The Old and New Covenant: Andrew Murray (1828-1917)
Some interesting insights on the New Covenant and the Spirit from a man of God of long who saw the Holy Spirit moving in power with signs and wonders. Andrew Murray (1828-1917) Famous South African teacher and preacher
Some insights on Ex 24: Old and New Covenant
"And Moses took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do and be obedient. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these wards."-Exo 24:7, 8; comp. Heb 9:18-20.
HERE is a new aspect in which to regard God's blessed Book. Before Moses sprinkled the blood, he read the Book of the Covenant, and obtained the people's acceptance of it. And when he had sprinkled it, he said, "Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made concerning all these words." The Book contained all the conditions of the Covenant; only through the Book could they know all that God asked of them, and all that they might ask of Him. Let us consider what new light may be thrown both upon the Covenant and upon the Book, by the one thought, that the Bible is the Book of the Covenant.
The very first thought suggested will be this, that in nothing will the spirit of our life and experience, as it lives either in the Old or the New Covenant, be more manifest than in our dealings with the Book. The Old had a book as well as the New. Our Bible contains both. The New was enfolded in the Old; the Old is unfolded in the New. It is possible to read the Old in the spirit of the New; it is possible to read the New as well as the Old in the spirit of the Old.
What this spirit of the Old is, we cannot see so clearly anywhere as just in Israel when the Covenant was made. They were at once ready to promise: "All that the Lord hath said will we do and be obedient." There was so little sense of their own sinfulness, or of the holiness and glory of God, that with perfect self-confidence they considered themselves able to undertake to keep the Covenant. They understood little of the meaning of that blood with which they were sprinkled, or of that death and redemption of which it was the symbol.
In their own strength, in the power of the flesh, they were ready to engage to serve God. It is just the spirit in which many Christians regard the Bible; as a system of laws, a course of instruction to direct us in the way God would have us go. All He asks of us is, that we should do our utmost in seeking to fulfil them; more we cannot do; this we are sincerely ready to do. They know little or nothing of what the death means through which the Covenant is established, or what the life from the dead is through which alone a man can walk in covenant with the God of heaven.
This self-confident spirit in Israel is explained by what had happened just previously. When God had come down on Mount Sinai in thunderings and lightnings to give the law, they were greatly afraid. They said to Moses, "Let not God speak with us, lest we die; speak thou with us, and we will hear." They thought it was simply a matter of hearing and knowing; they could for certain obey. They knew not that it is only the presence, and the fear, and the nearness, and the power of God humbling us and making us afraid, that can conquer the power of sin and give the power to obey. It is so much easier to receive the instruction from man, and live, than to wait and hear the voice of God and die to all our own strength and goodness. It is no otherwise that many Christians seek to serve God without ever seeking to live in daily contact with Him, and without the faith that it is only His presence can keep from sin. Their religion is a matter of outward instruction from man: the waiting to hear God's voice that they may obey Him, the death to the flesh and the world that comes with a close walk with God, are unknown. They may be faithful and diligent in the study of their Bible, in reading or hearing Bible teaching; to have as much as possible of that intercourse with the Covenant God Himself which makes the Christian life possible-this they do not seek.
If you would be delivered from all this, learn ever to read the Book of the New Covenant in the New Covenant Spirit. One of the very first articles of the New Covenant has reference to this matter. When God says, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, He engages that the words of His Holy Book shall no longer be mere outward teaching, but that what they command shall be our very disposition and delight, wrought in us as a birth and a life by the Holy Spirit. Every word of the New Covenant then becomes a Divine assurance of what may be obtained by the Holy Spirit's working. The soul learns to see that the letter killeth, that the flesh profiteth nothing. The study, and knowledge of, the delight in, Bible words and thoughts, cannot profit, except as the Holy Spirit is waited on to make them life. The acceptance of Holy Scripture in the letter, the reception of it in the human understanding, is seen to be as fruitless as was Israel's at Sinai. But as the Word of God, spoken by the Living God through the Spirit into the heart that waits on Him, it is found to be quick and powerful. It then is a word that worketh effectually in them that believe, giving within the heart the actual possession of the very grace of which the Word has spoken.
The New Covenant is a ministration of the Spirit . All its teaching is meant to be teaching by the Holy Spirit. The two most remarkable chapters in the Bible on the preaching of the gospel are those in which Paul expounds the secret of this teaching (1 Cor. 2:1-16; 2 Cor. 3:1-18). Every minister ought to see whether he can pass his examination in them. They tell us that in the New Covenant the Holy Spirit is everything. It is the Holy Spirit entering the heart, writing, revealing, impressing upon it God's law and truth, that alone works true obedience. No excellency of speech or human wisdom can in the least profit God must reveal by His Holy Spirit to preacher and hearer the things He hath prepared for us. What is true of the preacher is equally true of the hearer. One of the great reasons that so many Christians never come out of the Old Covenant, never even know that they are in it, and have to come out of it, is that there is so much head knowledge, without the power of the Spirit in the heart being waited for. It is only when preachers and hearers and readers believe that the Book of the New Covenant needs the Spirit of the New Covenent, to explain and apply it, that the Word of God can do its work.
Learn the double lesson. What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. The Bible is the Book of the New Covenant. And the Holy Spirit is the only minister of what belongs to the Covenant. Expect not to understand or profit by thy Bible knowledge without seeking continually the teaching of the Holy Spirit. Beware lest thy earnest Bible study, thy excellent books, or thy beloved teachers take the place of the Holy Spirit! Pray daily, and perseveringly, and believingly for His teaching. He will write the Word in thy heart.
The Bible is the Book of the New Covenant. Ask the Holy Spirit specially to reveal to thee the New Covenant in it. It is inconceivable what loss the Church of our day is suffering because so few believers truly live as its heirs, in the true knowledge and enjoyment of its promises. Ask God, in humble faith, to give thee in all thy Bible reading, the spirit of wisdom and revelation, enlightened eyes of thine heart, to know what the promises are which the Covenant reveals; and what the Divine security in Jesus, the Surety of the Covenant, that every promise will be fulfilled in thee in Divine power; and what the intimate fellowship to which it admits thee with the God of the Covenant. The ministration of the Spirit, humbly waited for and listened to, will make the Book of the Covenant shine with new light, even the light of God's countenance and a full salvation.
