Living By Faith

THE LAW OF SUBSTITUTION

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge,
that if one died for all, then were all dead. (2 Corinthians 5:14)

Jesus was not a martyr; He was a substitute, one man who died for every man.
Mark Hankins

Jesus took our place. He took our curse and died our death. He took our condition so that we could have His condition. He was identified with us. We were there in His death and resurrection, because He died for us, we died with Him. Because He was raised for us, we were raised with Him. Everything Jesus did, He did for us and it is credited to our account as if we did it. Substitution progresses to identification and union with Christ.

In the four Gospels, a disproportionate amount of space is given to the actual events of the death and resurrection of Christ. Every sermon in the book of Acts and all of Paul’s epistles center on what happened in the death and resurrection of Christ. You can get anything you need from this event. Healing, prosperity, joy, victory — whatever you need — you can get from the fact that, “I was crucified with Christ. He took my place because He was my substitute. He took my condition.”

Confession: 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)

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REPETITION AND THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
(Romans 10:17)

Never underestimate the importance of repetition when it comes to the spirit of wisdom and revelation.
Mark Hankins

Did you ever wonder why Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing and hearing? Because it doesn’t always come when you hear the Word once — it comes by hearing and hearing and hearing and hearing.

Revelation requires repetition, over and over again. Think about Paul’s letters and how much repetition is in those letters — almost identical repetition. God chose to include all of Paul’s letters in Scripture because if you don’t get it from Ephesians, you can get it from Galatians, Colossians, or Corinthians.

The spirit of wisdom comes by repetition. That’s why Dad Hagin said to pray the prayer in Ephesians 1 every day for six months. Every day — pray, pray, pray; water, water, water. If you stick with it, the watering process will bring increase in the spirit of wisdom and revelation.

Confession: It is God who works in me both to will and to do of His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)

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THE WORD OF FAITH

The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach. (Romans 10:8)
The language of redemption is the language of faith.
Mark Hankins
The language of redemption is what the Apostle Paul called “the word of faith” in Romans 10:8-10. The vocabulary of salvation makes a sound that releases the power of God. We must learn to speak the language of redemption with the vocabulary of salvation!
The language of redemption speaks of what happened in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ and what He is doing for us right now: interceding for us at the right hand of the Father. We must learn what happened when Jesus took His blood into Heaven and purchased our eternal redemption!
The phrase “Christ hath redeemed us” in Galatians 3:13 is past tense, which means it has already been taken care of in Christ. He hath blessed us. He hath healed us. He hath delivered us. These are all past tense. Since He hath, by faith we now have. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is.” In Christ, we must learn a new language – the language of “Now,” the language of God.

Confession: I will speak the language of redemption, which is the language of faith. “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:10)

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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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YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE PERFECT

According to your faith be it unto you. (Matthew 9:29)

We need to acknowledge every good thing that is ours in Christ!

Mark Hankins

The devil is good at pointing out your flaws. When you are confronted with your imperfections, don’t allow yourself to doubt your authenticity in Christ!

I recentlytalkedwithajewelerwhosaidthatall diamondshaveaflawsomewherethatcanbeseenbythe trainedeyeusingamagnifyingglass.  However, the fake diamonds, cubic zirconium, are flawless. They are man-made. They look like diamonds but they are much cheaper; they have only a fraction of the value of a real diamond.

YouarevaluabletoGod.Youarearealdiamond,notacubiczirconium! GodseesyouinChrist. He willkeepworkingwithyouifyoukeepaspiritoffaithand seekHimwithallofyourheart.Youdon’thavetobeperfecttohaveaspiritoffaith.

Confession: I have been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus! It is God who works in me both to will and to do of His good pleasure! I am valuable to God! (II Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:13)

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