Tag Archives: Alive

What Did Happen?

The reality of our state of affairs as believers poses a difficult yet valid question: “If I have truly died to sin, why do I still feel so alive to it?” This really is mysterious. But don’t think you’re the only one who feels this way; it’s not an uncommon problem by any stretch of the imagination.

Ask yourself a different question: “just what did happen to me when I became that new creature in Christ? What’s this life all about?” The answer to this question lies in the fact that it’s not about what we do or don’t do. Rather, it’s about who Jesus Christ is and what He has done.

No, this doesn’t relieve us of all personal responsibility. Of course not: “How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:1-2) But it does mean that the foundation for our relationship with God has been laid by Him alone, not by anything we can do in and of ourselves. “Oh, I believe that,” you might say—but do you really? Do you really believe that your union with God isn’t actually somehow rooted in trying to be good?

Grace And Knowledge

My child, grow in the grace and knowledge I have given you. My unmerited favor is extended to all who come to Me. My word is available, alive and active. Come and sit in My Presence. Soak in al the love, grace, mercy and joy that I am offering you today. Rest in Me today. It’s where you find peace in this world.            2 Peter 3:18

An Empowered Body

Paul tells us in Romans 8:10-11, “If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

How can our body be spiritually dead because of sin and alive at the same time? Does this merely refer to our glorified bodies when resurrected? I think that may be part of it, but I believe it also means that our physical bodies are being made alive in the here and now. How? By being given the capacity to fulfill our purpose here on earth, in our flesh, by the power of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence. It’s His power that makes it all possible!

Fulfilling Our Purpose

God’s presence within our spiritual being is the basis not only for communion with Him, but is also the foundation for ultimately fulfilling the purpose for which we were created in at least three significant ways:

First, only those who are alive in their spirit are capable of worshiping God in the way He desires.(1 Corinthians 2:10 & 12)   

Second, only those spiritually alive can receive the impartation of God’s truth. For only through our spirit can we gain knowledge of the truth that He otherwise leaves shrouded in mystery.(Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians12:7-11, Ephesians 4:11)

Third, God reaches through His children to draw a hurting and dying world to Himself. We actually become His hands and feet as He manifests Himself to the lost around us. And our job here on earth encompasses not only reaching the lost, but also being used to build up Christ’s body, the Church. But in no way are we capable of handling this job in our own strength. We can do it only by the gifts and ministries He gives to each one of us individually.(Romans 5:12) Our spirit is the port of entry, the staging area, and the jumping-off place of these gifts.

Excerpted from: Free from the Power of Sin: The Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself