QUICKENED BY FAITH

[DK Grooms]

 2 Cor 5:17

        Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

Eph 4:24

        And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

 

I recently began a new series entitled “Putting on the New Man” which I am very excited about, and hope it will be of an equal blessing for those of you who read it.  It never ceases to amaze me the deep and awesome truths the Lord reveals to my spirit, which I then pass along to his hungry children.  God is so gracious to his church.  He will never leave you floundering in the wilderness if you have a heart to know him in the light of his word.  God is in fact blessed as you worship him in truth, rightly dividing scripture.  Are you one who hungers and thirsts to be filled?  Then you have found a source, an oasis of refreshing here at Rock Solid Truth International.

 

Being filled with the wonderment of his word is exhilarating to the child of God.  Our righteousness in Christ unites us with him, the Father and the Holy Spirit to give us hope and an expected end as it states in Jeremiah 29:11 KJV

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

 

In the previous chapter, I brought you revelation concerning putting on the new man, which is created in righteousness and true holiness.

 

This scripture brings great truth about our uniqueness as created being after God’s own image.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:23

        And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

The scripture you’ve just read is presented to you for one purpose only; that you might have scriptural proof that we are each a triune being, even as Christ, God the Father and the Holy Spirit are united and triune.  Remember, we are made after his own image, which is found in Genesis 1:27 KJV - So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

 

So what are the three parts of all human kind?  We each have a spirit, soul, and body; three in one.

 

These three parts are all real and functioning parts of your personal makeup as humans, and which separate us from every other being born on this earth.

 

Something very extraordinarily happens when a man or woman becomes one with Christ through the Salvation experience.  There is a transformation that takes place, that you cannot see, but it’s real and changes who you are forever.  The dead spirit within you is immediately transformed into a completely new and living spirit.  It is created in righteousness and true holiness and precisely resembles the perfect nature of Christ, without sin, spot, or blemish - perfect. 

 

Your dead spirit, because of sin, ceases to exist.  No longer is your spirit dead, it is now alive and sealed forever by the Holy Spirit in its perfect condition.  It’s true that the old man has in fact passed away, but it was replaced by a new “created man”.  Because of this transformation, we are now one with Christ, united with the triune God / Godhead.  To say the least, our relationship with God just improved a million fold.  No longer are we separated from him, but are united with him through Christ’s blood.  We’re now one with him in intimacy.

 

But wait.  Something still remains unchanged.  Though our spirit has been forever changed, our soul and body remains the same, or unchanged. 

 

Most children of God believe that the body and soul are crucial to our humanity.  The majority of believers even believe the attributes of the body and soul trumps the spirit.  I believe this happens because they didn’t really see the transformation take place, so they don’t believe it really did.  But that isn’t true at all, and certainly not what scripture tells us.  What makes us who we are in the eyes of God is our regenerate spirit, not our soul or body.   It is from here that all interaction with God is made.

 

Born again believers, especially in the course of worshiping God, believe their religious practices and human effort merit favor with him.  Instead of coming to him and worshipping him in the spirit, as he desires, they strive to do an impossible thing, worshipping him through human effort and their intellect, which never pleases God.

 

Very few children of God have a solid grasp of the more important or weightier aspect of our born again/ new nature, which is the finished work of our spirit, through redemption.  It is the source from which all born again life flows.  

 

The spirit, created in the image of God is the part that drives the soul and the body, but only when it is recognized as the true source from which all life flows; as described in scripture.

 

John 3:3 says,

        “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”.

.

 

2 Corinthians 5:17 follows, saying.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”.

 

I’ve already taught that according to scripture, only the spirit changed.  Old things; your personality, thoughts, mannerisms, etc, did not pass away in your body when you were born again.  In fact nothing about your body and soul was made new at your conversion, only your spirit man.

I like to tell people the truth about the soul and body of believers after the salvation experience.  If you were overweight before you were born again, you’re still overweight after being born again.  If you cussed, smoked, lied, gossiped, and drank in excess, etc, before salvation, then you most likely did the same types of behavior after salvation.

 

Please listen to some wise instruction.  Ok, so your body and soul were not changed at conversion and your old habits and failures did not dissolve instantly, as you and everyone else had hoped.  Perhaps your emotions run from one extreme to another, on a regular basis.  The good news is that the most important part of your triune creation did change; your spirit.  Though you didn’t actually feel it change, or see it’s transformation with your human eyes, it still changed.  We received that revelation by faith as the word was preached and it became a reality in our lives.  It happened because we believed (faith) and it became real.

 

Here’s what happened.  Our spirit was quickened when faith was applied.  Our spirit was resurrected from its dead state and was made alive, even as Christ was quickened from the dead.  His spirit body was made new and so was yours at salvation.

