"Christians, Come Forth!"
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 the 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. --Romans 6:4-5
As Resurrection Sunday approaches, I find it fitting that the Lord has led me to share the subject of living in victory. Spring is the manifestation of the newness of life--with flowers beginning to bloom and many animals awakening from a long winter's slumber. Most importantly, in the springtime, we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus. It is no coincidence that His death, burial, and resurrection occurred at a time when most of us acknowledge the beginning of spring. Since the world is the Lord's and all the fullness thereof, the season that represents the newness of life is simply a type and shadow of Him.
Unfortunately, many in the body of Christ haven't come to the revelation of the deeper meaning of Christ's resurrection. Jesus didn't rise from the dead just to prove He was God. Not only was His conquest over sin and death the final proof of His deity, but in a greater way, the resurrection opened the door to life for all of us--and not only eternal life in Heaven, but a victorious life on earth.
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. [John 10:10]
During the Lord's entire life, through His birth, ministry, death, and resurrection, He was constantly urging us, "Follow Me." Therefore, if we follow Him in baptism, communion, and even symbolic death on the cross by daily crucifying of our flesh, we must also follow Him in the resurrection.
For the last several months and even more recently, much of our focus has been on the movie The Passion of the Christ. As demonstrated by the early success of this film, it appears that many people--not just Christians--are being drawn to Him. It is a testimony of the power of this Scripture: And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. [John 12:32] However, while we should never forget nor take for granted His great and loving sacrifice on the cross, (and the torture before) let us not take up residence there. Jesus is no longer on the cross; He is no longer in the grave; He is risen and lives today!
While last week's teaching on Your Identity in Christ encourages us to acknowledge who God says we are, this week's teaching will quicken your spirits off the cross and out of the grave and into a life of victory. The Lord reminded me of this great truth: Our redemption was paid for on the cross, but our victory lies in His resurrection. Too many Christians are still nailed to the cross, and have not yet risen in victory with our Lord Jesus. As Lazarus "stinketh" from having been dead for four days, many Christians reek with a stench of fear, sickness, unbelief, and lack of power and their lives are a reflection of this. Consider this verse: It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him. [2 Timothy 2:11]
Jesus said in John 5:24 that whosoever believes in Him that sent me has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.
Understanding the Anointing
1 John 2:27 says: But the anointing which you have received of him abides in you. As born again Christians, we have been anointed by the Holy Spirit to do the works of Christ. Throughout the epistles, the apostle Paul continuously exhorts us to live in the victory of the resurrection. Understanding and walking (by faith) in the anointing allows this. Verses such as I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me [Philippians 4:13], and we are more than conquerors through him that loved us [Romans 8:37] weren't given to us as a pep talk or to make us feel good. They are promises from God. However, many Christians hear these promises and liken them to a football coach trying to fire up his heavily overmatched team, knowing in his heart that his team has no chance in winning.
As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him. [Colossians 2:6]
Allow me to remind you of situation when a man of God faced a seemingly unbeatable foe. His name is David [1 Samuel 17]. The future of king of Israel was just a teenager when his father Jesse sent him to the battle to bring food to his brothers. David had already been anointed to be king and had already seen and witnessed the anointing in action with the defeats of the lion and the bear. When he arrived at the site of the battle, David heard the words of Goliath laying challenge to the armies of Israel. And while his brothers and the rest of the army of Israel stood in fear, David went to Saul and said: Let no man's heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine. [1 Samuel 17:32] And despite Saul's efforts to convince him otherwise, David picked up five stones and did battle with Goliath. We all know the rest of the story, but the deeper message is important in our lives. When the prophet Samuel anointed David as king and poured the oil over his head, this was a type and shadow of the anointing we have received in Christ through the Holy Spirit. However, instead of being anointed with oil, we have been anointed by the blood of Jesus.
What it boils down to is this: David had faith. He knew he was anointed and knew what God would do as long as he was willing to respond to the Lord's calling. No one had to talk him into it. He hadn't just gotten out of an inspirational church service. He didn't even stop to pray about it. He just did it! Do David's actions remind you of someone? It should--and this person is Jesus. He too knew He was the Anointed One and didn't hesitate or stop to pray just to make sure He was in God's will before performing miracles. He walked in the Spirit and knew there were times for action and times for prayer and rest.
The other soldiers remind me of many Christians today. They're sitting comfortably in their pews with their hands raised, but never have they been to battle. When faced with a challenge, they choose to hide and pray about it instead of walking in the faith of the anointing of the Holy Spirit and doing the works of God. King Saul and David's brothers tried to talk him out of it--saying he couldn't do it, but David believed God instead of man. Does this sound familiar? Has someone tried to talk you out of doing something God has called you to do? Think about it. Church people are our own worst enemies. They talk about power and anointing, sing about the blood, but they're too afraid to step out in faith at the risk of failing or looking foolish in man's eyes. But I tell you, David didn't just believe--he knew! And this is the difference between intellectual belief and faith. When the anointing of God comes on you, nothing can stop you in accomplishing God's purposes. David didn't say "What if?" He didn't hesitate at all. He walked in the anointing and stood up to the challenge of the devil. He lived in victory! Will you?
