Understanding God Through Your Position In Christ

Transcription

1 Understanding God Through Your Position In Christ THIS BOOKLET IS NOT TO BE SOLD YOU MAY COPY AND DISTRIBUTE FREELY

2 Introduction Congratulations! You have taken the most important step and made the most important decision of your life. The salvation of your soul is more precious than anything in this world and it guarantees you eternal life with God, in His Kingdom. Now that you are saved, you need guidance in learning how to live your new life in Christ. As with all things, you will experience some difficulties and some uncertainties, but knowledge of God and His will for our lives will give you understanding and help you to focus on accomplishing His desires for your life. The Bible, which is the word of God, is our road map to learning and understanding Him and discovering who we are to become in Him. It should be studied regularly, in such a way, that we seek to see ourselves as God sees us. This will lead us to the truth about ourselves. Once we are able to accept the truth about ourselves, we will experience a freedom in Christ that will open our spiritual eyes to the magnificence of God. Let us begin our steps to God through the wonderful world of His word.

3 Your Position In Christ You have been spiritually born again and you are now a new creation in Jesus Christ. You are now a part of the family of God and a joint-heir with Christ in all of the blessings of God, our Father. New Creation in Christ 2 nd Corinthians 5: 17 (KJV) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. As far as the world is concerned, the people who knew you before you were made a new creature in Christ won t forget what or who you use to be. On the other hand, once you accept Jesus Christ as your personal saviour, God forgets about your past, deals with you where you are now and looks forward to getting you to the place He predestined you to be and the person he predestined you to become. Isaiah 43:25 (KJV) I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Just as parents have good plans for their children even before they are born God has good plans for us. Just as living in obedience to your parents causes their plans for your life to become a reality, so does living in obedience to God, through His Word, cause His plans for your life to become reality.

4 Important Reminder It is important to always remember who you are in Christ - a new creation - because if you don t, some people who knew you before your new life began may try to drag you back to the place where you use to be and cause you to walk away from the blessings that God has in store for you, as a joint - heir with Christ. Who Is An Heir? An heir is anyone who inherits something that belonged to someone else. Everything belongs to God. In the beginning He had one Son, Jesus Christ and He was the sole heir of all that belonged to God. We who have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal saviour have been adopted into the family of God and have become joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. As a result, the inheritance of Jesus Christ is now also our inheritance. Romans 8: 14, (KJV) 14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we might also be glorified together. Galatians 3: 29 (KJV) And if ye be Christ s, then are ye Abraham s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Genesis 12: 1-3; 17) Galatians 4: 7 (KJV) Wherefore thou art no longer a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

5 You are Sanctified in Christ What is Sanctification? Sanctification is a process of separation from the life that we use to live according to the standards of the world, to living our lives according to the standard set by God in His Holy Word - the Bible. Sanctified and Called to be Saints 1 st Corinthians 1: 1-2 (KJV) 1) Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother 2) Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them which are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. Once we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, we are born again, and separated from the life we use to live. In order to maintain our separation from our old way of life and grow in the knowledge of our new way of life, we must actively participate in our life long sanctification process, through careful study of the Word of God. We must also apply what we learn through our studies because if we don t, we will find ourselves drifting back and forth between our old and new life and making very little or no progress in our new life in Christ. It is God s will for us to be sanctified 1 st Thessalonians 4: 3-7 (KJV) 3) For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4) That everyone of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

6 5) Not in the lust of concupiscence (abnormal sexual desire), even as the Gentiles (unsaved) which know not God. 6) That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we have also forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us to uncleaness ( anything that is morally wrong) but unto holiness ( a life separated unto Him) How Are We Sanctified? We are sanctified through study of the word of God and we are sanctified through the Spirit. a) Sanctification through studying the word of God. John 17:17 (KJV, Jesus is Praying to God) Sanctify them through thy word: thy word is truth. Physically, we cleanse our bodies at least twice a day because we want to be acceptable to ourselves and to others. In the same way that we are concerned about how we present ourselves to others, we should be concerned about how we present ourselves to God. The only way that we can present ourselves to God in a way that is pleasing to Him is when we study His word and adjust our lives to what His word says: this is our spiritual bathing or cleansing. We are so concerned about how we appear before our fellow men that we invest in all sorts of bathing supplies, perfumes, colognes and clothing so that we can be presentable to them. Shouldn t we be even more concerned about how we present ourselves to God, our Creator - the One who was so merciful to us that He sent His Son to die for our sins? The only way that we can present ourselves to Him in a way that He can truly appreciate is by washing ourselves in the Word daily so that we can bring our thoughts and our attitudes

