Our Inheritance in Christ: Accepted

 to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ Acts 26:18 MEV

 We've been in a series studying our blessed inheritance in Christ. When Christ died and rose again He granted us a generous inheritance that is available to all who believe right now. We don't have to die and get to Heaven to experience it. We can experience it and enjoy it here and now.

 We have seen so far that we have received the gift of no condemnation in this glorious inheritance. We saw last time we are no longer separated from God ever again. Spiritual death simply means separation from God. We were separated and now because of Jesus we are forever His and He will never leave or forsake us. We will never be apart from Him. 

 Today, it seemed good to continue this amazing study looking at our perfect acceptance in Christ. In the first chapter of Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians, he speaks of our inheritance in Christ. We who believed have obtained an eternal inheritance. 

 In this inheritance, we can see that we are found accepted in the beloved. Christ's work has made us acceptable to the Father. 

 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:6 NKJV

  To the praise of the glory of His Grace. His glorious Grace has made us accepted. This word accepted means to be honored and to be highly favored.

 God has bestowed divine favor upon us, His Church, His people. He has favored us and bestowed honor on us. We may not always feel so honorable or favored but nevertheless, we are favored.

 In this world system, to be accepted or honored we must achieve much. We have to also conform to their ways of doing things. The stepping on others to get ahead, the seeking the favor of only those the world system already esteems. We must keep striving and doing more and more even if it means neglecting friends and family to achieve favored status.

 Under traditional religion, we had to work harder and keep all the rules to be found worthy and favored. We struggled and strived to achieve a sense of acceptance from God and the ministries we were a part of. We sought acceptance and accolades from men by our works and performance.

 We didn't understand we were already highly favored and honored by God the moment we believed. We were trying to earn what was free. We were trying to achieve what was already ours in Christ.

 In our dealings with man, there is always someone who comes in the last place. Someone who is chosen last. Someone who won't qualify. In Christ, we are always picked first to be on Jesus' team. In Christ, we are never disqualified, we are chosen, we are loved, we are accepted eternally in Him.

 In Christ, we are accepted. We aren't rejected. We aren't disqualified. Even in our worst, we are still accepted. He isn't accepting our misdeeds or mistakes, He isn't accepting our sins and shortcomings because He reminds us those deeds aren't who we are, that's not our identity, He accepts us. He reminds us of who we are and whose we are. We are always found acceptable to the Father because of Jesus. 

 In summation, rejoice in the Good News. See yourself as He sees you. Highly favored. Loved. Honored. Acceptable to the Father. The enemy works overtime to get you to think you are unacceptable to God. He brings his shame and points to your sins and shortcomings. Resist the enemy and reject his lies. When he points you to your sins and shortcomings you point him to your Savior whose work is superior to any achievements of man. Child of God you are accepted in Him, it's yours in this glorious inheritance Christ procured for you. 

Image by Mustafa shehadeh from Pixabay 

Our Inheritance in Christ: No Separation

to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ Acts 26:18 MEV

We began a new study looking at our inheritance in Christ. In this New Covenant, child of God you have an inheritance in Christ. Some believers really don't know what belongs to them because of Christ. 

 In the Old Covenant, God cut a covenant with man. Mankind was consistent in only one aspect of this covenant. They could never uphold their part. In the New, Jesus represented mankind and cut the covenant with the Father on our behalf. So in essence this New Covenant was made between the Father and the Son and we who believe are the beneficiaries. 

 We have seen that our inheritance includes the gift of no condemnation. Today, I want to reveal another aspect of our inheritance. There is no more separation for the child of God. 

 Sisters and brothers, there is nothing you can do to be separated from the Father. You're eternally sealed with the Holy Spirit. You been given the Spirit as an earnest down payment on your complete redemption and once for all salvation. Good news for those who have been taught we can lose or forfeit our salvation. This makes it clear it is eternally secure.

 Our society, due to the fall, is conditioned on separation. What do we do with children who misbehave? We put them in a corner for a "time out". What about when they get older? We suspend them from school for a short duration. What about when they are adults? If it's really bad we separate them by placing them in Jail or prison. Even in prison if they can't behave with the rest of the inmates they are separated further by placing them in a disciplinary segregation unit. 

 My point is not to rail against these institutions. It's not to tell parents don't put their kids in time out. In a fallen fractured creation, we need some methods to control unruly behavior to instruct and even to protect others. That said let's stay focused on the main point I want to make. That separation is conditioned in our minds. 

 When we see actions or performance that isn't up to the standard of perfect righteousness and holiness, we default to separation. Let me explain further by illustration.

