Today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord

 Good morning, and merry Christmas! We are going to digress and look at the first Christmas. This was something that had been foretold centuries before; and yet people still did not understand what was going to happen. They were thinking that the Messiah was going to come as an adult and was going to re-establish the nation of Israel above all other nations. They were not expecting Him to come as a baby, supposedly born to a carpenter and placed in a manger. Many things had to happen at precisely the right time. You had to have the right person to be His mother and the right person to be His supposed father. You had to have a reason for them to be in Bethlehem on the night He was born – the census. It had to be when shepherds would be in the field near Bethlehem watching their flocks. And just at the right time – an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before the shepherds, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And the angel said to them, “do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”. Suddenly a multitude of the heavenly host appeared praising God, and saying, “glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased“. Nothing that happened was the way that the religious leaders and scholars expected it to be. Father help this to be a glorious Christmas day. Help us to remember what it is truly all about – the birth of Your Son.

The Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;

 Work of the Holy Spirit:

 

            Intercedes for us:

 

Romans 8:26-27

26     In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;

     27     and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

     

            Not only have we seen that Jesus intercedes for us, we have here that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us as well. And He does so according to the will of God. That means that we can be confident that it will come to pass. That’s because according to I John 5, if we ask anything according to God’s will, we know we have whatever we ask. That’s why when we pray in the Spirit, we can be certain we are praying the best prayer possible and that it will be answered.   

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "My Spirit speaks for Me, and He speaks for you. Whatever you have need of, He will make request for you. Even before you are aware of your need, He will make intercession for you. He will give you words to speak as you pray for yourself and for others. He will guide you in your speaking to others and to Me. I will always grant His prayers. When you pray according to what He speaks, I will always grant your requests.”

 

            56. Not only does Jesus intercede for me, so does the Holy Spirit in me. When He does, I need not worry …the prayer will be according to God’s will.

The anointing which you received from Him abides in you

 Reveals:

 

            Teaches and discloses what is to come:

 

1 John 2:27

27     As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.

     

John 14:26

26     “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 that I said to you.

     

John 16:13

13     “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

     

 

            We don’t have to feel like we’re all alone with no help in this world. The Holy Spirit will Himself teach us everything that we need to be familiar with. He uses the Word mostly to teach us, but He also will drop ideas into our minds about what we should do in certain circumstances. In a moment of trial, He can bring Scriptures we’ve memorized to mind to help in the conflict. He even brings some that we have read but never sat down and committed to memory. He is always listening to the Father, and what He hears that concerns us, He will disclose that to us.

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "You need not fear that you will be left stranded. I will always be with you. I will guide you into all the truth through My Spirit who indwells you. You will be led into all the truth. There is nothing that will be hidden from you. You can know My peace and joy in your life. You need not fear the future. I will bring you into all My glory as you trust in Me to disclose to you what you need to know. Ask and I will tell you great and mighty things which you do not know. You will come to know them through My Spirit. I am jealous over you with My special love. I do not want you bowing down to others. I want to be your only love.”

 

            55. Because of the Holy Spirit living inside of me, I know that if I let Him, He will show me exactly what I need to do in my life. He will teach me all that I need to know about God’s will in my life.

God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life

 Bears witness with our spirit:

 

1 John 5:10-12

10     The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.

     11     And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

     12     He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.

 

Romans 8:16-17

16     The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,

     17     and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

     

 

            Since we believe in Jesus, we have the evidence of our salvation Himself living inside us. He bears witness with our spirit that we have eternal life. For different people, the experience is diverse. Some actually at one time or another feel something inside them, while others never seem to feel anything. After I asked Jesus to come in and take control of my life, I went to a college basketball game. It felt like there was a hollow rubber ball surrounding my heart. It was like I could feel the arrows of the devil bouncing off the rubber ball. While I have sensed the presence of the Holy Spirit many times since then, it has never been that dramatic. Don’t be upset if you haven’t felt anything. If you have dedicated your life to Jesus, the Holy Spirit is dwelling inside of you. It is a guarantee of God. As the verse says, if you have the Son, you have the life … forever.

