puricare chronicles: Redemption

Showing posts with label Redemption. Show all posts

Sunday, April 18, 2021

RISEN WITH CHRIST - Jesus was not the only one who arose from the dead on that glorious resurrection morning. The Bible says that you, who were dead in trespasses and sins, were resurrected, too. God’s plan of redemption included you, and me, and everyone who has been separated from Him by sin. God’s plan, as Paul says, is for us to be “…resurrected together with Him….” Jesus paid the price for the sin of humanity, even when humanity didn’t realize it needed a Savior. The bill is settled, and all we must do is walk in the freedom Jesus already purchased. Man’s rightful place of dominion has been restored through Christ’s completed work on Calvary. - “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has resurrected together with Him, having forgiven you all sins.” - Colossians 2:13 - In the beginning, God gave Adam dominion over all the earth. Adam was a powerful being, created in the image of God and given all authority under God to rule and reign in the earth. God walked with Adam as a friend. What was strong enough to separate them? What was powerful enough to change this perfect state of affairs? You know the story. God gave Adam the power of choice, and told him he could eat from any tree in the Garden of Eden, except one. Adam had to choose whether to obey God or to go his own way. Adam chose to go his own way, and sin — a wrong choice — separated man from God.

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Risen with Christ

Jesus was not the only one who arose from the dead on that glorious resurrection morning. The Bible says that you, who were dead in trespasses and sins, were resurrected, too.

God’s plan of redemption included you, and me, and everyone who has been separated from Him by sin. God’s plan, as Paul says, is for us to be “…resurrected together with Him….”

Jesus paid the price for the sin of humanity, even when humanity didn’t realize it needed a Savior. The bill is settled, and all we must do is walk in the freedom Jesus already purchased. Man’s rightful place of dominion has been restored through Christ’s completed work on Calvary.

Rod Parsley

“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has resurrected together with Him, having forgiven you all sins.” - Colossians 2:13

In the beginning, God gave Adam dominion over all the earth (Genesis 1:28).

Adam was a powerful being, created in the image of God and given all authority under God to rule and reign in the earth.

God walked with Adam as a friend. What was strong enough to separate them?

What was powerful enough to change this perfect state of affairs?

You know the story. God gave Adam the power of choice, and told him he could eat from any tree in the Garden of Eden, except one.

Adam had to choose whether to obey God or to go his own way. Adam chose to go his own way, and sin — a wrong choice — separated man from God.

Death came through the door that sin had opened. Spiritual death affected Adam immediately.

No longer could he fellowship with God as he did before.

In order to even approach God, he would now have to do it over a bleeding sacrifice.

But sin not only brought separation from God, it also brought physical death to Adam and all his descendants.

Instead of living forever as God intended, man was destined to dig holes in the red clay of earth to bury his children.

Instead of Adam reigning on the earth under God’s authority, now death lorded over men.

But God did not leave man in that pitiable condition.

He had a plan of redemption, formed before the foundation of the world, that culminated in the ultimate sacrifice — Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, crucified, buried and resurrected on the third day to pay the penalty for the sins of the whole world.

Jesus died, not for His sins, because He had no sin, but for your sins and mine.

He was buried in the borrowed tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.

But on the third day, God vetoed the crucifixion with a glorious resurrection. Jesus arose triumphant over death, hell and the grave!

But that is not the end of the story of redemption.

According to Colossians 2:13, Jesus was not the only one who arose from the dead on that glorious resurrection morning.

The Bible says that you, who were dead in trespasses and sins, were resurrected, too.

God’s plan of redemption included you, and me, and everyone who has been separated from Him by sin.

God’s plan, as Paul says, is for us to be “…resurrected together with Him….” Jesus paid the price for the sin of humanity, even when humanity didn’t realize it needed a Savior.

The bill is settled, and all we must do is walk in the freedom Jesus already purchased.

Man’s rightful place of dominion has been restored through Christ’s completed work on Calvary.

Lord God, You loved this world so much that you gave Your one and only Son, that we might be called your children too.

Let us have hearts of thankfulness for your sacrifice.