When Jesus used Peter's boat and blessed him with a boat sinking harvest, here, what was Peter's reaction to the blessing?

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” Luke 5:8 NKJV

 Peter saw the power of God, the Goodness of God which revealed to himself his own insufficiency. That is his own imperfections and shortcomings. His first response? Separation. He wanted to be separated from Jesus. He felt so unworthy. 

 When we sin or blow it, what do we do? We run from God. We run from the local church. We stay away from ministry friends and those we see as committed believers.

 Why? Because we are going back to the default. Separate. I am wrong so I must separate. Or the idea comes from the religious. Oh brother or sister you've sinned your sins have separated you from God.

 Many ministers teach that our sins stop God's hands from healing or providing or delivering or protecting us. Yet when Jesus encountered the sinner lost in their sin His response was to go towards that person. Jesus said He must needs pass through Samaria, where He ministered to one woman who was living in adultery. Jesus is what qualifies us to receive from God not ourselves. Our behavior isn't our savior, or provider or healer or protector, Jesus is!

 Child of God there is nothing you've done, are doing, or will do that will cause you to be separated from God. Paul declared that there is nothing that can separate us from the Love of God. No action from the enemy or from ourselves can separate us from God. 

 Christ's perfect shed Blood perfectly purchased and procured complete and total redemption. New life and peace have been made available to whosoever will accept this free love gift. Upon reception, perfect redemption, total peace, complete acceptance approval, and right standing are theirs forever. Never to be disconnected, separated, or out of fellowship with the Father. All of this because of Jesus and His great Love.

 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13 NKJV

 There is no more separation. There is no putting the leper out of the camp. God is not breaking away or disconnecting from you. 

 You may be thinking, brother this sounds too good to be true. What about 1 Corinthians 5 brother? It does appear on the surface I am contradicting Paul or that Paul is even contradicting himself. 

 Let's use context to understand what Paul is saying here. Paul is addressing a specific issue. Paul is speaking Apostolicaly and Pastorally concerning a brother whose behavior is hindering the work and testimony of the ministry. The reason for strong words is because the brother was unrepentant and rebellious. In other words, he knew his actions were wrong and he was apathetic to the results.  

 For a short season, Paul instructed the brethren to not go down the same path he was on. In truth, God was never separated from him, but he was separating himself from God and His ways. What were the results when people refused to go down the same path he was on? He had a sudden change of mind. What people seem to overlook in this event is that not one place did Paul suggest he had lost his salvation or was in "time out" and God wanted nothing to do with him. 

 Let's rejoice in our inheritance. In Christ, we have no separation or disconnection from the Father no matter what. God is never going to leave us or forsake us. God is always with us, even at our worst. God sees all of our faults and flaws and failures and still He embraces us as His own. God is a Good Father and will never separate us from Himself. 

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net 

Our Inheritance in Christ: the gift of no condemnation

 

 to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ Acts 26:18 MEV

 In our last study, we saw the good news that those of us in Christ have an inheritance. It seemed good to continue looking at our inheritance in Christ. Knowing who we are and what we have in Christ brings great comfort, and enables us to walk in triumphant victory in our daily lives.

 Did you know one of the greatest benefits we have in Christ is the great gift of no condemnation? Condemnation is an insidious lie of the enemy. It's the enemy pronouncing a damnatory verdict over your life. God is not judging you, child of God, it's the enemy lying to you attempting to get you to withdrawal from fellowship with God. To get you back to a performance-driven faith, and often to ultimately get you to go back to your old way of living, trying to ensnare you in a cycle of guilt and shame. 

 That is the enemy's scheme but God is greater and His amazing Grace has completely defeated the enemy! The Word declares God was in Christ annihilating the schemes, plans, and works of the devil. God's overcoming Grace, the power of the Holy Spirit within, and God's amazing Love empower us to daily demonstrate this destruction of the enemy! 

 I get so happy, excited, ecstatic, and overwhelmed with joy and rejoicing when I think of the Goodness and lovingkindness and Grace of our Good Father and our triumphant Savior, King Jesus! We have the victory over shame and guilt and condemnation. Grace is greater than shame.

Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]. Romans 8:1 AMP

 This is the witness of Paul, revealing what belongs to us in Christ, see Jesus Himself promising this,

“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the person who hears My word [the one who heeds My message], and believes and trusts in Him who sent Me, has (possesses now) eternal life [that is, eternal life actually begins—the believer is transformed], and does not come into judgment and condemnation, but has passed [over] from death into life. John 5:24 AMP

 We have received the gift of no condemnation. What if we sin? What if we keep sinning the same sin repeatedly? What if we don't go to church anymore? What if we quit reading the Bible? 

