All Are Made Alive in Christ

God has made believers alive together with Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) . . . (Eph 2:4-5 NASB)

For as in Adam all die, so also in the Messiah will all be made alive. (1 Cor 15:22 ISV)

Consequently, just as condemnation for all people came through one transgression, so too through the one righteous act came righteousness leading to life for all people. ¹⁹For just as through the disobedience of the one man many were constituted sinners, so also through the obedience of one man many will be constituted righteous. ²⁰Now the law came inso that the transgression may increase, but where sin increased, grace multiplied all the more, ²¹so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom 5:18-21 NET)

Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. (1 Cor 15:45-49 NIV)

Before a person becomes born-again, they are dead in their evils and sins. Even when we were in that state, God loved us. Because He loved us, He gave us a Savior and Redeemer.

As believers in Christ, we identify with and are linked together with Christ in His resurrection. Therefore, His life becomes our life. Not only that, but the Lord gives us a brand-new type of life—eternal life. (Rom 6:23) Eternal life is our present possession! That is almost too much for us to comprehend.

This is a precious and priceless gift, and we have reason to rejoice and thank the Lord!

The Helpful Holy Spirit

The Bible describes the Holy Spirit as ‘the Helper’ as well as a teacher in John 14:26 (NKJV). He truly is our helper, and we should praise God for this truth.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. (Joh 14:26 NKJV)

The Holy Spirit will teach us all things and remind us of what we have learned from Him. For example, when we get riled by some inconsiderate driver in traffic, and call that person an unflattering name, the Holy Spirit will convict us to repent and to pray for that driver.

. . . because I know that your prayers and the help that comes from the Spirit of Christ Jesus will keep me safe. (Phil 1:19 CEV)

The help that comes from the Holy Spirit keeps us safe. Hallelujah!

Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. (Act 9:31 NIV)

The Holy Spirit gives us the wisdom to have a respectful reverence for the Lord. He helps us to learn about the wonderful characteristics of the love of God, and to appreciate them.

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. (Rom 8:9 NKJV)

Because the Holy Spirit dwells within us (1 Cor 3:16), we know that we are led by the Lord, especially in spiritual matters.

The Holy Spirit helps us to know how to pray, and will even give us the words to pray, if we will be sensitive to His guidance.

The unity of the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit forms the Godhead. The Godhead is united in purpose and implementation of God’s plan for mankind.

God’s plan for mankind is good and gives us a future and a hope. (Jer 29:11)

The Holy Spirit gives us life and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. His work is to exalt Christ in our hearts. The Holy Spirit strengthens us and by grace, enables us to persevere in faith. Glory to God!

Let Your Love Increase & Overflow

Our love for ourselves and for other people should be increasing and overflowing as we mature in Christ and in our relationship with Him. Here are some key Scriptures:

A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Mt 22:39 NLT)

We can’t learn to love our neighbor, until we learn to love ourselves—by the grace of God. God loves us as we are, even though He knows all about our weaknesses and our past. God’s love is mature and steadfast and doesn’t accept offense.

And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more [displaying itself in greater depth] in real knowledge and in practical insight . . . (Phil 1:9 AMP)

As the verse quoted above says, our love will display itself in greater depths as the years and our experiences in Christ continue. This will make us better spouses, parents, neighbors, and witnesses for the Kingdom of God.

And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we do for you. (1 Thes 3:12 CSB)

As we grow in our awareness of God’s steadfast and unfailing love for each one of us, individually, the Lord will trigger a yearning in our hearts to show God’s precious and anointed love to everyone with whom we come into contact. May your joy abound and be shared with everyone you meet!

God Doesn’t Show Favoritism

Did you know that God does not show favoritism? What exactly is favoritism? It’s the practice of giving unfair, preferential treatment to one person or group at the expense of another. God can’t be accused of such a thing.

Since the Bible is our foundation for all of faith and life, let’s refer to what it teaches.

