblical principle does “work” in the natural world.  However, biblical truths become half-truths and deformed when implemented by those who have no inward connection and relationship with real “Truth” (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

The “Four A’s”

Appearance, Accumulations, Access (connections), Ability (notoriety)

The world’s system ties success to external manifestations in appearance, accumulations, access (connections), and ability (notoriety).  I call them the “Four A’s”.  Each of these things in and of themselves is not evil.  However, if they become a “god” in your life, trouble is on the horizon. It is when they become the absolute goal in life that they enter the spiritual danger zone. Those who pursue the attainment of these “Four A’s” to the exclusion of relationship with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit suffer great spiritual loss.   When pursued as a priority, the “Four A’s are in direct opposition to the message of Jesus Christ.  This message is loving God with all your spirit, soul, and body, and your neighbor as yourself.

The goal of the world’s system is to tie every principle of truth to the achievement of the “Four A’s” in life. If a biblical truth works in attaining a selfish goal, use it!  If it can gain more clients for me, exploit it!  If I look good, that is the goal!   These things may work for a while, but the “Whole Truth”, and nothing but the “Truth” eventually finds its way into the life of every human being.  This happens because God loves man and wants every human being to spend Eternity with Him.  God always shows up in the life of a person to draw that person to Him.  He is too often refused.

Now let’s get to the “Real Secret”.  The secret lies in your private life.  It was the private life of the woman spoken of in Proverbs 31 that gained her notoriety with God.  She was recorded as excelling all women of her time (Verse 29).  Imagine that!  Her secret was that she possessed a reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord and was devoted spiritually and naturally to Him.  This is the “Real Secret”. 

Are your inward thoughts saturated with the experience of God’s word being real to you in daily manifestations?  Is your life guided by the Holy Spirit Who knows all Truths for Eternity?  Do you rely on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross for your continual right standing with God?  The “Real Secret” is constant, unbroken fellowship with the One with Whom you will spend Eternity.  Be a possessor of the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord.  Be devoted spiritually and naturally to Him on a daily basis.  Possess the “Real Secret” for Eternity!

Restoration

Restoration

Marsha Deveaux Johnson

 www.livingjoyministries.com http://hepzibah40.blogspot.com

Galatians Chapter 6

Verse 1 “Brethren if any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also. (Amplified)

2 Corinthians 5:17-18

“Therefore if any person is [in-grafted] in Christ (the Messiah)) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether: the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away.  Behold the fresh and new has come!

But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others in harmony with Him].”

Right Standing

Accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior brings man into right standing with God.  The acceptance of Jesus Christ guarantees that we belong to Him.  It is His debt on the cross that paid for this position of right standing with God for us.

Right Fellowship

Right fellowship is based upon deliberate and willful decision-making to do what is right and pleasing in the sight of God.  A breach in practicing righteousness allows the fellowship and communion with God in righteousness to be broken.  This is sin. A restoration process needs to begin. 

The Restoration Process

Acknowledge Sin/ Transgress/ Fault/ Misconduct

Recognize that something wrong has happened on your part with your relationship with God.

Forgiveness

This happened between you and God even if others were involved.  Ask God to forgive your sin in the matter.

Seek Restoration from the Spiritual Body of Christ

Seek out ministers who are walking in right standing and right fellowship with God.  Ask God to lead you to those who faithfully execute His will in their lives and can offer counseling and support to the lives of others.

Take Full Responsibility for the Broken Fellowship

 Others may have influenced you but God has given you free will.  This freedom must be understood and appreciated.  Choice always brings consequences.  When you make a decision and take action, consequences (good or bad) follow the action.

Words/Deeds

We are brought back into harmony with Father by God’s word, our words, and the deeds we practice after we are restored to right fellowship (2 Corinthians 5:18). Amplified

Healing

Make a decision to receive forgiveness and reject condemnation (Romans 8^th Chapter).  Allow God to heal your hurting heart.  No one can help you like Father.  Walk and allow the wounded place to be a place of victory when the deliverance that God orchestrates takes place.