 Nothing can separate us from the Love of God. Nothing can change who we are and what we have in Christ when we believed. When we sin, it doesn't change our nature within. It doesn't give the enemy the right to attack us either.  

 Think of it, if you drove your car to a known high crime area and got out of your car with the keys still in the ignition and a crook took advantage and drove off with your car, did that thief have a "right" to take your car? Of course not. Now you made a foolish choice but that still didn't give the criminal the right, if you will, to steal your car. 

 So it is with sin. Sinning is a foolish choice, but unlike what religious leaders teach, your sin doesn't give the enemy the "right" to steal from you. In fact, your sin is none of the devil's business. Your behavior is between you and your Savior never the devil. 

 As for failing to read and study the Word, or not attending church, again, that's a choice you make but God isn't going to condemn you over it. I believe He will lead you into the truth. Prayer, Bible study, church attendance is a beautiful benefit of being in the Body of Christ. 

 God will correct us but never through the use of disaster, death, or destruction, and never condemning us. He leads us into the truth. What truth? The truth of who we are in Him and whose we are because of the Cross. 

 This is what Grace, Eternal Life, relationship with God, Christianity really looks like; my shackles are broken off. I am free and forgiven once for all time. No more am I bound by the chains of brokenness, shame, guilt, condemnation, sin, and spiritual death. I am free to run, to shout, to dance, to live rejoicing in Him. 

 What Christianity, Grace, and life in Christ are NOT supposed to look and feel like; my chains are gone, I better not screw up. I have a new chance at life, I hope I don't blow this. God took a chance on me, I hope I won't let Him down. God has done so much for me, I am so unworthy, I need to do more for Him. God is so faithful, I don't think I have done enough for Him. I hope I can merit His trust and gifts.

 Child of God, brothers, and sisters, let's rejoice in the Goodness of God. He has made us Righteous and we have no condemnation in Him. This is an amazing gift. 

 In summation, rejoice in your inheritance in Christ. Remember it's all because of Jesus. Jesus accomplished it all. He did it all. God is satisfied once for all time in the Finished Work of Christ. 

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Our inheritance in Christ

  to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ Acts 26:18 MEV

 The Word of God records from the first breath of man until the time of Jesus' triumphant return, God's dealings with man. That is how God has dealt with and will ultimately deal with mankind. God gave man this Earth but Adam bowed the knee, committed high treason, if you will, and turned the Earth over to satan.

 Since the fall, God initiated covenants to allow Himself access to this Earth. To legally intervene in the affairs of men. Though we can see individual covenants, such as the one Noah made, there are really only two main Covenants. These two Covenants divide the entire Bible. 

 The Old Covenant was a covenant cut between God and man. The major issue was God always upheld His end, man on the other hand always failed. All was not lost though. God had foreseen this before He even created the Earth and breathed life into man. 

 With the Old Covenant, God gave man insight into his need for a Savior. There is nothing man can do to save Himself. There is no amount of works anyone can do to earn eternal life. This is why we see Heaven rejoicing at the first coming of Jesus Christ. Because with Jesus there was about to be a New Covenant ushered in that would change everything. 

 The Abrahamic covenant was a type and shadow of the New to come. Genesis 15 records it in detail. A furnace of smoke and a lamp of fire passed through the animal sacrifices. This was a pre-incarnate manifestation of Jesus. God literally made the covenant between Himself with Abraham being the beneficiary. So it is with the New.

 The New Covenant is a Covenant agreement made between the Father and the Son. God the Son, bore all the guilt, the shame, the sins, the sickness and disease, the poverty and lack, the sin and unrighteousness of mankind, the perfect, and Just taking the place of the guilty. The Father was pleased with and accepted and approved once for all time this once for all sacrifice forever. This is the Good News.

 The good and glad news of the Gospel is this New Covenant is not dependant upon mankind. Our works, our performance, and our behavior have nothing whatsoever to do with its blessings and benefits. We are never factored into any equation. This New Covenant is rooted in Christ's Faithfulness and the Father's acceptance and approval of Jesus, never us. 

With such Good News of this New Covenant, we can also see through Jesus Finished Work, we who believe have now obtained an inheritance. This inheritance is incorruptible. No action on our part can disqualify us from receiving and walking in this glorious inheritance.

