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Please read: Ephesians 1v3, Romans 8v32 and 10v12.
The following is the beginning of a large subject which will need a lot more development if the Lord will. However so that believers can have early access to this article it had been published in its developing state. As time progresses (probably years) there will be further articles, linked to this article, which will further explain the blessings. We humbly trust that God may bless this to the readers.
What people think about themselves determines how they look at life. So how we view ourselves as believers affects the way we live and the attitudes that we take. No one can continually live in a manner that is different to the way that he thinks about himself. Once any person has trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour they are richly blessed of God (Romans 10v12). However then it then becomes part of the devil’s strategy to muddle the mind so that believers associate with the wrong things in life and do not progress as they could. As far as God is concerned the believer’s actions do not determine who they are, but who they are determines their actions. Romans c5-6 is a tremendous example of that and also other passages such as Ephesians 4v32, 5v8, Colossians 2v6, 1 Thessalonians 5v5-8. God has spiritually blessed the believer abundantly in Christ (Romans 8v32 and Ephesians 1v3). So He wants all such to identify themselves according to the spiritual blessings, or gifts, and the identity that He has given them.
In John 8v32 the Lord Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” It is not just knowing the words that sets us free because people can quote words without knowing their reality. However when the truth of the words are understood then such believers can become free. If the truth sets free then it is ignorance and error that brings bondage. The world says, “Ignorance is bliss” but in spiritual matters that is not so and especially for the believer. This is seen in: 2 Peter 1v2, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord” and other Bible verses e.g. Colossians 1v9-10, 2v2. So life is partly a truth and error encounter. God wants us to be free and so gives us the truth to make us free. Also with the appreciation of these truths there will come a sense a wonder and joy that God actually would have such dealings with us who were sinners and should be judged for our sins. When we stop wondering at God and His things then we can become bored and empty. Nehemiah c8v10 says, “… for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
So from what position does God speak? As God is the everlasting God (Psalm 90v2) and is holy (Revelation 4v8), He is therefore never biased. We know that God knows and understands everything (Psalm 147v5) and so is not ignorant of any circumstance of any age. As He created us He knows what we are both naturally (John 1v3) and spiritually (2 Corinthians 5v17, 1 John 3v2, 5v19). Consequently we can confidently turn to God’s Word for what He says about us.
So that we can be sure of what we are believing let us look at: 2 Timothy 3v16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine (teaching, instruction), for reproof (bring conviction for what is wrong), for correction, (restoration to a right state) for instruction in righteousness (training by instruction, that which results in uprightness/righteousness in life’s details): That the man of God may be perfect (complete), throughly furnished (to equip fully or fitted out) unto all good works.”
Romans 10v12 is an astounding statement: “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.” The Lord is rich unto all that call upon Him for salvation. All we could ever bring to God was our: sin (missing the mark), transgressions (breaking the rules), iniquity (our self will against God) etc with its defilement. If any sinner:
(1) Acknowledges their guilt of sin before God,
(2) Repents (changes their mind) about their sins,
(3) Knows that “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15v3-4), and
(4) Trusts/believes in the Lord Jesus Christ {meaning to completely rely on Him} as their personal Saviour from the judgment of their sins,
then God will remarkably richly bless them forever with every spiritual blessing. This shows the wonderful heart of truth and love that God has toward us.
Some people claim to be free but do not believe in the entire inspiration of Scripture or say that only Paul or Peter wrote this or that. As they are rejecting that which sets believers free they themselves are in bondage. Also such thoughts infer that the Almighty God is not strong enough to change people and inspire them to accurately write His mind. Consequently such people are living in a delusion.