Setting Boundaries

·         Make a quality decision not to go to a place of broken fellowship with Father. 

·         Draw your line in the sand!  

·         Set your parameters!  

·         Choose people, places, and things in your life that cause you to move closer to God. 

·         Cry out to God! 

·         Ask for His help! 

·         Choose no other gods before Him! 

·         Abandon selfishness! 

·         Lay your life before Him daily and finally “Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for YOU!” (1^st Peter 5:7)

Take Off The Limits!

Take Off The Limits!

Marsha Deveaux Johnson

www.livingjoyministries.com

http://hepzibah40.blogspot.com

1^st Thessalonians 5:23

“And the very God of peace, sanctify you wholly; and I pray your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” KJV

For the Believer these words recorded in scripture are critical in our understanding of who we are and what God can do in and through us.  First of all, we are charged to know that we are spirit (communicator with God), we possess a soul (intellect/mind, will, & emotions), and live in a physical body (flesh, blood, & bones).

When we enter this world through birth, we are sensitized in the area of our soul and body.  Our soul dominates our existence and also governs the actions of the physical body.  Our spirit, which is really who we are lies dormant until something happens to give it life.  This life giving happening for the spirit is recorded in Ephesians 2:1 by Apostle Paul. It is encountering and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. 

Here is what takes place when you receive Jesus.  Paul says, “And you hath He quickened (made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins;  wherein  in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.”KJV

When your spirit receives Christ and comes alive, you have finally activated the part of you that allows the thoughts, intents and purposes, of God to flow.  Your spirit can now begin to govern your soul and body.  The challenge is that up until this time the soul has been in power and wants to remain in power. 

The new message is to live out of your spirit that is now activated by God’s word.  The soul must be dethroned.  The spirit (human spirit) with the thoughts, intents, and purposes of God should now govern the soul and body.  This process takes place over time under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

As you continue to walk with God, daily conforming to the image of Christ, your soul through your intellect hears and processes God’s word.  The final resting place in you for this compilation of God’s word is in your spirit (human spirit).  Your spirit is as vast as Eternity and it knows, retains,  and comprehends God’s word. 

Your soul is limited and cannot consciously deliver all that you have learned at any one given time.  Your spirit on the contrary can deliver to you the word of God that is needed for your life circumstance instantly.  

Your spirit is not limited in its comprehension of the power, purpose, plan, and will of the Father for you.  Therefore, the Believer must allow the spirit to govern the soul and the body will follow the soul!

As a Believer I struggled with my desire to please God and walk fully in His presence.   I would agonize over circumstances and choices wondering if I made the “right choices” or “discerned clearly”, or “heard God”, or “pleased Him”.  God is Father, He knows His children and comes to our rescue even when we are not aware that we need to be rescued.  He comes to our soul only in rescue mode (when you are totally exhausted).  He desires to communicate with us Spirit (God) to spirit (human spirit).   

He rescued me so simply by speaking to me.  My paraphrase of what He said is this, “You are trying to wrap your brain around and comprehend Me in your soul and it will never happen.  Your soul is limited.  Your spirit is not.  The mechanism in you for communication with Me is your spirit.  Live out of your spirit.  I am Spirit, communicate with Me Spirit (God) to spirit (human spirit) (John 4:24).

Anyone who does laundry will understand the illustration that God gave to me.  There are washing machines that load from the top of the machine and others that load from the front.  His clear word to me was you cannot load a machine that opens on top from the front. There is no opening in the front to load the clothes.  Duuuhhh!  Your spirit has a purpose and it is to govern the soul and body with the vastness of God, the unlimited power and possibilities of God, the word of God, & the desire for truth.  In short, your spirit reveals to you the vastness of Eternity right here on earth.  Your soul does not have this capacity.

