TRANSFORMING LOVE
GOD CHANGES YOUR IDENTITY, PART 2
HOW is the lost and spiritually dead soul made alive? “…[God]... the [Holy]...SPIRIT gives [them spiritual]... LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). “……God [makes them]... ALIVE with Christ ...[and he forgives them]… all [their]… sins…” (Colossians 2:13 NIV). “…He (she) that is joined unto the Lord (Jesus) is ONE spirit… [with God again]” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…. old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
“…apart from [Jesus] [sinful mankind]... can do nothing…” (John 15:4-6 NASB).
“…[New Creations]… are [not]... ADEQUATE IN [THEMSELVES]… to consider anything as coming from [themselves]… but [THEIR]… ADEQUACY IS FROM GOD (the Holy Spirit)…” (2 Corinthians 3:5 NASB). “…Now GOD (the Holy Spirit) GIVES [New Creations] many kinds of special abilities … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “… The ... Holy Spirit (dwells within New Creations and) ... is the source of ... all … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…There are different kinds of service to God …but it is the same GOD, (the Holy Spirit,) WHO “DOES” THE WORK IN AND THROUGH ... [new creations]... who are his… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The Holy Spirit “displays” God’s power THROUGH each [new creation]… … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…It is the ... Holy Spirit who gives [new creations]... all these gifts and powers, deciding which each one of [them] should have… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
“…It is God (the powerful, indwelling Holy Spirit) who works IN [new creations]…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). NEW CREATIONS can say: “…by the grace of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV).
God, the Holy Spirit, ALONE, makes each one of his people spiritually “...alive together with [Christ]…” (Colossians 2:13 ASV). “…apart from [Jesus] [the lost and spiritually dead soul]... can do nothing…” (John 15:4-6 NASB).
“… [He sent the ] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).
SIN is “not” just a collection of behaviors based on what you do or don’t do; sin is a symptom of what YOU ARE; a sinful nature. “...The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin that is … within me. Who will free me from this life that is dominated by [the sinful NATURE]? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
Sin, therefore, is the symptom of an INNATE CONDITION of the sinful nature. Every male and female is born with one. "…That which is born of the flesh is flesh…” (John 3:6 KJV).
This sinful nature was inherited from Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve could ONLY reproduce what they had become, FLESH, because they were SEPARTED from God, the Holy Spirit. Thus, “… all have sinned (all have this nature), and come short of the glory of God (all come short of God’s indwelling presence)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV).
“,,, [Therefore,] ...through one man sin entered (physical life without the indwelling Holy Spirit entered) into the world, and [spiritual] ...death through sin, and so [spiritual] death passed to all men [and women], for that all sinned (all have been born with a sinful nature]—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). “…All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23). “….I was born a sinner (I was born without the indwelling holy LIGHT)—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT).
However, when a person becomes a NEW CREATION in Christ, “…old things (old information that came from the sinful nature is) ….passed away…”
However, in order to build FAITH in the NEW CREATION, God’s people choose to READ GOD’s WORD, which RENEWS their THOUGHTS (MINDS) with the new information STORED or planted within their hearts by the Holy Spirit. “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:1 KJV)
Your old information that informed your thought patterns, emotions, habits, identities, and behaviors are still there, is NO LONGER in control over you. “…God declared an end to sin’s control over [his people] by giving his Son (the Word, new information) as a sacrifice for our sins..” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “...you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).
God’s people as NEW CREATIONS “in” Christ can walk in their new GOD-ESTEEM and live FREE through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…[God’s people]... can do ALL THINGS through Christ which strengtheneth [them]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
If God’s people have a “fixed perception” of self, accepting God’s love and their new identity well be a struggle. . “…When I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10 KJV). “…[God’s] strength is made perfect in weakness...” (2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV).
“…Trust in the Lord with all thine heart …” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “… lean not unto thine own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “ … In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…the Father that dwelleth in [his people], he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).
God, the Holy Spirit dwells within ALL of his people. “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell in [his people]…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…Christ in [his people] …” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). “…The Lord (Jesus Christ) is that Spirit…” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). . “...I and the father are one...” (John 10:30 KJV).
Too often, God’s people struggle, for years, trying to reconcile the NEW created-in-Christ SELF through the eyes of their long established, “fixed perception of their old self.”
The long established, “fixed perception of their old self” is DEAD. The NEW created-in-Christ self is spiritually ALIVE. “...Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there…” (Galatians 5 NLT). “… I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me…” (Galatians 2:20-21 KJV). ).“… [Your lost and spiritually dead soul was]…. DEAD and [you have been made SPIRITUALLY]… ALIVE AGAIN; [you were]… lost and [have been]… found…” (Luke 15:24 NIV). “…by the GRACE of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV).
The NEW CREATION does not and will not operate on OLD information stored in the heart. “...old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
The NEW CREATION NEEDS the new information planted in the heart by the indwelling Holy Spirit in order to empower God’s people to live HOLY and FREE. “…Thy word is truth (new information)...” (JOHN 17:17 KJV). “…Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life …” (John 14 6 KJV). “…This is the way; WALK in it…" Isaiah 30:21 NIV).
Trying to be a NEW CREATION using old information, stored in the heart, LEADS to more defeat then victory. “….Apart from [Jesus, his WORD, new information], you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
After years and years of the STORED information, in the heart, and the FIXED perception of self in the thoughts our example about believing “…you are bad…,” because HARD to change.
God’s people CHOOSE to receive and accept HIS truth about WHO they have BECOME in Christ. “… [YOU CHOOSE]... this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
Keep the old “perception of self,” which is loaded with old information, from the heart, that will become a stronghold and hindrance against the new identity. “…The sinful nature ...And the [Holy] Spirit ...These TWO FORCES (of old information and new information) are constantly fighting each other, so [God’s people]... are not FREE to carry out your good intentions. … …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Romans 12:2 KJV).
The MIND has KEPT the “perception of self” informed by the heart and it became FIXED before Christ. But now God says, “….the old things are passed away...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
God’s people are NEW CREATIONS, which means by God-given faith in God’s Word, his new information, they choose to WALK in GOD’s TRUTH about WHO THEY ARE in CHRIST.
Every time God’s people respond by faith to God’s truth about who they are RIGHT NOW; they are rejecting their old identity. “...For in him [God’s people]... live and move and have [their]... being [identity]. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring(children)...” (Acts 17:28 NIV).
The indwelling Holy Spirit starts working to enable his people, through the new information stored (planted) within their hearts, to become transformed to the image of God’s Son. The NEW created-in-Christ identity. “...But ye are not [identified] in the flesh [anymore], but in the Spirit (NEW CREATION), if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man (woman) have not the Spirit of Christ, he (she) is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness...” (Romans 8:9-10 KJV).
Therefore, believing you are a new creation becomes an exercise of God-given faith. Just like you accepted Jesus by faith; accepting your new identity by faith is the same kind of CHOICE.
When God’s people described themselves, in the past, they may have made negative statements such as “ I am mean” “I am weak,” I am prideful” “I am ugly,” “I am bad,” “I am poor,” “I am dumb,” “I am an addict,” “I am a cheater,” “I am sexually immoral,” or any of a number of identities. Nonetheless, “…If any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a NEW CREATURE …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
You have the right to identify yourself any way you choose. However, when you become a “child of God” your identity changes automatically and your description of self is based on God’s Word.
Why? “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members...” (1 Corinthian 12:27 KJV). You are “right now” God’s offspring and “…in him [you] live, and move and have [your] being (identity, reality)….” (Acts 17:28 KJV). You now describe yourself based on God’s description of you in his Word.
In the above example, the person learned to THINK of themselves as “bad,” but reads this scripture, “…There is therefore now no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1 KJV). This verse conflicts with the fixed perception they had of themselves; “you are bad”
The scripture informs them that when you belong to Christ, there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus, which means the stored information, in your heart, “you are bad” no longer applies (Romans 8:1 KJV).
God’s people are completely cleansed from ALL sin, past, present, and future, which leaves them FREE to LIVE “HOLY” as NEW created-in-Christ people. “…And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it…” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 KJV).
There is, “…now NO condemnation…” (Romans 8:1 KJV). As a saved, sanctified, and justified child of God, his people are NEW CREATIONS. Thus the old perception of self (“you are bad”) is no longer true.
God’s people can trust the information STORED (planted) within their hearts, through new information IN Christ, which brings them out of the darkness of their old identity into the light of their new identity! “... [For He]… hath delivered [you]… from the power of darkness … (Colossians 1:12-13 KJV).
“... In him we live (have spiritual life), and move (produce spiritual fruit), and have our being (have a spiritual identity as a new creation) ...For we are ... his offspring...” (Acts 17:28 KJV).
In order to WALK and LIVE in the new identity they have “in” Christ, God’s people CHOOSE to respond with God-given faith.
The example person can now say “I am NOT bad because I am not condemned (Romans 8:1). I can now do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13). Therefore, “if God says I AM holy; I AM holy” (Hebrews 10:10, 14 & 1 Corinthians 1:30).
This is how God’s people respond by God-given faith to God’s truth in order to walk in their NEW created-in-Christ identity.
The Word (new information stored in the heart through the indwelling Holy Spirit) is Spirit and God says be “…filled with the Spirit…” (Ephesians 5:18 KJV).
Being filled, with the Spirit, is not like filling a glass of water. The glass may already be filled with water, but it becomes infused with lemons, cranberries, or watermelon or something like that, which transforms the water into something altogether different.
When God says be “…filled with the Spirit…” he is actually saying let it totally transform you. It’s not complicated (Ephesians 5:18 KJV). Simply, “…Let the WORD of Christ (new spiritual information) dwell in you richly…” (Colossians 3:16 KJV). God’s people do not respond to feelings, but to spiritual truth through God-given faith.
It’s simple, like my sister/friend, Linda Wilson says, but not easy.
When God’s people say “I AM” they are either speaking of self-esteem or God-esteem. Self-esteem describes, evaluates, and reduces them to a limited perception of self.
When God’s people say “I am” in Christ. They are utilizing God-esteem to describe, evaluate, and elevate themselves to God’s unlimited created-in-Christ perception of them.
“In” Christ, when God’s people say “I AM,” they are allowing the powerful indwelling Holy Spirit to store information in their hearts that proceed OUT into their minds until it destroys every “fixed perception of the old self.” “...For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil...” (1 John 3:8 KJV). “...The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work...” (1 John 3:8 NLT).
Out of the NEWLY INFORMED heart PROCEEDS God-given thoughts about the NEW created-in-Christ SELF. Describing one’s self with the God-given information, planted within the heart, is powerful!
I AM is one of God’s names and means he IS the source of all being.
God’s people can say I AM a new creation, which means God is the SOURCE of their NEW created-in-Christ identity!
I AM a new creation, because of the SOURCE, who brings my new REALITY into existence. “ ... All things (including God’s people’s new identity) came into being (existence) through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being (existence) that has come into being…” (John 1:3 NASB). “…we exist through Him…” (1 Corinthians 8:6 NASB). “…by the GRACE of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV).
The old perception of self relied mostly on the physical realm, the rational, the logical, what is seen, or scientific proof.
It requires the exercise of God-given faith to receive and accept the NEW created-in-Christ perception of self.“…WALK BY FAITH...” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV). “…live by faith, not by sight….” (2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV).
The NEW perception of self relies mostly on the spiritual realm, the WORD, the measure of faith, what is unseen, or the indwelling Holy Spirit.
The old perception of self was created from the OUTSIDE where people and environments help store information into the heart.
The NEW perception of self is created from INSIDE where God, the Holy Spirit stores (plants) information in the heart.
The old perception of self CONFORMS a person into a FIXED pattern of fleshly behaviors gleaned from the flesh.
Whereas the new perception of self TRANSFORMS a person into a NEW CREATION pattern of spiritual behaviors gleaned from the SPIRIT.
An exercise of faith helps God’s people experience their God-esteem gifted to them through their new identity in Christ. They experience their new identity by fixing your eyes“…not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen…” (2 Corinthians 4:18 KJV).
Here is a list of who God’s people are, by faith, as NEW CREATIONS.
