THE CROSS AND LOVE RECONCILES US TO GOD
1. God Reconciled Us To Himself Through Christ Through the Cross
2. God Reconciled All Things Unto Himself The Rose Even the Thorns
3. We Get To Experience Dying To Self So We Can Live Unto God
4. He Made It Possible. Now We Show Our Choice Agrees To Follow Him.
2. God Was In Christ Reconciling the World Unto Himself..........02
3. Nothing Shall Separate Us from the Love of God...................05
4. Work of the Cross on Your Soul...........................................06
5. Why God Loves Jesus........................................................07
6. Life and Purpose of Christ...................................................08
7. Our Response to God.........................................................10
8. God's Response to Us........................................................11
9. God's Plan for Us...............................................................13
10. Dead to Sin and Alive to God..............................................14
11. Knowing Your Death to Know the Resurrection.....................15
12. Walk in Liberty as Dear Children of God...............................16
13. Safe Guidelines for Your Life..............................................17
14. Put Off the Old Man to Put On the New...............................18
15. How To Finish Your Life With Joy.......................................20
16. We Love God Because He First Loved Us...........................21
17. Crucified Daily..................................................................22
18. Peace and Deliverance from Fear of Death, Loss and Hurt.......24
Written by Larry Rice, 4908 George, Wichita Falls, Tx
Knowing this truth gives great peace for your soul. To know that you and all your situation has been reconciled to God is a never ending fountain of righteousness, peace, and joy. (See the topical reference on Romans 10:17)
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Thought: We give glory to God as we acknowledge that He has reconciled all things unto Himself. (See 2Cor 5:18 all things are of God) As we recognize all things are reconciled unto Him (Colossians 1:20), we have peace instead of fear and worry.
Colossians 1:20,21 And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself: by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven, and (even) you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works now has He reconciled.
The big hurdle for the mind to overcome is the fear of things that it believes is not reconciled to God.
When some situation comes along that a man likes it is easy to agree it is reconciled to God. When a man does not acknowledge something as being in God then he can be reduced to knock-kneed fear of that situation.
The renewing of your mind must continue to the place where you acknowledge all things are reconciled unto Him. Only when you accept them as being reconciled, under His control, can you trust in His faith for Him to work it out. If you deny God is in control of the matter, then you are shutting the door of faith.
Read Romans 8:28-39 It teaches that nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ. Part of the reason is understood by Colossians 1:21 which tells us that all things have been reconciled to God, and we know that God is love. He works all things in His love.
Made One With God
GOD WAS IN CHRIST RECONCILING THE WORLD UNTO HIMSELF
II Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
II Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (By acknowledging what He has done and doing likewise.)
We are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2), presenting our bodies a living sacrifice, yeilding our members to do His will. Showing we gladly lay down our lives for the brethern. Not seeking to save our life, but willing to lay it down for the brethern. Not seeking our own gain, or our own benefit, or our own well being and comfort, but rather seeking the good of our neighbor.
WE WERE ALL DEAD IN TRESPASSES AND SIN
II Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge,
that if one died for all, then were all dead:
And if we be dead, then the life we now lead is not our own, but it belongs to God. For He bought us with His own blood and now gives us life by His Spirit. We are not our own, but we are His.
RECONCILED BY THE CROSS Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.
RECONCILED BY JESUS
God reconciled us to Himself, by and through Jesus .
II Corinthians 5:18 And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by
Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;]
RECONCILED BY THE DEATH OF JESUS: Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Definition of Reconciled-Remove the walls and barriers, be in agreement, be
acceptable, be one with
As when a wife departs from her husband and then decides to return and be reconciled
I Corinthians 7:11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled
to [her] husband: and let not the husband put away [his] wife.
Reconciled: to remove that which alienates, to make peace between old enemies Colossians 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in [your] mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.
As we know the truth, we shall see the righteousness of God's reconciliation. We shall have peace in seeing Him work all things together for good according to His eternal purpose. Psalms 85:11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
As we are born into the kingdom of God, Christ rules in our heart. As His government rules over the affairs of our heart, we have peace. By His government the details of our life are reconciled to God. As He puts our affairs in order, the order of God comes into the patterns of our life. Where His order is, we can know His peace.
Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
NOTHING SHALL SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD
Song of Solomon 8:6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for
love [is] strong as death; jealousy [is] cruel as the grave: the coals thereof [are]
coals of fire, [which hath a] most vehement flame.
Song of Solomon 8:7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if [a] man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.
