Saturday, August 30, 2003 (3)
QUICKENED TOGETHER WITH CHRIST. From death to life. Because of sin we were dead in trespasses and sins. However He has forgiven us and cleansed us from all our trespasses and sins. That is full, absolute, complete, everlasting forgiveness. Never again will we stand to give an account of the sin that has been confessed. Those who have sought forgiveness are cleansed from all sin, 1 John 1:7 There is another spiritual action which is granted to the forgiven sinner, which is of limitless benefit to them. Paul said, that Christ has quickened us together with Him. Eph. 2:5
WHAT IS THE LIMIT OF THAT QUICKENING? If we have touched and experienced His death, then we have the right to conjointly be quickened with Him. The same resurrection power which was upon Him should rest on His redeemed. Being together with Christ simply means that what He felt and received we too should receive. It all hinges on the proper foundation being laid. For if, truly we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, that is water baptism.
WE SHALL BE ALSO IN THE LIKENESS OF HIS RESURRECTION. Rom. 6:5 For He HATH raised us up TOGETHER WITH HIM. When we become spiritual enough to receive it, there is a life that is lived, in the hear and now, which is His resurrection life lived in us. Church, do not be short changed. There is a spiritual life which makes the present spiritual life of most of us look like death. When in company, joined with Him, we become what He is! When He was raised from the dead, He also wrought a work which is to be fulfilled in His church. Eph. 2:6 Being in one accord with Him, He causes us to sit together, in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Not something for the future but for now. We can sit in a heavenly atmosphere surrounded by the glory and power of the Holy Spirit. Another HATH, or accomplished spiritual fact is that He is now, blessing us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Eph. 1:3 Note that the blessings and heavenly places are in Christ Jesus.
IN CHRIST. If we are in Christ, then Christ is in us. Simple isn’t it. But the benefits and blessings are enormous. It is here that we find spiritual and mental rest. Where there is no condemnation, there is peace of mind and soul. That blessed place is found by those who are in Christ, who also are living in Christ. There is a path, a way which is walked separate from the works of the flesh, literally dead to them, and alive unto Christ. Where we live, move and are motivated by the Spirit of the Lord. Rom. 8:1 This way, is governed by law. Not the old law of sin and death, which can only produce disunion and death. The new law, the law of the Spirit, brings liberty from sin and death. Both of these, sin and death, are the mortal enemies of all who are born into this world. Now, in Christ the law of the Spirit of life has set us free from sin and death. Rom. 8:2 We need not sin every day in word, thought or deed. If we live by the Spirit of life, the law of the Spirit, we are liberated from the clutches of the law of sin and death. Sin and death are inseparable. The soul that lives in sin, lives in death. Eze. 18:20.