 What then is our inheritance? This is one of the main reasons why we go to church. We go weekly to hear the reading of the will. The difference between hearing the will of a deceased man and the reading of this Heavenly will is Jesus is the only man to die and rise again to ensure all He left in the will is carried out and received by all who simply trust in Him.

 This inheritance in Christ is all-encompassing over every area of life. Spirit and soul and body nothing is neglected. Let's begin to see what we have in Him. 

  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  John 3:16 MEV

 First and foremost in this inheritance we have new life. When we first trust in Christ, we become a New Creation in Him. Our old man is dead and God literally recreates our spirit. We are completely clean and holy. 

for you have been born again, not from perishable seed, but imperishable, through the word of God which lives and abides forever. 1 Peter 1:23 MEV

 We are born again when we believe. We are brand new. The past is gone, the new has come. We are made alive in Him, partaking of eternal life.

 In summation, there is so much more to discover in who we are, and what we have in Him because of the Finished Work. This inheritance in Christ is priceless. Rejoice in this glorious New Covenant as we continue uncovering all we have inherited because of Jesus.

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Salvation, Security, and Sin: Can we sin away our salvation?

12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:12 NKJV

12 And he has entered once and forever into the Holiest Sanctuary of All, not with the blood of animal sacrifices, but the sacred blood of his own sacrifice. And he alone has made our salvation secure forever! Hebrews 9:12 TPT

 In our last few articles posted we have been looking at the subject of sin and its relation to Grace, our salvation, and God's great Love. It really wasn't my intention to study about sin and Grace. Each time I made a brief point, it seems that as I wrote it, I noticed that it could generate another question. So I want to leave no stone unturned. 

 So in our last study, we examined more closely the idea of sin and the freedom in Grace and our liberty in Christ. It is clear that God is looking for sincere hearts, not rule-keeping hearts. A rule-keeping heart isn't looking for a relationship but more so focused on being dutiful, subservient, and obedient. 

 When I was serving in the Military, this attribute was desired and what one needed to excel in service. Certainly, because I was there to follow orders, not develop a relationship with the top brass. God is the commander of legions of Angels, He is the God of the whole Universe, yet He is my Father. He isn't looking for subjects but sons and daughters.

 Know God is seeking relationship above all else. In a sense, He sowed His Son to reap a family. God has always longed for a family. God is a Good Father, not a harsh taskmaster driving subjects to complete all the tasks He commands. 

 Looking again at sin, we must ask in all sincerity can we sin away our salvation? Is it possible to sin too much, once too often? Can we out sin His Grace? Can our behavior and actions exhaust His supply of Grace and forgiveness? 

  For in the Son all our sins are canceled and we have the release of redemption through his very blood. Colossians 1:14 TPT

13 And you who were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (your sensuality, your sinful carnal nature), [God] brought to life together with [Christ], having [freely] forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 Having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He set aside and cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] cross. Colossians 2:13-14 AMPC

 Can we sin away our salvation? Can we exhaust His supply of Grace? We could if redemption wasn't perfectly purchased by the Precious Blood of Jesus. We could if our redemption wasn't eternal. We could if our forgiveness wasn't once for all time. We could if we could again come under condemnation. But we know our redemption is paid for by the Blood, our redemption is eternal, we are forever forgiven and Jesus said we would never again be condemned for our sins, therefore we know we cannot exhaust Grace.

 Once we have received Jesus we are eternally His. That which He began in us He will perfect and complete it until the end. He gave us the downpayment of our eternal life by giving us His Holy Spirit. We are sealed for eternity as His very own.

Account versus accountability 

I want to bring even more clarity to His Grace and goodness and Love in relation to our sins. In our last post, I said God isn't holding anyone accountable for the sins Jesus already paid for. Does that mean God will never correct us when we sin?

 Let's gather some understanding together. When we sin, what can we do to "fix it" if you will? What can we do to warrant forgiveness? What can we do to pay for that sin? 

 When I made that statement, I was referencing the truth that no man can pay for their sins. No matter how big or small there is nothing any man can do to recompense for their sinful deeds or thoughts. What payment could any man offer anyway? The price for sin is the shedding of blood. Our blood is imperfect, that's why we have a perfect Savior who shed His perfect Blood that perfectly procured our forgiveness and eternal salvation.

 With that understanding, I want to make it understood that we can make amends for those we have hurt by our actions. That is not paying for our sins, that is genuine repentance. If you wish to apologize or replace something that was broken, that is not wrong. Just let Love motivate you, not some religious attempt to curry favor with God. 