7 in line with His way of life. Then and only then can we present ourselves to Him in a way that is pleasing to Him. The power of the word to cleanse Hebrews 4: 12 (NIV) 12) For the word of God is living and active. Sharper that any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. The word of God reveals to us who we really are. Some things that are revealed are going to be painful and even shocking because sometimes, our opinions of ourselves are so far from the truth of who and what we really are. Once He has revealed this information to us, it is then up to us to confess everything that is not in line with His word or His will, ask and receive His forgiveness and make every effort possible not to allow those things to become active in our lives again. b) Sanctification Through The Spirit How does the Holy Spirit sanctify us? The Holy Spirit sanctifies us by teaching us the truth about sin, righteousness and judgment. Why does the Holy Spirit teach us the truth about sin? The Holy Spirit teaches us the truth about sin because all of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3: 23) How did we sin? We sinned by our thoughts, words and actions. We also sinned by not accepting the truth about Jesus when we heard it. Every

8 time we were in a position to hear the word of God and hear the call to accept Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour and we ignored it, we were sinning because we were not accepting the truth about Jesus - we did not believe on Him. There are so many people that you can witness to about Jesus right now and they will tell you that they believe, yet they won t accept Him as their personal Saviour. They believe in their head but not in their heart. This means that they acknowledge His existence but they do not honour Him as Lord and Saviour of their lives. The sad thing about this is that they don t realize that by not not honouring Him as Lord and Saviour of their lives, they have placed satan in that position. It is either Jesus or satan and no one and nothing else in between. Why does the Holy Spirit teach us the truth about righteousness? The Holy Spirit teaches us the truth about righteousness -being in right standing with God - because Christ is no longer living on the earth. When Christ was on earth, He was God s living example of righteousness. He taught God s righteousness wherever He went. When He left the earth, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be our teacher and carry on the work He began. Where is Jesus Now? Jesus is now in heaven interceding or talking to God on our behalf. Romans 8:33-34 (KJV) 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

9 Why Does the Holy Spirit teach us the truth about judgment? The Holy Spirit teaches us the truth about judgment because the ruler of this world has already been judged (See John 16:11) and his punishment outlined in Revelation 20:10. Anyone who chooses to follow after this ruler chooses to follow after one who has already lost the battle. You Are The Righteousness of God In Christ 2 nd Corinthians 5: 21 (KJV) For He (God) hath made Him (Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin: that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (Christ) Christ was the only perfect man that ever lived. God allowed Him to be the sin offering for us so that through Him, we could be in right standing with God. (See Hebrews chapters 8-10) The self-righteousness of man and the righteousness of God When we talk about righteousness, we must realize that there is the self-righteousness of man and the righteousness of God. How can we know the difference? We can know the difference between the self-righteousness of man and the righteousness of God by studying the word of God regularly, so that we can learn about the righteousness of God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 New Living Translation (NLT) 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

10 Anything we do that goes against what the word of God says is definitely not a part of the righteousness of God. If you are doing, thinking or feeling anything that is not a part of the righteousness of God, then it is definitely the self righteousness of man. The Self righteousness of Man The self-righteousness of man involves people doing whatever is right in their own eyes. They follow after what they see in the natural realm of things. When they do this, they are not in right standing with God. Judges 16: 6 (KJV) In those days there was no King in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. The children of Israel had a history with God. He delivered them out of the hands of Pharaoh. (He parted the Red Sea and allowed them to cross over on dry land. He provided food for them every day of their journey through the wilderness. He did all of this and more yet when they had no leadership in their life, instead of drawing strength and encouragement from their spectacular history with God, they became a god unto themselves and did whatever was right in their own eyes. (Read the book of Exodus for a history of the children of Israel and their deliverance from Egypt). Can you imagine the chaos that must have happened during this time? No authority, no law, no order - no regard for God. Imagine what would happen today if any country found itself without a political leader. Even worse, try and imagine a country without spiritual leadership. There would be no end to the destruction of man and property. It would be disastrous. Prime Ministers, Presidents and Kings lead their countries in the natural realm but the Spiritual leaders - the people who are