This “living out of your spirit” allows eternal peace to prevail in your life.  It allows eternal joy to prevail in your life regardless of circumstances around you.  It always whispers to you that God is not the “great I could be”, He is the “Great I AM”.  You will discover that you can have His same peace and joy on both sides of Eternity.

A maturing Believer knows that sooner or later the soul operation is inadequate to deal with the vastness of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Growth can only occur as you begin to live out of your spirit.  Here are some practical entrances to accomplishing living out of your spirit.   The greatest way of course is to listen to the Holy Spirit in you.

·         Start by daily confessing before Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that you live out of your spirit. 

·         Feed your spirit God’s word.  Use your intellect and will in this process (2^nd Timothy 2:15).

·         Speak God’s word, God’s plan, God’s purpose, God’s will or say nothing at all.  You are accountable for your words (Matthew 12:36).

·         Do not fight with negative thought patterns.  This only gives power and attention to the soul.

·         When intruding, negative, godless, self-seeking, thoughts occur in your soul, silence them by deliberately turning to meditate or to say whatever is just, lovely, pure, positive, and of good report (Philippians 4:8).  The good things will arise from your spirit if you use your will.  Make a deliberate decision to meditate, say, and sing God’s word.

·         Make a deliberate turn (use your will) and focus on truth, justice, love, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  Start your “gaze” upon these things and the power of the negative in the soul will diminish.

·         Cease to reason, mull, and agonize over your decisions and actions.  Submit them to Father and out of your spirit will come proper responses in all circumstances that you face. Your intellect was given for you to embrace the knowledge needed in life.  However, a successful life is totally dependent upon your Father’s presence, not your intellect.

 

Take off the limitations of your soul!

Living out of your spirit is the way to experience Eternity right here and

right now!

Too Many Words

Too Many Words

“We are getting far too many words and too few of them are from the Lord”.

Marsha Deveaux Johnson

Many spiritual leaders are afraid to speak God’s word because of the fear of people.   This is not the first time God has had to deal with leaders who feared man.  It is common in both the old and new testaments.  Leaders in the past and today engage in situational politics and adjust social issue views to accommodate the favored group, party, opinion, etc.  This happens sometimes in absolute absentia of God’s word, law, and commandments.   It is very clear that most of our politicians and legislators have no word of the Lord in their mouths. 

Recently I was concerned about issues that dominate the news media and are holding the minds of people captive.  God spoke in my spirit and said, “Don’t look at the lives of people, look at My word.”  This Rhema word was settling for me.  I hope it will settle you and allow you to focus on what is honest, just, lovely, true, and of good report (Philippians 4:8).  If we focus, we will see Eternity.  If we view and listen to the “banging of tin cans” (words, words, words) in this world, Eternity will be elusive. 

God is a God of justice who loves and rewards righteousness and hates wickedness.  He will not be mocked by the creatures He created (Galatians 6:7).  He says whatsoever you sow, you will reap.  If you sow hatred and discord, it will one day come to live at your house.  If you sow God’s word in your own life and the lives of others, you will dwell safely and quietly from fear of evil (Proverbs 1:33).

Many activists beat for justice on a “tin can” (words, words, words), but do not seek, find, and practice the truth of God’s word.  How foolish many appear to God crying for justices (with words) while their own hearts are soaked in deceit, greed, and hatred.  How He pities us and desires our hearts to be given over to Him.

Many politicians label themselves Christians only to deceive, trap and endanger the lives of true Christians.  God knows them that are truly His (2^nd Timothy 2:19)!  It is up to each Believer to not be deceived by words.  We must listen for the voice of God in everything we hear.  If God’s voice does not resound in what we are hearing, bid it accursed (Galatians 1:8)!