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "You are Mine. My Spirit within you tells you that you are Mine. No one can take you away from Me. No one is strong enough to harm you when you are in My hand. You know that you are Mine, and I am yours by My Spirit indwelling you. Trust in that knowing within you. You are My child, and I long to be with you daily.”

 

            54. I know that I am God’s because His Spirit who indwells me bears testimony to my spirit that I am a child of God.

Who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.

 A pledge (engagement ring):

 

2 Corinthians 1:22

22     who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.

     

Ephesians 1:13-14

13     In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,

     14     who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

     

 

            First we heard the Word about our need for salvation. This brought about a belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. After we believed in Jesus, the Father Himself sealed us with the Holy Spirit. The Greek denotes that He took a special interest in this sealing. It wasn’t just some rubber-stamping. The Holy Spirit was given as God’s pledge that He would fully redeem us. This was just the down payment. In Modern Greek, the word translated pledge is used for an engagement ring. The Holy Spirit is God’s engagement ring to us! If He is the engagement ring, what will the wedding band be?

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "I have promised you many things. As a token of My pledge, I have given you My Spirit. I have sealed you with My signet ring through His indwelling you. You are My own special prize, and I long to visit with you. Do not take it lightly that I have done this. I have sealed you not only to protect you but also to stake My claim to you. When anyone sees My seal, he knows that you are Mine and that no one should attempt to harm you.”

 

            53. The Holy Spirit of promise was given in my heart as an engagement ring. The Father, Himself, took a special interest in sealing me as His special possession!

Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”?

 Indwelling:

            God desires His Spirit in us:

 

James 4:5

5     Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”?

     

 

            The Holy Spirit was with the disciples while Jesus was alive on earth. After He rose from the dead, He came to have His home inside them. We have that same Spirit making His residence inside of us. He’s not just visiting … He’s a permanent guest. God desires to commune with us through his Spirit indwelling us.

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "I desire to speak to you within your spirit. My Spirit talks to yours communicating My will and purpose for your life. He speaks with Me continually on your behalf. He will show you what you are to do and to say. You can talk with Me day by day through Him. I greatly desire that to happen. You are Mine, and He will unite us through your own spirit.”

 

            52. God has placed His Spirit inside me to dwell, and He greatly desires that Spirit.

“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ ”

 Rivers of living water:

 

John 7:38

38     “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ ”

     

            Since we believe in Jesus, from our deepest recesses will surge rivers of living water. Living water was that which flowed. It wasn’t some pond where the waters just sat there. Water came in, and water flowed out. That’s the way it is to be with us. The water of the Holy Spirit flows into us, and should flow out of us to help those around us.

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "From within you come forth My blessings through My Spirit. He will flow outward from your innermost being. He will abound in your life and will minister to those around you. He is like a river, not a tiny stream. He will build in strength and power within you as He flows out of you. He will become a raging river in the lives of others as you let Him.”

 

            51. I have believed in Jesus, and therefore from my innermost being will flow rivers of living water.

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

 Water metaphor:

 

            Regeneration and renewing:

 

Titus 3:5-7

5     He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

     6     whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

     7     so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

 

            This underlines the fact that our salvation doesn’t depend on what we’ve done to earn it. It also doesn’t depend on our becoming good enough. It’s completely based on His mercy and grace. We were washed clean when we were regenerated by the Holy Spirit. It wasn’t just a drop or two. He was poured out upon us abundantly. We have all of the Holy Spirit that we will ever need. Through all this we were made heirs of an incredible inheritance.

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "It is through My Spirit that you were brought into fellowship with Me. He it is who made you acceptable unto Me through the blood of My Son. My Spirit applies that blood to your heart and brings you into oneness with Me. He will cleanse you and make you whole as you allow Him to do. Trust in His work in you to bring it about. I delighted so much in you that I purposed to give Him to you that you might know His presence for all eternity.”

 

            50. I didn’t have to work for my salvation, doing deeds of righteousness. It was through His mercy and grace that I experienced the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.

Our destiny in regards to the Holy Spirit.

                                                                         Chapter 4

 

The Holy Spirit

 

             This chapter is about our destiny in regards to the Holy Spirit. We are going to see how His labor in our lives assists us in becoming what God purposed for His children. We could not approach God without Him, and we can’t survive in this world without His helping us every instant of the day and night.

