Friday, February 12, 2010

That incomparably great power

You, however, are not controlled by the sinful nature but are in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you.
Romans 8:9-11

The bible is a fascinating book. It is full of stories of miracles, of lives changed, of healings. It's full of wars, killings, name changing and name calling. The bible is truly a wonderful book. It is full of poetry and romance and awesome promises. I just love it all, but what I absolutely love is the life there is in the word. Somehow I find it difficult to understand - and please forgive me if you're in that place now - how people read the word feel no different. The word is so vibrant, its language so elegant. The connection between the Old and the New is mind-boggling to me. Those that say the word contradicts itself have no idea what they are talking about.

The Psalmist David said, "the entrance of God's word brings light." It makes me think of the sun shining outside, brilliantly displayed, but the windows and doors of your house are all locked. You get up and open the blinds just a tiny bit, at least, and the sun enters through that small opening bringing an immediate difference with it.

When we open up our hearts to the truth of God's word, we see ourselves in such a different light it is absolutely astounding. To think that for 30, 40, even 50 years as a christian you could be looking at yourself in one way. Oh, you're just a sinner saved by grace, you're only human, you're just a man/woman. Seems like forever you've been praying 'Lord build me just a cabin in the corner of glory land.'

Then by the Spirit your eyes are opened to your true place in Christ and you see that Jesus has gone to prepare a mansion for you (not a teeny cabin). You see that by having Christ in your life, you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. You see that you're a peculiar person, from a royal priesthood, an heir and a joint-heir with Jesus Christ. You are not just here dragging your feet along hoping to make it through another day. You are seated with Christ in heavenly places. You're not just hoping to win another battle with the enemy over what is rightfully yours, but you know that thanks be to Jesus you are always triumphant.

 Seeing yourself through the eyes of God- and He only sees us through the blood of Jesus- puts a whole new spin on things, as they say. Since I know that to be true, I want to keep my face buried in the word, because I want to see me as God sees me. His view is so much better.

As I read and mediated on the word this early morning, I got another glimpse of God's view and oh how wonderful it is.

Paul reminds us that because of the Spirit of Christ living in us we are no longer controlled by our sinful nature. We have a new nature. It's not an old one that's been fixed up. We have a new nature. "If any man be in Christ he is a new creation, old things have passed away and all has become new." (2 Cor. 5:17) We now have a righteous nature. So Paul says, yes you have a new nature, a new spirit, but your old body is still there and that old body is still subject to death because of sin.

That's something many of us know but don't let us stop there. Paul says, even though that old body is still subject to death, because of righteousness, because of right standing with God, the Spirit will now give life to that once decaying body. He lives there but He just doesn't care about our spirits. He wants to give life to our bodies.

He is the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. Let that sink in. Remember the cross and all that happened? The lightning, the thunder, the veil of the temple torn in two? Remember Jesus taking the keys of death and hell? All that power that was on display is available to us.

A whopping hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lord thank You for a new spirit, but what a joy to know that you give life to my body as well.

God is working from the inside out. With a new spirit there is hope for this body that is subject to death because of sin. The righteousness of Jesus makes it all possible, so therefore sin no longer has control over me or control over you.

Because of the righteousness of Jesus, sickness no longer has any rights to our bodies.
Disease even though it may come, has no right to stay in our bodies.
Stress no longer has control over you or I.
Depression no longer has any mastery over us.
Fear has to leave because the same Spirit, get that? The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in me.

 The  power available to us is that same mighty strength God exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right Hand far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that can be invoked. Remember we are seated with Christ in these heavenly places.

Sickness, disease, poverty, lack, financial ruin, stress, depression, worry, fear, none of these is allowed to reside in heavenly places.

Let's take our place in Christ.

Get to know who you really are in Christ.

2 Peter1:3 says "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness."

I want to break that down quickly.

His divine power............the same power that we talked about earlier that raised Christ from the dead.
Has given us everything......everything includes freedom from depression, stress, worry and healing in our bodies.
Through our knowledge of Him who called us..........That's our secret. That's our key. It's our knowledge of Him. It's our knowledge of knowing who we are in Him and what He really did for us that will set us free.

So we have everything that we need to live this life here, not just in heaven, but here, and its through our knowledge of Him.

I am on a quest to increase my knowledge of Him. I want to walk in that abundant life that I see in the Word. I beg you to join with me and let us diligently seek Him out because He promises to reward those that do.

Blessings,
Vickie

5 comments:

Raymonde said...

Thank you for the uplifting word. Truly amazing our God is! Have a good week. Blessings. xxx

Terri Tiffany said...

Stress no longer has control over you or I.

That's what I needed to read today! I have been reading my Bible every morning this year and it is amazing how it helps! God gives me little bits of scripture to get me through the day. I will be thinking about your sentence as I start my second week of work tomorrow. It's a stressful job and I want to do well but have moments when I think I will fail.

Amydeanne said...

very uplifting! thanks Vickie!

Carla Gade said...

Thank you, Vickie, and amen! I'm very blessed to read these wonderful words of yours, and His! You have a beautiful heart for Him.

Crown of Beauty said...

I love this post, VIckie. It is so rich, so meaty, one reading is not enough. At another time I will visit again to read it.

One of the verses you mentioned, taken from Psalm 119, is one of my favorites!

The entrance of your word brings light!

Yes, yes indeed!

His word is a lamp unto our feet...otherwise we would stumble and fall in the dark!

By the way, I am all preparing to feature your post, entitled The Promise... on my blog. Probably before February ends.

I'll let you know.

Blessings on your new week!

Love
Lidj