Rooted in Righteouness -- Bear Fruit by Faith

I used to puzzle over how I was supposed to "labor to enter the rest" (Hebrews 4: 11). Wasn't I supposed to be "doing" something"?

Christ Jesus tells us exactly what we are called to "do":

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15: 4-5)

We depend on Him, and He bears fruit through us.

Then I also read:

"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15: 10)

It is God's grace that transforms us from dead in our trespasses to alive and seated with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2: 1-10). It's God's grace which moves us, prompts in the steps that we are to take. This occurs through the Holy Spirit:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

"Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Galatians 5: 22-23)

This is the fruit of the Spirit, not the fruit of the believer. We can do nothing of ourselves.

What is the key element that makes us fitted in Christ, and thus fit to bear fruit? Righteousness:

"Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit." (Matthew 12: 33)

The Proverbs shed light on the "good" indicated here:

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." (Proverbs 11: 30)

and

"The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit." (Proverbs 12: 12)

The New Testament confirms this revelation:
"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." (1 Peter 2: 24)

In effect, the more aware we are that we are rooted in Christ's righteousness, the more fruit we bear by the power of His Holy Spirit living in us.

Sacrifice of Praise -- His Sacrfice, Our Praise

"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." (Hebrews 13: 15)

At first, I had the narrow attitude that I would praise God in order for him to do something for me.

I had too narrow an understanding of what God has already done for me:

"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.

"Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

"Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

"That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5: 17-21)

Through His death, we have continuous access to his perfect righteousness and the grace to live His life in us. He took all of the condemnation that we justly deserve, and in exchange we receive His righteousness. Even when we sin, God's grace will all the more abound in our lives.

If that's not something to shout praise for every day, then we have all too narrow an understanding of all that God has done for us. There's more:

"I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." (John 17: 4)

and

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. " (Ephesians 2: 10)

and

"For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world." (Hebrews 4: 3)

Everything is made ready for us! Praise Him now, for by faith you will see His work working out of us (Philippians 2: 12).

And why do we give "thanks to his name?" John explains why:

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

"Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1: 12-13)

We receive Himself into our lives through His Holy Spirit, and the life that we know live, we live by Jesus' own faith! (Galatians 2: 20)

His Sacrifice is worthy of all praise, and we have not yet begun to realize by faith all that He has done for us!

Only One Thing to Fear: Unrest

"Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it." (Hebrews 4: 1)

Fear has different contexts, different senses in the Bible, and therefore it is important to rightly divide the Word in order to understand.

The fear of God is not a matter of terror:

"But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." (Psalm 130: 4)

We hold God in fear, or rather in reverence as a matter of respect and awe. Peter's First Epistle also confirms this fear of God as a matter of respect:

"Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king." (1 Peter 2: 17)

God receives our greatest reverence, then we have the grace to submit to authority.

Yet the fear that is mentioned in Hebrews 4 :1 is a matter of caution and attention.

Jesus tells us that we should not let our heart be troubled (John 14: 1).

A troubled heart, restless -- what do these terrible phenomena indicate in a believer? Unbelief!

"And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." (Romans 14: 23)

Now, we know and believe that all our sins are forgiven:

"And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin." (1 John 3: 5)

and

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)

We are forgiven for our unbelief! Yet if we sense at all that we are troubled, that we are restless, confess your righteousness in Christ!

"I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;" (Isaiah 51: 12)

Let us put aside every hindrance (Hebrews 12: 2) and look upon our righteousness, Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 1: 30)

You Suffer Because You Are Righteous in Christ -- so Rejoice!!

"But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled" (1 Peter 3: 14)

When I read about righteousness in the Bible, I had always assumed that it had something to do with what I did.

If I was witnessing to other people, for example, and then someone attacked me for doing that, then I considered myself persecuted for righteousness' sake (Matthew 5: 10).

If I was doing good deeds, or if I was submitting to abuse, it was another circumstance of "suffering" for righteousness' sake.

In the past, though, I was unskilled in righteousness (Hebrews 5: 12). Righteousness is not something that I do, but something which I receive as a gift.

