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The Seed of Abraham

11/8/2012

The key to understanding the Gospels is understanding the promises to Abraham.
Gen 12:6-7, "And Abram passed through the land to the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. (7) And the LORD appeared to Abram, and said, 'To your seed will I give this land.' So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him."
Gen 13:15-17, "for all the land which you see, I will give it to you, and to your seed forever. (16) And I will make your seed as the dust of the earth, so that if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your descendants can also be numbered. (17) Arise, walk about the land through it's length and breadth; for I will give it to you."

Genesis 15:3-5, "And Abram said, 'Since you have given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir.' (4) Then behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 'This man will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir. (5) And he took him outside, and said, 'Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are
able to count them.' And He said to him, 'So shall your descendants be.' Genesis 22:17, "indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."

So we see here that there are 2 parts to the seed of Abraham and thus 2 promises. 1 part is as the stars of heaven and 1 part is as the sand or dust. It's important to understand Divine order. One way to describe this is examining an almond. If you soak the almond seed over night and the next morning you squeeze that seed between your fingers it will split in half. One side has the "head" and the other side has the receptacle. The consummation is the coming together of Christ and His bride. The physical and the spiritual, the heavens and the earth, the terrestrial and the celestial. Israel is the bride.

Christ is the head. No woman goes to bed with a man who is only a head. He must first have a body. So thus Christ must first have His body which is the gathering of the Gentiles or the fullness of the Gentiles. Abraham is the father because he has 2 promises that his seed will be both the dust of the ground (Israel, the earthly kingdom, the bride) and also the stars of the sky
(Gentiles, the spiritual kingdom, the body) Israel has the earthly blessing and the Gentiles have the celestial blessing.

When correctly apportioning/cutting the Scripture it is important to know the distinction between a few subjects so as not to have confusion by mixing.

The first mentioned in each statement below is the Circumcision Gospel (Peter's) and the latter is the Uncircumcision Gospel (Paul's).

The BRIDE (Jews) or the BODY (Gentiles),

The FORGIVEN (Jews) or the JUSTIFIED IRREVERENT (Gentiles),

The Circumcision (Jews) or the Uncircumcision (Gentiles),

Those chosen FROM (Jews), or those chosen BEFORE (Gentiles) the foundation of the world,

Jesus (the man and promise to Israel) is:
The SHEPHERD to the Sheep (Jews) Christ (the Word) is the HEAD of the Body (Gentiles),

The BORN-AGAIN (Jews) or the NEW CREATION (Gentiles),

Those who Believe BY FAITH (Jews) or those who Believe THROUGH FAITH (Gentiles),

The FLESH AND BLOOD ministry of JESUS CHRIST (Jews) given to the 12 disciples or the ASCENDED ministry of CHRIST JESUS (Gentiles) given to the apostle Paul, ** [JESUS CHRIST or CHRIST JESUS]

The TERRESTRIAL ALLOTMENT (Earthly) (Jews) of the Kingdom, or the CELESTIAL (Heavenly)(Gentiles) ALLOTMENT for those of the now faith.

The kind of salvation offered by Jesus Christ to the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel, which depended to some extent on their own works and national repentance, is distinct from what God is currently offering mankind in Christ Jesus. The Lost Sheep indeed needed to repent in action and in truth of their national sin of adultery (being the bride of YHVH) before He would save or deliver them from their oppressors. Their repentance to be in accord with their marriage covenant in the Wilderness. This "covenant national repentance" is distinct from the general salvation founded on Christ’s death, which affects all men (1 Timothy 4:10), and which is not out of works, but is of God’s sovereign grace (Ephesians 2:8).

Now do you see how Israel will become jealous and long for their Messiah? Both are grafted in to Christ, which is the seed or the word that the Father showed Abraham. The word is the will and intention of the Father. When Israel gets their promise in the 1000 year reign, those who were chosen from BEFORE the foundation (Gentiles), will be no longer be here on earth. The consummation doesn't happen until after that.

The Bride (Israel) will be made ready by the regeneration which is why no one has been born again yet but they will when the 1000 year reign starts. The born again component is part of Peter's Gospel and it's something Jesus ONLY spoke of when he was addressing Israel. The New creation (creature) is a component of Paul's gospel which is preached to the Gentiles. This is why the Scripture says we must rightly DIVIDE the word of truth. Some brethren of the circumcision are chosen like Paul, it depends on which gospel you are hearing from the Lord.