All this applies specially to the knowledge of what actually the New Covenant is meant to work. Amid all we hear, and read, and understand of the different promises of the New Covenant, it is quite possible that we never yet have had that heavenly vision of it as a whole, that with its overmastering power compels acceptance. Just hear once again what it really is. True obedience and fellowship with God, for which man was created, which sin broke off, which the law demanded, but could not work, which God's own Son came from heaven to restore in our lives, is now brought within our reach and offered us. Our Father tells us in the Book of the New Covenant that He now expects us to live in full and unbroken obedience and communion with Him. He tells us that by the mighty power of His Son and Spirit He Himself will work this in us: everything has been arranged for it. He tells us that such a life of unbroken obedience is possible because Christ, as the Mediator, will live in us and enable us each moment to live in Him. He tells us that all He wants is simply the surrender of faith, the yielding ourselves to Him to do His work. Oh! let us look, and see this holy life, with all its powers and blessings, coming down from God in heaven, in the Son and His Spirit. Let us believe that the Holy Spirit can give us a vision of it, as a prepared Gift, to be bestowed in living power, and take possession of us. Let us look upward and look inward, in the faith of the Son and the Spirit, and God will show us that every word written in the Book of the Covenant is not only true, but that it can be made spirit and truth within us, and in our daily life, This can indeed be.
RIGTHOUSNESS IS THE KEY TO THE GOSPEL
RIGHTEOUSNESS: THE KEY TO THE GOSPEL
KEY THEME SCRIPTURES: How do we get right with God?
(Mt.6:33) Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and everything else will be added unto you. Here a direct link can be seen between His Righteousness and the Kingdom.
(Rom.1:17) For in the gospel a Righteousness from God is revealed, a Righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The Righteous will live by faith.” True Righteousness is a key theme of the gospels; a righteousness based on faith not works.
(Phil.3:9) Not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection. Here the link between Christ centered Righteousness by faith and Kingdom power is seen – resurrection power!
THE GOOD NEWS
The good news and revelation of the New Testament is that we are saved by God’s grace through faith (Eph2:8). Salvation is a free gift from a loving God to an undeserving, sinful people.This salvation is activated purely by faith. All are saved if they will receive the gift. God has reconciled us to himself through Jesus (Rom.5:10). We are now in right standing with our heavenly father, we are righteous. Our Righteousness is from Jesus only. It is not a self-righteousness that comes through our own good works or sinlessness.
A CLASH IN THE GOSPEL?
Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
Some of the gospel teachings seem to oppose this good news of grace and seem to still be preaching The Law. Parts of the gospels seems to imply that salvation and true righteousness is actually conditional on us continuing to do good works. There appears to be a dichotomy between some of parts the gospels and the teachings of grace revealed to the Apostle Paul by the Risen Lord Jesus.
STARTING OFF IN GRACE
Gal 3:2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Many are saved by grace, only to find that they end up living a driven, legalistic Christian life. Legalism denies the effectiveness of the work of the cross. It leads to spiritual dryness, death, sin and control. The truth is that not only are we saved by grace but we are called to live in Jesus’grace daily.
A CORRECTION IN READING THE SCRIPTURES
The Lord wants to address this issue and bring about a correction. Legalism often comes about due to the wrong interpretation and application of certain scriptures. It is vitally important therefore, that we re-examine the gospels and other New Testament scriptures that appear to promote legalism and conditional acceptance by God. To deal with this problem we have to understand: 1) the primary purpose of these gospel teachings? 2) in what context were they preached? 3) what do they actually mean for us today?
1) BEING CHRIST CENTERED
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. We must recognize the value of all scripture and understand how to use it correctly. Being Christ centered is crucial and the very core of our faith (Lk.24:27). They and we are all about Jesus! (Col.1:16) The bible is a progressive unfolding revelation of God’s goodness and love for mankind. This love is centered on Jesus Christ (Jn.5:39) and His Kingdom. Firstly we use scripture to interpret scripture. The principle and significance of first mention is helpful. Progression; the gospels interpret and clarify the Old Testament and the Epistles interpret and clarify the gospels.
2) A NEW COVENANT
Rom 6:14. You are not under law, but under grace We affirm that as Christians we are not under the Old Testament Covenants as they are all fulfilled in Christ (Mt.5:17). We live under a New Covenant with God. This new agreement is based on the grace and faith released through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This new covenant can only be understood and lived out by the Holy Spirit within us (Jn 14:26 Ro.18:13 Jn3:3).We value, honor and seek to understand Old Testament scriptures.They are the very Word of God revealing mankind’s sinful, independent and self-righteousness nature.They are pointing us toward a Christ centered salvation (Jn.5:39).However it is the New Testament that is our primary scriptural authority.
3) THE CONTEXT
We must consider scriptures in the context in which they were written. What was the spiritual and life issues that the Holy Spirit was addressing at the specific time? How are these revealed truths are to be applied in our own lives, times and context. To take any scripture out of context leads to abuse and deception and definitely can create confusion. Many today misuse scripture in this way to reinforce wrong doctrines or to over emphasize certain pet doctrines. A scripture taken out of context is a con!
THE LETTERS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
Many erroneously believe that the Christian life must be first and foremost be founded on the four gospels. The reasoning being that these were the actual teachings of Jesus himself – thus red letter Bibles. This reasoning denies the validity of the Word revealed by the same Spirit of Jesus to the Prophets and Apostles. This over emphasis on the gospels at the expense of the epistles can lead to confusion and an under valuing of the later letters of the Apostles. In fact these New Testament letters are a continuation of the gospels.They add to the progressive revelation of the full Gospel of Jesus Christ, His Kingdom and His grace. They are the very means by which the gospel teachings are to be interpreted and clarified. The Apostle Paul makes it clear that he received his teachings by direct revelation (Gal.1:12). These came direct from the risen, glorified, Jesus and not from himself or any other person. The teachings found in letters such as Romans, clarify and reveal foundational Christian truths. Some of these are only hinted at in the gospels e.g. the Righteousness of Christ, justification by faith, grace, "sonship", Christ in us, etc. It would be extremely difficult to derive these key foundational Christian doctrines by just studying the gospels. In fact if one was only to study the gospels one could well end up concluding that salvation may primarily come about and be maintained by good works and law keeping! An over emphasis on the gospels at the expense of the epistles can lead to legalism. It is the epistles that bring us into the full revelation of grace and freedom that is ours in Christ. So what then is the purpose of the gospels?