Romans 8:28-39 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. For whom he did foreknow,
he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be
the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also
called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he
also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can
be] against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how
shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? [It is] God that justifieth.
Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen
again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or
persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither
shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand.
John 10:29 My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able
to pluck [them] out of my Father's hand.
Ephesians 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and
length, and depth, and height; Ephesians 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which
passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Psalms 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD [is] from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, [saying], Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
He has reconciled all things unto Himself. Therefore we believing can know all things are reconciled unto God, knowing He has all things in control.
WORK OF THE CROSS ON YOUR SOUL
Matthew 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Romans 14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
GOD WANTS TO CONFORM US TO THE DEATH OF CHRIST, TO HIS WILLINGNESS IN LOVE TO DIE (for the sake of others)
Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and jointheirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
I Corinthians 15:21 For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead.
I Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
I Corinthians 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
WHY GOD LOVES JESUS
The Father loves Me because I lay down my life for the brethern. (John 10:15-18)
John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
I Timothy 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
JESUS IS OUR EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW As He did, He has shown us to do also. No greater love can a man show than that he lay down his life for his brother.
Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
II Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us:
Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
LIFE AND PURPOSE OF CHRIST
Jesus came to give His life and to show the way of God for us to follow.
John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
I Timothy 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:12 Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Luke 24:26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
Matthew 20:19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify [him]: and the third day he shall rise again.
Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Matthew 26:67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote [him] with the palms of their hands,
Matthew 27:35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
Mark 9:12 And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all
things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and
be set at nought.
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the
Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the
last day.
John 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
John 12:28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, [saying], I have both glorified [it], and will glorify [it] again.
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all unto me.
John 13:3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
John 13:31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
John 13:32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
John 17:1-4 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
And He is present with you now to keep you and give you confidence to follow Him.
Acts 2:25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my
face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became
obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name
which is above every name:
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth;
Philippians 2:11 And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
OUR RESPONSE TO GOD
Only God can enable us to respond to Him with love. The old flesh nature would
only respond to God with hatred and disbelief.
We love God because He first loved us (1John4:19). Unless He had first given us His love, we would not be able to love Him. Never take credit to yourself for giving God more than He has given you. For only that which we have received from God, only that which was worked by Christ shall last.
We chose God after He first chose us and made us able to choose Him. Give God the glory for choosing you and making you turn to Him. For when you were in sin you hated God and would not turn to Him; but in His mercy by His presence you were converted.
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you that you should go forth and produce fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Our appreciation for His mercy is in proportion to how much it we believe. You can only appreciate that which you have seen and acknowledged. The man who believes he only was a little guilty will only realize a little mercy.
Luke 7:40-47 tells of two men owing debts. One owed a big debt, the other a
small debt. When the creditor forgave both their debts, who was the most thankful?
Luke 7:42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me
therefore, which of them will love him most?
Luke 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, [the same] loveth little.
It is good to thank God for your eternal salvation. To the extent you can find
it in your heart to realize the dead state you were in you can grow in appreciation
for the eternal life you now have in Christ.
Luke 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is
found. And they began to be merry.
I Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Even the man who did not orginally consider himself such a great sinner can grow in understanding of all the 'little' sins. He can realize that each one of those sins was sufficient to condemn him to eternity without God; then it becomes easier for his appreciation and thankfulness to grow. And realize it is God who gives the increase of your appreciation. Not even it is of your own doing. Consider the lilies of the field how they grow. Christ is all and all. God is all your salvation.