Jesus Christ is in accord with His flesh and blood ministry to the nation of Israel (The Bride) given to Peter, but Christ Jesus is in accord with His ascended ministry (to the Body) given to the Apostle Paul. Both are distinct but still good news to them individually. Both the Bride and the Body are Saved in the One man, but differently according to God's calling and choosing.

Paul is the only New Testament writer who uses the name, "Christ Jesus". - approximately 90 times

The Circumcision writers (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, James, Peter and Jude) use "Christ Jesus" zero times.

The Lost Sheep of the house of Israel are saved in
Jesus Christ by the keys to the Kingdom which are repentance and baptism, but those of the NOW Faith in Christ Jesus are saved in His death, burial, and
resurrection.

In Peter's Gospel they are forgiven which means their crimes are acknowledged and given a pardon. While in Paul's gospel we are justified which means the crimes are not even acknowledged AT ALL. All to display the righteousness of God. Despite the works Israel has done and strived for (although could never fully do) God would justify the Gentiles; the lawless.

God didn't want Israel to see nor hear AND understand because that was NEVER part of the plan.

2 Corinthians 3:14, "Since the time of Moses until this very day their minds remain calloused and veiled. They are kept in suspense without realizing that there is no glory left in the law."

Paul is derived from the Greek root pau, which means, "a pause." Ironically Paul's 13 letters in the Bible serve as a pause to the progression and symmetry of divine revelation to Israel.

Knowing who you are helps you understand what promise applies to you and when that promise will be fulfilled. Divine Purpose is key because it reveals DIVINE ORDER.

El Elyon (God Most High) spoke the Word, which is Genesis 1 through Genesis 2:3 (not scripture, like many believe). Revelation of The Word comes from The Father, which reveals The Son, the reality of your true identity, faith comes by hearing the Word, which brings belief, which produces behavior that fulfills His purpose in you!

El Elyon > The Word > Son > Reality > Faith > Belief > Behavior > Destiny

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Jesus Saved ALL

11/4/2012

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There is much discussion out in the world about what it takes to be saved. I think I have heard over 100 different scenarios with thousands of man-made theories existing. There are so many branches of religions (over 40,000) with different beliefs on salvation. What is the truth? How do you know if you are saved? Relax and rest in the fact that Jesus came to save the world and He accomplished it ALL on the cross. Amen!

So, what about believing? Don't we have to believe to be saved?

Either Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world (the entire world) or the biggest failure in history. What is He to you?

If the finished work of Jesus Christ is not automatic for all men and women, then Adam's work is greater than the finished work of Christ. Adam affected all of humanity with his actions with nobody having a choice of accepting or declining. Likewise, Christ has affected all of humanity without anyone having a choice to accept or decline. I am not saying believing is not important. Believing releases the truth in the mind as it awakens to the awareness of the tree of life that already dwells inside us. Fortunately Scripture backs up the idea that the finished work of Christ is finished and it is for ALL! :-) See Romans 5:12-21, Romans 8:19-21, Romans 11:25-36, and Romans 14:11.

Notice Paul's use of the past tense, resulted to ALL. :-)

The conclusion is clear: it took just one offense to condemn mankind; one act of righteousness declares the same mankind innocent. The disobedience of the one man exhibits humanity as sinners, the obedience of another man exhibits humanity as righteous.
(Romans 5:18,19).

Here is a link to 112 verses that speak towards the salvation of ALL.

112 REASONS TO BELIEVE IN GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY
AND THE SALVATION OF ALL

John 4:42, the Samaritans said to the Samaritan woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world."

John 12:32, Jesus said, "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw ALL men to Myself."

John 12:47, Jesus continued, "If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world,"

The point here is God is already in us, we don't have to DO anything for Him to be in us. He already is ALL and in ALL. The awakening to the reality of what already is begins the transformation process. All revealed by God.

When was your salvation completed? It is either finished by Jesus or finished by you. Are you taking credit for your salvation or are you saying that Jesus
finished it 2000 years ago? You are saved (on the cross) whether you believe it or not. Believing it makes it real to you and you then begin to experience the reality that already existed. see the difference? I am not saying believing is not important. It is very important. If you win the lottery and don't believe it, you still won you just don't get to enjoy the benefits of winning. Does not take away the fact that you already won. You are a winner in Christ and He will reveal this reality to ALL. Amen! :-)

Ephesians 4:6, "There is only one God. He remains the ultimate Father of the universe. We are because He is. He is present in all; He is above all, through all, and in all. In Him we live and move and have our being. We are indeed His offspring. :-)

Romans 14:11, "The prophet recorded what he heard God say, :My own life is the guarantee of my conviction, says the Lord, every knee shall freely bow to Me in worship, and every tongue shal spontaneously speak from the same God-inspired source."