THE KEY ISSUE IN THE GOSPELS
There are obviously many truths and themes in the gospels. E.g. Jesus as the way, truth and life, the revelation of God as a Father, the need to be born again, the coming of the Holy Spirit etc. However, the two primary significant themes have often been understated. 1) True Righteousness 2) The Spiritual Kingdom of God 3) The relationship between the two. These need to be emphasized if we are to correctly interpret and apply the gospel’s teachings today.This will also help us avoid the trap of self-righteousness that denies God’s grace. Throughout the gospels Jesus sought to rectify Israel’s misconceptions concerning key spiritual truths. Mat 15:24 Jesus answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” These misconceptions were also held by his own disciples. They were Jewish, these wrong beliefs were part of every Jews religious belief and culture. But it is importance of these very same truths also need to be recognized in our own lives:
1) TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS
This is a key issue for mankind! This is the work and purpose of the cross. Without true righteousness there is no salvation. True Righteousness is : i) Our right standing with God that comes by grace. ii) Being in a right and loving relationship with God. iii) The condition of man that is acceptable to God. iv) A state approved by God. v) An inner spiritual state of holiness. vi) We are justified through the cross. vii) We are without sin in God’s eyes. viii) A state where our sins are no longer recorded or remembered. ix) Freedom from condemnation and judgement. The righteousness practiced by the Jews of Israel and all religions is an external religious self- righteousness based on good works and law keeping. This form of righteousness actually never made Israel or anyone right with God (Ro.3:10). It fell far short of true Godly Righteousness (Mt.5:20). Religious self-righteousness is in fact totally foreign and opposed to true Godly Righteousness which can only come through faith in Jesus Christ. Israel had become proud, boastful and self-righteous; dependent on self-effort and a legalistic religious system, instead of on God.
2) GOD’S KINGDOM
(Act 1:6) “Lord are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus teaching and preaching was (Mt.4:23) the good news about the kingdom. The Jews and even Jesus’ own disciples, thought that the Messiah/ Christ had come to establish a physical kingdom. They wanted to see Israel glorified among the nations of the earth. (Jn.12:13) The Jews thought the new “King of Israel” had come. They turned on Jesus very quickly when they discovered that this was not his plan! Even after Jesus’ resurrection, the disciple still did not understand Jesus’ teachings on His kingdom. (Acts 1:8) It’s significant that Jesus’ reply was to point them to the coming Holy Spirit, for the Kingdom is Spirit! They did not understand that the Kingdom of God is a spiritual (Lk.17:21) inner kingdom based on true Righteousness. The Jews and even Jesus’ own disciples mistakenly sought a kingdom and a righteousness that was physical and external. These two themes are critically important for us to understand. Jesus proclaimed a direct link between the Kingdom of God (Mt.6:33), true Righteousness and blessings.
THE CONTEXT OF THE GOSPELS: JEWISH SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Rom 10:3 Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. To correctly understand the gospels we have to understand the context in which Jesus’ gospel teachings took place. Jesus preached to Jews. All His disciples and the large majority of His listeners were Jews. They were living under the religious laws of Moses. They were waiting for the Messiah to re-establish Israel’s kingdom. (Mt.15:24) Jesus boldly proclaimed “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel!” His first concern was dealing with God’s chosen people who had been chosen to take the good news of God to the world. However the Jews had totally missed God’s message and Spirit. (Gen 15:6) Through Abraham Israel had been given the message of a good and loving God. Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation and all those who live by faith. Abraham also had a revelation of true Righteousness that came through faith. But Israel rejected Righteousness by faith and instead sought a religious self-righteousness based on their goodness and self-effort. Thus the law was given to expose their sinful self-righteousness. (Jer 23;11) (Rom 11;26) They in fact had become Godless. Israel became proud and boastful. They did not want an intimate relationship with a loving God. They chose by their actions and hardness of heart to seek righteousness through law keeping. They rejected the faith of Abraham. God gave Israel the law and His conditional blessing based on them keeping every single one of the 613 laws. Read Deut 28 and you will see the impossibility and horror of this. They honestly thought they were good enough to do it! It was into this context that Jesus came. This very issue He addressed through the gospels. He came to reveal to Israel that the righteousness they thought they had attained through the law. They actually fell completely short of God’s holy standard…..what a shock this was to them! The Jews knew that the gentiles were Godless and unrighteous but never suspected they were!
(Rom.3:9) Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
JESUS EXPOSES THE SIN OF SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS
Jesus taught and acted with the specific purpose of challenging the legalistic unbelieving hearts of the Jews. Including his own Jewish disciples. Many disciples followed Jesus as a Rabbi and some as Israel’s Messiah. They claimed to believe His message but in fact many disciples totally misunderstood. Many eventually turn away from Him. (Joh 6:66) From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. Including Peter in Matt. 26:34. Jesus confronted head on the issue of the Jewish Kingdom and the legalistic, self righteousness taught by the Jewish religious leaders. He condemned this system and it’s leaders outright. We find Jesus condemning the religious Pharisees in the strongest possible terms (Mat.23:1-33). But he showed mercy and grace to those struggling with moral sin (Jn.8:11). He did not go about exposing the hypocrisy of legalism as we would expect. He in fact used law to destroy the law for those in Christ. To those practicing and preaching law and self righteousness He preached a form of Hyper-law. E.g. (Mat 5:28) I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart....If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. Yes, this may seem like simple hyperbole but to the Pharisees who regularly stoned people it was something else! This was to expose the shortcomings of their law keeping and the righteousness they thought it gave them. On earth, Jesus preached law and conditional salvation. Examples of condition that expose the short coming or the self-righteous religious life and which can themselves lead to legalism are: Matt.5:20, 6:14, 7:21, 10:33, 18:35, 19:21, 25:46. etc. Jesus attempted to drive the law keepers to a place where they would eventually understand that they just could not do it by themselves. He was endevoring to reveal that it was the Jew’s pride and self-righteousness that was the problem and this sin was the key issue for God. (Mat 5:48) Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. See what I mean, Who can do such a thing? (Mark 10:19-27) In this story the self-righteous rich man missed this point while the disciples understood to a degree (not fully). When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”.
THE CALL TO REPENT
“Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is near (Mt4:17)” Repentance and Righteousness are two keys to the Kingdom! Jesus’ gospel teaching were primarily a call to the Jews and His own Jewish disciples, an ultimately to all mankind to repent. The Greek work "to repent" actually means a change of mind that leads to a change of living, especially in regard to sin and sinful beliefs. Jesus was calling Israel to change their way of thinking and living – a call to acknowledge their erroneous world and religious view. The teachings of the gospels are not just a call to sinners. It’s a call to good religious people to repent from a self-centered, self-righteousness, legalistic, kingdom view. A call to turn back to a complete dependence on, and belief in, a good and loving God. The repentance Jesus was looking for was not repentance from moral sin as he knew that the greater and foundational sin of unbelief was the root of all moral sin. God hates all sin but there is primary foundational sin in which all moral sin is rooted. This root sin of pride, is the sin of mankind’s independent, self- righteousness and unbelief in a good and loving God. At its core all moral sin is a manifestation of unbelief and pride! Unbelief and self-righteousness is the sin that the Holy Spirit has come to expose. (Joh 16:8) When the Holy Spirit comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me…. The Pharisees and the average Jew of Jesus’ time generally lead morally up right lives. Because of the strict imposition in society of the laws of Moses.But this was exactly the problem, they had become self righteous, moralistic and judgmental of others. They trusted in their own goodness and in their own efforts of law keeping instead of in God. This is a position that is most offensive to God. This is the great sin of mankind, superbly manifest in the Phariseeical Jewish religious society of Jesus’ day. Islam probably most typifies this attitude today. Thus the importance of us understanding these issues if we are to penetrate Islam and reap the harvest among Muslims and other religious peoples. Jesus understood and proclaimed that it was the inner heart condition that God was concerned with. His focus was not the apparent external keeping of the law or morality.
THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES WERE BOTH JEWISH AND GENTILE
This issue of Jewish legalism was not just something that Jesus addressed in Israel through His gospel teachings. It was in fact one of the main dividing issues every early church, whether in Jerusalem or Rome. Most of the early churches consisted of an almost equal mix of gentile converts from paganism and Jewish converts from Judaism. Judaism was widely spread and highly popular throughout the Roman empire. Most towns had a Jewish synagogue. This is evident when reading Acts. Paul always went first to the synagogue when entering a Roman Empire town. Paul had to repeatedly address the attempts of Jewish Christian believers to impose law in the new churches – thus his letters. Even the Apostles James and Peter promoted this heresy . The Judaizers that Paul so fervently condemned were not Jews sent by the Jewish Pharisees, they were Christians sent by James! They were Jewish converts to Christianity that had misunderstood the gospel of grace and were trying to add law to grace. Despite calling and thinking of themselves as Christians they in fact did not truly believe the true gospel (Gal.1:6-7) that the work of the cross was enough to make them right with God. In his letters Paul uses similar tactic to Jesus by pointing out their hypocrisy and their moral sin that is stirred up by law keeping.
NEW LEGALISM OPPOSES GRACE
We all have a natural fallen tendency to become legalistic. The modern church is still full of legalism. Legalism leads to an obsession with external moral sin instead of dealing with the issues of the heart. Don’t get me wrong when I say this. Let me be clear that moral sin is terrible and destructive and has no merit in any way. But Jesus has dealt with it on the cross and we are no longer slaves to sin. Focusing on it gives it strength and power that it is not due. In the New Testament believers are never addressed as sinners but always as saints; holy ones. When we sin we simply take it to the cross. Legalists become sin focused instead of Christ focused. Living by sets of rules, regulations, methods and techniques produce a dry, unloving and controlling environment. There is very little dependence on a real relationship with God. Even though grace may be taught, often the under laying message is that it is believers moral actions, adherence to rules, regulations and systems and attendance at meetings that make them righteous and acceptable to God and the church. Under such teachings we all fall short and tend to live in condemnation and passivity because law emphasis our short comings. The focus for many has become a form of self-righteous living rather than living in the Righteousness of Christ imparted to us by faith and lived out by the Holy Spirit. It’s all an issue of what comes first, where is our focus? Us and our effort, or Jesus, the cross? His Righteousness and grace at work in us leading us to true good works and holiness?
TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND RESURRECTION POWER
There is a link between our revelation, understanding and acceptance of the Righteousness of Christ and moving in His resurrection power. Phil.3:9-10 2Cor.6:7. We are called to move in the power of the gospel 1Cor 2;4 that comes by grace and the Spirit. Legalism leads to intellectualism and a quenching of the Spirit. Accepting the complete, full work of the cross and the Righteousness that comes there from is the grace leads to freedom and power of the Spirit. (Heb.10:29) How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?
WE CAN REST IN THE WORK OF THE CROSS
Godly living and actions come out of the inner condition of the heart Mt.15:18. This right heart condition is founded on a revelation of grace Jn.1;17 Rom.4:16 and that we are the Righteousness of Christ 2Co.2;21. It’s not because of what we do but because of who we are; a part of Christ. (Rom 4:5) However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. Jesus is in us, we are dead, He is alive Gal 2:20. Our sins are no longer taken into account Rom 4:8. Our righteousness is HIS righteousness. Our life is His life. We have glorious freedom from condemnation Rom 8:1-16. The cross has done all we need to make us right with God. It is from this position that agape love, Godly good works and right living is manifest through our lives.
CONCLUSION
We live under grace not law – this has to have a daily reality for us. Any New Testament scripture that seems to imply that our salvation and acceptance by God is based on our good works or law keeping we must remember to whom these scriptures were actually addressed; to Jews living by law not to believers living by grace.
ABRAHAM'S RIGHTEOUSNESS
ABRAHAM’S RIGHTEOUSNESS
ABRAHAM WAS RIGHT WITH GOD = RIGHTEOUS (BUT JOB TRUSTED IN HIS OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS)
The history and life of Abraham is of great significance to all Believers. He was truly Righteous, i.e. in right standing with God. If we grasp the truths taught by Abraham’s life we will be blessed by coming into a deeper understanding of what God considers to be true Righteousness and how this state comes about. An understanding of Righteousness is critical to your maturity as a Believer Heb_5:13 Without true Righteousness we cannot receive the empowering and blessings God has for us. In fact without true Righteousness we will battle in our walk as a Christian.
ABRAHAM IS OUR SPIRITUAL FATHER
Abraham was the founding father of a great a spiritual nation i.e. All Believers who are Righteous and saved through faith Gal_3:7. This includes both Jews and Gentiles who choose salvation by grace through faithEph_2:8. The New Covenant is clear that all those who are “Born Again” are spiritual children of Abraham. The key to his life is that Abraham’s great blessings, promises and Righteousness were received only through faith Rom_4:1-3. He was the first example of the man of faith, who was properly Righteous in God’s eyes. It is vitally important for us as Believers to look carefully at Abraham: what he believed, how God responded to him and how he was blessed? This will help us to understand the way God relates, saves and blesses those who are Righteous by faith.
RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE KEY ISSUE OF LIFE AND OUR FAITH Gen_3:1-24 The Serpent said: “For God knows that when you eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Righteousness by dead works or by faith??? Without true Godly Righteousness and perfection no one can ever come to God, no one can ever be saved. The Scriptures deal with this core issue of human existence, “What is it that makes us right with God and leads to godly immortality?” At the fall, Adam and Eve choose to seek perfection, righteousness and immortality independently from God by doing good and avoiding evil. They were deceived into believing that they could become as gods through good and bad (works). However, the root message of Abraham life is that “Righteousness” (True Right Standing with God) is a gift from God that is by Grace through Faith” Abraham knew that true Righteousness could not be obtained through dead works based on knowing and doing what is either good or bad.