"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive [lit. are receiving] abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)

and

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)

I do not earn the status of full justification and acceptance before God. Not only do I receive this gift over and over, but this righteousness has changed my identity altogether. I am a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 17).

This transformation is confirmed in John's First Epistle:

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not." (1 John 3: 1)

This verse indicates also why we will suffer persecution. Not  for what we do, but for who we are in Christ, will we suffer persecution. The world does not look kindly on people who walk in the gracious and unmerited favor of God. The world operates according to a system of "strive to stay alive". In Christ, we thrive as He is alive in us!

Our only task, no matter what we face on this earth, then, is to keep receiving this gift:

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6: 33)

All things added, including our protection, including grace which super abounds (Romans 5: 20), even as we endure persecution:

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10)

His Goodness -- Our Repentance

"Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" (Romans 2: 4)

God is our Father -- He bought us out of sin and made us His Children:

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

"Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1: 12-13)

and

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." (Romans 8: 15)

Because of His Son, who gave Himself for us, we have received His life and standing:

"According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:" (2 Peter 1: 3)

and

"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4: 14-16)

This is the Greatest Goodness that God has given us -- His Son:

"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." (2 Corinthians 8: 9)

What goodness we have received! This is the goodness which causes our minds to change, which is the true meaning of "repentance".

In fact, we have to repent from believing that God is cruel and uncaring:

"But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

'Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. " (Luke 12: 31-32)

Another reason not to fear? Check out Isaiah:

"But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine." (Isaiah 43: 1)

Let the Goodness of God, His Son Jesus Christ, caused you to repent from dead works to a life of faith in Him.

Enter into Rest -- Do Not Entertain the Rest

"There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

"For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

"Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." (Hebrews 4: 9-11)

God is inviting us to partake of the Finished Work, His Son Jesus, who died on the Cross for us, that we may receive His life, standing, and blessing:

"I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

"And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." (John 17: 4-5)

Part of receiving of His Work is that we cease from our works, from our attempts to make ourselves righteous before God:

"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9: 14)

So, then what are we called to do?

"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. " (John 6: 29)

By believing on Jesus, we receive from Him. What are we called to receive from Him?

"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)

The Youngs Literal Translation communicates the truth in this verse much better:

"For if by the offence of the one the death did reign through the one, much more those, who the abundance of the grace and of the free gift of the righteousness are receiving, in life shall reign through the one -- Jesus Christ."

We are called to keep receiving this gift, to keep remembering who we are in Christ, who by His death made us to take on His own righteousness!

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)

This is also why we are invited to partake of communion as often as we feel prompted to do so:

"For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come." (1 Corinthians 11: 26)

I cannot revisit this truth enough -- we are called to keep on receiving this gift of righteousness. Jesus made it the priority in our lives:

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6: 33)

Enter into the rest of His Righteousness, and do not entertain any fears about the rest!

Righteousness not Retained, but Received

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5: 6)

Righteousness is something that we are to desire more than even our food and drink.

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6: 33)

Jesus told us to make righteousness the priority, the knowledge and belief that in Christ, we have been declared fully justified.


"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)

Righteousness is not something that we attain, maintain or retain -- but a gift which
we are asked to keep on receiving by faith:

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14: 17)

It is the Holy Ghost who supplied this gift of righteousness to us.

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)

We do not just have right standing, but we have the same standing as Christ Jesus Himself!

and

"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

"For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

'But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5: 12-14)

Therefore, make your established status in righteousness (Isaiah 54: 14) your priority every day, for Christ who lives in you (Colossians 1: 27) has been made unto to your righteousness (1 Corinthians 1: 30)

Trust God by Trusting What He Has Done

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8: 31-32)

Do you have a hard time trusting God for anything in your life?

Do you know that He has paid for all your sins -- past, present, and future?

"And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2: 2)

and

"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." (Hebrews 10: 10)

This work is a done deal, finished:

"I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." (John 17: 4)

and

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. " (Ephesians 2: 10)

On a more serious note, the writers of Hebrews declares:

"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." (Hebrews 10: 26)

The work is done, finished, over in Christ! We are thus called to bring all thoughts into captivity to His Obedience (2 Corinthians 10: 5)

If you have the notion that He has not taken care of everything, then you still need to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord!