1 Corinthians 2v12 says, “Now we have received … the Spirit which is of God: that we might know the things that are freely given us of (by) God.” So God has given us the Holy Spirit, that we might understand our blessings and Himself. He has made statements that He wants us simply to believe. However they must be taken in their context, because a verse taken out of its context is a pretext for a proof text. As we know the New Testament was written to believers in Christ and so the majority of it is about us. Some of God’s statements are so incredibly wonderful that we can look at them and not believe that they could be true of us. However as God has said them, they are simply to be believed and enjoyed whatever might be our thoughts or reactions. “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 15v13)
“Holy Bible, book Divine, precious treasure, thou art mine;
Mine to tell me whence I came, mine to tell me what I am” (John Barton)
Ephesians 1v3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with (in) all (every) spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” God says here clearly that we have every spiritual blessing and so it must be true.
Amazing though it is, the Holy Spirit says here that the believer in Christ has every spiritual blessing now. We may not know them all and certainly do not know their all their depth or greatness but we can still believe and rejoice in the fact that we have every spiritual blessing. If Romans 15v13 is increasingly true of us then we will: increasingly enjoy life more, be more able to lead an overcoming life and our contributions at the church/assembly meetings will improve.
The hymn writer Joshua Oatman wrote the following words:
“Count your blessings, name them one by one,>
And it will surprise you what the Lord Hath done”
WHO IS THE SOURCE OF THE BLESSINGS?
The following Scriptures show that God is the source of our spiritual blessings and the Lord Jesus Christ is the Divine agent through Whom they come.
Ephesians 1v3 says “God … hath blessed us.” So the blessings are from God Who is far above all.
Other Bible verses which say that God is the source are:
- John 1v12-13 “But as many as received him, … Which were born, not of blood (not of human descent or salvation is not passed down through the blood stream), nor of the will of the flesh (a person does not have power in his own flesh to produce new birth i.e. not of human generation at all), nor of the will of man (not of man in any way at all), but of God.” This is emphasised by “We are of God.” (1 John 5v19) The new creation is entirely of God.
- Romans 1v16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
- Romans 3v21 “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;”
- Romans 4v5 “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
- Romans 5v1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
- Romans 6v23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
- Romans 8v33 “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.”
- 1 Corinthians 1v30 “But of him (God – v28) are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.”
- Galatians 3v26 “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
- 1 John 4v4 “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
- 1 John 4v6 “We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”
- 1 John 5v19 “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.”
The blessings of the believer can be divided into (1) Past i.e. before salvation, (2) Permanent (that which is true of me forever), (3) Current (that is lifelong and practical), (4) Future (those received in eternity). Here we want to emphasise the permanent blessings.
PERMANENT BLESSINGS
These are blessings that relate to what God has done for us or made us through the Lord Jesus Christ. These blessings come from our standing in Christ or our relationship to Christ. They are different to our daily state or our fellowship with Christ. I have been placed into Christ by God’s doing 1 Corinthians 1v30. The blessings are our permanent standing before Him and are not dependant upon our state. Just as a child is always the son/daughter of his/her parents whatever they do so are these blessings permanently true of us because they are based on what Christ is and has done. They were true of us from the moment that we trusted Christ as Saviour (see John 3v36, Acts 16v31 Romans 5v1, Galatians 3v26) and will further encourage us to live for God.
The tragedy of modern day Christians can be our ignorance of what we are in Christ. Christ has done everything necessary to make us acceptable to God, including the giving of His own life for us so that we can to experience His life in us every day. Nevertheless too many of us thrash around in doubt: as to whether we are saved, what our real relationship is with God, whether we are worthy to be used by God is His service or simply whether God really loves us. We can think how could God love me seeing what, at times, I am like?
The issue is one of identity and how do we determine who we are? If you had lived on a desert island without having seen another human being you would have little idea who you were. However if after a ship arrives near the island and a man comes ashore on the island and says that at last he has found his long lost child you would know your name and that you were his child. A person has no identity apart from his relationship with someone or something else. That is why people will latch onto practically anything in their desperate need to discover who they are. People will determine their identities through their: appearance, occupation, abilities, family relationships, friends, denominational affiliation and many other ways. However the common characteristic of these human attempts to discover identity is that they are all temporal as they can change with the winds. Experience shows that life changes and the opinions of others are a shaky, or unsound, way of determining who we are.