ABRAHAM WAS RIGHT WITH GOD Rom_4:3-9 What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” ….5 the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. The Righteousness that is acceptable to God and has nothing to do with our good or bad works, our sinlessness or sinfulness. It is based solely on our trust and belief in God’s goodness and plan of salvation (which is Jesus). This is the critical truth that all Christian life must be founded upon if we are to experience a right relationship with our heavenly Father. All the promises of God only come about based on God given Righteousness that is received purely by faith. Abraham understood this truth, he was tight with God and he was blessed in every way. Abraham trusted God and God revealed himself to Abraham. Abraham was given the revelation that salvation is through the gift of Righteousness that comes only through Grace by the faith of Jesus. Abraham did not trust in his own righteousness, good works or sinlessness as he understood they could never make him perfect enough for God. Abraham trusted solely in God’s goodness and God’s free gift of the Saviour’s Righteousness that was imputed to him purely by faith. So how did this revelation come about? What was it that caused Abraham to be so radically different. There was a foundational event in Abraham’s life that lead him into truth, completely changed him and through him, changed history…..
ABRAHAM MET THE KING OF RIGHTEOUSNESS & PEACE, FACE TO FACE! Gen_14:17-23 Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. Abraham did not just hear about God but encountered Him face to face. Abraham met with a King called Melchizedek…. well so what, you may ask! Although not a lot is said about this encounter it is one of the most significant events in the Old Testament. Many seemingly small and insignificant events recorded in scriptures prove to be amazingly significant spiritually. This brief but amazing encounter was the foundation of Abraham’s faith and Righteousness. In Genesis there is no historical explanation of who this King Melchizedek was, where he came from or where he actually ruled. However we know that the Old Testament always has shadows or types of Christ Joh_5:39. The Old Testament is actually all about Jesus Luk_24:27 and God’s plan of salvation through Him – if we are prepared to look carefully with spiritual eyes we can see this. As the saying goes, “The Old Testament is Christ concealed, the New Testament is Christ revealed”. This is the way to read all scriptures- always look for Jesus and the cross hidden in symbols and types. We can see these truths about Jesus in Abraham’s encounter with a King who was unknown and only mentioned once in the Old Testament. Through this encounter the gospel of salvation by Grace, was revealed to Abraham. The Book of Hebrews sheds light on this most important encounter….
ABRAHAM’S ENCOUNTER WAS WITH JESUS Heb_7:1-3 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever. 4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! This Melchizedek was not just a type of Jesus but he was Jesus himself. This may be hard for us to get our heads around, but this Priest/ Messiah King was Jesus in everything but name. This event is the clearest and boldest revelation of the physical Christ found anywhere in the Old Testament. This physical King, Melchizedek, had no beginning or end (Heb.7:3)…. only Jesus exists in this way, no other. Only Jesus can be called “The King of Righteousness” and “The King of Peace”, no other can take this role or title. This Melchizedek was a Priest of the most High God, he was not an earthly priest, he was the heavenly priest, Jesus, described in the Book of Hebrews. This was an pre-incarnation appearance of Jesus, the High Priest of the heavenly Jerusalem Heb_12:22 . Jesus, who is not constrained by time, miraculously appeared to Abraham and shared the gospel with him. For Abraham, his personal encounter with his saviour was a “today, now event” Abraham had a personal salvation encounter with Christ, even though Christ never revealed His name. Abraham’s faith was in God’s goodness and love that was still to be fully revealed in a future event; The cross of Jesus. Similarly, our faith is in God’s goodness and love that has been revealed in a past event, The same cross of Jesus! We look backwards to the cross of Jesus and have faith. Abraham looked forward to the cross and had faith.
ABRAHAM HAD INTIMATE COMMUNION WITH HIS SAVIOUR Gen_14:17-23 Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (or in plain language: The King of Righteousness and Peace shared bread and wine with Abraham). So how did Jesus reveal the plan of salvation to Abraham? It was through communion!Luk_22:17-20. Although Jesus did not reveal His name to Abraham, He did reveal God’s plan of salvation. The gospel was announced to Abraham before the cross Gal_3:8. Communion is an extremely important and spiritually significant act, an act which most of us under estimate 1Co_11:23-29 Jesus as Melchizedek, revealed God’s salvation plan to Abraham by having communion with Abraham right there on the road. He took bread and wine and shared it with Abraham - “This is My Body and this is My Blood. The New Covenant will come. Have faith Abraham!” Abraham was given spiritual revelation of salvation as he ate the bread and wine…. his spiritual eyes were opened. Jesus also showed Abraham the fruit of pure Grace by blessing him. Because of the grace shown and the gospel revealed to him, Abraham freely submitted to this King (Jesus). In those days a king would demand a tenth from his subjects as a sign of their submission. Jesus demanded nothing from Abraham but Abraham willingly and submitted to the King. That’s why Abraham was saved, because he had saw God face to face, heard the good news and this resulted in believing faith. By the way, the Emmaus Road experience of some of the disciples was similar to Abraham’s, Jesus revealed Himself to them in the breaking of the bread. Luk_24:30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
WE ARE RIGHTEOUS LIKE ABRAHAM Rom_3:21-24 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. You ARE Righteous! The importance of Abraham’s life to us who believe, is that we are Righteous the same way he was. The Righteousness of a Believer is by faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross. This is the only Righteousness that is acceptable to God. We do not obtain or maintain Righteousness by doing good works and avoiding bad or evil. We reject way of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil Gen_2:17. We repent (i.e. change our minds) concerning Adam’s decision of using the knowledge of good and bad to obtain heavenly perfection and godliness Gen_3:5. We do good works because we are saved and loved by God not to get saved nor to maintain God’s love. When we understand we are Righteous we are able to receive from God, we feel worthy to be blessed. When Satan tells us we are no good and separated from God, our (Jesus) Righteousness tells us otherwise…. it’s good news.
THE ERROR SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS Rom_9:31-33 Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. One of the errors revealed throughout the Old testament is that many of God’s people thought that being good and avoid ding sin made them right with God. They believed that right standing with God could come about through their SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS. This self righteousness was based on the fallen notion that God accepts us based on our good and bad deeds – called dead works in the New Testament. But God hates self righteousness because the spirit behind it is one of pride and independence from God. God will allow the righteousness of the SELF Righteous to be tested and to be proven to be short of His perfection. God’s longing is for all to simply call on him for Righteousness that is given through His son Jesus. It is crucial for us to be established in true righteousness if we are to experience the fullness of the kingdom and God’s blessings. The mark of a mature believer is that they understand these truth on righteousness!Heb_5:12-13 If you are self righteous you are headed for trouble for God hates self righteousness…..