Let us have eyes that look upon your grace and rejoice in our salvation.

Help us to walk in that mighty grace and tell Your good news to the world.

All for your glory do we pray,

Amen.

Further Reading

Colossians 2:13

Genesis 1:28

1 Corinthians 15

Breakthrough with Rod Parsley

Weekly and daily broadcasts of dynamic preaching which focus on the authority of the Gospel and the power of God to transform lives!

The Breakthrough with Rod Parsley broadcast is taking sound biblical doctrine and the Gospel of Jesus Christ "to all people," reaching over 200 nations, on multiple satellites that provide a signal to virtually the entire globe. More than 680 million households receive Breakthrough on a global basis seven days a week, 365 days a year. Included are more than 100 million households in the United States alone, presented through multiple networks and airtimes.

Breakthrough is the worldwide soul-winning media ministry of Rod Parsley, advancing the kingdom of God around the world through the eye of the camera. Multiplied tens of thousands are being challenged to become redemptive agents of change for kingdom advancement in their communities and homes.

With practical teaching helping to grow strong Christians, Breakthrough with Rod Parsley makes a significant impact by boldly proclaiming the authority of Jesus Christ to save, heal and transform. Breakthrough with Rod Parsley is committed to reaching this generation with relevant truth to meet the challenges of the real world.

https://www.rodparsley.com/dailydevotion

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

THE PROMISE OF DELIVERANCE - Christians are not supposed to live in bondage. If you have been convinced that freedom is unattainable, then you have bought into a lie. When you give yourself willingly as a servant of God, he does not want you under the rule of anyone or anything else. And though we offer ourselves as servants, he raises us up as his sons and daughters, making us heirs to his kingdom. We are meant to be free. Always remember this profound truth: God delivers out of his goodness, not because of our abilities or merits. Deliverance is often beyond our capabilities. If we think we are the sole source of deliverance, then we’re doomed to fail. Our hope lies in the fact that it is never beyond God’s. In our weakness, he is strong. As you walk confidently in the promise of deliverance, remember your position as a child of God. Trust him in every situation for deliverance, whether it comes immediately, incrementally, or eternally. And most importantly, always know that our deliverance lies in staying close to the One who is our deliverer. - Since the fall of mankind, we have all needed deliverance. Each person’s individual smallness in a vast universe demands something or someone bigger to step in and take the reins. We need protection from natural disasters, human evil, and the spiritual enemy who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. God promises us that deliverance in the Bible. When Jesus asked his Father to “deliver us from evil,” he highlighted the need for deliverance.

The Promise of Deliverance

Christians are not supposed to live in bondage. We are meant to be free.

If you have been convinced that freedom is unattainable, then you have bought into a lie. When you give yourself willingly as a servant of God, he does not want you under the rule of anyone or anything else. And though we offer ourselves as servants, he raises us up as his sons and daughters, making us heirs to his kingdom. We are meant to be free.

Always remember this profound truth: God delivers out of his goodness, not because of our abilities or merits. Deliverance is often beyond our capabilities. If we think we are the sole source of deliverance, then we’re doomed to fail. Our hope lies in the fact that it is never beyond God’s. In our weakness, he is strong.

As you walk confidently in the promise of deliverance, remember your position as a child of God. Trust him in every situation for deliverance, whether it comes immediately, incrementally, or eternally. And most importantly, always know that our deliverance lies in staying close to the One who is our deliverer.

By James Randall Robison

“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13–14).

Since the fall of mankind, we have all needed deliverance.

Each person’s individual smallness in a vast universe demands something or someone bigger to step in and take the reins.

We need protection from natural disasters, human evil, and the spiritual enemy who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy.

And you know what? God promises us that deliverance in the Bible.

When Jesus asked his Father to “deliver us from evil,” he highlighted the need for deliverance.

The Greek word there has two meanings: “rescue” and “God drawing us to himself.”

Rescue

The concept of being rescued needs little explanation. There is evil in the world that God can keep us safe from, so we ask that of him.

This encompasses deliverance from the physical threats of this world as well as deliverance through Christ from spiritual threats.

