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.