Living By Faith

A PROFOUND SECRET

Therefore if any man be IN CHRIST, he is a new creature: old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Every advance in the call and blessing of God comes from an advance in revelation. Mark Hankins

Revolution is something that effects radical change. It can be any fundamental complete change or the replacement of a government or political system. Revelation of who you are in Christ will cause revolution in your life!

The Apostle Paul’s revelation of Jesus Christ caused radical change in his life as well as the lives of countless millions over the past 2000 years. What God has revealed In Christ has uncovered the eternal purpose for every man. God’s love, God’s power, God’s goodness, God’s righteousness, and God’s wisdom are all revealed in the Gospel of Christ!

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.”

Confession:I am a new creature In Christ! Old things have passed away and all things are made new! “For the law of the Spirit of life In Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)

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MIGHTY MIRACLES REQUIRE FAITH

And. He could there do no mighty work, save that He laid His hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And He marvelled because of their unbelief. (Mark 6:5-6)

The spirit of faith knocks a hole from the natural to the supernatural. Mark Hankins

We know God is able to do all things. Nothing is impossible with God! People say, “It’s up to God. If God wants to do it, God can do anything. He’s a sovereign God.”  Mark 6:5 says, “And He could there do no mighty work.” If God can do anything anytime He wants to, why didn’t Jesus do it right there in His own hometown? Can you imagine Jesus being frustrated because He wanted to do a mighty work, but He couldn’t?  The original Greek implies that He tried, but He couldn’t.

What is a mighty work? It is a demonstration of His power and His glory. I believe Jesus wanted to do some mighty Jubilee miracles — some mighty demonstrations of His power — but because of unbelief, He couldn’t do any mighty work. I wonder what He would say about us today?

Confession:I do not lack for faith. God is able to do all things. I believe that no thing is impossible with God. I believe that miracles–mighty works–demonstrations of His power–are manifesting in my life! (Mark 9:23)

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YOU HAVE BEEN FRAMED

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Heb 11:3)

Your success and usefulness in this world will be measured by your confession and your tenacity to hold fast to that confession. F.F. Bosworth

Everything we see was framed with an unseen substance called faith. Faith comes from the spoken Word of God; our words create our world. There is so much power in our words that the devil has tried to derail it. He has gotten into people’s lives and presented a false picture that is not part of God’s plan.

Prison inmates have been known to say, “I have been framed.” They are blaming someone else for their predicament, but they don’t realize how true those words really are. The truth is, everyone has been framed.  Our words and the words of others have framed our world.

As we speak the Word of God, it tears down, roots out, builds, and plants. (Jeremiah 1:4-12) God wants us to speak His words and frame the picture He has for us. He has a custom plan for each of us in Christ Jesus.

Confession: For I am his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that I should walk in them.(Ephesians 2:10)

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GUARD YOUR HEART

Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23 NKJV)

Watch out for unforgiveness as if it were a rattlesnake! Mark Hankins

Jesus said, “When you stand praying, forgive.” (Mark 11:25-26) This means while you are standing in prayer, you can quickly make an adjustment in your heart. People often let things eat at them for years and years, but you can make a decision to forgive right now. Forgiveness is not a feeling; it’s a choice. You may still have feelings of hurt, but the decision has been made! You can forgive by faith.

Faith is of the heart; therefore unforgiveness is a disease of the heart. That spirit will get inside of you and make your heart callused so your faith won’t respond or work properly. Then you will get cynical, and you won’t be able to receive from God.

Unforgiveness – offense and bitterness – is the primary thing you have to guard against. You must watch out for unforgiveness just as if it were a rattlesnake. When you see it come around, avoid it!

Confession: I stand watchful and ready to quickly forgive. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. (Psalm 86:5)

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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)

Being righteous means you are accepted by God, have right standing with God, and are pleasing to Him. Mark Hankins

In most churches you wouldn’t have any trouble telling people, “Jesus died on the cross for you.” But they doubt the second half of that verse: “That we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”  Being righteous means that you are accepted by God, have right standing with God, and are pleasing to Him. This gives you confidence in prayer and in facing the adversary, the accuser of the brethren.

The Bible says you are an heir of God and a joint-heir with Jesus Christ. When you are born again, a spiritual deposit is made in you. We have talked about some of this deposit: wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.  The Apostle Paul begins all his letters by stating what God has done for you in Christ. After he declares what God has done for you in Christ, he declares who you are in Christ and what to do about it!

Confession: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.(Romans 8:1)

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