 As for accountability, I am saying God isn't charging our sins to our accounts if you will. Remember, we can't pay for them anyway. However, there is an accountability factor under Grace. For instance, if I was committing adultery, that is a behavior that needs to be addressed. Another brother or sister should come to me in confidence and plainly say brother this behavior is wrong, it's hurtful and unloving to all involved. Someone would need to tell me, brother you're Righteous in Him but this behavior is highly unrighteous. 

 That isn't God holding my sins against me. That's God bringing correction to the situation because He loves all people involved and wouldn't want anyone to suffer such harm. I trust you're tracking what I am saying. Correcting harmful behavior and actions isn't the same as asking someone to pay for their sins. 

 In summation, let's herald the Good News for all to hear. We cannot exhaust or out sin His Grace. His Love and Grace are eternal. His Love unconditional, His Grace greater than all sin, and His forgiveness is once for all time. The Cross worked, it is finished!

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Sin, Grace, and our Liberty in Christ Jesus

 

For freedom Christ freed us. Stand fast therefore and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1 MEV

 We've concluded a series answering the question, what are the laws God has written on our hearts. In the last post of that series, I touched on a controversial topic. Freedom and sin. 

 Today, I sense the impression to continue examining this subject more closely. With a topic so sensitive and controversial it is important to give it the proper attention so as not to lead anyone astray. So is it ok to sin, knowing we are forever forgiven? are we free to sin? Is it even possible to sin under this New Covenant? We will fully answer these questions in depth. 

 First, is it possible to sin under this New Covenant? Some reason that since sin can be defined as transgression of the Law, and the Law having been fulfilled in Christ, therefore there can be no sin. That is a foolish and ignorant assumption. This is the result of a lack of understanding and study of all the New Covenant Scripture. 

 Paul defines sin this way in Romans. James defines sin this way in James 4. John defines it this way in 1 John. So we see, wrongdoing, knowing to do good but refusing to, and doing something apart from Faith are all defined as sin. The Greek word for sin is hamartia. It simply means to miss the mark. What is the mark? God's perfect standard. Since He is Love it may be defined as missing that mark of perfect love, love toward ourselves or others. 

 So can we sin under the New? What does Paul say in Romans 6? How can Paul admonish us not to let sin reign in our bodies if it is impossible to sin under the New? Don't follow foolishness, we can sin under the New.

 Having then established the truth that we can in fact sin under the New, let's dig deeper and answer these hard questions, is it ok to sin, and are we free to sin? Is it ok to sin? To answer this, we must really ask what do you mean by ok? 

 Having it be ok to sin would mean that there would be zero consequences or repercussions for sinning. We only have to read a newspaper or watch television news to know that is not true. People robbing a bank go to jail. 

 Yet when you answer the question are we free to sin it seems there is a contradiction. If I answer we are free to sin, then it appears as if I am saying it is ok to sin. Nothing can be further from the truth. Why?

 Having the freedom to do something doesn't necessarily mean it is an encouragement to do so. In America, we have the freedom of speech. Does that mean the founders were encouraging me years and years ago to go curse my neighbor with my words? That's absurd, of course not. 

 So it is with the liberty and freedom we have in Christ. 

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things edify. 1 Corinthians 10:23 MEV

 Are we free to sin? Does Grace give us the freedom to sin? The hard answer is yes. Don't stop there though. Though you are free to sin, you are also free to reap the full consequences of that sin. 

 I liken this freedom to a flame. It's like a lighter, a match, or a torch in our hands. With this flame, we can provide warmth to someone by lighting a fire. We can cook someone's food to bring nourishment to them. We can use this flame to light the path so that others won't stumble. It's up to us.

 We can also use this same flame, to burn their house down, of course injuring ourselves in the process. We could take this flame and lead someone down the wrong path, getting lost ourselves. We could take this flame and start a forest fire thus hurting many others including ourselves. The freedom of choice is ours, in essence, we are dangerously free. 

 Why does Grace give us this dangerous freedom? Because God looks upon our hearts and our thinking. He desires above all else sincerity. Look at Paul's prayer here.

 God looks for sincere hearts. Not mere rule-keeping hearts. A heart motivated only to keep the rules, observe the regulations, and obey the laws, is not a heart moved by love. It is a heart moved only by the rules. If the rules change, then one's actions will surely change. A heart motivated by love is only moved by love. No matter the rules or laws, love will always be the guide, and that is the heart of Grace and Righteousness.

 So can we sin under Grace? Yes. Is it ok to sin? It is if you are ok with negative consequences, harming yourself and hurting others. Obviously then it isn't ok to sin. Are we free to sin? Yes, God looks for sincerity. 