We had no contribution to our salvation! God's
master-plan unfolded in the mystery of the gospel declaring our joint inclusion in Christ's death and resurrection; God found us in Christ before He lost us in Adam! :-) ♥ ♥ ♥ Amazing love!

BELIEF is required, but thinking that your belief is what saves you is nothing but SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS, which is the CORE of man-made religion (that SELF plays a role in any of it). When the finished work is UNVEILED to an individual.... belief is the RESULT of it. RECEIVING IS NO DIFFERENT!! See the difference? When it comes to faith, there is only "THE" Faith. We do not have our own faith. It is a gift given by The Father... when Father gives revelation to an individual, it's "THE" Faith, is what has been given to that individual.
And belief is a by-product (a result of) The Faith.

God our Savior, who desires ALL men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for ALL, the testimony given at the proper time.
1 Timothy 2:4-6 ♥ ♥ ♥

Ephesians 1:4, "Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to
adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will," :-)

All were saved on the cross 2000 years ago and all will believe this reality in the end. Love wins! :-)

Thank you, Jesus! :-) <3

Discover the truth about eternal conscious torment (hell).

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The Multiple Conception

10/27/2012

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When Twins are conceived they are conceived together in the same womb at the same time in the same act of love, and they are related in a more connected way than other siblings.

2000 years ago we were crucified with Christ, mystically included on the cross (our Cross), a cross was the means of death, but for the Creation of the new creatures it became a means of everlasting life. It was our "womb", where all of us were "conceived" together in the same act of love at the same moment,
and in His spirit we are significantly connected. His resurrection delivered us into a new existence of Spirit and Truth.

We are related by the new birth like twins, connected in a better way and belonging to the same root. I was there on that cross and as I was there, you were right there with me! Brothers and Sisters, we are ALL brothers and sisters. We are family! :-)

Mystical Love, Conception and Birth. A new creation, a brand new population, a new multiplication of new regenerate humanity to subdue the earth and bring
order to all of creation.

He seeks to populate the Earth with people who are in His image outwardly and inwardly.

I love how death was defeated and what was intended to kill One Man, made the birthing of heaven's population possible.

We were conceived for our eternal destiny, at a moment designed to kill the Man, Jesus, the devil was not just defeated once by Jesus' Resurrection, but over and over, as a multiplicity of "Jesus", His life abounding and placed into the very structure of humanity as ALL creation was reconciled by God to Himself.

2 Corinthians 5:19, Paul wrote, "namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation." Amen!  :-)

When there is more rejoicing in heaven because a person is brought into being aware of their salvation, I believe the enemy re-experiences that moment of
complete and utter defeat, as Christ died on the cross to give us eternal life. All the saints were made alive and were brought into being, where sin, the enemy's weapon against creation was removed from the
fray forever, where there is no adversary there is no war. Stop fighting a fight that's already been won.

See how utterly crushed the enemy has been...See how far removed sin and death have been put from you, "As far as The East Is From The West"... (Psalm 103:12) See how what was intended for evil was completely turned to GOOD.

"Though your sins be as scarlet I will make them white as snow" Isaiah 1:18

Man, It is So Finished.

Copyright Mike Jarvis October 2012
Agents for Change.

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Great and Mighty Things

10/24/2012

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God said, "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know."

Ever wonder about something that doesn't quite add up??

Isaiah 66:9, "Shall I bring to the point of birth and not give delivery?" says the Lord.

God will not bring us through pain without giving us life.

David wrote in Psalm 34:4, "I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears."

If you feel fear, call to God and He will answer you and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

If you feel anxious, call to God and He will answer you and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

If you feel hurt or lost, call to God and He will answer you and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

If you have a sickness or need healing in any way, call to God and He will answer you and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

There is a living God inside you. The same God that saved the world by sending His son to die on a cross. The same God that overcame this world. For as He is in this world, so also are we. :-)

We love because He first loved us. Call on your Daddy and He will answer you and show you great and mighty things! :-)

Thank you, Father!