Christians should never under any circumstance agree with words of hatred, put down, racism, and classism.  None of these things are a part of the Kingdom of God.  God loves and cares for all people and will not take sides against any created being.  It is His heart that all come to a knowledge and acceptance of Him.  The created being is the one who separates himself from God.  Jesus died for all men.  This is a simple message, yet when negative words are running rampant, everything gets complicated. 

Return to the simple words on which hang the law and the prophets.  “Thou shall love the Lord God with all thy heart, soul, and mind, and thy neighbor as thyself (Matthew 22:37-39).  Remember that God is about all people.  God fearing people who love righteousness do not perpetuate words of hatred, greed and power, but of love, salvation, and restoration.

The word of God tells the story of the rich man who gathered riches, fortified his storehouse, and built greater barns (Luke 12:16-21).  He sought to make himself richer and richer and to keep all that he had.  Nothing was designated for the poor who God said would always exist. God has instructed us to be cognizant of the less fortunate and make provisions to share riches (Deuteronomy 15:11).   The rich man forgot that he had a date with destiny to slip into Eternity.  It happened suddenly when he was so sure of his wealth and power to live forever.  When he slipped into Eternity, nothing went with him.  He was no longer in charge of the vast wealth he had accumulated for himself in this world.  It was all “left behind”.

I offer this “To Do” list to stay focused in the “Too Many Words” world in which we live.

·         When the words get so fast and furious around you, check in your spirit to see if they are really the heart of God for His creatures. 

·         Sharpen your ears to God’s voice by reading and speaking His word more than the word of people. 

·         Denounce religion, hatred, greed, racism, and classism.  Seek relationship with God.  Hunger to be found in His word looking for answers to all situations you face.  How will you know His voice if you do not know Him?

·         Pray bold and earnest prayers for leaders and politicians to speak the word of the Lord rather than the sentiments of created beings.

·         Examine every word you speak in light of its weight for Eternity!

Remember:

If you love God, you will love all people.

If you hurt people, you hurt God.

If you deny God, you will deny people.

Enjoy the Holiday Season and the “Change” that God is bringing.

We are moving closer to the other side of Eternity

Seven Indicators of a Maturing Christian

Seven Indicators of a Maturing Christian

Marsha Deveaux Johnson, www.livingjoyministries.com, http://hepzibah40.blogspot.com

Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that He which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”  Yes, there is hope for me and you!  Look at the word of God offered here and receive its investment in your growth as a maturing Christian!

A Quiet Orderly Life

1^st Thessalonians 4:11

“…make it your ambition and definitely endeavor to live quietly and peacefully, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you.” Amplified

Nothing displays the beauty of a maturing Christian better that one who has a quiet and orderly life.  It demonstrates grace.  It displays peace.  It showcases that the life of Christ is so active in him that it is visible and evident to the world.  The “busyness” of this world promotes disorder and chaos in daily activities.  Some think they are not “living” if this “busyness” is not a part of their demeanor.  They show the world their value by excessive involvement in many things that God has not ordered or sanctioned.  Cultivate “quiet”.

A Hatred of the World, Its System, Focus, and Things

1^st John 2:15

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” KJ

Three things demonstrate that a Christian is maturing in the grace to live the life of Christ.  There is hatred and shunning of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Any Believer who entangles himself with the world, its systems, its focus, its solutions, and its temporal things ends up being void of doing the will of God.  The maturing Believer quickly identifies the futility of the systems and answers that the world offers.  If your focus is “my next achievement, my next thrill, my next material thing, my next trip, etc.”, then the world has captured your heart.  This will lead you to an emptiness that grows increasingly as the years go by.  Greed for the world and its systems and pleasures shuts down maturity in the life of a Believer. Cultivate a hatred for what God hates and a love for what He loves (people).