The more that you know Him, the more that you see all that He has done for you, then you cannot help but trust Him!

Established in Righteous, Certain To Prosper

"And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever." (Isaiah 37: 12)

Righteousness is the  gift that keeps on giving to those who receive it, and keep receiving it:

"For if by the offence of the one the death did reign through the one, much more those, who the abundance of the grace and of the free gift of the righteousness are receiving, in life shall reign through the one -- Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17, Youngs Literal Translation)

We are called to receive and keep receiving, for without this righteousness, we do not reign in life.

"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16: 26)

We need Life, and that life is given to us through Christ Jesus (John 14: 6):

"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6: 11)

As long as we still believe that we must do or say or think something in order to be OK with God, then we do not receive the gift of righteousness:

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 2).

We prosper to the extent that we walk in truth (3 John 3-4), and the Truth is that in Christ, we have received His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5: 21)

To continue to believe otherwise is to entertain nothing but error.

Here is the prophecy which Isaiah uttered to us, foreseeing the work of the Cross:

"In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee." (Isaiah 54: 14)

We must be established in righteousness first and foremost, a transformation which we receive living from faith to faith (Romans 1:17) and by the Spirit of the Lord from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3: 18)

Then we reap the following promises:

"He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour." (Proverbs 21: 21)

and

"In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace [or "prosperity] so long as the moon endureth." (Psalm 72: 7)

And therefore, this is why Jesus taught while walking on this earth to "seek" or rather "desire" God's righteousness (Matthew 6: 33), and the rest will be added unto you -- prosperity!

Jesus is the Kingdom of Heaven!

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:" (Colossians 1: 12-13)

Jesus Christ has brought us into His Kingdom. We are all kings and priests before the Lord (1 Peter 2: 9)

We are called to reign in life, and our life is hid in Christ (Colossians 3: 3).

Let us trust Him to rule with diligence, to take care of us no matter what we may be facing in this life.

Rest, Rejoice, then Receive

"Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD." (Isaiah 54: 1)

When I first read this verse, I thought that Isaiah was being metaphorical.

The next few verses put aside that misconception:

"Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;
"For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited." (Isaiah 54: 2-3)

This is no metaphor. This is not a call to think happy thoughts and pretend. Isaiah,  by the power of the Holy Spirit, is telling the barren woman to sing.

This is not the first time that God has moved in the life of a barren woman. Sarah (Hebrews 11: 11),

Many of us believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, but then we think that we are on our own to get by in life. Of course, because Jesus Christ is our life (Colossians 3: 4), we do not have to wait for the good life -- in Christ, we have life, and that more abundantly.

The problem for many of us, though, is that we want our problems resolved, then we will rest and rejoice.

God does not work that way.

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14: 17)

He wants us to rest and receive His righteousness as a gift (Romans 5: 17), the fruit of which is peace (wholeness, prosperity, and all the rest). Because God is not slack concerning His promises, we rejoice that we have received pardon from all our sins, and thus we break forth in joy.

When we rest in the gift that we have in Christ Jesus, then we better believe that He will give us all things with Him (Romans 8: 31-32)

It is faith that pleases God (Hebrews 11: 6), for we receive the grace of God by faith. When we break forth in song, seeing the unseen by faith, just like the barren woman rejoices because she believes that God will move in her life, God will break forth in your life.

Stop postponing your rest and rejoicing in Christ! Then you will receive, knowing and believing that He has already moved in your life.

Prosper, not Maintain

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 2)

Soul prosperity must come first, in our mind, will, and emotions.

We cannot prosper if we do not walk in truth (3 John 3-4).

We do not walk in the truth if we think that we have to do, say, or think a certain way in order for God to love us and work in our lives.

We do not walk in the truth if we do not walk in love:

"And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." (Ephesians 5: 2)

and

"And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it." (2 John 6)

We love because He first loved us (1 John 4: 19).