The same Greek word in Christ’s prayer is employed in Paul’s declaration: “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13–14).

God Drawing Us to Himself

The other meaning of rhoumai, the Greek word for deliverance, is not used as commonly in Scripture, but it expresses a remarkable truth.

Our deliverance, whether physical or not, is directly tied to God drawing us to himself.

When Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, he warned them about what would soon happen to them, paralleling Christ’s warnings of their tribulation.

But he also wrote that before it happened, there would be deliverance for followers of Christ because God would draw them to himself and thus take them out of harm’s way (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

Though the vast majority of us have never faced the persecution the first-century church did, I can’t help but wonder how many of our personal tragedies, failures, and hardships could be avoided if we simply drew closer to God.

I know I could have avoided a few!

Peter noted that “the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation” (2 Peter 2:9).

We need not fear temptation if we’re walking closely with the One called Jehovah Mephalti — the Lord my Deliverer.

It is common for us to wait until we are in dire need of rescue to cry out to God, but rescue is already here if we will just stay close to Christ.

When we do so, we hear more clearly his direction for each step along the way and can steer clear of unnecessary problems we are prone to create in our shortsightedness.

God Delivers Out of His Goodness

Christians are not supposed to live in bondage.

Paul wrote, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free” (Galatians 5:1).

If you have been convinced that freedom is unattainable, then you have bought into a lie.

When you give yourself willingly as a servant of God, he does not want you under the rule of anyone or anything else.

And though we offer ourselves as servants, he raises us up as his sons and daughters, making us heirs to his kingdom.

We are meant to be free.

Always remember this profound truth: God delivers out of his goodness, not because of our abilities or merits.

Paul wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Deliverance is often beyond our capabilities.

If we think we are the sole source of deliverance, then we’re doomed to fail.

We have to humble ourselves and say, “Deliver us from evil,” as Jesus instructed us to pray, because deliverance is usually beyond our grasp.

Our hope lies in the fact that it is never beyond God’s. In our weakness, he is strong.

As you walk confidently in the promise of deliverance, remember your position as a child of God.

Trust him in every situation for deliverance, whether it comes immediately, incrementally, or eternally.

And most importantly, always know that our deliverance lies in staying close to the One who is our deliverer.

James Randall Robison (Randy) is a writer, producer and host for the television program LIFE Today. His books, interviews and other materials can be found at randyrobison.com.

https://stream.org/the-promise-of-deliverance/

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Wednesday, January 6, 2021

THE INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - One of the indwelling Spirit's most encouraging functions is to seal believers for eternity by placing His own mark upon us. Doing so assures our arrival in the Lord's presence when we die. The Holy Spirit's presence within us is the guarantee that we have been purchased by Christ and redeemed from our sins. We can never lose our position as a prized possession. Until we die, the Spirit remains within us, renewing and sanctifying us, comforting us in trials, and sustaining us in afflictions. With the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are never alone, never lost, and never without His power. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is God taking up permanent residence in the heart of those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. In the Old Testament, the Spirit would come intermittently upon the saints, empowering them for service but not necessarily remaining with them. It wasn't until Pentecost that the Spirit began to indwell those who belong to God through Christ. Jesus predicted the coming of the Spirit who would live within His people, as well as the new role the Spirit of Truth would play in their lives. Prior to the resurrection and Pentecost, the Spirit was with the disciples and influenced them, but He did not yet indwell them, as Jesus explained to them: "he dwells with you and will be in you."

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit

What is it?

With the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are never alone, never lost, and never without His power

One of the indwelling Spirit's most encouraging functions is to seal believers for eternity by placing His own mark upon us. Doing so assures our arrival in the Lord's presence when we die.

The Holy Spirit's presence within us is the guarantee that we have been purchased by Christ and redeemed from our sins. We can never lose our position as a prized possession. Until we die, the Spirit remains within us, renewing and sanctifying us, comforting us in trials, and sustaining us in afflictions.

CompellingTruth.org

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is God taking up permanent residence in the heart of those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.

In the Old Testament, the Spirit would come intermittently upon the saints, empowering them for service but not necessarily remaining with them.