There is only one unshakeable way to determine your identity or one foundation that cannot be taken away from you and that is what God says you are. One of many things that God says that you are, is one of His children (1 John 3v1-2). You may be a child of God who is a businessman/housewife/electrician/doctor or something else. However the core source of your identity is your relationship with your God and Father. Only through this way you can discover your true identity and its associated security. All of us carry the scars of past experiences and many older people still hurt with these memories. Nevertheless who you really are is what God says you are. You are not the names or labels that other people have given you. Also God does not define us according to our failures. The truth is what God says about us. When someone accepts a label as determined by their behaviour, it further sets or emphasises their personal identity in their own mind. Therefore it is natural to assume that their behaviour can never change. This can lead people to a bondage which they accept as inevitable and normal but from which God wants to set them free. This freedom comes from simply believing what God says we are, because that is the truth. Consequently, and remarkably, these facts of what God says are true of us, whether we know them or not, and so are not what are called “name it and claim it” promises.
Becoming a new creation is like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. Originally an earthbound crawling creature the caterpillar weaves a cocoon and is totally immersed in it. Then the marvellous process of metamorphosis takes place which results in a totally new creature – the butterfly. Once ground-bound, the butterfly can now soar above the earth and view life from the sky downward. In the same way, as a new creature in Christ you must begin to see yourself as God sees you. Also if you saw a butterfly, it would never occur to you to say, “This is a good looking converted caterpillar.” And why not because it was a caterpillar and it was “converted”? Now that it is a new creature you do not think of it in terms of what it was but of what it is now – a butterfly. In exactly the same way God sees you as His new creature in Christ. Although you do not always act like a good butterfly, as you might land on things that you should not or you might forget that you are a butterfly and crawl around with your old caterpillar friends. However the truth is that you are never going to be a caterpillar again. You will permanently be a butterfly! This is confirmed in the New Testament because that after faith in Christ the believer is never called a sinner or even a saved sinner. Examples are: 1 Corinthians 6v1, 14v22, Galatians 4v6, Colossians 1v26, 1 Thessalonians 5v5, 1 Timothy 4v12, 5v10, 1 John 2v12-13, 3v1-2. Amazing!
THE FLESH
Since our salvation we have found that our flesh, which is the sinful nature within us, still responds to sin and that has upset us. The devil will want to us to remember our sins so as to depress us. However as we are a new creation, a child of God and of God, (as to the source of the new spiritual nature – 1 John 5v19), we are not our flesh or in our flesh but our flesh is in us. Romans 7v18 says “For I know that in me (that is in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.” The flesh is in him but the flesh is not him because he is a child of God. The flesh is like a huge splinter that is in us and which causes us a lot of pain and trouble. However we must not consequently think that because our flesh is not us that therefore we can excuse our sin. The Word of God still holds us responsible for our sin. 1 Corinthians 15v34 says, “Awake to righteousness, and sin not …”
Some people say, “But I still commit sins. Doesn’t that make me a sinner?” It is important that we grasp that what the believer is, is determined by what Christ has done for God and us and not by our behaviour. Your identity is not determined by your behaviour, i.e. what you do, but by what you are in God’s eyes. Christians must not think, as the world does, that their identity is based on their behaviour.
This does not mean that a person can “believe” and then continue in sin. Again Romans c5-6, 1 Corinthians 15v34, 1 Peter 4v1-5, 1 John 2v1 and many other passages, show that this is not the case.
HOW ARE A BELIEVER’S BLESSINGS RECEIVED?
The Bible says:
- Romans 5v1 “Being justified by faith we have peace with God though our Lord Jesus Christ.”
