In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:7).
“Redemption” in the verse above, is the Greek word, “apolutrosis” and it means riddance. In Christ, we have our riddance. He rids or plucks you out of trouble, and rids your life of anything that’s wrong. So, you can say, “I have my riddance in Christ, no matter what!” That’s redemption. It doesn’t matter what mess you may think you’re in, you can trust Him to get you out. In Christ Jesus, we also have remission of sins. The King James translation uses the word “Forgiveness” of sins, but the Greek word is “aphesis” and it means remission; the total removal or blotting away of sins. God did much more than forgive us; He blotted out our sins. There’s no trace or record of your sins; it’s as though you never sinned. That’s why it’s wrong for a Christian to keep a consciousness of sin. Some are forever praying and asking God for forgiveness, because they’re always overwhelmed by the burden of sin-consciousness. The truth is that the Bible never tells us to ask God for forgiveness. God never made provision for your “forgiveness.” This might upend some people’s theology, but it’s a present truth. To forgive means to pardon, in which case the record of wrong remains, though you’ll not be punished. But that’s not the case with God and us. The actual Greek rendering is “to take away completely, to put away, blot out, separate from.” You might want to ask, “How about 1 John 1:9 that says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness?” What that simply means is that if we acknowledge (confess) our sins, God is faithful and just to put them away, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. There’s an automatic cleansing going on. That’s what it says in the seventh verse: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). God wants you to walk free of guilt or condemnation! He wants you to walk in the light of your riddance, your righteousness, your justification, your holiness, and your sanctification in Christ Jesus, not snowed-under by guilt or sin-consciousness. .
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But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Anything is possible! This should be your mentality. Never think defeat, failure or weakness. Cultivate the winning mentality; the mentality that believes and affirms, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). That’s the victor’s mentality, and you develop it through the Word. It doesn’t matter what your life has been like or the experiences you’ve had; one thing is certain: you’re a victor in Christ Jesus! Irrespective of the affliction, tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, destitution, perils, wars etc., that may be ravaging today’s world, you’re more than a conqueror: “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37). Trust the Lord and hold on to His Word. When you go through challenges, don’t complain! The Lord knew there’d be challenges, but He gave us the assurance that we’ll be triumphant always: “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14). Your victory is a settled fact. 2 Corinthians 4:17 says, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”; this is a present-hour truth. Nothing is, and can ever be to your disadvantage. Romans 8:28 declares, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Have this consciousness! Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand (Philippians 2:4 MSG).
Sometimes it’s easy to think, “Since no one cares about me, I won’t care about anyone!” Don’t be that way. Be the one to remember, care for, and love others! Be the first to love. Be the blesser and the giver. The blessing you get from receiving is less, compared to that which you get from giving to others. Jesus said, “...It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). God’s promise isn’t to the one who receives but to the one who gives. So, rather than seek attention, for example, give it instead. Give love. Demonstrate love to everyone, including those who may have offended you, and to the ungodly that have no hope. That’s how God wants you to live. Some people only know how to enjoy attention; they only crave love from others. That’s dangerous, because when they don’t get the love and attention they seek, they could become cruel and wicked. You’re the seed of Abraham, and the seed of Abraham reaches out; he’s a blesser; he hears the cry of the needy and responds. You’re the answer the world is looking for; you’re the one to meet other people’s needs. You may not think so about yourself, but it’s the truth. Genesis 26:4, referring to you, the real spiritual seed of Abraham, says, “…in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” Galatians 3:29 says, “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” You’re blessed in blessing others. Your greatness is in making others great. That’s where real joy is. It’s a higher way to live when you learn to look away from yourself and become concerned about the needs of others and be the blesser and the giver. . |
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