A Contented Unshakable Life

1^st Timothy 6:6

“…Godliness accompanied with contentment (that contentment which is a sense of inward sufficiency) is great and abundant gain.” Amplified

Maturing Christians realize that the only things that can transition into Eternity are the lives we live for God here on earth.  No material thing or relationship for which we strive accompanies us as we exit this earthly life.  One day, we awake, look at our earthly possessions and realize that all of these things are indeed temporal.  They stay here and do not produce fruit for Eternity.  Use possessions to further the gospel and kingdom of God.  Cultivate Contentment.

An Abiding Rest in Spirit, Soul, & Body

Hebrews 4^th Chapter

Verse 10, “For he who has once entered God’s rest has ceased from [the weariness and pain] of human labors, just as God rested from those labors peculiarly His own.” Amplified

Restlessness is an indicator of emptiness, fear, and wrong focus.  Jesus is not Lord where restlessness abides. The Believer who is content, resting only in God depends solely upon God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, provide, comfort, and protect.  There is no expectation or demands made upon family, friends, associates, governments, etc. 

This freedom to be led only by God’s Holy Spirit positions a Believer for the ultimate life of contentment.  Doubt and unbelief kept God’s people in times past from entering in to His rest.  Do not let this happen to you. The maturing Christian rests in God’s leading and the finished work of the cross by Jesus Christ to accomplish His plan in their lives.  Works of the flesh cannot give birth to spiritual fruit that is necessary in the life of a maturing Christian.  Cultivate “Rest”.

An Unrelenting Love for God and Others

Matthew 22:37-38

“…You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect).  This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment.  And a second is like it:  You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.” Amplified

If love is not present in your heart for God and all human beings, you are not of God (1^st John 4:7-8, 1^st Corinthians 13^th Chapter).  This is a place of no compromise.  If you hate, do not forgive, and persecute others, you are not a Christian.  Every man who “knows” God loves Him and all people.  Cultivate Love for God and People.

A Submission to the Death of Self Process

Hebrews 12: 5-11

“My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou are rebuked of Him:  For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges, every son who He receives…” KJ

God deals with every Christian in conforming to the image of Christ.  This is a process by which self is dethroned and Jesus is made Lord over the life of the Believer.  This process takes time.  The Holy Spirit is the One who leads & guides us in this transformation.  This death of self process is because God desires that we not make a “god” of self.  Cultivate “Dying to Self”.

An Increasingly Peculiar Life

 Titus 2:14

“Who gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem us (purchase our freedom) from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people [to be peculiarly His own, people who are] eager and enthusiastic about [living a life that is good and filled with] beneficial deeds.” Amplified

1^st Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” KJ Cultivate the “Peculiar Life” God has for every Believer for Eternity!

What's New?

What’s New?

Marsha Deveaux Johnson, www.livingjoyministries.com, http://hepzibah40.blogspot.com

2 Corinthians 5: 17-19

 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation: KJ 

It was God (personally present) in Christ reconciling and restoring to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them]and committing to us the ministry of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor).” Amplified

Man is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26).  Man is spirit, an invisible being that communicates with God the Creator.  Man possesses a soul, the intellect [mind], will [choice], and emotions [feelings].  Man lives in a physical body [flesh, blood, bones] (1^st Thessalonians 5:23).  Your spirit, soul, and body makes up the complete package that is called a human being.  Everyone born is a spirit, possesses a soul, and has a physical body. 

God exists in three parts just as He created man to exist in three parts.  God is: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).  Adam disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden and brought a curse of sin on mankind (Genesis Chapter 3).  This sin of disobedience broke the initial connection between God in heaven and man on earth.  The restoration of the connection between God and man happened when God sent His Son Jesus to do penalty for our sins (John 3:16).

If we are a created spirit, having a soul, and living in a body, what happens to us when we acknowledge and ask Jesus to come and live on the inside of us?  Is there any part of us that has changed?  Is there any part of us that has not changed?  How does this decision to have Jesus inside of us play out in the choices, decisions, actions, and lifestyles, we exhibit after we receive Him?

What happens to us when we acknowledge Christ, repent, and ask Jesus to come and live on the inside of us? 

