Living By Faith

ENGRAFTED INTO CHRIST

Therefore if any person is [ENGRAFTED] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold the fresh and new has come!
(2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP)

Jesus took our guilt, shame, sin, death, and curse so that
we could be free. Mark Hankins

The two words In Christ are the most important words used by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament. These words are the key to opening the secrets of the Gospel. A. J. Gordon said it this way, “These two words, ‘In Christ’ give us profound insight into the Divine method of salvation. These two words open to us mysteries and secrets that were hidden for ages and generations.” We have been “In Christ-ed.” There are over one hundred thirty scriptures that use the phrases “In Christ, In Him, and In Whom.” What do these phrases mean?

We have been engrafted into Christ. He is the vine and we are the branches. We were engrafted into His death that we might be one with His resurrection and victory. He was made to be sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

Confession: I have been engrafted into Christ! I am a new creation. I have been made the righteousness of God in Christ! (2 Corinthians 5:21)

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PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION

…and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

Many Christians are weak though they are sincere because they have never dared to make a bold confession of who they are in Christ.
E.W. Kenyon

Have you ever checked in for a flight and been asked for proof of identification? You can say, “Here I am. Can’t you see — this is me? I can prove that I exist. Just look.” That is not enough. You have to have some authentic legal proof of identification.

Identification is defined in Webster’s Dictionary as, “to consider or treat as the same, the condition or fact of being, the same in all qualities under consideration.”

Many people live and die and never find their true identity. In the realm of the Spirit you say, “Well, here I am. Obviously, I am who I am.” God will ask, “Do you have any identification on you?” You say, “I sure do, I have some identification right here in Galatians 2:20– I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me.” Your true identity is found in Christ!

Confession: I have found my true identity in Christ. “Now it is not my old self, but Christ Himself who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20 Noli)

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THE SECRET OF POWER…CHRIST IN YOU

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

The reality for every Christian is that we are in Christ, and Christ is in us.
Mark Hankins

Think about these words and say them out loud, “Christ lives in me.” God has placed us In Christ. This position of faith gives us great privilege. In Christ, we have access to the Father with confidence, and we have great potential In Him. We are ever-increasing in faith and love and are on the way to our divine destiny In Christ.

The same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to believers In Christ. There are also exceeding, great, precious promises that belong to us In Christ.

In Christ, God says a giant “yes” to us and we answer, “Amen, so be it!” We agree with God and live in the reality of our redemption In Christ.

Confession: I have great potential In Christ! I have access to the Father with confidence. The life that I now live, I live by faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. I agree with God and live in the reality of my redemption in Christ!

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ONCE UPON A TIME

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in ONCE into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
(Hebrews 9:12)

The story of the blood of Jesus is an established fact throughout history.
Mark Hankins

Everyone likes a great story that begins with the phrase, “Once upon a time….” The story of Jesus is the greatest story ever told. It is not a fantasy, but a true story that has changed the world for thousands of years. The story of Jesus is told in over a thousand languages to millions of people, young and old, around the world, and it is still changing lives today!

One day as I was studying Hebrews 9 and 10, the word “ONCE” stood out so clearly. I began to see God’s plan of redemption in Christ and how the wisdom and power of God very effectively “ONCE” paid the price for our freedom. ONCE! That’s all it took! Jesus shed His blood ONCE! He defeated and dethroned Satan, ONCE FOR ALL TIME…ONCE for all mankind…ONCE for the cure of every condition…ONCE for every blessing in Heaven to be ours!

Confession: Jesus went ONCE for all into the Holy of Holies! Jesus shed His blood ONCE for the price of my freedom.

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THE TURNING POINT

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness. (Psalm 30:11)

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

You are at a turning point. It may seem difficult, but things are turning around for you. God is turning your depression into a celebration. It is time to change clothes. It is time to dance and rejoice. God wants to dress you up in joy. Put on your shouting clothes!

God has appointed this deliverance for you. You have a destined date with the blessing of the Lord. What seemed to be burned and ruined, God is turning into something beautiful. He is anointing you with joy. The anointing breaks every yoke, lifts every burden, and makes us laugh at the enemy. Count it all joy. God has given you a garment of praise. There is great deliverance in the garment of praise. Put it on right now. Keep it on. Thank you, Jesus! He never fails to plan the best things for us.

Confession: To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. (Isaiah 61:3)

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