11 operating in the righteousness of God - are the ones who lead the countries in the spiritual realm. This is the reason why it is so important that we are obedient to the instructions given Paul in the book of Timothy. 1st Timothy 2: 1-2 (KJV) 1) I exhort you therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men; 2) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. As children of God, let us begin to practise the righteousness of God by doing what He says in the passage of scripture we just read. Let us remember to pray for everyone, but especially for those who are leading our nations and the ones who are working along with them. Why should we pray for our leaders? 1 st Timothy 2: 3-4 (KJV) 1) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 2) Who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. The Righteousness of God The righteousness of God is by faith or through faith The righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ and is for all who believe. Romans 3: (NIV) 22) This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,23) For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The Holy Spirit teaches us the truth about the righteousness of God because the righteousness of God is by faith and involves

12 following after what we see in the spiritual realm of things. It is doing what is right according to God and not man. It is believing God when the natural order of things is saying no and He is saying yes. When you do what is right according to God and not man, you are in right standing with God. Abraham Abraham was in right standing with God because in spite of the fact that both he and his wife Sarah were past the age of having children, he believed God when God told him that he would have a child and would be the father of many nations. This is what is called faith - knowing something is impossible in the natural realm but believing beyond the shadow of a doubt that it will happen because God told you so in the spiritual realm. This also puts you in right standing with God. Abraham believed God and this placed him right standing with God - it was counted to him for righteousness. Genesis 15: 1-6 (KJV) 1) After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram (Abraham) in a vision, saying, Fear not Abram: I am thy shield, and exceeding great reward.2) And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?3) And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. 4) And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall comeforth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. 5) And he brought him forth abroad, and said, look now to toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and He said unto him, so shall thy seed be. 6) And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness

13 How can you have faith today? Romans 10:17 (KJV) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Justified In other words NO WORD, no faith. You Are Justified in Christ To declare free from guilt or blame (Webster) Once we have accepted Christ as our personal Saviour, we are justified by His grace, which is His undeserved kindness toward us. In other words, God forgets all that we ever did and we start off with a nice, new, clean slate. It is just as if we had never sinned. Romans 3: 24 (KJV) Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Redemption - a buying back. (Webster) Adam was the first man that God ever created. He was perfect and he belonged to God. He is the root from which we all came. He sinned by giving in to temptation. As a result of his sin, the root of our heritage became contaminated and we were all born with his sinful nature. In order for mankind to get back to the place where he was in God before Adam sinned, we had to be redeemed or bought back by God. The price for our redemption was the sacrifice or death of a human being who had never sinned. In other words, this human being had to be perfect, as the animals sacrificed for the sins of the people in the Old Testament were without any kind of physical defect and therefore perfect. (See Leviticus 4)

14 There wasn t one perfect human being on the earth so Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God, experienced life as a human being so that He could sacrifice his life for our sins. Even though He was tempted or tested, just like we are tempted He never sinned. (Hebrews 4:15) In experiencing life as a human being, He is now able to identify with our needs because He experienced life from our perspective. This is so very important for us to understand because since His death, burial and resurrection, He is now in heaven interceding or talking to God on our behalf. Now when we go to God in prayer, we can go with confidence, knowing that He hears us, He will be merciful to us and we will find grace or undeserved favour from him to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4: (KJV) 14) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus Christ the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. I pray that you now have a better understanding of your position in Christ, and that you lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. (Eph. 4: 1)

15 FREE STUDY MATERIALS By Velyn Cooper Bible Lesson Brochures Understanding God Through His Word Understanding God Through His Son Understanding God Through His Holy Spirit Understanding God Through Faith Understanding God Through Repentance Understanding God Through Salvation Understanding God Through Forgiveness Understanding God Through Knowledge of His Will Understanding God Through Prayer Understanding God Through Praise Understanding God Through Your Position In Christ Understanding God Through Justification Understanding God Through Sanctification Understanding God Through His Family Understanding God Through Fasting Understanding God Through Temptation Understanding God Through The Cross You may view these online at: Published by VC Productions

16 New Life In Christ Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. 2nd Corinthians 5: 17 As a new creature in Christ you are encouraged to Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2nd Timothy 2: 15 My Prayer for You My prayer for you is that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, so that the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened, and you may know what the hope of His calling is and know what the riches of the glory of His inheritance are for His saints. (Based on Ephesians 1:17 19) Velyn Cooper Biblical Journeys P. O. Box F42524 Freeport, Grand Bahama Bahamas biblicaljourneys@gmail.com 2011 (2nd printing)