 Why do we sin? Because we want to. We have allowed an unrighteous desire to reside in our thoughts and we look for ways to act on this desire. The enemy can't make us sin.

 Now if we do sin, is that it? Are we out? Are we done for? Are we going to experience eternal damnation? 

 I've heard preachers declare if they were sinning the moment Christ returns they'd be going to hell for all eternity. They truly make light of Grace and magnify sin's power over God's Love.

 When speaking of sin we must always be reminded of the eternal security of the Believer in Christ. Why? Because we have all sinned and missed the mark. Secondly, as soon as we sin or are reminded of our faults, flaws, and failures, the enemy is quick to move in with accusation and condemnation. Why? So you will draw back from God's Love and Grace and stay in the place of shame.

 Let the Words of Jesus be a refreshing stream to your soul.

“Truly, truly I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death into life. John 5:24 MEV

No matter your sin, no matter how often you've sinned, no matter when you sinned, you will never come into condemnation. Jesus bore all the pain, the shame, and punishment for all our sins once for all time. Jesus' Blood was enough, God isn't going to hold you accountable for the same sins Jesus paid for. We are eternally secure in Him.

 Again, this freedom isn't an encouragement to sin. Sin will cost more than you want to pay. Sin will take you further than you want to go. Sin will keep you longer than you want to stay. Thank God under Grace we aren't under the dominion of sin.

 In summation, rejoice in the freedom we have in Christ. Rest in the eternal security His Finished Work procured for all those who believe. Enjoy the power and dominion we have in Christ over sin and the works of the enemy. We are free in Him, forever free. 

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What are the Laws written on our hearts? The Love of God

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Hebrews 8:10 NKJV

 We've been in an ongoing study answering the question what are the Laws God has written on our hearts or put in our hearts and minds? Tradition tells us that God has put the Ten Commandments within us. That the Church has the Mosaic Law engraved within, this is how we keep those commandments. Sisters and brothers, nothing could be further from the truth.

 In this study, we have seen how the Law is the ministry of condemnation. That the Ten Commandments are the ministry of death. God isn't putting death and condemnation within us. God brings life and Love not condemnation and death.

 So what has God placed within us? Faith, He has put Faith within our hearts. Romans 12 is clear, all believers have Faith. Faith is a Law in the same sense gravity is a law. It works every time it's used. 

 God also has placed within us the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. That is that we are now the abode of the Spirit, and we have new life in Christ. We who believe have the very life and nature of God within. 

 And finally, God has placed within us His divine Love. The very Love of Almighty God has been shed abroad in our hearts.

And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:5 MEV

 James calls the Love of God the royal law. God loves us and has put His love within us. His Love is eternal and unconditional.

 Too often when hearing about the Love of God it is shared only in the sense of how well you are loving others. How well you are not holding grudges, harboring unforgiveness, or getting into strife with others. What we need to hear is how much God unconditionally loves us. How His Love is matchless and unfailing towards us. That His Love is continually cascading over His Body, the Church, ever reminding us of His steadfast Faithfulness, mercy, kindness, and long-suffering towards us.  

 When we receive His great Love for us within it transforms our thinking. It changes our motives within. It forms and fashions more mercy and kindness than we ever thought possible. It moves us to forgive and go the extra step in goodness to others. 

 When we say the Law and commandments are not written or engraved upon our hearts traditional religion gets upset. They cry out how then will people behave or act morally? How will they live uprightly? 

 The truth is no matter how many laws you pass, no matter how many rules you create, no matter how many regulations you dictate, none empower anyone to actually fulfill those commands. They only cause the flesh to crave the wrong and resist the right. The strength of sin is the law.

 One then asks does Grace then give freedom to sin? The answer is very difficult to receive. Why? Because of the wrong thinking of religious tradition and the negative influence a fallen world has on the patterns of thought of mankind. 

 The truth is this, yes Grace does give the freedom to sin. What?! When reading this you may be incorrectly reading into what I stated. Grace gives you the freedom to sin but it doesn't shield you from the consequences of sin. What am I saying?

 Freedom isn't true freedom if you're not able to make negative decisions. Think of it, why don't you just steal your groceries from the store weekly? Is it only because theft is illegal? If so, then your true heart is that of a thief and not one of love. What if taking all the groceries you wanted without paying was suddenly legal? Would you still pay for your groceries?

 Think before you respond. If you didn't pay, the business owner, his employees, and the various food companies and their employees would be drastically affected. If you would pay regardless of what the law says then you understand the motivation of love within your heart. The love within your heart wouldn't want to afflict financial harm and undue burden and stress on others even though it wouldn't affect your life.