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The Fragrance of Christ

10/8/2012

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Do we ever judge other people when they miss the mark? Paul warns about this type of attitude in Galatians 6:1, "Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ." That is love, baby! :-) Awesome!

The truth of the matter is this. Even though we are saints, born with a new heart as a new creation, we are all still capable of missing the mark. As we all struggle with desires of the flesh (self-effort) during transformation, let's cut each other some slack and realize that God continues to be revealed in each of our lives.

Christ has come to live inside each of us through the person of the Holy Spirit, and He has left us with a promise. Paul writes in Philippians 1:6, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

This work is completed by the manifestation of the life that already dwells inside us. We will be conformed to the image of His Son. Notice it is the life that is already inside us, not God completing the work, or our self-efforts completing the work. We are not saying, thanks God, we got it from here. He started it and He finished it! The work is already finished. Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father. We are already seated at the right hand of the Father. What a great picture of rest. It is the manifestation of the life of Christ inside of us that transforms our behavior to the image of the Son. Amen!

Even when we struggle with the desires of the flesh, the life of Christ is still manifesting in our lives. Our struggles do not surprise, frustrate or disappoint Him. He already knows what we are going to do before we do it, and He has no expectation or confidence in our flesh. :-) He lives in us, and whether we struggle or not, we continue to be conformed to His image.

The renewal of the mind is the part of the transformation process that changes our desires to His desires. This ocurs throught the revelation of His love. It does not happen immediately.

Imagine walking through a field of orange trees or any other kind of fruit that you want to imagine. You may notice some orange trees that have a lot of fruit or some with just some fruit or maybe even some without any fruit. Now, picture yourself picking off one of the oranges that is still green and smaller than the size of a golf ball. Would we call it a 'green' since that is its color and it does not look like an orange yet? Or would we still call it an orange that has not fully matured?

We have been made complete and perfect in Christ. We are completely forgiven, fully redeemed, spiritually alive, and we rest in the righteousness of Christ for eternity. We are saints. We are holy! We are seated at the right hand of the Father. There is nothing we can do or not do to be separated from Him and His love.

Are we perfectly mature? No. Even though we are aware of the sometimes difficult process of growth, He sees us as already there. Let's be more tolerant and forgiving of each other while the life inside of us manifests and bears the fruit of the Spirit. We are still oranges whether there are big, juicy oranges on our branches or we are just starting to flower out with the fragrance of Christ.

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:15, "For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;"

God will never love you more or less than He does right at this very moment. To God, we smell like Christ! To God, we are as He is in this world! We are sons and daughters of God. Amen! :-)

That is a truth that can set you free!

Thank you, Jesus! :-)

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A sinner or a saint?

10/1/2012

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There is a false teaching in the church that is causing many people to consider themselves still sinners. Some will even say, I know the Bible says we are saints, but we are still sinners. This double-minded thinking prevents one from receiving the fullness of God's grace. How we see ourselves has a huge impact on how we behave. Let's see what the Word tells us.

Paul tells us in Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Notice Paul says, 'while we were still sinners'....were meaning past tense. We are no longer what we were. We are a new creation! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

63 times in the New Covenant believers are referred to as saints.

We are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. God does not live in a dirty house. We have been cleansed ONCE for ALL by the blood of Jesus. The sooner we start seeing ourselves as saints instead of sinners, the sooner our behavior will match up with this awesome reality.
:-)

Paul wrote in Romans 1:7, "to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints:"

Paul wrote in Romans 8:27, "because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:2, "to those who have
been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling..."

We know as believers that we are sanctified (set apart by God) from several verses in the New Covenant.

One being 1 Corinthians 6:11, "Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified..."

Paul wrote in Ephesians 3:17-20, "so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us."

Paul tells us in Romans 6:13, "and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousnes to God."