In order to prosper, be rooted and ground in His love for you:

"That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

"May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

"And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." (Ephesians 3: 16-19)

We understand this love when rest in His Finished Work:

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4: 10)

Since all our sins are forgiven, since He has called us to life of rest (Hebrews 4: 11), then we cannot prosper in our thinking as long as we are deluded into thinking that we must think and believe a certain way in order to be right with God.

The Holy Spirit is our Comforter

"Then Job answered and said,
"I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.

"Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? (Job 16: 1-3)

Many believers in the Body of Christ are running to other believers in the Body of Christ, hoping to get the answers to their problems. Like Job, we find ourselves dealing with miserable counselors,

In fact, we already have a counselor, the Holy Spirit, who gives us all knowledge:

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. " (John 14: 26)

Because He lives in us, we can know and trust that He is helping us with all things:

"But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things." (1 John 2: 20)

and

"But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." (1 John 2: 27)


What does the Holy Spirit tell us?:

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." (John 16: 13)

Unlike Job's "friends", the Holy Spirit will not give us vain words, but reveal to us the Word of God:

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." (John 6: 63)

Instead of running to other people for advice, as if you are not made fully righteous and lack the peace that guides you (Colossians 3: 15), just ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what you need. Meditate on God's word, and you will receive the Comfort and direction that you are searching for.

There is Nothing Wrong With You -- As He is in You

"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9: 14)

God the Father offered a perfect sacrifice for us.

His sacrifice perfected us:

"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10:14)

So, in Christ we are made perfect. We are not called to keep perfecting ourselves, then:

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3: 18)

Paul outlined once again that we are perfect before God:

"And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

"In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:" (Colossians 1: 21-22)

There is nothing wrong with you and me as we are in Christ.

Too many of us, though, refuse to believe, and therefore we still feel plagued that we must "do something" in order to receive something.

Faith means that we know who stands in us:

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love," (Ephesians 3: 17)

Let's stop trying to figure out what we are missing or where we have gone wrong. Let us ask God to open our eyes to all that we have, that all the blessings which we have received (Ephesians 1: 3) make take effect in our lives (Philemon 6).

Jesus Gives Us His Peace -- Himself

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14: 27)

God has given us His Son, and through Him we have peace:

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

"By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5: 1-2)

Jesus Christ Himself is our peace:

"For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

"Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

"And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

"And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh." (Ephesians 2: 14-17)

The passage in Ephesians reveals details worth reveling in regarding the peace that we have in Christ Jesus.

There was a divide between man and God -- Jesus the mediator broke down that wall, which was symbolized by the Great Curtain which divided the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple and the entire nation of Israel. Now we can boldly enter the throne of grace (Hebrews 4: 16).

Never should a believer feel that God is distant or far away, or that we must do something in order to get close to God. Christ our peace lives in us as well as intercedes for us sitting at the right hand of the Father!

"the law of commandment in ordinances" -- Jesus Christ has made the law of no further effect on the believer because by His death, He fulfilled the law, and thus has granted to us Himself and His Spirit.

Rooted in His Love -- Shining in His Life

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love." (Ephesians 3: 17)

God is love (1 John 4: 16), and He showered His love on us by sending His Son Jesus to die on the Cross for us (1 John 4: 10 and to give us His life (John 3: 16).

Until man is rooted in the love of God, which transforms him from dead in his trespasses (Ephesians 2: 1) to alive in Christ Jesus (Philippians 1: 21), then he will be unstable and unsettled, unsure of who he is or why he is.

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)

Who we are depends on who He is, and the greater your revelation of who he is, then the more rooted and ground you will be, and the more that you will shine in this dark world.

Love defines us -- God's love shines on the whole world through His Son, and through His Holy Spirit we receive His Son living in us, that we may shine for others. God called us to be shining stars before we were even born:

"And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be." (Genesis 15: 5)

Every believer in the Body of Christ is of Abraham's seed:

"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3: 29)

Because we have received the adoption of children through Christ:

"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," (Ephesians 1: 5)

We are now sons of light and sons of the day (1 Thessalonians 5: 5). In us, the Sun of righteousness (Malachi 4: 2) and the Light of the world (John 8: 12) will break forth through us.

Grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Peter 3: 18), feed on His love, and shine!

His Grace Leads You

His grace is leading us by His Holy Spirit:

"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." (Galatians 5: 16)

How do we know that we are led by the Spirit of God? When we know who we are in Christ:

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." (Romans 8: 14)

By faith we are made the sons of God (1 John 3: 1)

We have received a new heart (Hebrews 8: 10-12), we have received the Spirit of Adoption (Romans 8:15).

We are in the Kingdom of Heaven, where righteousness, peace, and joy live in us through the Holy Spirit (Romans 14: 17)

This peace is what leads us in all our dealings on this earth:

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." (Colossians 3: 15)

and

"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another." (Romans 14: 19)

We need never worry about doing something that will displease God, and therefore we need never be fearful in doing something, that we may do something wrong.

As we rest in Him, his grace flows through us:

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

"Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

"Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2: 11-14)

It is the grace of God that helps us to live righteously, Beloved!

You Already Know God's Will

The great heresy that brings many people in the Body of Christ into bondage is this notion that we have to run our lives by other people, so afraid are we that we may make a mistake, somehow step out of God's Will for our lives, or invite his displeasure.

First of all, we must be skilled in righteousness (Hebrews 5: 12), fully versed and renewed in our minds that we have been made the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 21), and therefore we can never invite God's displeasure in our lives:

"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1: 6)

Any mistakes, sins, faults, failures that we have made, make, or will make are forever cleansed away by the Blood of Jesus:

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1: 7)

We cannot step out of the will of God:

"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2: 12-13)

God gives us the desire to do the things that He wants us to do. We cannot step out of the will of God in that the will of God is always  at work within us. We may do the wrong thing, in that we are relying on our flesh instead of His Spirit, but even then we have nothing to fear:

"Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:" (Romans 5: 20)

and

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8: 28)

God takes your failures and transforms them into successes, so fear not when you step out in faith, following the promptings of God's Spirit to do His will!

His Rest More Important that Works

"And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.

"And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

"And they departed into a desert place by ship privately." (Mark 6: 30-32)

The disciples rejoiced in all that there were able to do.

Yet Jesus did not celebrate with them. Instead, He told them to rest.

We do nothing of ourselves. Christ lives in us (Colossians 1: 27), and therefore He is the one who works through us (Philippians 2: 12-13)

Paul made that very clear to the Corinthians:

"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15: 10)

The most important thing that we can do, then, is to rest:

"Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it." (Hebrews 4: 1)

and

"Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." (Hebrews 4: 11)

Jesus is our rest (Matthew 11: 28) and the one work that we are called to do is to believe on Him (John 6: 29)

We do nothing of ourselves (John 15: 4-5). Jesus even told us not to rejoice about our works:

"Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10: 20)

Because our names our in heaven, we are made the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 21), and thus His life is able to live through us!

Resist Means Humbly Refusing to Fight

"But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. " (James 4: 6-7)

We have received God's grace through Jesus Christ:

"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1:6)

Here, "accepted" renders the Greek word "ἐχαρίτωσεν" which encapsulates "he made objects of grace". In effect, we are defined and suffused by God's grace!

God's grace has superabounded toward us (Romans 5: 20, and in Christ we have all things given to us (Romans 8: 31-32; 1 Corinthians 3: 23).

Since in Christ we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37), then what are we supposed to do when trouble comes? Humbly believe on Him!

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. " (1 Peter 5: 6-7)

Here, Peter defines "humbling oneself" as trusting God with all our cares, and in no way esteeming any conflicts or troubles as if they are too much for God:

"Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son." (Genesis 18: 14)

Since Jesus has defeated every enemy:

"And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2: 15)

and

"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place." (2 Corinthians 2: 14)

So we do not fight with power and principalities that have already been defeated, but what about Ephesians 6: 12?

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

A proper translation would read "the wrestling", which indicates that we are not fighting, but standing:

"stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6: 11)

" stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6: 13)

The only thing left for the Enemy is to fool us into thinking that we must do something. Yet because we are clothed in humility, trusting God for all things, the shield of faith will quench every fiery dart (Ephesians 6: 16)

Humbly trust God that He has everything, and the Devil will have no choice but to flee from you.

