THE NEW TESTAMENT IDENTIFIES YOU – Pastor Chris
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only… (James 1:22).
To the new creation, the Word of God is a mirror, and not a compilation of commandments to be obeyed. The Christian is a Word practitioner. This is something many are yet to understand.
For example, when you read in Ephesians 5:3-4: “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks,” it’s not a commandment. It’s not telling you what you must not do. Rather, it’s showing you who you are; the righteousness of God in Christ, with a sanctified heart, mind, and tongue.
The Word of God reflects your true nature, identity, origin, and heritage in Christ. The more you look at the Word, the more you see yourself. God’s Word is life; something to live out.
For example, when Jesus said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34), He was addressing men and women of the senses; people who weren’t born again. But being born again, and having received the Holy Spirit, the Bible says, “…the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5).
We’re not now commanded to love; we’re born of love; we’re the offspring of love; love is our nature. Thus, Romans 5:5 is a description of who you are. Once you can accept it, you become it. That’s the principle! When you read something in the New Testament that sounds like, “Don’t do this or don’t do that,” it means we’re those who don’t do such things! It’s a picture of you.
The Word, particularly the Epistles, paint the picture of the new creation. That’s how come as you’re studying and meditating on the Scriptures, suddenly, the Word of God comes alive to you! It then becomes how you see yourself every day.
That’s the miracle of growth, because as you discover who you are in the Word, you discover your beauty, and your glory increases. It’s a life of ever- increasing glory through the Word. Hallelujah.
CONFESSION
I’m the expression of the unseen Christ, the brightness of His glory. As He is, so am I in this world; and as I stay my mind on the picture of me that I see in the Word, I’m transformed; I experience ever-increasing glory. Hallelujah!
FURTHER STUDY: 2 Corinthians 3:18; Hebrews 10:16; 2 Corinthians 3:2-3
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 & Isaiah 64-66
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN Hebrews 7:11-28 & Ezekiel 12-13
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