Living By Faith

FROM COWARD TO MIGHTY MAN OF VALOR

He quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. (Romans 4:17)

When Jesus came to preach the Gospel to the poor, He didn’t just pass out a bunch of fish sandwiches!

Mark Hankins

The story of Gideon is another classic, yet radical identity change that took place in the Bible. He was living in a hole in the ground and hiding out from the enemy. Every time Gideon tried to do anything, the Midianites destroyed it. In the midst of his hole-in-the-ground existence, God sent an angel to Gideon with a message, “The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour! (Judges 6:12) God has a sense of humor because at this time in Gideon’s life, there was no evidence of valor!

God’s Word will cause nothing to become something. Gideon chewed on God’s Word to him– You mighty man of valour” — until he finally swallowed it.  Then with trumpets, pitchers, lamps, and a cry of the sword of the Lord, Gideon and his three hundred-man army whipped the enemy. (Judges 7:20-22) Any time you get involved with God and His Word, He will totally change the way you see yourself and the way you see life!

Confession: It is God that worketh in me both to will and to do of His good pleasure! (Philippians 2:13)

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CHANGED FROM WITHIN

Arise, and go down to the potters house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potters house, and behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter:  so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. (Jeremiah 18:2-4)

God is the original “people person”; He specializes in making people over again and giving them brand new identities.

Mark Hankins

God can give you a new identity. He made you, so He ought to be able to remake you. God is not someone who just does repairs. We are talking about the One who creates people. God creates people out of nothing. No scientist has ever figured out how to make people because God is the manufacturer! 

God told Jeremiah, “You go down to the potters house, and I am going to show you that when people have defects in them, I will make them over again.  God is in the business of changing people’s identities. He remakes you from the inside out. When you are born again, your spirit is recreated. Then He builds from the inside out — changing your mind, renewing it, rebuilding your thinking and attitudes, and then changing your body and your actions.

Confession: God has given me a new identity. He is rebuilding me from the inside out!

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YOUR VALUE IN CHRIST

Therefore, if any one is in union with Christ, he is a new being! His old life has passed away; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17  20th Century)

You became a new creation in Christ the day you were saved, but it won’t become a reality to you unless you walk in the light of the Word.

Mark Hankins

You can get a whole new identity when you see who God says you are and what God says you have. Your self-esteem will go right through the roof!

The devil wants to destroy your dignity and self- esteem. But when you see your value in what God has done for you in the death and resurrection of Christ, you will hold your head up high and forget those things, which are behind.

God made provision for you to be in Christ even before you were saved, but this new identity did not become yours until you exercised faith in Him when you were born again. You’ll have to feed on the Word, get it engrafted on the inside of you, receive revelation knowledge of the Word, and let the Holy Spirit help you to see your new identity — who you are in Christ and what you have in Him.

Confession: My old life is gone and a new life has begun. God has given my life value in Christ!

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REDEMPTION: AN ACCOMPLISHED FACT

…secured our permanent deliverance. (Hebrews 9:12  Goodspeed)

If everything Jesus did was for you, it was set to the credit of your account.

Mark Hankins

Let’s look at several hath scriptures that the Apostle Paul wrote in his letters.  

  • Christ hath redeemed you from the curse of the law. (Galatians 3:13)
  • God hath qualified you for your inheritance. (Colossians 1:12) 
  • He hath delivered you from the power of darkness and ‘hath’ translated you into the kingdom of His dear Son. (Colossians 1:13)
  • He hath blessed you with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3) 

These hath scriptures show that Jesus hath — past tense — paid the price, and the prisoner must be released.

Man, without Jesus, is literally held captive by sin, Satan, sickness, fear, poverty, guilt, and many other things.  The definition of redemption is “deliverance through the payment of a price. Jesus paid the price for your freedom. Jesus said that you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. He whom the Son sets free is free indeed. (John 8:32,36)

Confession: I have been delivered through the blood of Jesus. I am no longer held captive by sin, Satan, sickness, fear, poverty, or guilt. He whom the Son sets free is free indeed!

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LEGAL RELEASE

You were not redeemed with silver and gold… but with the precious blood of Christ. (1 Peter 1:18-19)

Only the blood of Jesus was legal payment for your freedom.

Mark Hankins

No amount of money could buy your release from Satan, sin, or the past. Only the blood of Jesus was legal payment for your freedom. If Jesus paid so high a price for your release, you should not remain behind bars. The prison door is open. You can simply walk out when you see what God, in Christ, has done for you.

You were a prisoner, but now you are free. You do not have to hide or sneak around the rest of your life in fear. You have been released, made righteous, and given eternal life — all legally!

The Gospel of Christ is the power of God. God has released you by His power working in Christ on your behalf. The prison door is open! No filing – no sneaking – no running – no swamps – no dogs. It is not your effort. It is God’s gift to every man in Christ. Christ “hath” redeemed you. You can walk out of your bondage into glorious liberty. You are legally released. Hold your head up high and boldly walk out of bondage in Jesus’ name!

Confession: I have not been redeemed with silver and gold but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ! The blood of Jesus was legal payment for my freedom!

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