Rest in Faith: God Quenches the Fiery Darts

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

"Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. " (1 Peter 5: 6-9)

We have an enemy in this world -- Satan, the adversary, the accuser of the brethren.


Yet the thoughts and feelings which attack us, the lies which beset us, they are in many cases from Satan.

Our thoughts inform our feelings, beloved, not our circumstances. We can be cool no matter what is happening, or we can be miserable no matter good things may be, if we choose to focus and fight with the lies which Satan attempts to attack us with.

Peter told his readers what to do when we are so attacked:

"Resist stedfast in the faith".

In fact, we can rejoice that we are under attack in our minds, that bad thoughts plague us because we can rest assured that the Devil is throwing everything he can to stop us:

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10)

The key for believers, though, is that we must stop identifying with the angry, bitter thoughts which afflict us, for their are manifestations of our flesh:

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

"Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

"Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like." (Galatians 5: 19-21)

"Variance, emulations, wrath, strife": all of these are borne out in us by just being in the world or when we are trying in our own efforts to be holy and good.

Let us walk in the Spirit, rather (Galatains 5: 16), and reckon ourselves dead in the flesh:

"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6: 11)

Faith is the shield that protects us from the fiery darts of the Enemy:

"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." (Ephesians 6: 11)

Yet the problem for many believers is that we are working to put out these fires -- and works is the opposite of faith!

He has no power, we do not have to keep taking our inventory, we do not have to run and share our feelings with someone in order to "break free" of a resentment.

Let us rest in the love and acceptance that we have in Christ Jesus, and Satan's fiery darts will be quenched and no longer afflict us!

In Christ's Death, We Have Rest

"Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?"

"There [in death] the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest." (Job 3: 11,17)

Man has to die in order to live:

"Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?" (Romans 7: 1)

then

"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." (Romans 7: 4)

At the time, Job just wanted to be free of his misery, yet Satan could toy with Job precisely because he was a son of  Adam who had not established a covenant of protection with the living God.

And since Adam, death had reigned in the world:

"Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come." (Romans 5: 14).

Yet the second Adam has come to die for us, and by His death we are free from the curse of the law and the flesh, and we can thus receive His Spirit in our lives.

In Christ, we are dead, that we may receive His life:

"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

"When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3: 3-4)

Our death in Christ allows us to rest in Him (Hebrews 4: 1), that though we live on this earth, the life that we live, we live by the faith of the Son of  God in us (Galatians 2: 20)

What Job wanted, we have received, and much more through Christ.

Jesus Christ is Your Rest!

Jesus Christ is your rest!

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. " (Matthew 11: 28)

He is our provision, our portion, the First of Many Brethren, the  Man and the Glory, the image of the Invisible God. ((Colossians 1: 13-18)

He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith (Hebrews 12: 2)

Rest is not something that we do, but rather something that we receive and accept as given to us the moment that we believe on Him, confessing out our mouth the truth revealed to our heart by His Word.

He is our Rest because He has fulfilled the law for us. (Colossians 2: 13-15)

He is our propitiation for all our sins (1 John 2: 2)

He has everything and all the rest taken care of for you (Romans8: 31-32)

"Do You Now Believe?"

"Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

"Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?" (John 16: 31-32)

What was the problem with the apostles' belief, that Jesus was incredulous, at least to question their belief, then to inform them that they would leave him alone in His time of trial?

The nature, the essence of their belief: "We know that you know all things. We believe that you came from God."

There were many prophets before and after who came from God, and every believer in the Body of Christ is entrusted with knowing all things because we have received His Holy Spirit (1 John 2: 20, 27).

Jesus is more than a "Know-it-all", and knowledge alone cannot save us.

Jesus told those listening to Him that the one work, belief, was based on a clear condition:

"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6: 29)

Do you believe that He was sent to die, to die for you, to live forever at the right hand of the Father, and to minister on your behalf through His Holy Spirit?

Jesus the man, or Jesus the Son of God, God incarnate? The apostle said: "We know that you came forth from God."

