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THE PREACHING OF THE CROSS

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
(1 Corinthians 1:17)

The union between humanity and deity can never be broken.
Mark Hankins

Paul used the word “cross” In 1 Corinthians 1:17, not because he was simply talking about the crucifixion. He identified with the cross because that is where God identified with him.

The first step of God’s identification with sinful man began with the incarnation when God became a man, and Jesus came to earth.

The second step of God’s identification with fallen man was when Jesus told John to baptize Him. When Jesus got in the line with sinners, He said, “Baptize me with those who are confessing their sin.” John the Baptist did not understand what was happening so he said, “I am not baptizing You.” However, the union between humanity and deity in Jesus can never be broken. Not just for one human generation, but through all eternity. Jesus is still a man right now at the right hand of God.

Confession: “I consider myself as having died and now enjoying a second existence, which is simply Jesus using my body.” (Galatians 2:20 The Distilled Bible)

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PRESENT TENSE

Therefore if any man be in Christ….(2 Corinthians 5:17)

Whatever is true of anyone else who is in Christ is true about you.
Mark Hankins

I like the fact that 2 Corinthians 5:17 is written in the present tense. When you are born again, you be in Christ. Whatever is true of anyone else who is in Christ is true about you. If you be in Christ, then what be in Christ be in you!

Hebrews 11:1 is also in the present tense. It says, “Now faith is.” In other words, if it is going to be, it is not faith. If it used to be, it is not faith. God introduced Himself to Moses by saying, “I AM that I AM.”

What is God’s last name? AM is God’s last name! That is present tense. When you get in Christ, you am in Him. Whatever am in Him am in you right now. Whatever be in Him, be in you. You are not trying to be, hoping to be, or going to be–right now you be in Him. Now faith is.

The moment you declare who you are in Him, your faith will work. Otherwise, you will always try to be, hope to be, and want to be. You need to forget who you are naturally and get up every morning seeing who you are in Him. You are complete in Him.

Confession: In Christ I have been made righteous. In Him I have peace with God. I am in Him and I AM is in me!

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A BRAND NEW PERSON

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

You are not just a forgiven sinner; you are a brand-new person!
Mark Hankins

“Therefore if any man” means this will work for anyone. Notice what Paul wrote: “Therefore if any man be in Christ.” It does not say, “if any man be in church.” You can be in church and be the same old stinkin’ thing you have always been, but when you get “in Christ,” you cannot stay the same. You are changed.

When Paul wrote, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is,” Paul was not talking about males only; he was talking about mankind–man or woman. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he [or she] is a new creature.” One translation says it this way, “a new species of being that never existed before.” When you get born again, you are not just a forgiven sinner. You have been re-created.

In the Old Testament, sins were only covered and forgiven. But because of the death and resurrection of Christ, you have not simply been forgiven; you have become a whole new person–a whole new creation. You are not just a forgiven sinner. You are a brand new person. God has re-created you!

Confession: I am in Christ therefore I am a brand new person. I am not simply forgiven; I am a whole new creation in Christ!

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GRACE VS. LEGALISM

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand… (Romans 5:2)

The mystery and the glory of the believer’s life is that your life
is one with Him. – Mark Hankins

Salvation is the reuniting of God and man. God’s does not work on you while you are isolated from Him. He doesn’t gradually render you fit to be reunited to Him. Legalism teaches that God operates on you apart from Himself, but grace begins by uniting you to God. Through that union, He supplies the life and power necessary to bring you into His holiness.

Grace is the opposite of legalism. Legalism says that you are not good enough and will have to live in sin-consciousness for the rest of your life. Grace, however, says because of what Christ has done, your spirit is instantly joined to Christ.

God welcomes you because of faith in Christ. He takes you right in and gives you His righteousness. Consider the depth of this principle of the Gospel when it is applied: you are united with Christ!

Confession: I have access by faith into the grace of God. I rejoice in hope of the glory of God because of what Christ has done for me. I am dead to sin and alive unto God!

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REDEMPTION REALITY

For as many as were the promises of God in Christ is the yes that fulfills them; therefore through Christ again let the Amen rise through us to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 1:20 Twentieth Century)

It is up to you to say, “Amen!”
Mark Hankins

When we talk about your redemption and who you are in Christ, we are not talking about some figment of your imagination or some religious thing. We are talking about an absolute reality of redemption and righteousness. We are talking about living in the reality that you are redeemed, righteous, victorious, and blessed. You need to live in the reality that old things are passed away, everything has become new, and now you are a new creation.

Jesus is the “Amen.” He brought the reality of redemption into the realm of human experience and into your life. The Twentieth Century version of 2 Corinthians 1:20 says, “…so let the Amen rise through us to the glory of God.” You need to respond to Him by saying, “Amen, so be it.”

Confession: I am in Christ, and I boldly declare and acknowledge right now the good things that are in me in Christ. I am who God says I am today! Yes, affirmative, so be it; it is so, Amen!

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