.GOD'S RESPONSE TO OUR RESPONSE Like a genetic pattern of growth in trees of righteousness, God works in us to will and to do His good pleasure from beginning to end. Consider the lilies of the field how they grow. It is God who gives the increase. Truly Christ is All our salvation! Our experience of growth begins with the unregenerate mind being renewed as we are transformed from glory to glory. What seemed like me, I myself could only take credit for it being me until God had transformed me to the place where my renewed mind could understand He was and is All my salvation with nothing of my flesh. The presence of God we now realize makes us grow to a new place where we can realize more of Him. The Bible says it this way in the gospel of John chapter 1 'grace for grace' which I have always understood to mean that as we grow to the level of the first grace realized, then we are enabled to realize more of His grace. As we have grown in our soul to a level of grace (grace in the sense of the enabling presence of God), then God works to bring us to a new level. He gives grace to grow to a place where we can know more grace. Our response was of Him, for He was in us working to will and to do that good thing. Until our mind was renewed the old mind wanted to take credit to the flesh, but when the mind was renewed we understood that God was and is All and All. It is written, Christ is All and All. Consider verses like these to see that thing which God is working in us to do that we might be enabled to know Him more fully. As the Bible puts it, 'A good understanding have all they that do His will.' Hebrews 6:10 For God [is] not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Thought: As we show the love of Christ (by doing for others instead of ourself or by doing because it is right instead of for personal pride) then God is righteous to recognize and bless. John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Thought: This shows how wrong some people are who say because of grace we can just do whatever we want. God responds to our faithful loving obedience by showing us more of His love. Our faithful loving obedience makes us grow to a place where we can see more of His love. It is not that God was stingy with it in the beginning, it was just that we could not see much of His love until we had followed Him. As we follow Him, walking toward the light then do we see more light. It was always there. We see more John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. Thought: God's response to our loving obedience is to live with us. .Ephesians 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Thought: As we know the love of Christ, we are filled with the fulness of God. Please realize that the love of Christ was a love for our good that moved Him to sacrifice His own comfort for our sakes. That is the love we are to know if we would be filled with the fulness of God. His love is to lay down our life for the brethern. Ephesians 6:24 Grace [be] with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. Thought: This shows that God gives His presence to those who love Him. God responds to our love by manifesting more of His presence. Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else. Micah 7:7 Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ: Thought: Through our confidence God works to perfect His good work in us. Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom [are] all things, and by whom [are] all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Thought: If Jesus who was born with the perfect Spirit of God was made perfect in His soul through the things He willingly endured out of love for us, what should we expect for us? Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Thought: As our response is to obey Him, His response is to be the author of our salvation. Hebrews 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Thought: As we consider what Jesus willing endured then God strengthens us as we endure for His sake.
GOD'S PLAN FOR US
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Matthew 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared of my Father.
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
John 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Acts 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
John 17:26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare [it]: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
ROMANS 6 TELLS US HOW WE ARE DEAD TO SIN AND ALIVE TO GOD
Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection:
YOUR OLD NATURE IS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM
Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of
sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
IF ONE DIED FOR ALL THEN WERE ALL DEAD
II Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge,
that if one died for all, then were all dead:
AS YOU KNOW YOUR DEATH SO YOU KNOW YOUR FREEDOM FROM SIN
Romans 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Romans 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath
no more dominion over him.
Romans 6:10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he
liveth unto God.
Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive
unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 8:10 And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the
Spirit [is] life because of righteousness.
Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you,
he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his
Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your
flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
KNOWING YOUR DEATH WITH CHRIST IS CONNECTED TO KNOWING YOUR RESURRECTION
Romans 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
II Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
II Corinthians 5:15 And [that] he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another.
I John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.
Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and [in] all judgment;
I Thessalonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
WALK IN LIBERTY AS DEAR CHILDREN OF GOD
The idea here is to be focused on God by faith, letting your faith in His
perfection for you be your perfection. (See Romans 4 and 5.) This gives us an
attitude of trust toward God allowing us to walk in joy and peace. As dear children
gives the idea of being allowed to make mistakes while growing up.
Consider the child who is fearful of making a mistake. Pity such a person and set them free into life with liberty. A loving father allows necessary growing corrections without condemnation.
A wonderful thought comes out of Phil 3:15 as we understand that in the sight of our heavenly Father we are perfect by the faith of Christ in us. And when some impurity bubbles to the top He will skim it off without condemning us. Like silver being refined in a melting pot has impurities bubbling to the top but the refiner does not through out the whole pot of silver, he only throws away the impurities as they separate out from the silver. So God deals with us.
He wants us to live with the strong confidence we are totally accepted and loved of Him. Then occasionally He will gently and tenderly correct us, skim off some impurities; but in love, not in condemnation. He will convince us of our sin when it appears, but not condemn us for it; only leading us to repentance from it.
Philippians 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them in Christ Jesus. (Rom 8:1-3) So I hope it is perfectly clear to you that when He convinces us of our sin, it is not to condemn us, but to lead us to repent.
It is God's plan that we should walk in confident trust of His love and mercy. That we should live boldly, full of faith as dear children of GOD ALMIGHTY, our
ETERNAL FATHER.
David said it this way, "Though my house be not yet perfect with GOD, yet has He
made an everlasting covenant with me..." So let your profession of faith be "I
always do that which is pleasing to my Father; and if in anything I be otherwise
minded, He gently and tenderly reveals it to me and shows me how to be more like
Him."