 

At Work in Salvation:

            Gift:

 

            Gift for the called:

Acts 2:38-39

38     Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

     39     “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

     

            Here is the formula for receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. Since you have repented and been baptized (remember our assumptions), then you have received Him. There are instances, though, in the Bible in which people received the Holy Spirit without being baptized; Cornelius and family being the most prominent. Also notice that this is a gift. You didn’t have to earn it; didn’t have to get good enough; and didn’t have to understand all about it. In verse 39 it says that this is a promise. The Holy Spirit is a promise from the Father. God always keeps His promises. It also says it wasn’t just for the first Church … it’s for as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself. That means YOU!

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "I have chosen to give My children My Spirit. He is all that I am. When He indwells you, you will experience My life in you. He is for all who turn to Me, not just for a few special chosen ones. He also will be with you for all eternity. I have promised Him to all My children, and they can enjoy His presence throughout their lives.”

 

            49. God has called me to Himself; I have repented; been baptized; and I have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. I didn’t have to earn it. He was a gift to me.

You will always be accepted in the Beloved.

 With us always:

 

Matthew 28:20

20     teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

 

Hebrews 13:5

5     Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”

 

            Many of you have been abandoned by a parent, a spouse, a friend, or even a pastor. You don’t have to fear that God will turn His back on you. He is unable to desert anyone. He will be with you everlastingly. If you need Him, He will always be there for you. He cannot fail you like someone else has failed you. He will never discard you. You will always be accepted in the Beloved.

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "I will never leave My children alone. They do not ever have to worry or fear that I will turn My back on them. I have chosen them forever. I am intimately acquainted with every aspect of their lives, and I want them to enjoy all that I have chosen for them on earth. When they trust in Me, they will know My joy and My provision. Eternal life is not just a very long life, but one filled with joy and blessings abundantly.”

 

            48. I can trust God to always be with me. He will never desert me nor forsake me. I will never be alone again.

 

 

           

            Jesus … that one word sums up the entire thing. Without Him, we would be nothing as the song says. With Him, we are more than conquerors. We are destined for all this because of what He did. We are now His brothers and sisters. We share the same Father. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus … there’s just something about that Name.

We have the potential to do all things

 You can do all things:

 

Philippians 4:13

13     I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

   

            Remember that we talked about this in the opening. This doesn’t mean that we are guaranteed to do all things, but that we have the capacity to do them through Jesus who will strengthen us. We have the potential to do all things. We don’t have to do them in our own might. We can do them, if we let Him employ His approach.

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "There is nothing that could ever come upon you that you cannot handle through Me. I have supplied all that you will ever need to do what I have called you to do. You are not weak in Me. You are strong in the power of My Spirit. He will guide you and supply you with all you will ever need to accomplish My goals for your life. Apart from Me you can do nothing, but in My strength, you can do all things.”

 

            47. I can do all things through Christ. That means that there is nothing that comes to me that I cannot do. I will never fail as long as I entrust myself to Him and His strength.

We will follow our Shepherd, because we recognize His voice, and because He knows us by name.

 No one snatches out of His hand:

 

John 10:27-29

27     “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;

     28     and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

     29     “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

     

             We will follow our Shepherd, because we recognize His voice, and because He knows us by name. Some people say that you can’t hear God. This says that we not only can hear Him, we can distinguish when it is His voice and when it is another voice. This also says that we know we have eternal life, and that we will never perish. This is a further verse that gives us assurance that God didn’t choose us just for a lifetime. He chose us eternally. No one can steal us out of Jesus’ hand, because no one is powerful enough to seize us out of the Father’s hand. We don’t have to fear that we’ll be kept from making it to the end.

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "My children are special unto Me. I did not choose them just to have them depart from Me after a short time. I chose them forever. There is no one nor any thing powerful enough to snatch them out of My hand. I will hold on to them as long as they will let Me. They need not fear that I will ever reject them, nor that anyone can keep them from knowing My love forever.”

 

            46. I can rest assured that I am safe in Jesus’ hand. The Father will see to that. I have eternal life and will never perish.            

When Christ was crucified, we were legally crucified with Him

 Crucified with Christ:

 

Galatians 2:20

20     “I have been crucified with Christ; and 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 up for me.