1. I AM chosen (Ephesians 1:11).
2. I AM forgiven (Ephesians 1:7).
3. I AM light (Ephesians 5:8).
4. I AM a New Creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
5. I AM gifted(2 Corinthians 7:7)
6. I AM hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3).
7. I AM the righteous of God in Christ (Romans 5:17).
8. I AM part of a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9)
9. I AM God’s child (John 1:12).
10. I AM made spiritually ALIVE in Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:22)
The identity of God’s people is now INFUSED with the indwelling Holy Spirit, which made them ALIVE with Christ and into NEW CREATIONS!
God’s people can actively accept their new identity by exercising their God-given faith in their NEW created-in-Christ selves. “…[God’s people] may glory through Christ….” (Romans 15:17 KJV).
God’s TRANSFORMING LOVE has freed his people from the old perception of self and its identity. His people can says: “...I AM my glorious, NEW CREATION, self “in” Christ!!...”
The old perception of self NO LONGER has power over God’s people UNLESS they, personally, choose to hold onto it “...Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life—no longer at sin’s every beck and call! What we believe is this: If we get included in Christ’s sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection. We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never again will death have the last word. When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us. From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That’s what Jesus did...” (Romans 6:6-11 MSG).
“...[God’s people]...know that [their]... old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin...” (Romans 6:6-7 NIV).
God’s people’s “perception of self” is determined by their NEW created-in-Christ perception of self, which is a SPIRITUALL identity. “...[God’s people]...however, are not in the realm of the flesh but [they]...are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in [them]... (Romans 8:9 NIV).
God’s people are now FREE to live a SPIRITUAL LIFE. Every time God’s people CHOOSE to walk in their new created-in-Christ identities, they put to death the old perception of self and are truly start living a TRANSFORMED life. “...if Christ is in [his people], then even though [their]... body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in [God’s people], he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to [their]... mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in [them]. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live...” (Romans 8:10-13 NIV).
God’s people are meant to become “...the light of the world... (Matthew 5:14 KJV). They are to, “….let [their]... light so shine before men, that they may see [their]... good works and glorify [their]... Father which is in heaven…”
Becoming a LIGHT is the way God’s people CHOOSE walk in God-esteem. “...[God’s people were NOT made to be LIGHTS to be) ...put ...under a bowl...[but to be]...put ...on [a] ...stand, and ...[give] light to everyone in the house. [They are to let their]... light shine before others, that they may see [their]... good deeds and glorify [their]... Father in heaven...” (Matthew 5:15-16 KJV).
God-esteem, through Jesus Christ, is the highest, healthiest, and most elevated perception of self that exists. If God’s people “…hold onto [his] teaching…” they will FREELY live as NEW CREATIONS while upon earth. “...If [God’s people]... hold to [his]... teaching, [they]... are really my disciples. Then [they]... will know the truth, and the truth will set [them]... free...” (John 8:31-32 NIV).
“In” Christ God’s people are NOW “…God’s masterpiece [since] he has created [them] anew…” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV). By walking in God-esteem God’s people “…can [now] do the good things [God] planned for [them] long ago….” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV).
God says, in Christ, his people are “new creatures”, then leads them to “…walk by the Spirit…” and enables them to demonstrate that“...the Spirit of God dwell[s] in [them]...” (Galatians 5:24-25, Romans 8:9-10).
True transformation becomes evident through the revelation of spiritual fruit in lives of God’s people. “...love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, [and] self-control…” (Galatians 5:22-23 ASV).
Out of the REDEEMED heart proceed “spiritual thoughts” that transforms God’s people into who they ALREADY are “in” Christ. “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “...This is love: not that [God’s loved God, but that he loved [them[...” (1 John 4:10 NIV). “… [Nothing]…will be able to separate [God’s people] from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB). He has “….loved [his people]...with an everlasting … love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV). “…There is no greater … LOVE …” (John 15:13 NLT). One of the fruit of the SPIRIT is “...love…” (Galatians 5:22-23 ASV).
GOD’S LOVE IS A TRANSFORMING LOVE. “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son (HIS expression and demonstration of LOVE) “INTO” OUR HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “..Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
Anyone “IN” Christ, “...he (she) is a new creature...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
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