 The same goes for sin. God looks for sincerity. He seeks sincere relationships. He wants to know if your heart truly desires sinful deeds or does your heart long for Him and His ways of conducting your life. This is the Grace of God in action. 

 To help and bring more clarity, you as a Christian are free to commit all the sin you wish. Jesus paid the price for all your sins. God isn't going to punish Jesus for your sins and then turn around and punish you also. That would imply Jesus' work was insufficient and we know that it was.

 God isn't going to punish you for sinning. However, don't misunderstand the statement. You're free to sin, sin all you want. However, you're also free to experience all the consequences that sinful living entails. If you commit adultery, be prepared for major consequences. You will lose the dignity and trust of members of your family. You will pay immensely in divorce courts. Shame and guilt will haunt you. People will speak of you behind closed doors and your reputation will be shattered. People will never forget you're the person that cheated on their spouse. 

 Though God isn't punishing us for our sins, there are some spiritual consequences for sin. It erodes our confidence in prayer. It dulls our spiritual senses. We also shrink back from fellowship. So are we free to sin? Yes, we are free to choose relationship or rebellion. That's what makes for sincerity in Faith. Again, above all God desires sincerity and truth within our hearts and mind. 

 In summation, God has not written condemnation and death upon our hearts. He has put within us His Faith, His Love, His Spirit and given us His life within. We are a habitation of God through the Spirit. God loves us eternally and this Love within brings real transformation that produces sincerity on the part of believers. God is a Good and Loving and Faithful God. 

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What are the Laws written on our hearts: The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Hebrews 8:10 NKJV

 We've begun a new series of study, answering the question of what are the Laws God has written on our hearts. So far we've seen that the Mosaic Law is the ministry of condemnation and death. That God has not engraved death on our hearts.

 In our last study, we saw the God has written the Law of Faith on our hearts. Paul declared in Romans 10 that Faith is of the heart, not the head or mental faculties of man. He confirms that Faith is on our hearts again here. 

 Today we are going to look at another Law God has written on our hearts. God declared that He would write His Laws on our hearts. Laws plural not singular. 

The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus

 Paul outlines for us yet another Law of God under the New Covenant.

1. Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Romans 8:1-2 NASB

 Remember the Law is the ministry of condemnation and death. The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ sets us free from sin and death. In Christ, we have God's Spirit and New Life. 

 

 The powerful truth of the Cross is when Christ said it is Finished, it was finished once for all time. We who believed now have the very life and new nature of Christ Jesus within. Jesus became something He never was so we could become something we've never been. 

 In the great exchange, Christ became separated, forsaken, and made sin. He took all the pain and punishment for all transgression of all humanity. He took all our punishment so we would never be punished again for our sins. He became separated and forsaken so we would never be separated or forsaken by the Father. He took our unworthiness, unrighteousness, unacceptance, and insecurity and exchanged them with His perfect Righteousness, acceptance, worthiness, and security. 

 We who believe now have His Spirit within our hearts. Our hearts are the temple of the Living God. We are the habitation of God through the Spirit. We are never alone, isolated, or apart from God, He resides within us forever and all eternity. 

 His Spirit within leads us and guides us to all truth. He guides us into the right choices and the right path to take. He doesn't lead us into sin and wickedness. His Grace teaches us, not any rule or regulation religion can conceive of. 

 We also have His life within. His life is eternal. So are we. We are eternal for we are hidden in Christ. We are therefore eternally secure in Christ. 

 As long as Christ lives is as long as we have complete salvation, and Jesus is the Alpha and Omega. He is the ever-living God. God will never fade away nor His power and might decrease. 

 We have the Spirit and Life of God written on our hearts. We are accepted and approved and eternally secure for all time. Under the Old, the Spirit would merely rest upon God's people temporarily to complete works of service. Under the New, His Spirit resides within forever. 

 In summation, we do not have the Old Covenant engraved on our hearts. God hasn't written death and condemnation within. No, He has put His Life and Spirit upon our hearts. His Life is now our life. His Spirit leads us into all truth and paths of Righteousness. He is a Good Father.

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What are the Laws written on our hearts? The Law of Faith

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Hebrews 8:10 NKJV

 We've begun a new study asking the question just what are the Laws God has written on our hearts. In our last study, we saw that the Law is the ministry of condemnation and death. That God is not engraving death and condemnation upon our hearts.