     

            When Christ was crucified, we were legally crucified with Him. He lives His holy life in us, as we permit Him. If we try to live this life in our own power, we will fail. We can only live it by having faith in Him to live His life in us. It’s hard for us to keep from trying to live it on our own. We are so used to doing things for ourselves that we won’t rely on Him or anyone else to live it for us. He gave Himself up for this … we should do our best to allow Him to live His life in us.

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "There is no way that you could live the life that I have chosen for you in your own strength. You need My help in all that you do. You cannot live the life that My Son lived without My help. Too many people have tried and failed. Do not try to do it in your own strength and willpower. You must have My help in order to achieve all that I desire for you. My Son in you will provide the way. He has succeeded in living the life that I desire for all My children, and He will do the same in you. If you let Him, He will provide the way to be what I desire for all My children.”

 

            45. I am crucified with Christ and therefore dead. I will live the Christian life by having faith in Him to live it through me. I will succeed, because Christ cannot fail.

What Jesus does for us

 What Jesus does for us:

            Makes intercession for us:

 Hebrews 7:25

25     Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

     

Romans 8:34

34     who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

     

            First of all, when He saves us, it is to be forever. It’s not something that we should fear losing (remember our assumptions), or fear that He will take back. Also, we need not fear that we will have to go it alone. If we need help, Jesus is always there to make intercession for us. He’s not going to leave us to fend for ourselves. Since He knows exactly what we need and how to obtain it, He knows how to intercede successfully for us. He will also give us the perfect prayer to pray. Even though God knows what we need before we even ask, we still need to ask the right thing in the right way.

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "Are you ever lonely? Are you ever afraid? Are you ever in need of anything? My Son daily makes intercession for you … that you may be complete in everything. In all My ways and in all My words, you are to walk. He intercedes for this. He desires to have brothers and sisters just like Himself. He knows what you need, and He comes before Me to plead your case. He knows your strengths and your weaknesses. He knows when you lack and how to obtain your deliverance. He will never cease to make His case for you; that I should supply all that you need.”

 

            44. I have someone, Jesus, who will always bring my needs to the Father. He knows exactly what I need and how to ask for it.

Conformed to His image

 Conformed to His image:

 

Romans 8:29

29     For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

          

 

            There is no doubt about it … we will become conformed to the image of Jesus. It may not look like it right now, but it will happen. That conforming comes over our lifetime. We should be coming closer and closer to that image as we grow in the Lord. He doesn’t want us to sit back and coast into Heaven. We should be allowing the Holy Spirit to have more and more control over our lives. As we do, we become more and more like Jesus’ image. We’re to be so much like Jesus that the devil can’t tell us apart. We are predestined for this!

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "This is My plan for you … that you be as My Son was; that your life shine forth as His. I planned this long ago before there was a world. We desired this, and I set about to bring it into existence. I will make it happen. I will bring you into the same grace as was His. Your life will conform to that of His. You will be like Him in all ways. I have decreed it, and it will come to pass in time if you allow Me to work in you the way that I worked in Him.”

 

            43. I am predestined to become conformed to the image of Jesus. I will become just like He is. I have no doubt that it will happen because God predestined it.

We are as He is

 We are as He is:

           

1 John 4:17

17     By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.

     

            Did you notice that? Just as Jesus is, so also are we … in this world! I know some groups believe we should just try to hold on till we get to Heaven … that we can’t improve beyond where we are already in this world. This says differently. We can have this here and now. We can also be confident when Judgment Day comes. We won’t have to cower in a corner. We can stand with our heads held high. We are just like Him.

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "What is My desire for you? It is to be as My Son. Look at His example in My Word. What He was, you are. Don’t think that I want anything less than the best in your life. I want you to be the best possible. My plans for you are as good as My plans for Him. They are different, but they are just as good for you. Don’t try to run from My desires for your life. They are only for your good. I want you to be an example to those around you so that they will want to know Me.”

 

            42. Just as Jesus is, so also am I in this world … not in the sweet bye-and-bye … now!

To each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Measure of grace given:

Ephesians 4:7

7     But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

     

            How could we need any more grace than that? Any time we need God’s grace in our lives, we have all that we could possibly use. It was given to each one of us. It wasn’t just for those who minister, but also for you and me. Don’t ever feel like you’re not good enough. Also, don’t think that just because you are not in full time ministry that means that you have been shorted on God’s grace. You have more than enough to meet your every need.

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "I have given you all that you will ever need. It is not because you did anything to make yourself worthy. That is what My grace is all about. You do not have to earn it. I give it freely to you. You have experienced only a taste of the grace that I have for you. It is marvelous beyond compare. There is no way to explain how it works. You must receive of it for yourself. I will give it to you in abundance … more than enough to meet your every need.”

            41. I was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. That is sufficient grace to meet all my needs.

In Him you have been made complete

Made complete:

Colossians 2:10

10     and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;

     

            How extraordinary! Whatever we need in order to be made complete legally has already been accomplished. Because of our being in Jesus, everything has been taken care of for us to be made complete … past tense. Legally, there is nothing left to be done in our lives. However, the outworking of it takes a lifetime. It takes the rest of our life to revamp our minds and to achieve His perfect results.

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "My child, there is nothing lacking in what I intend for your life. Everything that you need has been provided for. Trust in Me to supply it whenever you are ready to receive it. You have no idea all the wonder that I have in store for you. Trust in Me. I will accomplish it in due season. There is no time limit with Me. I have all the time in eternity, and so do you. Do not become impatient with the progress in your life. I will bring it about as you surrender yourself completely to Me.”

            40. I have been made complete in Jesus. I need nothing else to become what God wants me to become.

What He Became to Us

What He Became to Us:

            Wisdom of God:

1 Corinthians 1:24

24     but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

     

1 Corinthians 1:30

30     But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,

  

            If you look at the entire passage, you will see that Paul is talking about how the world tried to find God through its own wisdom. He says that God’s plan for Jesus to die on the cross in order for mankind to come to Him, is foolishness to those in the world … whether Jew or Gentile. Christ dying on the cross, though foolishness to the world, became the wisdom of God to us. He also became our righteousness, our sanctification, and our redemption through His death on the cross. Through that one act of obedience, He became everything to us. How foolish God’s plan … how perfect!

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "Many people today think that My way is foolishness, but it’s not. My way is the way of truth and life. If you walk in My way, you will have true happiness. The world gives a form of happiness that is based on circumstances, but My happiness is based on having peace with Me. Whatever you need, I will supply. If you desire anything, ask of Me, and I will give it unto you; for when you’re life is committed to Me, you will not ask anything amiss.”

            39. Though the death of Jesus on the cross seems foolish to the world, to me it was God’s wisdom. Through it I was redeemed, and declared righteous and sanctified.

Baptism:

            Buried with Him in baptism:

Colossians 2:11-12

11     and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;

     12     having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

     

            Our old man died and that body of the flesh was cut off and buried with Christ when we were baptized in Him. It no longer has any control over us, since it is dead and buried. We can, however, choose to act like it does. We can still obey the strong desires (which the Bible calls lusts – though it doesn’t have to be sexual in nature) that compelled us to do wrong things. However, we can also choose to not do them. We were also raised up with Christ through that experience of baptism. Therefore, sin no longer has any authority over us. So, we should act like it!

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "The part of you that desires to do the works of the devil has died. It no longer has power over you unless you let it. You are no longer the slave of sin, but its master. You shall not follow its ways, but My ways. Do not let your old way of life dictate how you act now. You are no longer under its control, but under Mine. I am not a hard taskmaster like sin is. I only require what is good for you, not your hurt.”

            38. When I was baptized, my old man was buried with Christ. My body of the flesh was circumcised and removed, and it has no power over me. I have also been raised up with Christ.

Die to sin, and live to righteousness:

1 Peter 2:24

24     and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

     

            Even though we legally became the righteousness of God, we can still sin. However, sin no longer rules over us. When Jesus died, we died to sin’s power and persuasion over us. If we are “dead” to sin, it can’t entice us. We can turn our backs and ignore it. Our living is to be unto His righteousness. We can choose to sin, but it is no longer master over us. Therefore, decide to do His will … become His righteousness.

