II COR 5:13-21 EXPOUNDED – NEW CREATION…A YOUTHFUL AND ALWAYS NEW HABITATION OF GOD.
INSANE FOR GOD
2 Cor 5:13
13 For if we are beside ourselves (insane, out of our mind), it is for God; if we are of sound (not insane) mind, it is for you.
Paul was saying prior to this verse that he was not commending himself but to check him out by looking at his heart (See verses 11 & 12). Paul said that we are insane for God yet we remain sane for you. Paul and his disciples were “madly” in love with God! This so called “madness” is explained in the next verses.
14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;
15 and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
Is this revelation enough to compel one into “madness”? Though “insane” or out of control, Paul says that they are controlled and compelled by the love of Christ. One “crazily” in love with Christ oft times seems to be “insane”. (I recently received a word of knowledge confirming that which I knew. People have for years called me crazy…now I know why!)
INSANE TO THE WORLD REVELATION
Paul found out something profound about Christ’s love. Paul discovered that Jesus died for all, therefore all died. How are all dead? In Christ we are dead to sin. Sin no longer has dominion over us (Romans 6:14). WE ARE NOT SINNERS! Paul goes on to say that living for one’s self brings death and that because we are dead to sin we are empowered to live for Jesus Christ (Gal 2:20-21) who died in our behalf and was resurrected in our behalf. Ho, ho, ho…ha, ha, ha…yes Lord!
LOVING EYES ARE EYES OF GOD – A NEW PERSPECTIVE OF MANKIND
This glorious revelation of Christ’s lavishing love compels us into a righteous view of all mankind and Gods creation.
16 Therefore from now on we recognize no man according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know {Him} {thus} no longer.
My God, because of the love of Christ, we are now seeing with the eyes of God. We have been love empowered never to look at the flesh but now see only the Kingdom of God (Christ) in the flesh. Jesus is the word made flesh. The hope of every individual to abide in the glory of God is Christ in them. This is explained in this next most profound verse.
17 Therefore if any man is in Christ, {he is} a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
The word new means youthful, fresh and regenerated. Creature means new creation, new building. To be a new creature is to be a youthful and always new habitation of God. Our bodies are the temples or habitations of God. My Lord and my God! Do you see this? We are in Christ never again to have anything to do with the old which in Christ has passed away. To hell with the “good ole times” and into the heavens with the “Good new now time”.
Do you see the wonderful loving heart of our God? He first sent Christ to reconcile us to Himself so that He could lavish His love upon us. Secondly we have been made ambassadors for Christ with THE MINISTY of RECONCILIATION. We as ambassadors of God and His Christ have all that our home country (Kingdom of God) and King Jesus embodies.
MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION…WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
What doe the ministry of reconciliation look like? It looks exactly like Jesus…Glory to God. While we were yet sinners, God sent His Son to save us. The ministry of reconciliation does not take into account the trespasses of others. (Remember, as new creations we no longer see the flesh.) The ministry of reconciliation, as God did through Christ, entreats all to become reconciled to God.
18 Now all {these} things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,
19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
We, being compelled by the love of Christ, are now in righteous relationship with all of creation. Note: I, and many others recently in Moravian Falls, North Carolina and other places are receiving a visitation of periodical Cicadas. God showed me that this is one of many signs of the symphony of Heaven by which God is speaking unity and reproduction. They are crying out along with all of creation for the revealing of sons of God i.e. those that are being led by the Spirit of God.
Note: It is interesting to note that the Greek word for Cicada is tzitzi, which is the Hebrew word for the ribbon of blue tassels attached to the four corners of the Jewish prayer shawl. Moses commanded these tassels of blue added so as to remind the Israelites of the commandments (word) of God. Many in the New Testament were healed as they touched the hem of Jesus’ garment.
Righteousness is the life of God. God is always right (eous). God made Jesus, Who knew no sin, to become sin on our behalf. Where sin brings death to all, Jesus vicariously took my place in physical death. If Jesus became my substitute in physical death, why would I agree with death? I am a new creation i.e. a forever youthful habitation of God.
21 He made Him who knew no sin {to be} sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (NAS)
A New and Youthful Habitation of God Compelled By His Eternal Love
Gale Maiden
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Sunday, June 1, 2008
GOOD FIGHT? RESURRECTION NOW IS THE PRIZE
GOOD FIGHT? SEIZING THE LIFE OF GOD WHICH HAS AN ETERNAL NATURE by Gale Maiden
Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Tim 6:12, NAS)
I Timothy 6:12 explains the nature of the good fight of faith and the whole purpose of faith.
NATURE OF A GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH
First the Apostle Paul writes to Apostle Timothy and says, “Fight the GOOD fight of faith.” If it is a good fight (Is there such a thing?) God must be doing it. Jesus clearly defines that which is good.
