You Are A New Creation!

[miknik5]

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.
I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who vindicates me.
He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me—[c]
God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.
I am in the midst of lions;
I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
They spread a net for my feet—
I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
but they have fallen into it themselves.


Psalm 57:1-6

Remain in THAT REFUGE....

 

[miknik5]

Might seem a little drawn out. "sir" sounds a bit like you think I am wrong.

It is a simple theological point. Do you think Christs victory on the cross means you can know what it is to walk blamelessly before the Lord in communion with Him?

Now many here would say yes, though they do stumble every now and then. This is about not staying as we are sinners but radically changing over time into mature people of God. It appears many do not believe this and openly confess sinful behaviour daily, hourly. The hyper-legalists say doing anything for self is of the flesh so sinful. So eating and drinking is sinful. I do not know their limits or mindset, but it seems like this. They claim they are not under the law, but the real law of Christ, to prove they are sinner saved by grace.

Now this way of denying they are not under condemnation while condemning themselves constantly comes across like OCD and completely unbiblical. Paul exhorts Timothy to live a life above reproach in purity and holiness. So Pauls view is very different than this hyper-legalism.

So I wonder where you are on this discussion. Are you a new creation in victory or defeat?

Sir, our "work" is to REMAIN IN HIM and to not "go out" from HIM...

 

[ladylynn]

If we indeed are seated in Heavenly places and we await our Savior from Heaven (Phi 3:20) and we know that there is zero sin in Heaven, then how can we say we are still sinners? It is a difficult thing indeed to trust what God says over who we think and feel we are but if we can get over ourselves and have faith His Word is true then we can know who we really are in Christ. Then and only then can we love ourselves and others and fulfill the only 2 commandments that Jesus gave us.

Well said brother! It is very difficult to take that step of faith to believe something so contrary to our minds for all the years we have believed something about ourselves and life., what we have been taught and what has been basically drilled into us. To read this in the Bible and how it goes soooo against what even some other Christians we love and respect have taught us. But yet it is true and it's here in the Bible AND His Spirit is witnessing to our spirits to believe it yet something keeps stopping us from taking a chance.

What if we are wrong?? Faith is amazing because it will allow us to move forward anyway because we realize it would be His Word that was wrong and we know that isn't true. It's new ground for us.
Heb.11:1
Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].

Tessy., God wants us to take that step of faith (growing) to places in our faith that we have not been before. And it's just the beginning of many more steps we will be taking. Also., as we take these steps we are learning to recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit in us. Not only that but it's called "obedience to the faith"

That is our calling and we keep on growing in this new way of living. There is no fear in love., perfect love casts out the fear. It goes back to being rooted and grounded in the love of God for us. He won't show us a truth in His Word (washing of the Word) only to dump us (never) it's also called repenting (getting a change of mind) having our minds renewed. This is all part of the process. Repenting and washing don't always have to do with sadness or being sorry. It also has to do with putting aside our ideas and mindsets and allowing His to direct us instead by renewing our minds into the mind of Christ.

You are not alone in your concern. It is sooo lovely to take Jesus at His Word and believe. Am praying for you sister Tessy.

 

[PeterJens]

Ah, where is CHRIST now?

The ONLY REASON I am a NEW CREATION is because I am (baptized and risen) IN CHRIST.

Christ is now at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. And we are in Christ, in His work with the Holy Spirit at work in our hearts. It is His words and His love that guides us, that warms our souls that inspires our praise.

So brother, where is your hesitancy. Is it too hard a question to answer? Does not Christ work lead you to perfection, heaven, walking in righteousness. For only the pure will enter heaven. Or is this magical change only going to happen when you see Him. It was the kind of thought I once held. But on reflection, not now. Christ is your friend, your Lord.
So what sin brings you down that He cannot heal and resolve? Is it unbelief that stops your confession of faith?

Do I fully know perfection or righteousness? No, but I desire to walk in it and claim the prize Christ has won for me, so that I might ascend and honour His holy name and presence in my Life. And the words of Paul, Peter, John and the rest.

 

[PeterJens]

Sir, our "work" is to REMAIN IN HIM and to not "go out" from HIM...

Sounds a very religious concept, "go out" from Him. Can you put this in other words?
To remain in Christ is to obey His commands. Have you a different concept?

 

[miknik5]

Christ is now at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. And we are in Christ, in His work with the Holy Spirit at work in our hearts. It is His words and His love that guides us, that warms our souls that inspires our praise.

So brother, where is your hesitancy. Is it too hard a question to answer? Does not Christ work lead you to perfection, heaven, walking in righteousness. For only the pure will enter heaven. Or is this magical change only going to happen when you see Him. It was the kind of thought I once held. But on reflection, not now. Christ is your friend, your Lord.
So what sin brings you down that He cannot heal and resolve? Is it unbelief that stops your confession of faith?

Do I fully know perfection or righteousness? No, but I desire to walk in it and claim the prize Christ has won for me, so that I might ascend and honour His holy name and presence in my Life. And the words of Paul, Peter, John and the rest.

Whose SPIRIT guides us, sir?