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "When you were in the world, before you knew Me, you had your own way. You did what you wanted and cared little for others. Now that you are My child, your desire is to fulfill My righteousness in your everyday life. You are to shine forth in this world of darkness as a beacon to draw others to Me. Sin has no power over you unless you let it. You are free from its curse and from its domination. You are to walk in My righteousness, and you cannot do that unless you let Me have full control over your life.”

            37. When Jesus hung on the cross, He bore all my sins in His body. I am dead to sin … it has no power over me. I will live unto righteousness through Him.

Chapter 3

Jesus

            Next we want to look at how our destiny is intertwined with the death and life of Jesus. How did the things He accomplished on the cross achieve our salvation and help us in our daily walk with God? What would our lives be like if He hadn’t gone to the cross and been raised from the dead? We will see that through Him and only through Him can we have the life style that is pleasing to God.

What His death accomplished:

             Become the righteousness of God:

2 Corinthians 5:21

21     He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

            When Jesus died on the cross, sin itself died; that is, the power it has over us died when He died. The reason He became sin was so that we through Him might become the very righteousness of God. What a marvelous trade - our sin for God’s righteousness! In God’s eyes, we are just as righteous as Jesus … not because of anything on our part. It is all because of what Jesus accomplished when He died on the cross for us. Legally we are righteous in God’s eyes. Experientially we have a ways to go. We have to rely on God and His working in our lives to bring it about. It is no longer our nature to sin. When a nonbeliever sins, he/she is just following his/her nature. When a believer sins, he/she is going against his/her nature.

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "My child, My desire for you is true holiness. When My Son died on the tree, He did so that you might walk in My righteousness. You are to be a light to the world through My righteousness that they may see what I expect from My people. If they cannot see what I want through you, then they make up their own righteousness in their heads, and that is what they strive for. I will show them through you what I desire in My people.”

            36. Because God made Jesus to be sin on the cross, then I have become the righteousness of God in Him. I am no longer a sinner. I am righteous in His sight.

Everything pertaining to life and godliness:

2 Peter 1:3

3     seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

     

            This is an additional verse that confirms what He will do in our lives. He has given us everything we will ever need in life. He will also bring about godliness in our lives. This comes about by a true knowledge of Him. Moses asked that God teach him His ways that he might know Him. As we learn the ways of God through the Bible, experiences, and other people’s instruction, we come to know Him. This gives us the things that we will need for our lives and to bring about that holiness that He wishes.

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "Is there anything that you need in your life? Just ask Me, and I will bring it about. Do you desire to walk in My holiness? Just ask, and it is yours. Do not despair that you haven’t seen it come about yet. Patience, My child. I will do what I have said I will do, and I will do it in such a way that will bring glory to Me. I desire that you walk in the same manner as My Son walked when He was on the earth. Don’t you think I am able to do that? Ask, and I shall give it unto you; but you must have patience for such a thing takes time and effort on your part.”

            35. Whatever I need in life to bring me about godliness, He will supply through a true knowledge of Him. As I learn about Him, I realize how my life should be, and I strive to bring that about through Him.

            So we can see that we in fact have a relationship with God the Father. It is not some distant one, but an extraordinarily, caring one. He is concerned about us very much and keeps watch over us continually. He is not some reprehensible tyrant way up in the sky forcing everyone to toe the line. He knows that it is paramount that we follow His will through His Word by His Spirit for our good. It is a magnificent, loving, everlasting bond. But you can only know that bond, if you have made His Son, Jesus Christ Lord of your life.  Doing so right now can seal your future in a way that you could never imagine.      

Perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish:

1 Peter 5:10

10     After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

     

            Do you feel like you’ll never make it as a Christian … that you’re doomed to fail? This verse says just the opposite. He didn’t call you to leave you sitting in the dust to make it on your own. He will Himself (not you in your own strength) perfect you, confirm you, strength you, and establish you. You have available through Him all that you will ever need to succeed. He wants us to be the type of Christian that will give nonbelievers a “thirst” to become a true believer. When we are like what this verse says we are, others can’t help but want to be like us. You can’t fail!