And as He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and {began} asking Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? NO ONE IS GOOD EXCEPT GOD ALONE. (Mark 10:17-18, NAS, emphasis added)
I must conclude that my GOOD fight of faith is not my fight at all. If the only one who is good is God then it has to be God who is doing my fighting. Glory to God! My war is over. As an old song says, “I ain’t goin study war no more!”
PURPOSE OF GOD OR GODLY FIGHT IS TO FULFILL OUR CALLING WHICH IS TO SEIZE THE LIFE OF GOD, ETERNAL IN NATURE
Secondly Paul writes to Timothy, “Take hold of eternal life to which you are called.” The clarion trumpet call of God is to choose and lay hold of life eternal. Timothy of course would be resurrected from the dead (A Mary and Martha diminished understanding of a present tense resurrection). So why was the Apostle Paul asking the Apostle Timothy to presently lay hold of eternal life?
Philippians 3 says the same thing concerning the now resurrection from the dead. Paul describes the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Paul says that he is pressing towards resurrection (present tense) which he describes as the PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST.
If resurrection from the dead were not available without physical death then there would be no need to fight the good fight of faith. Paul says that if we don’t believe for a present tense resurrection then our faith is in vain (I Corinthians 15). God desires to convince and demonstrate to us His life which He fought for and won being apprehended through Jesus’ death on the cross, burial and resurrection from the dead. Glory to God! Satan, who before had the power of death, now has been defeated setting all free from the fear of death (Hebrews 2).
IN CONCLUSION
In true resurrection by God there is no more death. Let us walk in and through God’s GOOD fight of faith by laying hold (simply believing) for life eternal. In the resurrection we are true priest’s of God (Melchizedek Priesthood) being able to advocate the full package of heaven i.e. life eternal.
Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Tim 6:12, NAS)
I Timothy 6:12 explains the nature of the good fight of faith and the whole purpose of faith.
NATURE OF A GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH
First the Apostle Paul writes to Apostle Timothy and says, “Fight the GOOD fight of faith.” If it is a good fight (Is there such a thing?) God must be doing it. Jesus clearly defines that which is good.
And as He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and {began} asking Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? NO ONE IS GOOD EXCEPT GOD ALONE. (Mark 10:17-18, NAS, emphasis added)
I must conclude that my GOOD fight of faith is not my fight at all. If the only one who is good is God then it has to be God who is doing my fighting. Glory to God! My war is over. As an old song says, “I ain’t goin study war no more!”
PURPOSE OF GOD OR GODLY FIGHT IS TO FULFILL OUR CALLING WHICH IS TO SEIZE THE LIFE OF GOD, ETERNAL IN NATURE
Secondly Paul writes to Timothy, “Take hold of eternal life to which you are called.” The clarion trumpet call of God is to choose and lay hold of life eternal. Timothy of course would be resurrected from the dead (A Mary and Martha diminished understanding of a present tense resurrection). So why was the Apostle Paul asking the Apostle Timothy to presently lay hold of eternal life?
Philippians 3 says the same thing concerning the now resurrection from the dead. Paul describes the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Paul says that he is pressing towards resurrection (present tense) which he describes as the PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST.
If resurrection from the dead were not available without physical death then there would be no need to fight the good fight of faith. Paul says that if we don’t believe for a present tense resurrection then our faith is in vain (I Corinthians 15). God desires to convince and demonstrate to us His life which He fought for and won being apprehended through Jesus’ death on the cross, burial and resurrection from the dead. Glory to God! Satan, who before had the power of death, now has been defeated setting all free from the fear of death (Hebrews 2).
IN CONCLUSION
In true resurrection by God there is no more death. Let us walk in and through God’s GOOD fight of faith by laying hold (simply believing) for life eternal. In the resurrection we are true priest’s of God (Melchizedek Priesthood) being able to advocate the full package of heaven i.e. life eternal.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
LIFE GIVING SONS OF GOD BEAR WITNESS THAT GOD HAS SENT THEM
Working the Works of God
Jesus therefore answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless {it is} something He sees the Father doing; for whatever {the Father} does, these things the Son also does in like manner. (John 5:19, NAS)
What is the Father doing? Ephesians 5:1 says that we are to imitate or mimic God as beloved children of God. We all see God doing wonderful works throughout the earth. God has called us all into good works. Of course in every individual there are unique and specific works shown to us by God. These specific works will witness in a profound way that we are sent by our Father.
In the fifth chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus tells all generations that sons of God will be shown all things which God is doing so that we all may marvel (John 5:20). Everything which God does brings life. As imitators of God we must give life.