- Romans 5v2 “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace (i.e. of justification of v1) wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
- Romans 3v22 “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: …”
- Galatians 3v26 “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
- John 3v36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
- Acts 16v31 “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”
Therefore the way a person receives all the blessings of God is by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. Afterwards the blessings cannot be lost because the believer is dependant on the unfailing God (Isaiah 42v4, Hebrews 6v18, and James 1v17) to keep His commitments to him. At the point of salvation a sinner believed, i.e. totally relied on God’s promises to him. Then it is the responsibility of God to not only do the saving but also the keeping of the believer. See John 10v27-29 and 1 Peter 1v5. The evidence of the gift of eternal life is then seen in us. See 2 Timothy 2v19, Titus 2v11-12, 1 John 2v3, 5, 29, 3v3, 7, 14, 24.
There are those who say that the evidence of salvation is seen by speaking in tongues, but what does the Word of God say? When the apostle Paul was saved there was nothing said about him speaking in tongues (see Acts 9v3-18, 22v5-16, 26v12-18). When Paul and Silas were asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” they did not say, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and speak in tongues and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16v30-31). They said, as already quoted, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Furthermore none of the Scriptures above include speaking in tongues as a condition of salvation. An extra point is that when dealing with the gifts of Spirit for the church, 1 Corinthians c12v29-30 says, “Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?” As the answer to all the other questions is “no” so the answer to the question “do all speak with tongues?” is also “no”. Consequently, in the apostolic times not all spoke with tongues and therefore it cannot be a condition of salvation. Additionally Titus 3v4-5 says, “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.” So there are no “works of righteousness”, including speaking in tongues, that we can do to save ourselves but God’s mercy saves us. What a relief and joy that our blessings are entirely dependent on Christ and not on us at all!
The Permanent Blessings can be subdivided into: (1) What I Received and Who I Became, (2) Where I Am and (3) Who I Received. I have put “What I Received” and “Who I Became” together because quite often they are linked together. Also most of these blessings are true of me for all eternity but others are true of me for this life only. The appreciation of receiving God’s rich blessings does have a practical effect on the believer. On the other hand this consideration does not include many of the practical blessings received e.g. the effects of the Holy Spirit in the life.
So the wonderful blessings of the believer in Christ are as follows (italics are mine):
(1) WHAT I RECEIVED AND WHO I BECOME
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” (Ephesians 1v3)
“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8v32)
1. I HAVE BEEN SAVED BY GOD
I have been saved by grace. “… by grace ye are saved” (Ephesians 2v5 & v8)
I have been saved through God’s mercy. “ But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” (Titus 3v4-5)
I have been saved and called according to God’s purpose. “Who (God v8) hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” (2 Timothy 1v9)
“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5v9)
2. I AM TOTALLY FORGIVEN BY GOD
I have the forgiveness of sins through Christ’s blood according to the riches of Christ’s grace.
“In whom {The Beloved i.e. Christ v6} we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” (Ephesians 1v7)
“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 1v7)
I am completely forgiven of all my sins.
“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.” (Colossians 2v13)
“In whom {His dear Son v13} we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” {no exceptions} (Colossians 1v14)
This subject is looked at more deeply in the article below:
Spiritual Blessing – Gods-Forgiveness-of-Sins
3. MY SIN PUT AWAY AND MY SINS BLOTTED OUT
“… but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Hebrews 9:26)
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3v19)
That principle is seen in Isaiah 44v22 “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.”
Spiritual Blessings – Sin Put Away And Sins Blotted Out
4. I AM CLEAN IN GOD’S SIGHT
“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6v11)
“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 1v7)
5. I AM SAVED FROM THE WRATH OF GOD
We shall be saved from God’s wrath through Christ.
“Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Romans 5v9)
“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5v9)
6. I WILL NEVER PERISH (GO TO HELL OR THE LAKE OF FIRE)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3v16)
The Lord Jesus said, “And I give unto them {My sheep v27} eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10v28)
7. I HAVE OBTAINED GOD’S MERCY
“Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Peter 2v10)
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12v1)
8. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN ABUNDANCE OF GRACE AND GRACE REIGNS IN MY LIFE
The difference between “grace” {God’s undeserved favour} and “works” {our failing efforts and good deeds to try and get God’s favour} is seen in Romans 11v6 “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”
Grace Received
“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (John 1v17)
“I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1v4)
Grace abounds over sin in my life.
