July 19, 2002
NOW YOU ARE CLEAN. What marvelous knowledge, to know beyond a shadow of doubt that one is cleansed and made pure. Free from guilt, free from condemnation, free from blame. He whom the Son sets free is free indeed. True freedom from sin is found in Jesus. John 8:36 The cleansing of the WORD is of great value. It is a progressive cleansing. As the WORD is revealed to us, we submit to it, and are cleansed by our obedience to His will. Jesus but spoke the WORD and His disciples were cleansed. This demonstrates the power of the WORD to sanctify and purify. John 15:3 The instructions of the Word are sufficient to direct us in the manner in which we should walk before the Lord. Walking in the LIGHT of His Word. There is no sin situation which we face that is not solved by the Word. The truth, the WORD is the force that is able to alter the life style of an individual and turn them toward the Lord. His WORD is truth. Jn. 17:17
THE CHURCH IS A SANCTIFIED BRIDE. To be made holy, purified or consecrated to the Lord. This is a description of the work and the results that will form His Bride. Eph. 5:26 The first born of animal life, whether man or beast was sanctified, consecrated unto the Lord. It was to be exclusively His. Ex. 13:2 We are called the Church of the FIRSTBORN, the consecrated, the dedicated solely unto the Lord. Heb. 12:23 His act of redemption was to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Bringing in to being a people who live in righteousness and purity. Willing and ready to fulfill His will. Titus 2:14 The New Birth is not the result of corruptible seed, but of that which is incorruptible. The living Word. The eternal, ever abiding Word. 1 Pet. 1:23 His words are spirit, yet very tangible and readable. His Word brings the life of the Spirit into our lives. Spiritual life is in His word. The Spirit and the Word agree. John 6:63 Agreement with and adherence to the Word will produce holiness.
THE FIRST MAN WAS CREATED IN THE LIKENESS OF THE LORD. Adam was like God in all his being and personality. The wisdom and knowledge of the Lord was his. He displayed the nature and character of the Lord. He was in the image and likeness of God. Gen. 1:26 Adam and Eve lived in the presence and holiness of God, in righteousness and purity. His call to the church is one of restoration. His purpose is manifest holiness in His people. His command is to be holy because He is very holiness personified. 1Pet. 1:16 The Lord seeks those who will commit their body unto Him, rather than to works of unrighteousness. He desires a people who are willing to offer them selves unto Him as instruments of righteousness. Rom. 6:13 When Christ dwells within, the body of flesh is dead to sin and wickedness of any sort. The spirit is living in full accord with the Lord because it is surrendered to the will and purpose of the Lord. They have become a person in whom the righteousness of the Lord is displayed. Rom. 8:10