JOB AND THE SUFFERING OF THE SELF RIGHTEOUS Job_32:-2 These three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. In contrast to Abraham who was justified (just as if he never sinned) and righteous by faith, the Scriptures tell of another man of God who relied on his Self Righteousness. This man was called Job. His name means hated! Hum I wonder why? We all know Job was a upright and perfect man Job_1:1 who suffered greatly because God invited Satan to test him Job_1:8 … yeah I know it’s scary,…this is not good news when interpreted in the traditional way! However if we start to look at Job in a correct way we will see that it is actually good news, because the issue of Job is not that God gives and takes away, willy nilly, but that God hates self righteousness. Job is the exact opposite of Abraham. Job had heard about God but never saw Him, Job’s relationship with God was distant, fear based and works driven. Job suffered because he trusted in his own righteousness, Abraham received one blessing after the other because he trusted in a righteousness that was by faith.
Be blessed.
garry@gracelovetruth.com +27 845562786
VICTORY THROUGH JESUS' GRACE
WE HAVE VICTORY THROUGH GRACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS (Plus nine points of victory)
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WE ARE JESUS FOCUSED
God is good and God is love, He expressed His love in and through Jesus & His defeat of Satan by the Cross. Through Jesus we have victory over all evil but sadly many Believers still give far too much attention to Satan.When we are established in the Righteousness and Grace of Jesus our attention shifts. The more we set our spiritual eyes are on Jesus, and on who we are in him, things change for the better.Through the cross, we are Righteous, beloved, blessed, healed children of a loving "Abba" Father - this is our victory in Christ!
RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE KEY TO VICTORY
THE VICTORY OF THE CROSS
Col.2:13-15 He forgave us all our sins having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Rom.10:4 Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
These are key scriptures in spiritual warfare as in the past The Law gave Satan legal spiritual rights to attack God's people. This was because the Law was based on our own effort and self righteousness, which always fell short. Self righteousness is by our works, our Law keeping, our ways, our obedience, our sweat, our sacrifice.....it’s all about me, me, me, instead of about God and His ways. The good news is that we are like Abraham and the Righteousness we have from God, through faith in Christ, cannot be overcome by Satan, as through the cross we are perfectly and permanently Righteous through God's gift of grace. Satan no longer has any right to attack us as on the cross Jesus cancelled the Law that had given Satan rights to afflict Believers. If we see these truths and believe them, then Satan and his allies fear, sickness and death, becomes totally powerless in our lives. Be warned, self righteousness is a disaster! This is what the scriptures teach.....
TWO TYPES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: JOB AND ABRAHAM.
Rom 4:16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.
We see the terrible result of self righteousness and self justification in the life of Job (Job.40:8) : In his time, Job was the most righteous man to be found on earth, but his righteousness was a self righteousness based on his own efforts and doings. Job was motivated by fear and not faith in a good God. When Satan sees self righteousness he attacks and test self righteousness, because even Satan knows self righteousness always falls short. God Himself hates self righteousness and God ALLOWS Satan to test any righteousness that is not based on faith in His Saviour and goodness (Job1:8). Job did not trust in God’s goodness and lived in a wrong relationship with God as he had a (wrong) fear of God that denied God’s Grace. Sadly Job was an anxious and fearful man that let his fears control him. The very things that Job feared came upon him (Job3:25). He was fearful because deep down he knew he was depending on his own righteousness (Job40:8). In Job’s case, Satan simply fulfilled what Job was already thinking and fearing. Unlike Abraham, Job had a very low opinion of God's love and goodness. Job always suspected that God was out to punish him and his family for their sins (Job1:5). He did not know God as "Abba" Daddy (Rom8:15) and he was not set free of the fear of God's punishment (1Jn.4:18). After all the arguments and lament, in the end Job acknowledged that he had only known about God but did not know God nor understand God’s ways (Job.42:1-6). When Job repented and turned to God’s grace he was blessed (Job.42:12). In contrast to Job, Abraham had a righteousness from God that was by faith (Gen.15:6) and consequently he heard God, was always protected, blessed and prosperous. Funnily, more Christians seem to identify with Job rather than with Abraham. Who do you see yourself like?
REIGNING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS
Rom.5:17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
Jesus is our Righteousness, it’s His free gift to all who would believe. To be Righteous means to be in a completely right relationship with God; intimate, sons and daughters who are qualified, forgiven, blessed and empowered by the Spirit. Righteousness means we are justified, which means, it's just as if we had never sinned. When we are firmly established in righteousness we cannot be overcome by the enemy. To reign, is to have authority and control over events and circumstances. Kings reign over their kingdoms and all things are submitted to them. Jesus is our king and we are His representatives ambassadors (small kings) here on earth. When we understand that we are perfectly righteous with God it gives us authority of the King to reign and rule, right here, right now.
ISAIAH PROPHESIED A HIGHWAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Isa. 35:8-9 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there.
Spiritual warfare is all about where you believe you are positioned in Christ. Isaiah prophesied that New Covenant living would be like a highway - a higher way of living. He prophesied a highway of Grace and Righteousness in Christ. When we live in the belief that we are walking on the highway of Jesus’ Righteousness instead of our righteousness, then Satan has no access to us. In the above scripture wild animals represent Satan and his demons. Isaiah states that on the highway of the Lord no lion or wild animals can come. We know what happens on highways, wild animals don’t last long. We have to overcome the lie that Satan has access into our lives and is entitled to attack us. Let’s get it right – Satan must flee from us because Christ lives in us (Gal.2:20), not the other way around.....simply run him down if he gets in your way!
NEW COVENANT: JESUS WAS PUNISHED AND AFFLICTED FOR US
Isa.30:20 (The Old Covenant): Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Because of the Cross, what was true under the Old Covenant of the Law is no longer true for those under the New Covenant of Grace, especially with regard to God afflicting us and punishing us.
THE OLD COVENANT: Under this old agreement no one was "Born Again", no one was called a "Child of God", no one was "filled with the Spirit" (The Spirit of God only came upon certain people at certain times), Prophets had to hear God for the People, Priests had to present prayers on the peoples behalf. Righteousness was based good works and perfect Law keeping. Punishment and curses (Deut.28) came upon those those who sinned, backslid and disobeyed until they repented and turned back to God. Adversity, affliction, sickness and hardship was used to train God's people (Isa.30:20). It wasn't good news, as Israel's history proved, they never made the grade and suffered greatly for it (Rom.9:30-10:4).