Today, let's begin to examine the three Laws that God has written upon the heart, the reborn spirit, the New Creation in Him. The first Law we find that God has written on our hearts is the Law of Faith. Faith is a Law. 

 This may be surprising to some but Faith is a Law. It works every time. Whenever any person puts their trust in Christ alone they are declared Righteous and made Righteous by virtue of the New Birth.

 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Romans 3:27-28 NKJV

 This is the Law that is written on our hearts. Not cold commandments of condemnation and death. Not demands with no power or supply to fulfill all the demands. God desires a relationship, not an obligation. 

 For further proof look at how Paul describes Faith in Romans 10. Faith is of the heart it is not emotional. It is not mere mental assent. It's of the heart, the recreated spirit man. 

 Now when we speak of Faith many believe that the opposite of Faith is fear. They preach the dangers of living and abiding in fear. While I will readily agree that fear and anxiety are not something we want to think about and fill our hearts and mind with, it's not the opposite of Faith. What is the opposite of Faith? Works and performance. 

11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” Galatians 3:11-12 NKJV

 This masterful statement uttered by Paul through the unction of the Spirit is so life-changing. The Law is not of Faith. That means any attempt to earn, work for, strive for, perform enough for, any promise of God means you are not in Faith. You don't earn what's free, you freely receive what's free by Faith believing not striving.

 Faith is written upon our hearts. We now can trust God that what He said is true. It doesn't matter if we feel it, experience it, or see it, we know it's true because He said it. We don't have to feel Righteous, accepted, and approved. We just know we are because He said so.

 Faith says I trust you God regardless of what it looks like. Faith is released by the words we speak. Therefore don't speak fear and doubt. Agree with what God said. 

 God declared we have peace with God. So our words agree with that. God declared that we are forgiven once for all time. So our words agree with that. God declared that we are the Righteousness of God in Him. So our words agree with that. 

 Briefly, often the way growing in Faith has been taught makes it seem like a chore, like striving and never achieving. Want strong Faith? Just begin to reflect and meditate on how much God loves you. Faith works by Love, not how well you love people but by how much God Loves you. In the Love of the Father, your Faith will flourish.

 In summation, the Law written on our hearts are not commandments carved in stone. Rather they are the Laws of the New Covenant. The Law of Faith. Faith works every time. Put your trust in Him, this beautiful Gospel is so simple, God Loves you eternally. 

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What are the Laws written on our hearts?

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Hebrews 8:10 NKJV

 Ever since the ratification of the New Covenant, there has been one question asked by many. Not the only question pertaining to the New Covenant and new life in Christ, but still a question asked often. What are the Laws God has written on our hearts? 

 Often the answer given is that the laws written on the hearts of the believer are in fact the Mosaic Laws. That the 613 commands of the Law are what God has written inwardly. Some just answer that the Ten Commandments are the Laws written on our hearts. Is this correct?

 Based on the New Covenant, I must say no. Am I right? Is this just my opinion? Let's go to the Word of God and see what God declared.

Our study text in full context lets us in on the truth. The Old Covenant is obsolete and passing away. Why would God place Laws that are fading away on our hearts?

 Paul reveals even further proof in Ephesians 2. Look at this in full context. Paul reveals something about the Old Covenant Law. 

having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. Ephesians 2:15-16 NKJV

 Why would God write Laws on hearts that have been abolished through the Cross? What profit would there be in the engraving of abolished laws within us? If God abolished the Old Covenant Law then He wouldn't put it on our hearts.

 We must also look at what Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 3. This is one of the most powerful passages concerning Law vs Grace recorded in the New Covenant. Look how Paul details the Mosaic Law.

 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.  2 Corinthians 3:6-9 NKJV

 Paul declares the Mosaic Law to be the ministry of death and condemnation. God is not writing death on our hearts. God is not engraving condemnation upon our hearts. The Spirit gives life but the Letter kills. The Spirit is within our hearts, not the Letter. God has not inscribed that which kills within but that which gives life and imparts Love and His Goodness. 

 So we see from the Word, that it is NOT the Letter of the Law that has been written on our hearts. So what has been written on our hearts? Because the Ten Commandments are not written on our hearts, does that mean that we can now freely lie, cheat others, commit adultery and murder? In the next couple of articles, we will answer these questions plus more. For now, let me just say, the Life of God within wouldn't lead us to harm others. 

 In summation, we must know and be confident in the truth that God is a Good God. He wouldn't write death and condemnation on our hearts. He wouldn't engrave the abolished and obsolete on our hearts. Grace is greater than Law and that is a truth that we must never relinquish. Stay tuned, more to come on this important subject. 

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