But they did not fully receive Him as God on earth until after His resurrection:

"And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

"Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." (John 20: 28-29)

But do you believe? Do you believe that the same God who died for you on the Cross, the same God who holds all creation together, the same God now cares for you, lives for you, and wants to live in you and through you?

Believe -- take Him at His Word, and see Him who is not visible to the senses, but by His Word spoke the worlds into existence!

Believe in God? Believe in His Son!

"Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God." (1 Peter 1: 21)

Through Jesus Christ, we come to believe in God the Father, that He is on our side, that He not only wants the best for us, but that through His Son, the first-born from the dead, we can become also sons of God (John 1: 12)

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." (John 14: 1)

and

"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6: 29)

James took his readers to task because a mental assent alone is not enough:

"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." (James 2: 19)

"That there is one God" -- yes, everyone believes that there is a God, even atheists who have the inner witness, no matter how much they may deny it (Romans 1: 19)

It is not enough to believe in God, but to believe in Jesus Christ, that He was sent to take away our sins:

"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1: 29)

and

"And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin." (1 John 3: 5)

In fact, Jesus became sin that we might receive His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5: 21)

By believing in His Son, we become children of God and heirs to all He possesses (Romans 8: 15-17)

We Have Peace With God, So Rest!

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

"By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5: 1-2)

You have peace with God right now. We enjoy this peace in our life when we walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5: 16), for the fruit of the Spirit starts off with love, joy, and peace. (Galatians 5: 22-23)

In fact, Christ Himself is our peace (Ephesians 2: 14)

Peace means the cessation of trouble and condemnation, for there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus (Romans 8: 1).

His peace now rules in us, like an umpire, one who imparts to us when to do something, and when not to (Colossians 3: 15)

"Peace" communicates that in Christ we have all things:

"Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

"Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

"And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's." (1 Corinthians 3: 21-23)

We are called not to get, but to receive by faith:

"Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." (Hebrews 4: 11)

This includes the peace, provision, and prosperity accorded to us in Christ Jesus.

As He Is In Me, So It Is to Be!

Maine Governor Paul LePage coined a simple yet profound motto for his philosophy of life:

"If it is to be, it is up to me."

A telling phrase in its simplicity, LePage makes a strong case for the rugged, unfettered individualism championed by this phrase.

Yet for believers who live in the Kingdom of Heaven, baptized in the Holy Spirit, there is an even simpler calling:

"As He is in me, so it is to be."

By His grace, by His power, by His working in us, we receive, not achieve everlasting life, and all other things freely given through Him.

As we are led by the Spirit, He works in and through us.

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." (Romans 8:14)

And what joys do we await as sons of God?

"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:17)

And of course:

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:31-32)

As He is in us, so it is to be -- all things!:

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

"If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." (John 15:1-7)

As He is in me, so it is to be!

Learn How to Sit? Believe that You are Seated!

"And [God] hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" (Ephesians 2: 6)

"Has raised us" "made us sit" -- we are already seated in Christ!

Yet the teaching even among grace preachers and teachers is that we must "learn how to sit.

In truth, we are called to renew our minds (Romans 12: 2) to the truth that we are already seated in Christ.

"And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." (John 6: 69)

and

"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." (1 John 4: 16)

What is the grand implication of this love in our lives?:

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)

The more we understand how perfect and perfected God's love is for us, then the more we shall understand that we are on this earth as Christ is in heaven: seated in consummate victory.

Are there any troubles or challenges in your life? This is what God the Father told His Son, and all of us with Him:

"The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." (Psalm 110: 1)

We know that Jesus has sat down already:

"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God." (Hebrews 10: 12)

Guess what: so have you! Rejoice in Him, walking by faith that in Christ you have more than the victory (Romans 8: 37)

Establish Your Heart In God's Grace

"Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways." (Haggai 1: 7)

We have the Way, the Truth, and the Life to lead us in the paths of righteousness (Psalm 23:3)

Another translation gets to the "heart" of the matter:

"Thus said Jehovah of Hosts: Set your heart to your ways." (Youngs Literal Translation)

In the Old Testament, the children of Israel were called to settle accounts and get their lives straightened out. In the New Covenant, we receive Christ in us (Colossians 1: 27), and by his grace, our hearts are established:

"Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. (Hebrews 13: 9 )

This grace is based on a gift:

"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)

Our heart is established by grace, and this grace pours forth in our lives, even when we sin (Romans 5: 20), and it is all based on what Christ has done, not what we must do.