SAFE GUIDELINES FOR YOUR LIFE
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Matt 6:33
Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the
joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down
at the right hand of the throne of God.
Willingly, not grudgingly, follow Him. II Timothy 2:12 If we suffer(willingly together with Him giving glory to God), we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us:
Count all things of this world as worthless that you may win Christ. Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ,
Consider the lilies of the field how they grow. Let God be your all and all. Let Him be all your salvation. Always in all things acknowledge His presence working for your good. Either to strengthen you and encourage you in a thing or to remove a thorn from your soul, your heavenly Father always works for your good.
Trust that His gentleness will bring you forth into greatness. As David said, "His gentleness has made me great." A father who is too strict, too harsh or too forceful, even too initmidating will squash a son's growth and warp him.
A good understanding have all they that do His will. (Proverbs ) So seek out the book of the Lord, and read and study and treasure it up in your heart. Then be a faithful and true witness who does what he has learned and repent from just learning for head knowledge sake without ever doing. Don't try to wait till you're perfect for God is already your perfection. You will grow in knowing His perfection as you seek to do His will. It is God who is working in you to seek to do His will.
Realize that in the doing of His will there are seasons. A time to rest, a time to play, a time to work, a time to gather and a time to cast away. Be supple, be flexible, be willing and obedient to do each thing on the agenda in its season. Even the time of a seed in winter, under the earth, covered with snow preparing for the season of growth.
Be faithful and true even as Jesus is Faithful And True. Be one with your words. Let there be a fulfillment of the words of your mouth or call them back honorably. Fulfill your committments. Keep your promises. Be true to those you love, to God, your neighbor and yourself. If you tell a lie to yourself and use it to justify some wrong action you are not being true to your self.
Take His yoke upon you and learn of Him, and you shall find rest for your soul.
Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed....
ROMANS 7: YOU CAN OF YOUR OWN SELF DO NO GOOD THING
Romans 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
DELIVERANCE FROM SELF IS THROUGH CHRIST IN YOU
CHRIST IN YOU IS YOUR HOPE OF GLORY
Romans 7:24,25 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord (I am delivered)...
THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT SAYS MY LIFE IS IN CHRIST JESUS
ROMANS 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh (believing in themselves to save themselves, or seeking the things of the flesh, or doing things by ways of the flesh) but they walk by the faith of Christ in them.....
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, according to His eternal purpose for those who are called to love Him.
And all things are of God who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconcilation. 2 Cor 5:18
And having made peace through the blood of His cross,
by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself:
by Him, whether they be things in earth or things in heaven. Colossians 1:20
Buried with Him in baptism,
wherein also you are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who has raised Him from the dead. Colossians 2:12
Colossians 3:1-20 outlined
If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above...
For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God...
therefore put off the old man with his deeds....
be renewed in your understanding
put on the new man
put for garments on the new man mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness
and above all put on charity which is the bond of perfectness
and let the peace of God rule in your hearts
children obey your parents in all things;
and whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not (as just) unto men
Knowing that of the Lord, you shall receive your reward.
Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved
us,
Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in
heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his
grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Acts 20:23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and
afflictions abide me.
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto
myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have
received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Romans 5:3 And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that
tribulation worketh patience;
Romans 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
HOW TO FINISH YOUR LIFE WITH JOY
Acts 20:24 and Revelation 12:13
When you understand the fear of death keeps a man in bondage all his life then you can see the key to getting out of bondage! Just realize you are already dead! You are not your own. So quit trying to run your own life. Trust in God and rejoice in His salvation. Trust Him to order all your affairs. According to your faith so shall it be done.
To finish your life with joy, you must understand the teaching of Jesus. He said if any man try to save his life he shall lose it; but if a man lose his life for Christ's sake and the gospel he shall find it.
You see, you are not your own. You were bought with the blood of Jesus. You belong to God Almighty. You are dead to self, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Your way to His joy is to quit trying to hold on to your own life!
God's word says you were reconciled to God by the cross of Jesus. So go ahead and let go of that old stinking rotten flesh-life that you called your own; and let God work through Christ in you. He is willing to be poured out. He is willing to lay down His life for the brethern, even through you. But most of all, He is desirous of working in you a humility before God that you will humble yourself and become obedient even to the death of all your fleshly desires for self. To make you let go of all your self-seeking is what He must accomplish before He can give you the glory. He can not give the glory to your flesh. It has been crucified with Christ. You must acknowledge this truth and embrace it. It is part of God's truth and you are destined to be one with that awareness.