I have said that the clarion trumpet call of God is for all to choose life and for those who have chosen life we must also give life. We have been called to rise from the dead and to raise others from the dead. God says that this choice has been given us as sons of God and imitators of God.
It is honorable for sons of God to imitate our life giving God. It is important to honor not only God, our giver of life but also to honor sons of God who give life.
For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment (choice) to the Son (Also you and I as sons), in order that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. (John 5:21-23, NAS)
The hour has always been NOW for raising the dead. The witness of the works of God is resurrection life. Again, all that God does is life giving. All of creation is longing for the manifestation of the sons of God who like God our Father are life givers. As life giving sons of God are revealed all of creation will come to life.
It is said of Abraham, the father of faith, that he is like God in that he raises the dead and calls those things which be not as though they were (Romans 4:17). God is revealing to us that He has already resurrected all things in His heart. As we open our hearts to see God’s heart, He will resurrect His works in our hearts so that all of the world may know that we have been sent (Apostolic) by God. Remember that God shows His sons all things so that the world may marvel at His loving wonderful works.
But the witness which I have is greater than {that of} John (the Baptist); for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. (John 5:36, NAS)
Obvious works done by our Father in us will attest that the KINGDOM OF GOD is truly in the earth. What an exciting due season! Today is the day of full salvation; now is the accepted time. Choose life.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
ACCEPTING THE GIFT OF LIFE
As I was meditating this morning during the fourth watch (3am to 6am), I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Gale, it is to your advantage that I go away.”
John 16:7-13
7 "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.
8 "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment;
9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me;
10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you no longer behold Me;
11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.
12 "I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear {them} now.
13 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. (NAS)
How in the world could Jesus’ exodus or going away be an advantage to us? Jesus says that I must go so that the Spirit of Truth can come. The Spirit of Truth will convict concerning sin (evil) and righteousness (good) and judgment (choice). The Holy Spirit of truth will fully identify both good and evil and will empower all believers to choose good. Good overcomes evil.
One can readily discern that Jesus by going away was releasing Kingdom of God authority to His church. Most of those looking for Messiah were expecting an earthly immediate Kingdom. Jesus released His Spirit i.e. the Spirit of Christ…the Spirit of truth so that we as kings under the King of Kings and lords under the Lord of Lords could again establish our rightful Kingdom of God dominion in the earth. Glory to God.
Jesus released accountability to the church. What a glorious responsibility! All power and authority has been given to the church. We are to go into the entire world, immersing people into an identity with God our Father, into an identity with God’s Son Jesus Christ and into an identity with the Holy Spirit of Truth.
My spirit rejoices on this RESURRECTION morning as I consider that the same power which raised Jesus from the dead has been made available to all who will believe. I challenge you today to exercise your resurrection authority over every entity which would oppose the resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Please accept the gift of life. Jesus Christ is life and as we boldly declare His life into dead or dying situations…RESURRECTION HAS TO COME!
God Loves You Gale
As I was meditating this morning during the fourth watch (3am to 6am), I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Gale, it is to your advantage that I go away.”
John 16:7-13
7 "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.
8 "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment;
9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me;
10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you no longer behold Me;
11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.
12 "I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear {them} now.
13 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. (NAS)
How in the world could Jesus’ exodus or going away be an advantage to us? Jesus says that I must go so that the Spirit of Truth can come. The Spirit of Truth will convict concerning sin (evil) and righteousness (good) and judgment (choice). The Holy Spirit of truth will fully identify both good and evil and will empower all believers to choose good. Good overcomes evil.
One can readily discern that Jesus by going away was releasing Kingdom of God authority to His church. Most of those looking for Messiah were expecting an earthly immediate Kingdom. Jesus released His Spirit i.e. the Spirit of Christ…the Spirit of truth so that we as kings under the King of Kings and lords under the Lord of Lords could again establish our rightful Kingdom of God dominion in the earth. Glory to God.
Jesus released accountability to the church. What a glorious responsibility! All power and authority has been given to the church. We are to go into the entire world, immersing people into an identity with God our Father, into an identity with God’s Son Jesus Christ and into an identity with the Holy Spirit of Truth.
My spirit rejoices on this RESURRECTION morning as I consider that the same power which raised Jesus from the dead has been made available to all who will believe. I challenge you today to exercise your resurrection authority over every entity which would oppose the resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Please accept the gift of life. Jesus Christ is life and as we boldly declare His life into dead or dying situations…RESURRECTION HAS TO COME!
God Loves You Gale
FREEDOM
Hello Sons of the Resurrection!
This blog is new and I am excited about communicating with you concerning the resurrection life made available through the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Stay tuned...excited to hear your comments.
Gale
This blog is new and I am excited about communicating with you concerning the resurrection life made available through the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Stay tuned...excited to hear your comments.
Gale
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