This is an indentity crisis for many. God tells us we are no longer sinners. We have been given a new, pure heart. We have been made a new creation. The old self has died. We are holy-sanctified. We are righteous. We are seated at the right hand of the Father. This was all finished 2000 years ago. We can not be all these things and be a sinner. Now does a saint ever sin? yes. It is part of the transformation process of realizing who we really are. The mind is being renewed to catch up to the reality of who we already are. When we focus on Jesus and walk in the Spirit, we don't sin. When we take our focus off of Jesus and walk in the flesh, we sin in our self-efforts. It does not change our identity. Again, we did nothing to become who we are and we can do nothing to change who we are. Our sainthood is permanent because Jesus is permanent. Amen! :-)

Now you may be asking, why dont people act like saints? Why are so many people out there setting bad examples? I am certainly not here to judge anyone as we all have our stumbling blocks. The reason can be simple. The focus is self-conscious vs. Christ-conscious. When we focus on the flesh (self-efforts), life is difficult and we stumble. When we focus on Christ, life is easy and we live out of the abundance of the finished work of Christ. Christ is our reality. Anything else is like the Matrix (great movie by the way). When we enter into His rest, the works of the Spirit naturally pour out of us. This is when the fruits of who we actually are become seen. These are the fruits of the Spirit not fruits of the flesh. Huge difference here! :-) The behavior starts to match up with the reality as the transformation process renews the mind.

There are several verses advising us to remain focused on Christ (Christ-conscious).

2 Corinthians 10:5, "We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."

Capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ. :-)

Colossians 3:2, "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Romans 12:2, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

Imagine a child growing up being told they are beautiful every day and feeling beautiful and loved every day. Now, imagine that same child growing up being told they are ugly every day and feeling unloved every day. There are going to be different behaviors associated with these two examples. It is the same with the sinner vs. saint concept. Make sense? Imagine waking up every day knowing you are a saint compared to thinking you are a sinner. It changes your mindset automatically if it is truly believed. This is a huge one for seeing the grace of God. It is finished. There is nothing for us to ‘do’ except live out the reality of who we are in Him. Rest from our works (self-efforts) and let the works of the Spirit flow through the temple of the Holy Spirit. God does not live in a dirty house. He lives inside us! You, yes YOU are a saint. As believers we are saints! The sooner this reality is believed and accepted as truth, the sooner the renewal process will begin and the Holy Spirit will take care of the rest. Amen! :-) Thank you, Jesus!

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The Mirror of the Law

9/22/2012

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What's the purpose of the Old Testament law? The answer to this question is one of the most important and yet most misunderstood principles of the Christian life. In Galatians 3:24-25, Paul wrote, "Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor." Amen! :-)

A question that often arises is, "Aren't we to be led by the law in our daily lives as Christians?" The answer is always, "NO!"

The law is for the lost, not the saved. In 1 Timothy 1:8-9, Paul writes, "But we know that the Law is good if one uses it lawfully, realizing that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers...." You get the point. :-)

The law is like a mirror. The mirror can show you that your face is dirty, but it can't wash your face for you. So it is with the law. It shows us that we're sinful and spiritually dead in our thinking, but offers no solution to either.

When we realize Christ's once-for-all payment for sin and His very life in us, our identity is clearly not that of a filthy wretched sinner. Our identity is that of a child of God - a forgiven saint. We are not required to live by the law to try to make ourselves acceptable to God - an impossible task anyway.

In Romans 6:14, Paul wrote, "For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace."

When the law has done its work and led us to Christ, then it has fulfilled its function and purpose, and we never need to look into that mirror again. We're now led inwardly by the Holy Spirit. :-)

In Hebrews 8:12, the author wrote, (God speaking), "And I will remember their sins no more."

In Hebrews 8:13, " When He said, 'A new covenant,' He has made the first obsolete."

Paul refers to the 10 Commandments in 2 Corinthians 3:6-9, as the ministry of death and condemnation.

2 Corinthians 3:15-18, Paul wrote, "But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit."

Are you resting in what Christ has already done for you, or are you trying to make yourself acceptable to God by living under law?

Stop trying to look in the mirror of the law - turn to Christ and see yourself as you really are - from His perspective: righteous, holy, blameless, and seated at the right hand of the Father. Thank you, Jesus! :-)

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Reconciliation-It is finished!!

9/20/2012

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When the prodigal son (Luke 15) was in the far country, who had the problem? It wasn't his father. It was him. He needed to be reconciled to his father. The father's heart toward him had never changed at all but he *believed* his father's heart had changed. In fact, one might say that he was "alienated in (his) mind" (Col 1:21).

When was he reconciled to his father? The Bible says that he came home to his father with a prepared speech about how he badly he had sinned and that, if his father would just accept him, he would become his lifelong servant. (See Luke 15:18-19)

But when he actually got there, the father wouldn't even listen to the speech. Instead, he fell on his son, hugging him. Was the son reconciled to his father then? YES! Did he know it? No, because he still tried to give his silly, "I'm sorry. I'll do better" speech.