 

Here’s the proof.

 Ephesians 2:1

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins”;

 

Ephesians 2:5

“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

 

Colossians 2:13

“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses”;

 

So, for clarification, here is what the word “dead” in these scriptures does not mean concerning your spirit man.  It does not imply that our dead spirit does not exist, or that it’s a non functioning part of our triune character, because it does live and it does impact the other two elements, namely the soul and body.  The problem is that our spirit is completely alienated from the Godhead because of our sinful condition.  The word dead in these scriptures refers to our complete separation from Almighty God.  Because of our separation from him, we are unable to communicate with the Godhead on any level outside of salvation.  The consequences of our dead spirit, we are dead to him and he is dead to us, by virtue of that sinful nature.

 

It is crucial that we understand the condition we’re in spiritually, prior to salvation, so we can appreciate the great gift of redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ, which breaks the barrier of separation from Almighty God.

 

Illustration:  Many millions of people know that God exists.  They say they pray to him in times of calamity in their lives and even believe he hears them.  Most, in fact claim to be Christians, when the sad reality is that God cannot hear them and does not answer their prayers because they are separated from him by their sinful natures – dead spirits. 

 

Thanks to God, and by his great and tender mercy, provision has been made.  We could not provide the answer for restoring relationship with God, so he provided it for you and I.  The method is simple, yet life changing.  There is only one door through which we can come in to God and that by the redeeming blood of his son Jesus – through salvation.

 

This scripture spells it out clearly for you.

 

Ephesians 2:2-3

“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

 

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others”.

 

This was what our spirit and the nature of all mankind is like before salvation.

 

When we became born again, through the salvation experience, everything about our dead, separated spirit is changed.  What was formerly dead was replaced with a brand new spirit – in fact a brand new you.  Except for your body and soul, everything became new, and it was sealed in that brand new state, at that instant, by the Holy Spirit.  This regenerated spirit cannot be touched by sin or altered in any way by what we think or do in our flesh.  It is sealed from human intervention.

 

Ephesians 2:4-8

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God”:

 

Now that’s something to get excited about.

 

Because of his grace, mercy, and love, God quickened our dead spirit and gave us new life.  Wherein times past we were dead to him because of our sinful nature, we are now alive to him in all things and are called sons of God.  Salvation also brought with it the gift of intimate relationship with the Godhead.  In it we are given eternal life which is to be enjoyed both in this present world, thorough our unique relationship with Christ, the Father, and the Holy Spirit, and then finally onto our final destination in glory (heaven) when we die. 

 

So it’s our spirit that is forever changed.  From this new spirit flow all of the issues of life.  As Christ is perfect, so too are we made perfect, because his (Christ’s) life now lives in perfection in our new spirit.  It is in this spirit where all things become new.

 

This new life (our spirit) cannot be felt by human emotions or by any of our five senses (sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing), nor can it be perceived by human thinking or intellect.  You also can’t recognize it intuitively; it is a work of faith only.

 

Example:

When we go out on the town to be with friends, coworkers, etc, we do things to make ourselves presentable.  You comb your hair, brush your teeth, dress properly, shave, etc.

     To confirm the finished result, we’ll go to the mirror to inspect our workmanship.  The mirror tells the true story and we believe what it says.  Feelings don’t play a part in what we see at all.  The proof is before us in the mirror.

     There have been many times when all of us felt that something wasn’t quite right with there hair or clothing, but when examined in the mirror, it reveled that our feelings weren’t true.  In fact they were completely wrong.

     When you want confirmation that you’re hair is properly done, you don’t go by what you feel.  You go to a trusted source – the mirror.

 

This scripture give credence to the prior example.

 

James 1:23-25 says,

    “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

     For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

     But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed”.

 

This scripture tells us that the word of God (scripture) is likened unto a mirror.  With it, you get a valid appraisal of what your spirit is really like.  It has nothing to do with your feelings, thinking, or intellect. This is such an awesome revelation if you’ll simply grasp hold of it.

 

The man who looks into the perfect law of liberty looks only to Christ.  It’s the gospel of freedom and grace. We continue therein, being doers of his word, not forgetful hearers; believing that everything was done by Christ for our sakes.  It is a completed work.

 

 

 

In Christ, we rejoice in examining ourselves according to his word.  It strengthens us and causes us to make right decisions.  We see what needs to be done and do it that Christ might be glorified.  We see God in Christ and Christ in God and ourselves grafted into his marvelous vine.  We become sons of God, in the image of his blessed son Jesus, and we become one with the Godhead in intimacy.

 

The word of God will never lie to you about the condition of your spirit.  The mirror always reveals the truth.

 

John 6:63 says:

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life”.