Who is the ONE who makes men holy, sir?
And by whose SPIRIT are men made holy?

 

[ladylynn]

well I guess they are talking about the 'fruit' of the Holy Spirit which is basically our charming personalities undergoing radical change so that we are conformed into the image of God's Son. It seems that people have different ideas about that also though, so who knows

So like, what if someone is growing lemons LOL? squirt I'm not the one that came up with the analogy of squirting fruit but it sure is a good one I think

But you are also right about the growth of the tree

A few days ago, I found a newly hatched sphinx moth (I looked it up) walking around and I picked it up. It had little stumpies for wings and looked crippled. Now if I didn't know anything, I would say 'poor thing' but I know that when flutterflies or moths hatch, they look like that

So I put it somewhere safe and came back and looked at if from time to time and the wings filled out of course and became beautiful. The moth just stayed put and waited for the process to complete. Finally, off he flew

I thought that would be a good analogy for a new Christian. Or even one that has never really grown. They should be allowed to grow, in Christ, (their safe place) and not picked on and pulled apart and their 'wings' examined. All in due time.

Of course we need teaching and fellowship and all of that; but we don't need someone trying to do what really only God can do

Beautifully said LaurenTM. Lovely post.

 

[PeterJens]

An interesting question came to me.
Do you love yourself as Christ loves you?

So many are harder on themselves than God is. Their standard goes way beyond what love says and God asks through the cross. The cross just asks us to lay our burden down and let Him carry the load.

All our standards need to be put at the foot of the cross as well. The Holy Spirit will inspire and lead you now. It is his acceptance you need to be open to, and not your own. It is very hard to see how deep Jesus's love goes into our hearts. I know because He took me there. It changed me forever, almost 40 years ago. Very painful but also wonderful.

I do not lay anything on anybody, I just know this place is holy and transforms who we are. Nothing is impossible for Him, no limits to what He can do in your heart, the healing He can bring, the love He can give, the mourning and sadness he cannot bear.

 

[miknik5]

Sounds a very religious concept, "go out" from Him. Can you put this in other words?
To remain in Christ is to obey His commands. Have you a different concept?

Does it now?

I suggest you read 1John 2 and 2John and keep in mind John 10 and John 15
Also, it will be made manifest those who "go out from us" sir...BECAUSE they went out from THE TRUTH who is CHRIST JESUS.

The servant is NOT above HIS MASTER/the student is NOT above HIS TEACHER.

Do you understand what it means to be BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST?

To REMAIN IN CHRIST is to REST IN HIM...to let not our hearts be troubled...that we are to understand that in this world we will have trouble, but to take heart for HE has overcome the world.

And then we can review what it means to "overcome"...as is clearly explained in 1John 5


Sir, when the people asked John what "works" must they do, what did John tell them that they should do?
And when JESUS clearly stated the will and the work of GOD as per THE WORD in John 6, what was the will and the work of GOD?


Do you know what it means to REMAIN in HIM and to "go out" from the doctrine of CHRIST?

It means to rise above the SPIRIT and to take matters into our own hands...

NOT BY POWER or BY MIGHT sayeth the LORD...but, by HIS SPIRIT.

And that is if we claim to know of whose SPIRIT we truly are.

That also will be made manifest in the day of trouble...

 

[PeterJens]

Whose SPIRIT guides us, sir?

Who is the ONE who makes men holy, sir?
And by whose SPIRIT are men made holy?

Christ makes us Holy through the cross by our faith in Him.
The Holy Spirit guides us. Now these are simple questions. Where is your heart?
Has Christ truly shown you how much he loves you and met you deep within you?
It sounds like you are reluctant to share your inner self.

 

[miknik5]

Christ makes us Holy through the cross by our faith in Him.
The Holy Spirit guides us. Now these are simple questions. Where is your heart?
Has Christ truly shown you how much he loves you and met you deep within you?
It sounds like you are reluctant to share your inner self.

CHRIST said HE and the FATHER are ONE.
Do you agree?

Do you also agree that it is only through CHRIST that we have access to THE FATHER....


BY ONE SPIRIT?

So, whose SPIRIT is in those whose faith is in THE SON?

And if CHRIST is separate from THE FATHER (but HE said HE isn't)...how many HOLY SPIRITS are poured out upon those whose faith is in THE GIFT OF GOD?

CHRIST came to manifest/show/reveal/declare THE FATHER...and HE alone had authority to do so because HE came forth from GOD...the visible image of the invisible GOD made manifest...

 

[miknik5]

When Philip said, "SHOW US THE FATHER" and it will suffice...
What did CHRIST say?

And did HE have authority to say this?

And what had the disciples seen?
CHRIST, his visible image...or the works that speak that THE FATHER is in HIM and HE is in THE FATHER?

 

[PeterJens]

It means to rise above the SPIRIT and to take matters into our own hands...
NOT BY POWER or BY MIGHT sayeth the LORD...but, by HIS SPIRIT.
And that is if we claim to know of whose SPIRIT we truly are.
That also will be made manifest in the day of trouble...

Please tell me your meaning to go out from the doctrine of CHRIST?