When we confess that we are a sinner and ask Jesus to forgive our sins and live on the inside of us, our sins are forgiven (Romans 3:23, 1^st John 1:9, Luke 13:3, Acts 3:19, Romans 10:9, Isaiah 55:7, John 3:16-18, John 1:12).  We are restored back to our right relationship with God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  We are redeemed from Adam’s sin.  We are now sons of God and joint-heirs with Christ Jesus to live out Eternity with God (1^st John 3:2, Romans 8:16-17).

Is there any part of us that has changed?    (Human Spirit)

Yes!  God has allowed your human spirit that was dead to come alive to His consciousness (Ephesians 2:1-9).  God has made alive our human spirit so that we can communicate and respond to Him.  It is in the deep recesses of our spirit that He communes and communicates with us.   He has forgiven us (our sins) and we are a new creation in Him appropriated by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ has paid the penalty for our sins and we are no longer guilty.  We are new creations in Him.  Your spirit is the new you!

Is there any part of us that has not changed? (Soul/Body)

I wish I could say otherwise but unfortunately there are two parts of man (soul and body) that do not change when the “New Birth (Creation)” occurs.  However, God has made provision for change for the soul and the body.  Let us examine how God has made provision for the change in the human spirit to influence these other two parts to come into alignment with the new creation in Christ Jesus.

First of all the soul (Before receiving Jesus) has gained years of intelligence, habits, emotions, and information that still remain intact after you receive Jesus.  Some of the intelligence and information may be truth and some may not be truth. Some of the habits may be good and consistent with God’s word and some may not.  Some of the emotions may be healthy and some may not be.  God wants us to succeed in allowing Christ Jesus to live His life in us. 

So how does God expect the new creation to succeed at being new when some of the intelligence, habits, emotions, and information found in the soul are faulty?  Good question!    Here is how it takes place.  The answer lies in these two words: New and Renew.  When you receive Jesus, your spirit is made alive by God. Your spirit is the “New Creation”. When you receive Jesus, your soul is not “New” but has to be “Renewed” (Romans 12:2).  How does this “renewal” take place?  Jesus Christ (The Living Word) and God’s word in scripture are the agents of renewal.  It is the study, knowledge, and application of God’s word that allows your soul to align with your spirit that has become a new creation.  As your mind is “Renewed” with the word of God, that same word of God will find its home deep within your spirit.  

When your spirit and your soul become one with the word of God, the God-life (Zoe) begins to explode in you and all things truly become new!  You begin to conform to the image of Christ.  This is a process.  John 8:31 says “…If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed”. It takes time. The word of God must begin to work mightily in you.  Jesus is your Intercessor as you walk in grace, faltering, repenting, and moving forward in Him.  You are covered by Christ’s blood and you grow in His grace.

Here is a piece of good news about your body.  Once your spirit and soul are aligned with God’s word, your body follows in obedience.  The body is going to do what the mind tells it to do.  The body is a slave to the soul.  So if your soul aligns with the “New Creation” in your spirit and studies God’s word, makes a decision to do God’s word, the body follows exclusively!  What a mighty God we serve with a perfect plan for us to succeed!  What’s New?  You!

“New You” Entitlements

Entitlement #1:  The Forgiveness of Sins (Past, Present, Future)

Isaiah 43:25, “I, even I, am He that blots out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.”

Jeremiah 31:34, “And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, know the Lord:  for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, says the Lord:  for I will for forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sins no more.”

Hebrews 8:12, “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”

Entitlement #2:  The Grace of God

Earlier I referred to the information, habits, and practices that are in place in the soul and body of all of us prior to receiving Jesus.  When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and begin to obey his word, grace becomes a key issue in understanding our walk with Jesus Christ.  We must understand and accept that it is God’s extension of grace to us that makes us worthy of His love and forgiveness.  We cannot earn His love and grace.  It is ours when we receive Jesus Christ.  It is what He did on the cross in payment for our sins that entitles us to live free from sin.  Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Romans 6^th Chapter explains the provision of grace in the life of the believer.