We do not save ourselves, and we believe not through our faith:

"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." (Romans 10: 7, NIV)

This faith through God's Word accesses God's grace in our lives:

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

"Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2: 8-9)

This grace we receive by taking God at His Word, that His grace has been given to the whole world (Titus 2: 11)

We have even received a new heart because of the Holy Spirit working in us (Hebrews 8: 10-12)

You have a new heart, and this heart is established in God's grace. Rejoice!

Work Out, Not Up, What He Has Worked In

Did you know that every work which God wants you to do He has already prepared for you to do?

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)

God has made us from the beginning, yet has transformed us into a new creation through His Son Jesus (2 Corinthians 5: 17), and He has included within us the very works that He purposes us to do!

He is even at work in us to prompt us into the good works that He has set out for us to do:

"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Philippians 2: 12-13)

We are called to work out, or literally work down, the works that God has placed in us and wants to work through us.

How do we walk in these works? By faith:

"For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5: 7)

This faith works in us as we see what God has placed in us:

"That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." (Philemon 6)

Paul also prayed to the Ephesians:

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints," (Ephesians 1: 17-18)

Let us read and discover what God has already worked into us, that we by faith may work out His salvation in us to others and glorify Him!

You Are One and Have Won in the Father

"I and my Father are one." (John 10:30)

Jesus spoke these words after relating to His hearers that He is the Good Shepherd (John 10: 11)

and

"I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. " (John 17: 23)

Jesus wants to impress on every believer that God the Father loves us as much as He loves His own Son.

How can this be? Through Christ's death, we have access by faith to God's grace, which makes us sons of God (John 1: 12).

We have received the adoption of children through Christ:

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." (Romans 8: 15)

and

"For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father." (Ephesians 2: 18)

We are one with Christ in the Father. Moreover, in Christ we have won:

"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Romans 8: 37)

and

"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place." (2 Corinthians 2: 14)

Meditate on this truth -- In Christ you are one and you have won in the Father!

Prisoner of Hope -- What and How

What is a prisoner of hope?

"Turn you to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will restore double unto you." (Zechariah 9:12)

Hope, what is that?

תִּקְוָה tiqvah, literally means "cord", something which ties us to something else, an expectation, a hope, a thing longed for, which we can expect to come to pass.

A bold assertion? An overinterpretation? Hardly!

"Wait on the LORD and keep his way and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land when the wicked are cut off thou shalt see." (Psalm 37:34)

Wait --
קָוָה qavah, which is the verb root for תִּקְוָה tiqvah.

We do not just sit passively, pitiful waiting in vain. We wait, with positive, joyous expectation that what we have faith for will indeed come to pass.

How do we keep His way? We do not! He keeps us!:

"He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." (Psalm 23:2)

And of course. . .

"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." (John 14:6)

We believe on Him, He brings things to pass through us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

How exactly do we believe on Him? What "should" we be "thinking" about?

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" (2 Corinthians 10:5)

How do we read "captivity" here?

captivity: αἰχμαλωτίζω -- to take captive, subdue, ensnare, hold at spear point!

Our thoughts are brought into captivity to the "obedience of Christ".

What is the "obedience of Christ"? Why, his death on the Cross, by which we have hope [which "maketh not ashamed" (Romans 5:5)]:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." (1 Peter 1:3)

Now, do we take these thoughts captive? No, by the weapons of our warfare, of which is the sword of the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12)

So, as we meditate on the Word of God, which reveals us more and more the grace of God working in us through Christ's death and resurrection on the cross, we live in hope, the positive expectation of good in our lives, with full assurance that none and nothing can separate us our bring us down.

Today, in the name of Jesus Christ, be a prisoner of hope, abiding in His Finished work for you, letting every other be held captive to His sacrifice on the Cross for us.