 

[miknik5]

An interesting question came to me.
Do you love yourself as Christ loves you?

So many are harder on themselves than God is. Their standard goes way beyond what love says and God asks through the cross. The cross just asks us to lay our burden down and let Him carry the load.

All our standards need to be put at the foot of the cross as well. The Holy Spirit will inspire and lead you now. It is his acceptance you need to be open to, and not your own. It is very hard to see how deep Jesus's love goes into our hearts. I know because He took me there. It changed me forever, almost 40 years ago. Very painful but also wonderful.

I do not lay anything on anybody, I just know this place is holy and transforms who we are. Nothing is impossible for Him, no limits to what He can do in your heart, the healing He can bring, the love He can give, the mourning and sadness he cannot bear.

Ah, who told you to "worry" about me?
Don't...I am fine...
There is nothing that you can give me that I haven't already received.
I have all that is needed and needful sir.
And I had all that is needed and needful the moment I heard the GOSPEL of MY SALVATION and was marked as belonging to GOD IN...CHRIST JESUS

I can't really add to my stature in CHRIST JESUS.
Either in or out...
And if in CHRIST, that sir is sufficient..

 

[PeterJens]

When Philip said, "SHOW US THE FATHER" and it will suffice...
What did CHRIST say?

And did HE have authority to say this?

And what had the disciples seen?
CHRIST, his visible image...or the works that speak that THE FATHER is in HIM and HE is in THE FATHER?

Are you saying you are actually one with Christ in some mystical form? So you have already achieved union with God and are part of the trinity?

 

[PeterJens]

Ah, who told you to "worry" about me?
Don't...I am fine...
There is nothing that you can give me that I haven't already received.
I have all that is needed and needful sir.
And I had all that is needed and needful the moment I heard the GOSPEL of MY SALVATION and was marked as belonging to GOD IN...CHRIST JESUS

I can't really add to my stature in CHRIST JESUS.
Either in or out...
And if in CHRIST, that sir is sufficient..

Are you saying you have been perfected in Christ then?

 

[miknik5]

Please tell me your meaning to go out from the doctrine of CHRIST?

CHRIST sir...
Keep your eyes on the AUTHOR and FINISHER of YOUR FAITH who is both THE FOUNDATION and THE HEAD of THIS FAITH in which we stand and will stand provided we REMAIN IN HIM...with our FAITH properly directed in and on HIM alone.

For GOD has made it that those who HOPE in HIM are receiving the goal of their faith...even THE SALVATION of THEIR SOULS...

And what sir is the goal of OUR FAITH?

That we shall see HIM, that our own eyes will see HIM standing upon the earth in the Last days...
And those are the ones who have loved and longed for HIS COMING...

It really is CHRIST in us who is OUR HOPE of GLORY...not that we are glorious apart from HIM, but on that day, when we stand before HIM, in HIS PRESENCE, what has not been made perfect, will be made perfect, spotless, body, soul and spirit (in the twinkling of an eye)...


GOD who called us up and out of the world into fellowship with HIS SON is faithful and will do it...

 

[miknik5]

Are you saying you have been perfected in Christ then?

Oh, I think I just answered your question sir.


Here's the thing which you seem to be confused by:

those called in at the last hour, are more perfect than those who have weathered the heat of the day...
It is just that the FIRST will be LAST and the LAST will be FIRST.

If you do not understand this, please review the parable of the workers in HIS FIELD, sir...and look and understand that at the end of the day, the last were called first and received the same "reward" as those who were called in during the early hours...


Similar to Paul who understood that he was at the end of the procession looking weathered and careworn, while those babies up front looked like 'kings"...


See, babies are fresh from HIS PRESENCE not having weathered the trials and troubles that come up against us to test their faith...

And even these things are necessary so that after being refined and laundered, our faith (more precious than gold though tried in the fire) will prove genuine resulting in HIS PRAISE and GLORY alone...bringing forth the evidence of RIGHTEOUS (IMPARTIAL, UNBIASED, HOLY) fruit...

It's just that you are confusing "Righteous fruit" as some sort of piling up of self-proclaimed works when it is simply being at peace with all men as much as it is in our ability to do so...and to be still trusting that HE is GOD and that HE who began the good work in us will bring it to completion so that ON THAT DAY, we will stand before HIM...Blameless: BODY, SOUL, and SPIRIT.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

Oh, I think I just answered your question sir.

Here's the thing which you seem to be confused by:

those called in at the last hour, are more perfect than those who have weathered the heat of the day...
It is just that the FIRST will be LAST and the LAST will be FIRST.

If you do not understand this, please review the parable of the workers in HIS FIELD, sir...and look and understand that at the end of the day, the last were called first and received the same "reward" as those who were called in during the early hours...

Non-sequitur. Your logic implies that suffering has a deleterious effect on perfection, whereas the bible says that Christ was perfected through his sufferings.

 

[miknik5]

Non-sequitur. Your logic implies that suffering has a deleterious effect on perfection, whereas the bible says that Christ was perfected through his sufferings.

What does it mean to be content in all things?
And what does it mean to LEARN to be content in all things?