“Grace is your covering while you recover.”

Entitlement #3:  The Healing Power of Christ in my Spirit, Soul, & Body

·         Relationships

·         Finances

·         Physical/Mental/Emotional Healing

·         Restoration

·         Freedom to spend Eternity with God

After receiving all these entitlements from our Heavenly Father, what then is our challenge in life?  The challenge then becomes to allow Jesus Christ to live out His life in us.  What do we do when we disobey God (sin) after receiving Jesus Christ into our hearts?  How does God see us when we commit sin?  Will God forgive our sin over and over and over?  How do we renew our soul and body with God’s word while struggling with habits and desires? Good questions! Let’s examine each one.

How does God see us when we commit sin?

He sees us covered by the blood of our Intercessor Jesus Christ (1^st John 2:2).  When we accept Jesus Christ, we are in “right standing” with God.  When we sin fellowship with God is broken but not right standing.  When we repent, we are in right standing and fellowship with God.

What do we do when we disobey God (sin) after receiving Jesus Christ into our hearts?

1^st John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  1^st John 2:2, “My little children I write unto you that you sin not.  And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”  Prior to receiving Jesus Christ into our lives, the remedy for sin is inactive.   The penalty of sin which is spiritual death (Romans 6:23) just keeps mounting.  Once we receive Jesus, He becomes the remedy for sin. He took and bore our sins in His own body upon the cross (1^st Peter 2:24).  We are free because He was punished.  When we sin, we confess, repent, and commit to “sin no more”.  We resume living the life of Christ.  This is possible because of the words Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30).  Our penalty for sin has already been paid!  When we receive the “Not guilty” sentence because of Christ, the life of Christ becomes easier to live.  Not because we want to continue to sin, but because our relationship with Him causes us to desire to please Him.

Will God forgive our sin over and over and over? 

Jesus instructed His disciples to forgive others their trespasses seven times seventy (Matthew 18:21-22).  Our God, because of the finished work Jesus accomplished on the cross receives and forgives us because of His Son’s shed blood.  Confession and repentance yields forgiveness.  God deals with His children because He is Father and knows each one.  He does not see as man sees (1^st Samuel 16:7). He sees the repentant heart in the midst of all the turmoil of life circumstances.  His provision is made for all of us to abandon sin forever.

How do we renew our soul and body with God’s word while struggling with habits and desires?

Renewal of the soul and body comes by the power of the written word of God, the spoken word of God, and the Living Word made flesh who is Jesus Christ.  When we read, hear, and confess God’s word, it enters our soul (mind) and finally lodges deep within our spirit.  The constant “marinade” or “soaking” of God’s word in our spirits produces the life that comes from the word of God.  The word of God grows powerfully and empties into the soul (mind) when it faces a trial and is needed to dispel lies, wrong emotions, and sudden negative confrontations. The word of God moves from our spirit to our soul and then the body follows orders. 

Remember the body follows the soul (mind).  This results in releasing habits, wrong thinking, wrong actions, and everything that displeases God (eventually).  If you are born of God you have the promise of God to “stop sin” in your life.  This promise comes in the form of Jesus Christ, the Living Word. Fully receive His righteousness and struggling to live for Him will cease.

 It is only if the word of God has been heard and deposited by meditation in our spirits that it can arise and deliver us.  This is God’s awesome and powerful way of escape for us no matter what we face.  God’s word will not return void or useless in our lives (Isaiah 55:11). 

God made provision for recovering your life in His presence.  If you have surrendered to His love through Jesus Christ, you will not continually disobey Him.  You will build a relationship with God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit that dispels the sin in your life.  You are entitled to live a life free from sin!  You can do it because of the sinless One, Jesus Christ!