THE NEW COVENANT: Under this new agreement. Believers are "Born Again" and are a 'New Creation", we are "Children of God" , the Holy Spirit permanently live in us, we have a personal relationship with God, we hear Him and He hears us when we pray. Our righteousness is Jesus and is imputed to us by faith. We are not under the Law. We do good works because we are under grace and not to get right with God. Our punishment and curses where take by Jesus on the cross. God trains and teaches us through the Holy Spirit and by the scriptures not through adversity, affliction and sickness.
So what is the bread of adversity and the water of affliction in a New Covenant sense? Simple, we point to Jesus. His Body suffered adversity and affliction for our sake and it becomes for us the bread of adversity and affliction, and thus the bread of Life as it reminds us of His suffering for us. That's why we regularly celebrate communion. When Jesus was afflicted with the speared in His side on the Cross, the water flowed out along with the blood, this becomes for us the water of affliction.
To walk in victory it is critical for us to be clear which Covenant we are under otherwise we will wrongly believe that God is cursing us, God is making us sick, God is giving us poverty etc. etc. to teach us a lesson and train us. We then justify this wrong belief from scriptures taken from the Old Testament instead of looking to Christ and the Cross. We call Satan's works God's work wrongly suffer instead of standing firm in Christ against Satan's schemes (Eph.6:11)
SATAN’S SCHEME
1Co.1:30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Yes, there are times when we have to take our stand against Satan’s schemes and plans (Eph.6:11). But let’s understand that Satan’s scheme from the beginning, has always been to sow doubt about God's promises (Gen3:1) by speaking lies that sound true. Satan’s biggest scheme is to try to convince us God is punishing us or afflicting us and that he has rights into our lives because we sin or fall short of holiness ....lies, lies, lies. The way he does this is to undermine our righteousness and get us to believe that it is based on our actions instead of on faith. He always tries to undermine our identity as God's children who are loved, blessed and right with God. He always tries to convince us that we are sinners who are unworthy and deserve punishment – which he loves to inflict. Our response when under attack, is simply to point to Jesus Christ and that we are Righteous through Him, our deserved punishment and afflictions are on Jesus on the Cross - this totally disarms and repels Satan. Be aware that Satan can only afflict your life if you allow him to convince you that you are not Righteous and deserve to be punished.
CHRIST IS IN US
1Jn. 4:3 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Simply put: You have amazing power in you : The person of Jesus. You can overcome any evil spirit, because Jesus HAS already defeated them and Jesus lives inside us by His Spirit. We are never alone. He, who lives in us is greater than any evil. The problem is that most Believers simply can't accept the enormity of this truth. Yet the truth that "Christ Lives In You" is the key to overcoming in every area of life. Jesus, living in us, overcomes both the attacks of the devil and the temptations and of the world.
WE ARE DEAD: CHRIST IN YOU IS NOW YOUR LIFE
Gal.2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in of (KJV) the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
(MSG) Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. This is an amazing truth and mystery, Christ lives in us and at the same time is seated at God's right hand interceding for us. Christ is constantly there within us, to remind us and heaven that we are now Perfectly Righteous so that we no longer have to prove ourselves Righteous with anyone - including Satan. When Satan tries to accuse us before God just like with Job.1:6-12, Jesus, our great high priest simply intervenes (Heb.7:24-25) to remind all that we are now perfectly Righteous by his blood sacrifice on the Cross, and Jesus, living in us, speaks the same words of Righteousness to us, if we will listen and believe! Our whole live is now Jesus', we are not separate from Him in anyway, we have union with Him, even when we sin. Do not set aside the Grace of God by believing your sin can somehow take Christ out of you. He doesn't come and go based on your actions. He is always in you - you and Christ are welded together by the Spirit. You are clean, sinless, righteous and holy because of Him!
SATAN IS A BLUFFER AND A LIAR
1Pe. 5:8-10 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
At one time under the Old Covenant Satan had rights and had weapons, but no longer! If you have ever been in a bush camp when a lion is prowling around - it is scary, just hearing the roar of a lion makes one afraid. Well this is the kind of scheme Satan employs - he tries to get our attention by making a big noise. Satan loves to scare Believers. He sows fear and anxiety and intimidates us because he knows that when people are afraid they become vulnerable to attack. HOWEVER, Satan is not a lion, the scripture says he acts like a lion - it is all bluff. If he is a lion then he is one that just makes a big noise but actually has no teeth and claws because he has been disarmed through the cross (Col.2:15). He does not have weapons any longer but he does have tools called Fear, Anxiety and Temptation, and he uses these against us. Satan is a conman that cons Believers into giving him power and access that he has no right to. Once we fall for his schemes and lies by listening to him and his fears and anxieties, he jumps in and robs us (Joh.10:10). We need to be like the old evangelist Smiths Wigglesworth, who when the devil appeared to him one night, simply rolled over and went back to sleep as he knew Satan had absolutely no right or business with him.
RIGHTEOUSNESS IS OUR WEAPON
2Co.6:7 ..... in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left...
Our Righteousness in Christ is our weapon against the Devil and when we come under attack we always point to our Righteousness in Christ, this defeats Satan, so speak it out loud and use this truth as a prayer weapon!
NINE PRACTICAL STEPS TO LIVING IN VICTORY
As a born again, Spirit filled Believer, establish yourself by renewing the way you think. Believe the following truths and you will find that Satan will just fade away and try elsewhere.
1) BE MATURE AND ACCEPT THAT YOU ARE PERFECTLY RIGHTEOUS
Rom.4:6-8 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: Heb 5:13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.
Understanding what true Righteousness is - the key to Grace and Kingdom living. Be mature. Immature infants cannot overcome but adults can fight. Believe you are Right with God in every way. Believe that you are free from all religious laws, are Righteous and this gives you a Right to peace and joy Rom.14:17 . Believe your Righteousness is not based on your actions but on the faith of Jesus. When attacked always declare the truth "I am Righteous in Christ"!
2) STOP LIVING UNDER LAW
1Co. 15:55-58 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you.
Understand that we are in a New Covenant of Grace and not the Old Covenant of Law. Stop mixing the two, believe you are free from the Law. Understand that Believers who live by rules, regulations and the Law give sin, death and Satan rights. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you are living legalistically and trying to earn God's favour or prove yourself.
3) ESTABLISH YOURSELF IN GRACE
Rom 5:17 ....to those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness .... Believe you are God's favourite! Know that Grace is the place of God's favour and blessing. Establish yourself in the free gifts of Christ’s Grace and Righteousness. Study the scriptures and seek revelation about Grace and Righteousness. Today grace and righteousness is the KEY REVELATION that the Holy Spirit is teaching the Church. Choose to live in Grace and reject any teaching or thought that opposes Grace and the finished work of the cross. Reject and teaching and belief that God is out to punish you, inflict sickness or bad circumstances on you to teach you a lesson. Loving Fathers simply don't do this to their beloved children, it's a lie and denies the Cross where Jesus took our punishment, curse, sin and sickness.