The Spirit "rushed upon" Lehi (Judges 15:14) and "clothed" Amasai (1 Chronicles 12:18).

The Spirit was with David and able to be removed from him (Psalm 51:11), and the Spirit "fell upon" Ezekiel and spoke to him (Ezekiel 11:5).

The Spirit, who had once been with King Saul, "departed from" him, removing His influence and guidance from the king (1 Samuel 16:14).

It wasn't until Pentecost that the Spirit began to indwell those who belong to God through Christ.

Jesus predicted the coming of the Spirit who would live within His people, as well as the new role the Spirit of Truth would play in their lives.

Prior to the resurrection and Pentecost, the Spirit was with the disciples and influenced them, but He did not yet indwell them, as Jesus explained to them: "he dwells with you and will be in you" (John 14:17, italics added).

John 7:39 explains further: "Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."

The apostle Paul reiterated the same truth about the Spirit's indwelling: "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body" (1 Corinthians 6:19–20)

Because believers have been purchased for God by the blood of Christ, shed on the cross for our sins, our bodies become a living temple where the Spirit of God resides.

The image of the believer's body being a temple is reminiscent of the Old Testament tabernacle, in which the Spirit of God lived.

There, God's presence would appear in a cloud and meet the high priest, who came once a year into the Holy of Holies.

On the Day of Atonement, the high priest brought the blood of a slain animal and sprinkled it on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant.

On this special day, God granted forgiveness to the priest and His people (Leviticus 16).

The Jewish temple in Jerusalem no longer exists.

Now the believer in Christ has become the inner sanctum of God the Holy Spirit, as the believer has been sanctified and forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:7).

In fact, Scripture also says that the believer is the dwelling place of all three Persons of the Trinity.

Along with the Spirit, Jesus Christ is in us (Colossians 1:27), as is God the Father (1 John 4:15).

The purpose of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is many-faceted.

First and foremost, the Spirit creates new life in believers (Titus 3:5), producing the same new birth Jesus spoke of in John 3:1–8.

The Spirit confirms to us that this new birth is real and that we truly belong to God (Romans 8:15–17).

He also imparts to believers spiritual gifts to be used to build up the body of Christ and glorify God (1 Corinthians 12:4–11).

Further, as the author of Scripture through the writers He inspired (2 Timothy 3:16), the indwelling Spirit helps believers understand what He has written and how to apply it to daily life (1 Corinthians 2:12).

Other functions of the indwelling Spirit include interceding for believers in prayer (Romans 8:26), leading us in the ways of righteous living (Romans 8:14), producing His fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:22–23), and installing believers into the universal church of Christ, also called the baptism of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).

One of the indwelling Spirit's most encouraging functions is to seal believers for eternity by placing His own mark upon us.

Doing so assures our arrival in the Lord's presence when we die (Ephesians 1:13–14, 4:30).

The Holy Spirit's presence within us is the guarantee that we have been purchased by Christ and redeemed from our sins.

We can never lose our position as a prized possession.

Until we die, the Spirit remains within us, renewing and sanctifying us, comforting us in trials, and sustaining us in afflictions.

With the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are never alone, never lost, and never without His power.

CompellingTruth.org is an outreach of www.GotQuestions.org.
The purpose statement of CompellingTruth.org is: "Presenting the truth of the Christian faith in a compelling, relevant, and practical way."
Our mission is to take the questions, issues, struggles, and disagreements that exist within the Christian faith and shine the truth of God's Word on them. We believe the truth of God's Word is compelling. If we would all truly and fully submit ourselves to the truth of God's Word, most of our questions, issues, struggles, and disagreements would disappear. God's Word does not directly address every situation we face in life, but it does contain truth that can apply to anything and everything we deal with.
Whether it is theology, apologetics, or the practical Christian life - we want to present the compelling truth of God's Word. Whether it is about God, Jesus, salvation, the Bible, sin, or eternity - we want to present the compelling truth of God's Word.

https://www.compellingtruth.org/indwelling-of-the-Holy-Spirit.html

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