“Also the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to attend to His service and to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants, every one who keeps the Sabbath so as not to profane it, and holds firmly to My covenant; ⁷even those I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.” (Isa 56:6-7 NASB)

Notice that God’s house is for ALL PEOPLES—even those termed ‘foreigners.’

Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. ³⁵In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. (Ac 10:34-35 NLT)

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. ¹³For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Ro 10:12-13 ESV)

It doesn’t matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, or if you are circumcised or not. You may even be a barbarian or a Scythian, and you may be a slave or a free person. Yet Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. (Col 3:11 CEV)

As we can see from these verses in Acts 10, Romans 10 and Colossians 3, it’s an established truth that God does not see distinctions between people groups. What is important to the Lord is the condition of our hearts and whether or not we have received Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer. God is a refuge and a rock for all who are born again in Christ. All praises to the Lord!

Be Law Abiding & Given to Good Works

We are instructed by the Bible to live law-abiding lives and to perform good works to the glory of God. Let’s look at what the Scriptures say:

My son, fear both the Lord and the king, and don’t keep company with rebels. (Pro 24:21 ISV)

Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and give to God the things that are God’s.” (Mt 22:21 NCV)

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. (Rom 13:1 NIV)

He gave himself to rescue us from everything evil and to make our hearts pure. He wanted us to be his own people and to be eager to do right. (Tit 2:14 CEV)

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work . . . (Tit 3:1 NKJV)

Clearly, as believers, we must live in two different realms. We live in this carnal world, which is very much opposed to the plans and purposes of God. Simultaneously, we are citizens of a heavenly kingdom with Christ as our Lord and King.

We’re called to represent Christ in the midst of this sinful and pain-filled society without allowing ourselves to become contaminated by it. The only way that we can succeed is by obeying the Word of God; and by following the leading of the Holy Spirit as He counsels and leads us, individually.

By living holy lives and being valuable, law-abiding citizens, we prevent the gospel of Jesus Christ from being slandered and vilified.

By living in peace and harmony with our neighbors, and importantly with other believers, we demonstrate our good works in:

being courteous to all;
doing good works within a civic framework as well as within a spiritual framework; and
submitting to our governing authorities.

These points are achieved practically in being honest in business; paying our taxes; being good neighbors; conducting ourselves in an orderly way; and obeying the laws of the land. In conducting ourselves along these guidelines, we fulfill the Scripture that says:

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. (Mt 10:16 KJV) We are being wise and harmless! Glory to God most high!

We Know Love, Thanks to Jesus

The Scriptures teach us that humanity knows love and is acquainted with love because Jesus gave up His own life to reconcile us back to our Father God.

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (1 Joh 3:16 NKJV)

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8 NIV)

Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it . . . (Eph 5:25 NCV)

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Eph 5:2 ESV)

All of these Bible passages refer to the fact that Jesus’ redeeming sacrifice was an ACT OF LOVE. The Lord tells us through the Word that we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Husbands are admonished to love their wives even as Christ loved the Church and sacrificed Himself on behalf of the Church. Husbands should want to protect their wives and children even as the Lord did.

And we’re encouraged to follow the example of Christ, and to become (as He did) a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. This gives us a reason to examine ourselves and to ask ourselves if we are demonstrating our love in ways that are spiritually and relationally significant to our nearest and dearest. God bless you as you allow the Holy Spirit to lead you and guide you in showing love to everyone in your life!

We are Heirs of God through Christ

Through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, we have been made heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. (see Rom 8:17) An “heir” is a person who inherits, or has a right of inheritance, to the property of another person following their death.

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” (Rom 8:15 NKJV)

What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. (1 Cor 2:12 NIV, emphasis added)

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God . . . (Rom 8:16 ESV)

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. ⁶And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” ⁷Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (Gal 4:4-7 NKJV)

God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure. (Eph 1:5 NLT)

One of the rights that we were given as heirs is an inheritance of everything that belongs to God. Everything in the entire universe belongs to God. Both seen and unseen things belong to God! It is all God’s property.