“For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. … Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” (Romans 5v17, 20)
Grace reigns in my life unto eternal life.
“That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5v21)
9. GOD HAS DIVINE PURPOSES FOR ME THROUGH GRACE
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” (2 Timothy 1v9)
“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.” (Ephesians 1v11)
10. I AM IN THE LORD’S AND GOD THE FATHER’S HANDS
The Lord Jesus said, “And I give unto them {My sheep v27} eternal life; and they shall never perish. Neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.” (John 10v28-29)
11. I AM RECONCILED TO GOD
“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement {Greek ‘reconciliation’}.” (Romans 5v10-11)
“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5v18-19)
12. I AM REDEEMED
I have redemption in Christ through His blood.
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” (Ephesians c1v7)
I am redeemed from the curse of the law.
“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” (Galatians 3v13)
13. I AM JUSTIFIED (MADE RIGHTEOUS IN GOD’S SIGHT)
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. … Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. … Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” (Romans 5v1-2, 9, 18-19)
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5v21)
“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4v24)
Spiritual Blessings – What Is Justification?
14. I AM PERFECTED FOREVER BEFORE GOD
“For by one offering he {Jesus Christ v10} hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10v14)
15. I AM FREE FROM CONDEMNATION
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8v1)
“Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” (Romans 5v18)
16. I AM MADE FREE FROM SIN (AS A TASK MASTER) I AM NO LONGER A SLAVE TO SIN
“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” (Romans 6v17-18)
“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” (Romans 6v22)
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6v14)
17. I AM UNLEAVENED IN GOD’S SIGHT
“Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.” (1 Corinthians 5v7) This verse was written to the Corinthian assembly, or church, as a whole, and is therefore true of the individual as well.
18. THE LAW, IN ITS CONDEMNATORY CHARACTER, IS TAKEN OUT OF THE WAY
“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.” (Colossians 2v14)
19. I AM NOT UNDER LAW BUT UNDER GRACE
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6v14)
20. I HAVE PEACE WITH GOD
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5v1)
“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” (Colossians 1v20)
21. I WAS DEAD IN MY SINS BUT I HAVE NOW RECEIVED ETERNAL LIFE
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6v23)
“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.” (Colossians 2v13)
“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” (Ephesians 2v5)
Spiritual Blessing – Everlasting Life
22. I AM BORN OF GOD
“Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again {meaning “from above”}, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” (John 3v3)
“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” (1 John 5v1) This new life is entirely of or from God as to its source.
“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not (i.e. cannot lay hold of me).” (1 John 5v18)
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1 Peter 1v23)
23. I AM A NEW CREATION
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5v17) This is not a new personality but a new spiritual life received from God.
24. I HAVE BEEN REGENERATED
“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” (Titus 3v4-5)
25. I AM A PARTAKER OF GOD’S DIVINE NATURE
“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1v4)
26. I HAVE BEEN CONVERTED
“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted {meaning turn around}, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18v3)
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3v19)
27. I HAVE TURNED TO GOD
“For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” (1 Thessalonians 1v9)
28. I AM CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2v20)
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” (Romans 6v4-6) I died with Christ and died to the power of sin’s rule over my life.
29. I AM NO LONGER OF (OR FROM) THIS WORLD. THE WORLD IS CRUCIFIED TO ME AND I UNTO THE WORLD
The Lord Jesus said “They {the disciples – 16v29} are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” (John 17v16) This applies directly to the disciples. However as the disciples are positionally the same in Christ as any other believers in Christ, then this also applies to us.