His father would *not* let the boy give that speech. He shouted over his son's attempt, 'Bring out new shoes! Put a ring on his finger! Prepare the steaks for a big barbeque! We're gonna party like it's 99!"

So the boy was reconciled to his father, but he hadn't yet accepted it, so he benefited nothing at this point. Despite the fact that it was "finished" as far as the father was concerned, the son had to accept/believe/receive in what his father had done. Namely, forgiven him, embraced him, and totally accepted him.

Because we know how the story progresses, we understand that there did come a moment when the son *did* accept his father's acceptance. He gave up the silly notion that he had to do something to get back into his father's favor. He finally simply *melted in his father's love and accepted his (the father's) acceptance.*

The Bible says that "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not counting their trespasses against them"...was He simply making it possible for the world to be reconciled or was He actually *reconciling* the world to Himself? Of course, it's the latter.

We have all been reconciled to the Father by the finished work of Christ. We are "in the hug" of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

However, nobody can personally experience/enjoy that reconciliation without believing/receiving it. That's why the Bible goes on to say (after telling us that God was reconciling us all in Christ) that we are to appeal to people to "be reconciled to God!" In other words, stop resisting your Father's hug and stop trying to impress Him with promises about how you're going to do better. Just stop and melt in His loving embrace! Accept His acceptance! THAT is when reconciliation is what our God intends for it to be.

There's nothing left for Him to do. He HAS reconciled us all to Himself. Now we appeal to unbelievers to "be reconciled" to Him by simply accepting the truth about the matter, namely that we are all "accepted in the Beloved" (Jesus).

What comes with reconciliation? The same thing that came to that younger son in Luke 15. The whole farm. But, as the older brother showed us, it means nothing unless you know it's yours, stop struggling to prove something or earn something and just enjoy what has been yours all along. Amen! :-) - excerpts from Steve McVey

God is love! and that same love lives inside us!

One of my favorite verses is Romans 8:39. Paul tells us that NOTHING can separate us from the love He gave
us! NOTHING!! Thank you, Jesus!

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One of my favorite quotes from 'Pure Grace'...

9/13/2012

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'Pure Grace' Quote of the Week

“It is my opinion that this subject of righteousness and our understanding of it is the real tipping point for a life lived in freedom and spiritual abundance. It seems that if one receives the gift of righteousness and whole-heartedly embraces the truth of it, all the other points of truth associated with God’s great and magnificent plan of grace fall into place.” (Page 48 Pure Grace).

When one believes the truth that he or she is cleansed of all “unrighteousness ” and furthermore, has the righteousness of Christ imputed to him, and one becomes the very “righteousness of God” through faith, it allows us to come to rest in Him. It is at rest that we are able to hear Him speak and enjoy intimacy with our Heavenly Father. Believe the truth about yourself–that you are righteous–and you will begin acting like it!

Grace to you all,

Pastor Clark Whitten

Grace Church Longwood, FL.

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Salvation: The Imputation of New Life

9/1/2012

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Salvation is much more than the forgiveness of sins. Salvation is the imputation of new life - Christ's life. Jesus didn't come simply to get people out of hell and into heaven. His ultimate goal was to get Himself out of heaven and into people. We have been cleansed once and for all so that we could be filled with the life of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote in Colossians 1:27, "to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Once we have been filled with the life of Christ, we are sealed. Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:13, "In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation - having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise." Stevie Wonder was onto something in the 70's with his hit song, 'here I am, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours!' :-)

The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our salvation. Knowing that we've been sealed enables us to walk confidently in God's promise. In Hebrews 13:5, the author wrote, "Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,' so that we confidently say, The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?"
Cleansing, filling, and sealing - a wonderful picture of salvation. It helps us to see that salvation is much more than forgiveness of sins. Jesus Christ gave His life for us, so that He could give His life to us, so that He could live His life through us. Amen! :-)

Christ has come to live in our hearts. Once we were just children. Now we're children of God. When we see that this is the true goal of salvation, the cross of Jesus Christ, where we have been cleansed once for all, takes on a whole new meaning.

John wrote in John 7:37-38, "Jesus stood and cried, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let Him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From the innermost being will flow rivers of living water.' "
We believe and we receive. Jesus does the rest. You've been cleansed, filled, and sealed. Enjoy the abundant life that God has promised. Amen! Thank you, Jesus! :-)

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