Wednesday, May 20, 2015
What Does It Mean To Be KINGDOM STRONG?
The Kingdom of God is in our midst.Luke 11:17. Jesus came preaching the Kingdom of God. He is the King of His Kingdom . When we were born again, Jesus took us out of the Kingdom of darkness (Adam) and placed us into His Kingdom of Light (Christ). The desire of the Lord's heart is for His Kingdom to come on earth as it is in Heaven. 1 John says, "As he is so we are in this world." May His kingdom reign in our hearts as we die to ourselves and let the Lord reign through us to save souls.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
ARE YOU A WORM OR A BUTTERFLY?
Are you a worm or a butterfly? For years, I was told that I was a worm. As a sinner, that is the truth. I am a worm. But when I was born again, I thought that I was a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthian 5:17). What is that all about?
I found it very confusing. How could I be born again and still be called a worm? Even in nature the Lord creates a butterfly out of a caterpillar. Through the process of metamorphosis the capterpillar becomes a new creation.
Because I believed that I was just a sinner saved by grace, I spent ten years striving in my old nature to change my behavior. I was so focused on myself and my sin that I had no joy in my heart. I was greatly deceived.
It was when I started to read the letters of Paul, that I noticed that he addressed the believers as saints, not sinners(worms). What was he saying? My eyes were being opened. Romans 6:3 revealed the mystery of new birth in Christ. The sinner (the worm) died in Christ, is buried and resurrected as a saint to a newness of life (as a butterfly).
This reality changed my whole perception of being a Christian. Apart from Christ, I am a worm, but IN Christ I am a saint. Does that mean that I am perfect and don't sin any more? Heaven's no! But I no longer desire to practice sin. 1 John 3:9 "No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God." It is a miracle to be born again by the living God.
By the grace of God, I am no longer striving in my flesh trying to change a sinner to look like Jesus. Colossians 3 says,"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."
I found it very confusing. How could I be born again and still be called a worm? Even in nature the Lord creates a butterfly out of a caterpillar. Through the process of metamorphosis the capterpillar becomes a new creation.
Because I believed that I was just a sinner saved by grace, I spent ten years striving in my old nature to change my behavior. I was so focused on myself and my sin that I had no joy in my heart. I was greatly deceived.
It was when I started to read the letters of Paul, that I noticed that he addressed the believers as saints, not sinners(worms). What was he saying? My eyes were being opened. Romans 6:3 revealed the mystery of new birth in Christ. The sinner (the worm) died in Christ, is buried and resurrected as a saint to a newness of life (as a butterfly).
This reality changed my whole perception of being a Christian. Apart from Christ, I am a worm, but IN Christ I am a saint. Does that mean that I am perfect and don't sin any more? Heaven's no! But I no longer desire to practice sin. 1 John 3:9 "No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God." It is a miracle to be born again by the living God.
By the grace of God, I am no longer striving in my flesh trying to change a sinner to look like Jesus. Colossians 3 says,"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."
GOODBYE WORM..YOU HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED IN JESUS CHRIST AND RAISED UP AS A BUTTERFLY. NOW SPREAD YOUR WINGS AND LEARN TO FLY IN HEAVENLY PLACES WHERE YOU ARE SEATED WITH HIM. GALATIANS 2:20, EPHESIAN 2:6
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