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "There is no time to wonder how or if you’re going to make it. I have decreed that you shall make it. I will bring about your completion if you will allow Me to do so. Do not resist My efforts to bring you into My perfection. It is not something that you can do in your own power. You must have My help to obtain what I have planned for all My children. But you shall obtain it if you will only let Me have My way in your life.”

            34. I can trust God to continue to work in me and supply everything that I need to continually bring me closer to the point of perfection in my life.

Fulfill every desire for goodness:

2 Thessalonians 1:11

11     To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power,

     

           

            Do you have a desire to have some goodness in your life? Are you wondering if it truly is God’s will that you have that goodness working in your life? And even if you believe it is His will, do you doubt that it will ever be manifested in your life? It’s not the devil giving you that desire. He wants only wrong things to come from your life. This verse lets you know that desire for goodness is His will, and that He will fulfill it. Also, God will fulfill your works of faith with power.

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "I love it when you desire to do good for others. I will bring those things to pass as you trust in Me. I have many things for you to do. You can come to know them if you wait before Me in the quiet hour of the night. I will show you the way to operate in My power. It is not so that you can rule over others, but so that you can bring about those things in their lives that I desire for them. I could do it Myself without you, but it is My desire that you experience the same joy that I have when My children are blessed.”

            33. Whenever I have a desire for something that is good for me or in me, God will fulfill that desire. Whatever power I need to fulfill that desire, He will supply abundantly.

Will of God – good, acceptable, and perfect:

Romans 12:2

2     And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

            In the context of the passage, our not being conformed to the world but being transformed by the renewing of our minds shows (proves) to the world that God’s will for our lives as Christians is a transformation which is good and acceptable and perfect. That transformed being is His will for us, and it is nothing short of perfect.

I believe, though, that we can apply this to God’s will in general. That is … if it’s not good, or not acceptable, or not perfect, then it is not God’s will.

            Something being one’s will implies a desire that it happen. That’s why I don’t like the term “permissive will of God”. I understand what people mean by it. Sometimes things happen that are not His will (desire). They couldn’t happen if He didn’t permit them, but they are not His will.

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "I only desire what is good for you. My will for you is the perfect thing for your life. I will not settle for less than the best, so don’t you. You cannot hide from My will. It follows you wherever you go. It will bring you into the most glorious life possible. Do not resist it. When people stray from My will, they get into trouble. Walk in My will which is My Word, and you will walk in blessings daily.”

            32. God’s will for me is good, acceptable, and perfect. Therefore, I can trust Him that He would never do anything harmful to me, nor ask me to do anything that was not in my best interest.

Cast anxiety on Him:

1 Peter 5:7

7     casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

     

            Of course, in Philippians, we are told to be anxious for nothing. How hard is that for the average person? If we can’t see the solution coming quickly, we get anxious. We are saying, in a sense, that we don’t trust God to take care of us like He should … or rather, like we want Him to and in the time that we would like for Him to do it in. He says here to cast those anxieties on Him. His shoulders are big enough to carry them.

            There is the story of the little old lady in London during World War II. She would go to the nearby air raid shelter when the sirens blew. One day she stopped coming. Her friends thought that she had been killed or went somewhere else to stay with relatives. Days later, one of them saw her on the street and asked, “Where have you been? We’ve missed you.” “I haven’t been anywhere”, she replied. “When we didn’t see you at the air raid shelter, we thought maybe you had gone to the country to stay with relatives.” “No”, she said, “I’ve been home all this time.” “What do you do when the air raid sirens blow?” her friend asked. “I just stay at home and go to bed.” “Aren’t you afraid?” “No. I read in the Bible that God neither slumbers nor sleeps. I figured there was no sense in both of us staying awake at night!”

            My friend, there’s no sense in Him and us staying awake at night worrying about what may happen! Sure, many times He will want us to do something ourselves in the situation, but He most of all wants us to trust Him to take care of it for us. We can’t hear His instructions when our mind is filled with anxiety about the problem.

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "Trust in Me, My child. Don’t allow anxiety to take hold of your mind. You cannot walk in My blessings when your thoughts are centered on your problems. You must allow Me to work My way and My will in your life. I will finish the work I’ve started and won’t leave you stranded. I will help you in time of need; in the time of great storm. You are in preparation for the great tribulation that is coming upon the world. You cannot take a stand against great conflict until you are able to trust in Me to stand in the times of lesser ones. Do not be anxious for any thing, but let your mind stay focused on Me, and I will show you the solutions to your problems.”