“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (Galatians 6v14)
30. I AM SPIRITUALLY CIRCUMCISED
I have been spiritually circumcised. My old sinful or unregenerate nature has been removed: “In whom (Christ v8) also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.” (Colossians 2v11)
31. CHRIST IS MY MEDIATOR
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1Timothy 2v5)
32. I AM ADOPTED BY GOD AND SO AM A CHILD/SON OF GOD WHO IS MY FATHER
“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” (Ephesians 1v5)
“To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” (Galatians 4v5)
“But as many as received him (Christ – v10-11), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1v12)
“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3v26)
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Romans 8v14-15)
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3v1-2)
33. I AM A CHILD OF LIGHT
“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” (Ephesians 5v8)
“Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.” (1 Thessalonians 5v5)
34. IN CHRIST I AM ACCEPTED BY GOD
“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Ephesians 1v5-6)
35. IN CHRIST I AM MADE NIGH TO GOD
“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2v12-13)
36. I AM COMPLETE IN CHRIST
“And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” (Colossians 2v10)
37. I AM SANCTIFIED
“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians c6v11)
“For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.” (Hebrews 2v11)
38. I AM A SAINT
In the Bible it is God Who makes people into saints and not men.
“To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1v7)
“Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.” (Philippians 1v1)
39. I AM HOLY AND WITHOUT BLAME
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.” (Ephesians c1v4)
“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4v24)
“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” (Hebrews 3v1)
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.” (Colossians 3v12)
40. GOD HAS MADE ME PART OF HIS INHERITANCE
“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.” (Ephesians 1v18)
41. I AM SEALED BY GOD WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT UNTIL THE DAY OF REDEMPTION
“Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” (2 Corinthians 1v22)
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.” (Ephesians 1v13)
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4v30)
42. I HAVE BEEN ANOINTED BY GOD
“Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us {with the Spirit}, is God.” (2 Corinthians 1v21)
44. I AM A PARTAKER OF CHRIST
“For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.” (Hebrews 3v14)
45. I AM UNITED TO THE LORD
“But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.” (1 Corinthians 6v17)
46. I HAVE ETERNAL HOPE
I had no hope. “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” (Ephesians 2v12)
But now “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.” The hope of his calling is the eventual destiny which He had in mind for us when He called us. (Ephesians 1v18)
“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.” (Titus 1v2)
47. I AM PART OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” (Ephesians 2v19)
48. I AM PART OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
“That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.” (1Thessalonians 2v12)
49. I AM PARTAKER OF THE HEAVENLY CALLING
“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” (Hebrews 3v1)
50. I AM CITIZEN OF HEAVEN
“For our conversation {meaning citizenship} is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3v20)
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” (Ephesians 2v19)
51. I AM PURCHASED AND BELONG TO GOD
“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6v20)
“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” (1 Corinthians 7v23)
All believers belong to God and Christ “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.” (John 17v9-10)
52. I AM PART OF GOD’S PURCHASED CHURCH (MADE UP OF ALL BELIEVERS IN CHRIST) WHICH IS THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD
“Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2v47)
“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.” (Ephesians 2
2v20)
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” (Acts 20v28)
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” (Ephesians 5v25)
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” (1 Corinthians 3v16-17)
53. I AM A MEMBER OF CHRIST’S BODY
“And hath put all things under his {Christ’s v20} feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1v22-23)
“For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.” (Ephesians 5v30)
54. I AM A MEMBER OF: A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION AND A PEOPLE POSSESSED BY GOD
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar {meaning possessed} people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” (1 Peter 2v9)
55. I AM PART OF A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION
“Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2v10)
56. GOD’S POWER NOW WORKS IN ME
“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.” (Ephesians 3v20)
57. I NOW HAVE CHRIST AS MY SHEPHERD AND OVERSEER
“For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” (1 Peter 2v25)
“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” (John 10v14)
58. I AM DEARLY LOVED BY GOD
“To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1v7)
“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” (Ephesians 5v2)
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.” (Colossians 3v12)
59. I HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO GOD
I have direct access to God through Christ and in the power of the Spirit.