So, as incomprehensible as it may seem, when it comes to our inheritance as the children of God, everything that belongs to Jesus also belongs to us because we are joint heirs with Christ!

“According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you . . . ” (1 Pet 1:3-4 ESV) Our inheritance includes all of the blessings and promises found in the Bible and more. We have been given an eternal inheritance that is shown above in 1 Peter 1 as “imperishable, undefiled, unfading and kept in heaven for us.”

I think it’s safe to say that our eternal inheritance is so royal and so wonderful, that we can’t even get a true concept of the enormity and magnificence of it. Have fun and receive inspiration from meditating upon this truth. God bless you!

Self-Control

Welcome! The fruit of the Spirit includes self-control. (Galatians 5:22-24 NIV) Isn’t that wonderful?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. ²⁴And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:22-24 NKJV)

When we accepted Christ as Savior, the Spirit of God made His home in our hearts. The Holy Spirit is the One who enables us to walk in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Our responsibility is to yield to the Spirit of God and to actually manifest this fruit! It is quite exhilarating to do.

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV) Consider the ways that you exercise the spiritual fruit of self-control. Then praise the Lord for them!

Note: This is a reprint of our blog article dated 08/20/2016.

Baptized into Christ

When we received Christ as our Savior and Lord and were baptized in water, we were baptized into His death. Wow! That sounds a little dark, huh?

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (Rom 6:3 NIV)

But the triumphant news is that we, who were baptized into Christ’s death, now live with Him and through Him, as the following Scriptures attest.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him . . . (Rom 6:8)

This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him. (2 Tim 2:11)

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Gal 2:20, underscoring added)

Christ lives in each and every believer!

For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (2 Cor 4:11)

Believers are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake because we are denying ourselves, by dying to our flesh, in order to follow and to obey Jesus and His earthly example. (See Colossians 3:5)

All who follow the Lord Jesus Christ, who have accepted Him as their Savior and have been water baptized, have been baptized into the body of Christ—His Church. Praise His Holy Name!

An Established Throne

As we read the Bible, we can see a consistent theme running throughout: that God desires ALWAYS to do good to His people. As we follow Christ obediently, by faith, we are one of God’s people. Furthermore, He has decreed that His throne and His kingdom shall prevail forever.

Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever. (2 Sam 7:16 NIV)

. . . ¹⁰since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel. Also I will subdue all your enemies. Furthermore I tell you that the Lord will build you a house. ¹¹And it shall be, when your days are fulfilled, when you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. ¹²He shall build Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. ¹³I will be his Father, and he shall be My son; and I will not take My mercy away from him, as I took it from him who was before you. ¹⁴And I will establish him in My house and in My kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever.” (1 Chron 17:10-14 NKJV)

The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. (Ps 103:19 CEB)

A throne will be established in mercy. In the tent of David a judge will sit on the throne in truth, seeking justice, eager to bring righteousness. (Isa 16:5 EHV)

Why should God’s promise to establish a throne forever be good news to us? Here are a few points for your meditation and reflection.

God, who knows EVERYTHING, is on our side. (Ps 118:6-7 ESV; Heb 13:5)
God, who is ALL POWERFUL, is 100% for us. (Ps 56:9b; Isa 41:10; Mt 28:20)
God is all-wise, and He shares His wisdom with us through His word. (Ps 111:10; Pro 2:6; Lk 21:15; Jas 1:5)
God has good plans for each one of us. (Jer 29:11; 1 Cor 2:9)
God is our healer. (Ex 15:26; Ps 30:2; Jer 30:17; 1 Pet 2:24)
The Lord fights for us. (Deu 3:22; 20:14; Josh 23:10)
The Lord has given us the victory. (Deu 20:4; Rom 8:37; 1 Cor 15:57; Col 2:15; 1 Joh 5:4)

God’s plans for us are good. He not only fights on our side, but He has already given us the victory! Hallelujah!

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You are the Deciding Vote! In your life, you can make decisions that will help you and bless you.

Tag: Christ