Living By Faith

UNDERSTANDING RIGHTEOUSNESS

I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:16-17

Understanding you have God’s divine approval on your life sets you free from the sense of rejection, inadequacy or inferiority.  You are confident you have God’s approval.  You are free to receive God’s best blessings and to follow His plan for your life.  This confidence in God sets you free from constantly seeking approval from others.
One of the most misunderstood subjects in the Bible is righteousness. The Gospel of Christ is a revelation of the righteousness of God. The center of the Gospel reveals the righteousness of God.  I call righteousness a radical revelation, a revolutionary revelation. It is a reality that is produced for us by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Confession: The Gospel is the good news.  It is a weapon of might that begins with faith and produces faith.  God has made me righteous as He is. I am right with God!  I am whole and set free!

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THE WORD WORKS

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

The Word will cut controlling influences off of your life. Mark Hankins

Ephesians 6:17 tells us that the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, will reach into your soul and cut things out that are hindering you from fulfilling the will of God. Nothing can separate your soul and your spirit but the Word. God says that you are a new creature in Christ and that you have been made righteous and triumphant, but your mind is in disagreement; your circumstances are in disagreement; your feelings are in disagreement. But the Word of God is like a sharp sword and it will cause your circumstances and feelings to agree with God.

The Word will cut things out of your soul that are not in agreement with God’s Word. What happens when you begin to acknowledge who you are in Christ? The Word will cut controlling influences off of your life!

Confession: I am who God says I am. I am an overcomer. I have been made righteous. I am the righteousness of God in Christ!

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FAITH IS AN ACT

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (James 1:22)

As you acknowledge the Word, start acting like it is true. Mark Hankins

What does it mean to be a doer of the Word? When you see something in the Word, you just act on it. You start acting like the Word is true. James 2:26 tells us that faith without works [or corresponding action] is dead!

If the Word says something belongs to you, you can say, “I am going to act on it. I am going to act like it is so. It may not feel like it or look like it, but I am acting on it right now.” As you acknowledge the Word, start acting like it is true. Smith Wigglesworth said, “Faith is an act.”

“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the word, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” (James 1:25)

What do you look at when you look in the mirror? You look at yourself. In other words, James is saying that if you hear the Word, but you don’t do it, it is like looking in the mirror, going your way, and forgetting what you look like!

Confession: I am not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the Word. I act like the Bible is true. I am blessed!

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MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or Who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord… (Psalm 24:3-5)

The spirit of faith always chooses the Glory Road. Mark Hankins

The Knox translation of Psalm 24:3 says, “Who dares climb the mountain of the Lord?” The ones who will climb God’s mountain are the ones with the spirit of faith! The spirit of faith always chooses the Glory Road! Climbing this mountain represents obedience to the will of God.

The road on the mountain of God is the Glory Road. Those who choose to travel the Glory Road see the glory of God! The Glory Road is like a spiritual Mount Everest. On this road there is much sacrifice and it is extremely challenging, but when you get to the top and see what is on the other side, you will be glad you chose that road. It requires training and discipline to make it to the top. However, the rewards at the top make the journey worthwhile. Choose the Glory Road and experience the glory of God!

Confession: I will dare to climb the mountain of God and obey His will for my life! I choose the Glory Road! I will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of my salvation. (Psalm 24:5)

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HONOR THE BLOOD OF JESUS

Through the blood of his cross…you are reconciled to God by Him…In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight. (Colossians 1:20-22)

We, as believers, are accepted into the presence of God, having perfect fellowship with the Father God because of what Christ has done for us.
Mark Hankins

We honor the blood of Jesus as we lift our voice in faith declaring what it has accomplished and what it is accomplishing. The spoken Word of God is the voice of the Blood Covenant. Every Word has blood in it. The blood must be applied by faith.

According to your faith so be it unto you. There is no such thing as passive faith. Faith acts like the Bible is true. Live by faith and continually apply the blood. There is power in the blood.

God sees us in Christ. We have full assurance of faith to go right into the very presence of God because we have been washed in the blood of Jesus. We are in Christ by faith in the blood of Jesus. Let us honor the blood of Jesus and confess daily who we are and what we have in Christ Jesus.

Confession: I have faith in the blood of Jesus. In Christ I have redemption through His blood! (Colossians 1:14)

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