“For through him (Christ v13) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” (Ephesians 2v18)
I may approach God with boldness, freedom and confidence.
“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him (Christ v9).” (Ephesians 3v12)
I have the right to come boldly before the throne of God to find mercy and grace in time of need.
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4v16)
60. CHRIST IS MY ADVOCATE
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2v1) Advocate means One in heaven called alongside us to represent us to the Father.
61. CHRIST IS MY HIGH PRIEST
Christ is my high priest interceding for my weakness.
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4v14-15)
As Christ is my high priest I can draw near to God.
“And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10v21-22)
62. I AM GOD’S WORKMANSHIP
“For we are his workmanship {handiwork}, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2v10)
63. I AM A LIVING STONE BUILT UP AS A SPIRITUAL HOUSE
“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2v5)
64. GOD IS FOR ME
“What shall we then say to these things? If {meaning since} God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8v31)
65. I AM COME UNTO VARIOUS BLESSINGS WHICH ARE ALSO FUTURE
The Hebrew writer says in 12v18-21 that believers have not come to something tangible but to spiritual things as described in v22-24. While it is true that we have not yet physically arrived at this glorious future but it is where faith has already brought us.
“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.” (Hebrews 12v22-24)
(2) WHERE I AM
MY IDENTIFICATION WITH CHRIST
65. I AM CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2v20)
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” (Romans 6v4-6)
66. I DIED WITH CHRIST
“Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.” (Romans 6v8)
“Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances.” (Colossians 2v20)
I died with Christ and died to the power of sin’s rule over my life.
67. I WAS BURIED WITH CHRIST
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6v4)
68. I AM QUICKENED {MADE ALIVE} WITH CHRIST
“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” (Ephesians 2:5)
“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.” (Colossians 2v13)
69. I AM RISEN WITH CHRIST
“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2v6)
“In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” (Colossians 2v12–13)
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3v1)
70. I AM HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD
“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3v3)
71. I AM IN GOD THE FATHER
“Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1v1)
72. I AM IN CHRIST (WITH ITS ASSOCIATED BLESSINGS)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” (Ephesians 1v3)
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2v10)
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8v1)
“And ye are complete in him (Christ v8), which is the head of all principality and power.” (Colossians 2v10)
73. I AM NOW IN THE HEAVENLIES
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” (Ephesians 1v3)
“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2v6)
The “heavenlies”, or heavenly places, is used five times in Ephesians. It is the realm: of our spiritual blessings (c1v3), where Christ is presently at God’s right hand (1v20), where we are presently in Christ and so at God’s right hand in Him (2v6), the region from which angels witness God’s wisdom shown through the church (3v10) and the sphere where our current conflict is with satanic forces (6v12) which in this verse is called “high places”.
74. I AM IN THE KINGDOM
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” (Colossians 1v13)
75. I AM NO LONGER IN THE FLESH BUT IN THE SPIRIT
“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be {meaning seeing or since} that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Romans 8v9)
(3) WHO I HAVE RECEIVED
76. I HAVE RECEIVED GOD THE FATHER
Before faith in Christ we were, “Without God in the world” (Ephesians 2v12) But now God says:
“One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4v6)
“If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” (1 John 4v12)
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” (2 John v9)
77. I HAVE RECEIVED CHRIST
Before faith in Christ we were, “That at that time ye were without Christ …” (Ephesians 2v12) But now God says: “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians c1v27)
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2v20)
78. I HAVE RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT
“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be {meaning seeing or since} that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Romans 8v9)
I have been given the Holy Spirit as a seal of ownership. “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.” (Ephesians 1v13)
“Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” (2 Corinthians 1v22) The “earnest” means a pledge which is part of the purchase and given in advance as security for the rest. The Holy Spirit is the Divine pledge of all our future blessings.
“Which {the Holy Spirit v13} is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1v14) The Holy Spirit is the Divine pledge of their inheritance.
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6v19)
What a lot we have to give thanks and praise to God for!