 

God’s words are spirit and they are life to the believer. If you want to see what your spirit is like, you go to the place that relates to your spirit – God’s word.

 

When we seek truth, we find that like mindedness begets life; spirit to spirit producing new life in Christ is the result.

 

Here’s what God says about the outcome of this spiritual change.

 

 

Ephesians 4:24 says:

“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness”.

 

Did you know this truth?  Sadly most professing Christians have virtually no clue that this takes place.  Non-the-less, it is still glorious news.  You get a new you in the form of a regenerated new man (spirit).

 

God created your new spirit after himself; in his likeness.  He created it complete in both righteousness and true holiness.

 

Question:  How many of you reading this, or listening to the broadcast would say, “But I don’t feel that way”.

 

My answer to your question is, “Why are you trying to feel a spiritual transformation, when I just explained to you that it is impossible for your soul and body to relate to your spirit, except in faith”.  Though multitudes continually attempt to relate to an Almighty God through their humanity, it cannot be done.  They’ll testify that they feel God moving, or being in his presence, citing the goose bumps they have, as proof.  This isn’t proof.  Scripture already told you that God already moved and that was two thousand years ago.  It also says that God promised that once he came into your life by faith, he would NEVER leave you or forsake you.  He’s been with you since salvation and will be until your human death.  God hasn’t lied yet, nor can he.
 

Stop trying to see something through your feelings.  It’s a false indicator.  Anything that is false is a lie.  The truth is you are created in righteousness and true holiness; joint heirs with Christ, reconciled unto God by your faith.

 

Do you like truth?  Here’s some more.

1)      Scripture says that you are the head and not the tail.

2)      That you are above only.

3)      That we are men and women of valor.

4)      That we are more than conquers.

5)      Says we are seated with Christ in heavenly places.

6)      That we are healed from every malady, disease, and plague, because of Calvary

7)      That we are delivered from every mental infirmity and demon possession, because of Calvary.

8)      That we are made rich (financially prosperous) because of Calvary.

9)      That we are saved because of Calvary.

 

All of these things, and so much more, are a result of our faith in Christ; in the finished work of the cross, not your feelings.

 

His word tells you that he so loved you so much, that he gave his only begotten son (Jesus) that you might have eternal life and intimate relationship with the Godhead.  Scripture says that you also have all love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, faith, and temperance, which are gifts of the spirit.

 

His words are the true spiritual mirror.  His words are spirit and they are life.  The words of life show a reflection of whom you are personally and who you are in him because of salvation.

 

Now here’s a scriptural promise I really like.

 

I John 4:17 says:

“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world”.

 

Did you notice that this scripture speaks to us in present tense, though it was written two thousand years ago?  That means we’re in the constant state of ‘right now’, which is our earthly existence, not something which will ultimately occur when we’re dead, as most are taught.

 

The scripture tells us to expect the same things in our lives that are in Christ’s life.  What might some of those things be?

1)       He is seated at the right hand of God.

2)       All things are beneath his feet.

3)       He is in complete authority.

4)       He is all powerful.

5)       He is all mighty.

6)       He is ever joyful.

7)       He is humble.

8)       He is perfect.

9)       He is complete.

10) He is at rest.

“And as he is so are we in this world”.

 

This is such a powerful truth for the child of God who desires to be Christ like.  Until you are instructed with the infallible word of God, you’ll mistakenly think you can know God in your soul or body, but you cannot.  We can only receive spiritual truths spiritually, or through our regenerated spirit man by faith.  Your soul and body are not spiritual, or regenerated, and are therefore unable to know or accept spiritual truths.  Faith helps you to realize that your new man is powerful through Christ and that by putting on this new man, you can be victorious in all things, here on this earth.

 

Ephesians 4:24 says:

“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness”.

 

Remember:

1)      You are not like Jesus in your mortal body.

2)      You are not life Jesus in your soulish realm.

3)      But in your inner, or spirit man, you are precisely like Jesus, lacking nothing.

 

Want something to rejoice about?

“and as he is, so are we in this world”

 

This ought to transform your life forever.  In it you’ll find

1)      His goodness.

2)      His perfection.

3)      His worthiness.

4)      His wonderment.

5)      All revelation.

6)      Unhindered communion.

7)      Unity of the spirit.

8)      Complete oneness.

9)      The opportunity for intimacy with the Godhead.

 

When you get this, you’ll be able to receive the love of God as he intended, and able to comprehend the fullness of God’s love in its depth, length, breadth, and height. 

 

Ephesians 3:19-20 tells us

“And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

        Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us”,

 

And no matter how many times you “blow it” in your flesh, your new man is completely unaffected.  It was created in righteousness and true holiness by the blood of Christ and has been sealed by the Holy Spirit forever.

 

What an awesome word.  Receive it for yourself and be blessed.