            31. Whenever I am anxious, I can cast that anxiety on my Father because He truly cares for me. Then He bears the burden instead of me.

More things about our relationship with the Father:

            Comforts in afflictions:

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

3     Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

     4     who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

     5     For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

     

            Whenever His children go through some sort of distressful situation (it doesn’t have to be as horrible as Hurricane Katrina), God is there to comfort them. It is His comfort, so it has to be the best. Once we have recovered (and that is His plan … not for us to stay down), we can then comfort those around us with that same kind of comfort which He gave to us. He can understand our sufferings because His Son suffered far more than we ever will!

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "My heart hears the cries of your heart. Your heaviness is burdensome to you. That is not at all what I desire. My desire is that you be free within your heart and mind. My desire is to take away the pain within you and to replace it with My joy and comfort. Rest your mind and your soul in My peace. Allow Me to comfort you in My own way. Then you will be free to comfort others that are hurting. Sometimes people cannot or will not hear My voice comforting them, but they will listen to you when you do so. Allow Me to work in you and through you to help others.”

            30. God, the Father, comforts me in all my afflictions. He does this so that I may be able to comfort others in their afflictions with that same comfort with which He comforted me.

He is at work in us:

            Perfect till the day of Jesus:

Philippians 1:6

6     For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

     

            God didn’t start something in us and then quit. What He began in us was a good thing. Someone has said that God doesn’t make junk. We are a work in progress … a good work in progress. That means that sometimes we won’t do exactly what we should. But we should be getting better at doing what He wants us to do. He’s not going to stop without finishing the job. He will bring us closer and closer to perfection as we allow Him to. We will become more and more like Jesus.

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "My child … My desire for you is only the best. What I have started in you, I will finish. When I do something, I do not do it half-way. I will complete My work in you unto perfection. You will be complete. There will be nothing lacking in your life. Trust in Me to do what I said I would do in your life.”

            29. God began a good work in me, and He will perfect it till the day Jesus returns.

Not tempted beyond what we are able:

James 1:13

13     Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.

     

1 Corinthians 10:13

13     No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

     

            When temptation comes, and it will, we can know for sure that God didn’t bring it. There is nothing in Him that could possibly yield to temptation. Likewise, He would never tempt us to do wrong. It comes from another source. Yes, sometimes it can come from the devil, but usually there is something inside us that wants what we don’t have. We have a strong desire to obtain it. That desire is kindled or strengthened by the temptation. If we yield, we sin. If we successfully resist, we grow stronger and are able to resist easier the same temptation should it come again. God will always provide a way for us to resist the temptation and to overcome.

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "When you walk in your own way, you enter into the realm of the enemy. Temptation has a free reign when you walk outside My Word. I will never tempt you. When you look to the things of the world, you open yourself up to temptation. The enemy loves to make use of your weaknesses. He will bring situations upon you that will tempt you to not follow My Word. I will show you the way to resist his temptations if you will only follow My commands. I will show you how to avoid them and to conquer them. My grace is sufficient to overcome all obstacles and all temptations. Do not give in to them. Resist the enemy and his false values. He will not be able to stand against you, and you will come out victorious.”

            28. God does not tempt me. He will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I am able to resist, and will provide the means of escape whenever I am faced with temptation.

Protect us from the evil one:

2 Thessalonians 3:3

3     But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

     

            The enemy prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Even to someone who has been a Christian a long time that can be frightening. We are afraid we won’t have the strength to resist him. Not to worry … The Lion of the Tribe of Judah Himself will strengthen and protect us from that evil lion. He cannot and will not ever fail us.

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "There is no one nor any thing that can harm you. You need not fear the devil or his helpers. They cannot harm you. I will protect you from the power of the enemy. He cannot harm you while you walk in My protection. Do not stray to the side. Do not get distracted with the things of the world. I am there to protect you and to guide you. Trust in My grace to be all sufficient for your every need.”

            27. He is faithful and will never fail me. He will strengthen me and protect me from the evil one.