But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. Eph 2:5-6
Greetings my Sisters and brothers, who are made alive with Christ and seated in the heavenly realms,
The Father has enfolded us in His very heart and His intention is for our hearts to find our all in Him. We, who were dead in our sin are made alive in Christ! I do not want to ever let these words become just words! Hear these words by FWG
"Think of the fast embrace with which I find myself held, right to the heart of my Father, when I discern my position in His Beloved Son. Grace, absolute sovereign grace, has set me there- to show its exceeding riches throughout time and eternity. What could effort of mine have done in this matter? What can failure of mine undo?"
And Julian of Norwich was reported to have lamented that her longing for God seemed vandalized by her constant battles with sin. I can relate to this and so it sets my feet to dancing to know not a single one of my sins can undo God's grace or surprise Him!
Focusing on my sin, whether I am overcome by it or fleeing it at a full trot, pleases the enemy of my soul. Why? Because either way I am constantly occupied by it and it keeps me from the sweetness of practicing the Presence of God. As believers we find it distressing to discover the tyrannical nature of our 'old sin nature' which obstinately refuses to be controlled. We become concerned with denial of self, (sin nature) and desiring to grow spiritually we fight to defeat and subdue sin in many ways; but God has only one way.1. Mortification
Self-denial, some resort to removing themselves from society and natural human relationships; to fast, pray and struggle to subdue their osn.
2. Victory
We fall into the struggle to control our osn by more Bible study, meetings, more prayer- but it falls short of effectual change.
3. Revival
Hold special meetings, confession, surrender, resolutions and hope for change- but change is rare.
4. Growth
Humdrum repetition of their spiritual list of 'do's and don't's, multitudinous church activity and duties expecting time to bring change. But self never changes into anything but more of the same. "That which is flesh is flesh" John 3:6. The flesh can be extremely evil, violent, angry, hateful, lustful or deceitful. The flesh can also look good on the outside and be full of deadly poison... pride, resentful, unbelief, jealousy, unloving and self-righteous. OUCH! Did you feel the pinch?
5. Confession
This entails keeping up to the moment in confessing your sin and asking for cleansing in the precious blood. However John 1:9 has to do with the sins already committed and not with the source (self) from which they emanate! "The Blood can wash away my sins, but it cannot wash away my 'old man'. It needs the the Cross to crucify me...the sinner...Our sins are dealt with by the Blood, but we ourselves are dealt with by the Cross. The Blood procures our pardon; the Cross procures our deliverance from what we are..." WN
6. Experiences
Different spiritual experiences are offered in churches. We must be careful that our experience isn't simply our flesh on the loose in rampant pride seeking gifts rather than the Giver. As valuable as experiences may be they must be in agreement with Scripture for God says "no flesh will glory in my Presence"! I Cor 1:29 NIV Things so easily becomes about us; like an infection in the blood. Hear this please: Scripture teaches Calvary comes before Pentecost. Death with Christ precedes the fulness of the Spirit! Where there is no death with Christ we will not know resurrection power. Speaking in tongues and other spiritual gifts are good but so much easier to counterfeit. Where as deep, humble love which readily dies to self and washes the feet of others, that serves for an audience of One, that gives generously, suffering without complaint, Love which can shake the world.... because it is empowered by the Holy Spirit and impossible without Him, Love that goes against our nature because it is costly.. requiring death to self.... this cannot be counterfeited so easily. So beloved brothers and sisters be careful, relying on God for discernment. Remember just because something is supernatural, does not make it authentic or guarantee it is from God. We have an enemy that lives by deceit and Satan counterfeits what God does. John 15 speaks frankly about this. How much better to bear fruit for His glory than strive for outward gifts. When we surrender to God's way to deal with the flesh we open the door for Him to be manifest in us by His Spirit and all He chooses to give us is eternal.
God's Way
The flesh will only yield to the Cross; not to our resolutions even though well intended, not to self-effort, not to attempts at self-crucifixion, only to co-crucifixion, crucified with Christ. We receive the benefits of all Jesus did at Calvary simply by reckoning on or believing in the finished work He alone accomplished. How wonderfully He has provided for us. What a glorious day when we come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. I John 4:16
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 2:20,22-24
You who are greater than all your gifts, great in compassion and purpose. You alone are God.You are the living god who endures forever! Your word is true. Your dominion is also eternal and You have prepared a place for me! Your nearness sets my feet to dancing and I long for the day I will dance before Your throne in worship of Your beauty. All You do in my life is to create the likeness of Christ in me for Your glory. I cannot comprehend such love as I experience in Your Holy Presence. LORD you set my feet to dancing! I long to dwell with You but You are telling me it is enough for now, that You dwell in me. So I rejoice in You... in Your greatness, nearness, and sweet Presence. Help me to want Your will more than my own way! I am crucified with Christ. In whose name I pray amen.
Your Way,
az
If you want to know how to receive Christ as Savior and know forgiveness of your sins, click on this link: http://www.campuscrusade.com/fourlawseng.htm
Doveseye a once a week email devotional: http://az-doveseye.blogspot.com/
