Living By Faith

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN CHRIST

For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Righteousness simply means that you have right standing with God.
Mark Hankins

God made Jesus, who knew no sin, to be made sin for us. He took our sin and our curse and died our death. Jesus was made to be sin for us so we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

“And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (Romans 8:10) Paul said that your spirit is alive because of righteousness. When you received Christ, your spirit received eternal life because you were made righteous. You had the very righteousness of God imparted to your spirit.

Putting off the old man and putting on the new man happens by getting your mind renewed with the Word of God. This new man is created in righteousness and through holiness. When you get born again, you are not just a forgiven sinner. You have been made the righteousness of God in Christ!

Confession: I am a new creation in Christ. The old way of thinking and acting is dead and gone. I have been made the righteousness of God in Christ!

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ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR UNION WITH CHRIST

But he who is in union with the Master is one with Him in spirit.
(1 Corinthians 6:17 Weymouth)

A fly will not land on a hot stove!
Mark Hankins

When you get born again, you get “in Christ-ed.” Your spirit joined to Christ. However, your faith will not be effectual until you start to acknowledge, confess, and declare your identity in Christ. You have to acknowledge it.

I encourage you to make a daily confession and acknowledge who you are in Christ. To “acknowledge” means more than just talking about it — to acknowledge means to go ahead and act like it. This is why people need to run, laugh, dance, shout, and daily rejoice by faith. This demonstrates our victory in Christ.

The moment you step out of the natural and out of circumstances, you step right over into who you are in Christ. Your spirit man begins to respond by taking ascendancy over your flesh, your mind, and the circumstances of your faith. The devil will mess with you all day long until you rise up in the Spirit.

Confession: I am in union with the Master and one with Him in spirit. I confess, acknowledge, and declare who I am in Christ!

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PATIENCE IN CHRIST

Through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:12)

You can outlast the devil!
Mark Hankins

God is patient — He has the time and space for things to happen. The devil is not only stupid but also impatient. The devil will hang around and try to whip you. Eventually, he will get impatient and say, “I guess this is not going to work,” and take off! You can outlast the devil!

Some time ago when I visited someone in the hospital, I needed to ride the elevator. I pushed the button and the light came on, but nothing seemed to happen. I waited and waited for the doors to open. Finally, I punched the button again even though the light was still on. I thought, “I guess I don’t need to punch it again. The light is on. It is on the way.” I could have been impatient and taken the stairs if I wanted, but I held steady.

When you exercise your faith, you have punched the button and the light is on. The devil will say, “It’s not going to come. It will never happen.” Keep the switch of faith turned on. Keep that light on! The elevator is on the way!

Confession: Through faith and patience I am inheriting the promises. My faith is working. Miracles are coming to me. The light is on. The elevator is on the way!

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CONTEND FOR THE GLORY

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. (1 Peter 1:8)

Unspeakable joy is a container of the glory of God.
Mark Hankins

The glory of God will increase for those who believe. The glory of the Lord is God’s manifested presence. In His presence is fullness of joy so there must be some extraordinary joy in the glory.

The first thing we should do is believe it and declare it. Expect it and it shall come to pass! We are living in the last days. The promises and prophecies are being fulfilled faster and faster. The atmosphere of Heaven and the aroma of praise are filling the church. Be strengthened in your faith and position yourself for “Heaven on Earth!”

Jesus said if you believed, you would see the glory of God. Jesus was not talking about someday far into the future –He was speaking of a manifestation of God’s goodness and power, now! This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! Go ahead and rejoice as if your dream is coming to pass! Let the good times roll!

Confession: The glory of God is manifesting in my life because I believe. (John 11:40) God’s promises are being fulfilled in my life and my dreams are coming to pass!

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EXPERIENCE THE GLORY

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Keep your confidence; there is a great payday that is certain.
Mark Hankins

Keep believing and obeying God and His Word. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. When God rewards, He rewards well! God is not cheap, nor does He withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly! (Psalm 84:11)

God is called the “God of Glory” in Acts 7:2. In Ephesians 1:17, God is the “Father of Glory.” His glory includes wealth, numbers, commerce, power, wisdom, promotion, superiority, dignity, authority, nobility, splendor, valor, magnificence, extraordinary privileges, and advantages. Jesus came that we might enjoy the same glory. (John 17:22-24)

Your payday is coming; when it arrives, it will come with everything that the glory of God denotes. We have great confidence and expectation in the Lord. God’s reward system is unlimited!

Confession: God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that I ask or think, according to the power that works in me! (Ephesians 3:20)

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