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

 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.

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; 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.

 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 no 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 every day 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.

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

 

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.

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

 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 extraordinary 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 toe the line. He knows that it is paramount that we follow His will through His Word by His Spirit. It is a magnificent, everlasting bond.