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Rev 12:13 And we overcome the evil one by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony and because we love not our own lives even unto the death.
For many people a great idol to be torn down is their own life self-seeking for preservation. Many have gone in circles around the mountain trying to appropriate the power of God to satisfy their own vision of what makes them happy and comfortable. Many have failed to understand Romans chapter 6 and 7 and 8 for they try to use faith to do their own works for God. Read again Hebrews 4 about ceasing from your own works and Hebrews 6:1-3 about repentance from your own dead works. For your own dead works are among those that will be burned in the fire as explained in 1 Corinthians 3:1-23
The will of God is that they might be made conformable unto His death, not counting their own life dear. Rejoicing in His call whatever it may be.
WE LOVE GOD BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Thought: God's love toward us began being manifested while we were yet sinners.
He loved us while we were in sin. He saved us from sin. He brought us forth from
sin. It was He who reached down and picked us up. We were unable to climb up to
Him. It had to be Him who came to us.
I Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust,
that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the
Spirit:
Thought: Christ brought the unjust to God. We did not of our own selves become just
and then got accepted by God. No not at all did we make ourselves just. But God
justified us by Christ.
WE COME TO KNOW THE LOVE OF CHRIST
I Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we,
being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send [it] unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
I AM CRUCIFIED DAILY
John 19:33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Romans 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Romans 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
II Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
Galatians 2:19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places],
Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Colossians 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
II Timothy 2:11 [It is] a faithful saying: For if we be dead with [him], we shall also live with [him]:
Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Revelation 1:18 I [am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Revelation 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
Revelation 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed [are] the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Revelation 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This [is] the first resurrection.
FREEDOM FROM FEAR
The flesh is all its life in bondage by fear of death. The grip of the fear of
death includes all other fears. They are offshoots of the root fear which is the
fear of death. Fear of hurt and fear of destruction are but variations of the fear
of death. Fear of loss whether of esteem or glory or silver and gold is just another
branch off of the fear of death.
Perfect love casts out fear. All carnal fears are destroyed by the perfect love of God working in our hearts. A faithful man does not fear when news of an approaching enemy reaches his ears because he trusts God to deliver him out of all evil. This is one way we first understand to overcome fear. In faithful trust of God's love toward us we understand to fear no evil.
For a season it may suffice to have faith that God delivers out of all evil. Some people are called to suffer for Christ's sake. Some experience agony of soul that affects their body. Not just once or twice but time after time. When faith for deliverance seems incomplete and you must endure by the will of God, then it is good to behold Christ and Him crucified. Knowing that He died for you, that your body is dead if so be that Christ be in you, then how can one be afraid of death who is already dead?
Instead of thinking of yourself as alive and trying to receive deliverance by faith, reckon yourself dead and your life hid with Christ in God. Trust Him for the outcome. For we reckon that if one died for all then were all dead. Come to that place of trust through the cross of Jesus.
Know that He died for you. You died together with Him. You are dead therefore and your life is hidden with Christ in the heart of God's loving eternal plan. Then you will have peace. Then you can understand God's will to do it.
You are not your own. You are God's. He cares for you. His angels watch over you. His Spirit is with you. Surely neither death nor life can separate you from the love of God. Neither height nor depth, nor things present nor things to come can harm you. Beloved, if God be for you, who can overcome you? Who can hurt what God protects in Christ?
He will see to it that you finish His appointed course. He is Lord. Blessed be the name of our eternal heavenly Father who loves us with everlasting love. He is more than able to keep that which He has ordained unto everlasting life. Indeed you have already passed from death into life. You have been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His dear Son. The kingdom of light is yours. You are a king and a priest unto God. Why do you fear? Know ye not that you are dead and your life is already hidden with Christ in God.
If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed you would say unto that mountain that seems about to crush you, be thou removed and be cast into the sea and it would hear you and obey.
Your faith is of God. For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Of His fulness have we all received and grace for grace.
In Jesus' holy and pure name, blessed be the name of the LORD, Amen. Until we know we've died with Christ, so many are simply trying to utilize their faith to keep themselves alive and fulfilling their goals. Let God grow you beyond that stage, and come to know the cross. For He has reconciled all things unto Himself through the cross.
All the things God has created are better understood when we receive the truth of His word as a little child. By faith we understand...Hebrews 11:3
History of Changes in Education
Difference between Humanism and Christiani
John Dewey, atheistic Father of Modern Education Humanism, polite word for atheism