4) RENEW YOUR THINKING
Rom.7:23 I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.
2Co. 10:3-5 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Believe don't doubt. Understand that most spiritual warfare is in the mind. It's all about repentance - which means a change of mind. Allow the truths and promises found in the scriptures to change your thinking and renew your minds. (Rom.12:2). Replace lies from Satan that have taken hold in your thinking with truths from the scriptures. Reject any thinking or teaching that says Satan, death and sickness ect. have a right to afflict you, is not from God.
5) SEE THAT YOU ARE SINLESS
Rom 4:6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Believe that ALL your sins are forgiven, past, present and future - without condition - you don’t to do anything further.
Understand the difference between a Sinner and a Saint. A Sinner is and unsaved person. In God's eyes a Sinner is an un-Righteous person who is enslaved by sin. Those who are Righteous in Christ are Saints and this identity no longer dependent on your actions, either good or bad. Talk about yourself as a Saint (Heb.10:10) not a Sinner (that’s what you used to be). You may be a Saint that sometimes sins but that is different from being a Sinner who cannot help but sin. You are not sinless because you never sin, you are sinless because God has chosen to do away with the system of keeping records of peoples sins - that is Grace.
Believe that under the New Covenant sin DOES NOT give Satan access or a rights into a born again believers life - he has been completely disarmed and his rights through sin cancelled through the cross. Under the New Covenant God's only issue with your sinful actions is that they hurt and rob His children and others of His blessings and well being.
See that under the New Covenant God does not relate to us anymore on the basis of our sin or lack thereof, God now relates to us as sinless children who are Right with Him through Jesus.
God remember your sins no more so why should you?
6) BE CLEAR ON YOUR NEW IDENTITY
2Co 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! See yourself as God see you. You are now a new creation in Christ.
See yourself as the beloved, precious child of a loving, good, generous heavenly Father who wishes you no harm and is not angry with you any longer. You have a new identity and a new Father.
Accept your inheritance as a Righteous, born again, child of God and receive God given rights. You have rights to access every good promise of the Kingdom - it is your inheritance, right now!
Don't let Satan undermine your identity by getting you to focus on your faults, sins and actions. Remember who you are in Christ, a child of a Holy and Awesome God.
7) REJECT ALL ANXIETY AND FEAR
1Pe 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. Understand that there is a strong link between anxiety, the attacks of Satan and suffering. If you are anxious and fearful, you suffer! These emotions and thoughts are all based on unbelief in God's goodness and His free gift of Righteousness (Mat.6:32-34) See that fear and anxiety is rooted in the sin of “Unbelief” - repent and be set free. Allow Grace in Christ to overcome your fear and worry – it’s the key to victory over Satan. Understand that sickness, death and poverty is rooted in unbelief and are manifestation of anxiety, fear, stress and legalistic living. Choose to believe that we are blessed, and blessed, and blessed, in Grace through Christ (Joh1:16).
8) GET HELP FROM GRACE
Heb4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Tit.2:11-12 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.
When we need help we can come to God without fear because we are now in a system of Grace through Jesus.
Understand that it is only Grace that enable us to live in a right way (Righteously).
See that right living is the fruit of Grace not the product of keeping laws.
When Satan attacks come to the throne where Jesus reigns and He gives us the help we need.
9) FINALLY -PUT YOUR EYES ON JESUS
Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Christian living is all about Jesus so take your eyes off Satan and his evil works and fix your gaze on Jesus. The work of the cross is a finished and complete work which gives us victory - if we believe. Jesus is seated at rest in the place of favour and authority at God's right hand, He defends us. He is beautiful, pure, loving and kind, look on Him and find peace, joy and the help you need. Apply these good news truths and see the fruit just grow naturally and without effort.
Be victorious and blessed, Garry. www.gracelovetruth.com
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JESUS' CURSED SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS
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Jesus' every act had meaning, revealed truth and was full of prophetic symbolism (i) that pointed to truth for those who wanted to seek truth. Nothing in the scriptures is superfluous. Everything is linked in Christ whose whole life was the fulfillment of the scriptures (ii), The Law (iii) and prophetic expectations. It's important that we believe this as it helps us to make sense of some of the many difficult scriptures and also see the links between the Old and New Covenants. Over and over the gospels declare "Jesus did this to fulfill the scriptures" (iv). This is because Jesus came in the context of all that had happened before. The whole history of mankind and especially Israel, has always been inextricably moving and pointing to the coming of the Messiah/ Christ of God. Likewise today as we await Jesus' second coming.
When we look at the scriptures, by the Holy Spirit, we seek to understand the symbolism that is contain in the stories. Grace and truth came in the person of Jesus (v) and all scripture has to be interpreted in the context of God's call for mankind to be saved from their independent, self righteous, sin infected lives to a life that is dependent on God and His grace found in Jesus Christ.
Here are a few examples linking the Old and New testaments and explanations of some of the symbolism.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you more as you read the scriptures. Not only is this fun and exciting but it's revelation that will feed your spirit as you see the progressively revealed truth of the Gospel of Jesus' Grace.
THE FIG TREE: (vi) Shame! Why did Jesus cursed the poor fig tree? - Because it was fruitless and symbolizes the fruitlessness of Israel's and mankind's self righteousness works, Law keeping and independence from God's provision. The link to the Old Testament is that Adam made his own covering of fig leaves to hide his shame, instead of trusting in God's forgiveness, grace and provision. THE CROWN OF THORNS: (vii) Wow, painful! Why did Jesus wear a crown of thorns on the cross. What is the symbolism? - The Law and Ten Commandments were given on Mount Sin-ai in the dessert of Sin. The word Sin in Hebrew means thorns (we all know what it literally means in English, again no coincidence in the scriptures!). We know that any ground covered with thorns is just useless. Jesus wore a crown of thorns to show that the curse of Law and Sin that has caused us so much pain, bloodshed and suffering (albeit due to our failure) was on His head. THE CROSS WAS A TREE: Why was Jesus crucified on a tree? - Check out Deut.21:23, Gal.3:13, Rev 21:2
Jesus said that He came to fulfill the scriptures .i.e. not only to fulfill their demands but also to bring revelation of their true meaning - mankind can only find right standing with God, true righteousness, through Jesus' grace, there is no other way _________________________________________________________________________
Scripture references: (i) Heb 10:1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. (ii) John 5:39 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me (iii) Mat 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (iv) Matthew 1;22, 4:14, 8:17, 12:17, 21:4......... (v) John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (vi) Mar 11:13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then Jesus said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." (vii) Mat 27:29 They twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head.