Let me also point out another important message within the story of David and Goliath. If you remember David wasn't sent by God to face Goliath. As far as David was concerned, his mission was simply to bring food to his brothers, then return to his sheep. He had no idea who Goliath was. It wasn't until he got there that the challenge came to him. Nevertheless, David continued to walk by faith--even when delivering lunch. The lesson here is threefold: firstly, David was walking in faith in the anointing all the time--not just when he thought he needed it. Oftentimes, God will orchestrate putting his anointed in a position to step out in faith when he hasn't had the time to prepare himself. This is what it means to walk by faith. Secondly, God knows us better than anyone and sometimes, if beforehand we know where we're called, and what we're called to do, and to whom, we might just "pray" ourselves out responding to it. Even worse, we might get counsel from another brother or sister and they prove to dissuade you from going. And thirdly, David knew that a war was going on, and despite his anointing, he did not volunteer to fight, but waited on the Lord to use him. Because of his anointing and previous conquests over the lion and the bear, it would have been easy for David, acting in the flesh, to rush to the battlefield filled with the pride his brother mentioned. I'm sure if he would have done this, Goliath would have eaten him alive.
If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes. [Mark 9:23]
Even though this occurred before Christ, David is an example of how we are to live in the victory of His resurrection. 1 John 2:20 says: But you have an unction from the Holy One, and you know all things. Unction is another word for anointing. By staying nailed to the cross, we will never truly grab hold of the anointing power He has given us by the Holy Spirit. Yes, we may have an intellectual belief, but is it sealed in your heart so that when testing comes, you will not waver in doubt and unbelief.
Several months ago, I was talking to the Lord. At the time, I was earnestly desiring the gifts of the Spirit, [1 Corinthians 14:1] especially the gift of healing. I said to Him: "Lord, if you just show me I could do it, then I would believe I could." He then very softly said: "If you would just believe, then I would show you." This simple statement spoke volumes to my heart and frankly, I've never been the same since.
Getting Off the Cross
When we examine the meaning of the cross, we learn that before His death and resurrection, the cross was a symbol of condemnation. Through the torture He endured and eventually on the cross, all of our sins, weaknesses, diseases, and the punishment for our peace was placed upon Jesus. Scripture says: Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. For it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree. [Galatians 3:13] Christ was actually made to be sin for us, so we wouldn't have to suffer the punishment for sin. For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [2 Corinthians 5:21] When Jesus cried from the cross in Mark 15:34: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? the sins of the world had been placed upon Him. Sin separates us from God and when sin was placed upon Jesus, His Father could no longer stay in fellowship with Him.
When the Bible speaks of crucifying or placing anything on the cross, it refers to condemnation, death, and suffering. While we are to crucify our flesh and die to ourselves daily (go to the cross), we are also commanded to renew ourselves (rise again) each day as well. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world. But be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. [Romans 12:1-2]
Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. [Mark 8:34]
Many Christians interpret "taking up our crosses" as bearing the burden for our own sin. This is absolutely false. Christ never intended for us to carry our sins and the condemnation (this is guilt, friends) that goes with them. On the cross, all of our sins were placed upon Him so we wouldn't have to bear the burden of them. Rather, we take our sins, burdens, fears, sicknesses, etc. to the cross in order that He can take them. Instead of referring to condemnation, the phrase more accurately describes the trials and suffering associated with following Christ. The sooner we as Christians come to the knowledge of this truth and come off the cross, we can rise from the grave in victory.
Paul writes in Galatians 2:20: I am crucified with Christ. Nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who has raised him from the dead. [Colossians 2:12]
If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits upon the right hand of God. [Colossians 3:1]
Last week's teaching on Your Christian Identity relates greatly to the crisis that is pervasive throughout the body of Christ. Because of religion, we have been taught "I'm just an old sinner, saved by grace." Sin and sinners belong on the cross--followers of Christ are risen with Him by faith in the resurrection and therefore walk in the newness of life. Therefore, it is vitally important to come to the knowledge of who we are in Christ, so that we can overcome what religion has proven to keep us nailed to the cross. As with any storm, Christ never intended for us to take up real estate in the middle of it. By His grace, we get to the other side. The same applies when we go to the cross. We leave our burdens there and rise in victory.
An Uphill Walk
There's a song by the Crabb Family that describes our daily walk in Christ. When Christ carried the cross to Calvary, it was an uphill climb. The cross was heavy. He had been beaten, whipped, spat upon, mocked, and cursed, but He didn't give up. Jesus knew the walk up to Calvary wouldn't be an easy one, but He knew it had to be done. When Simon the Cyrenian was compelled to help carry the cross, this was a prophetic illustration of our future roles. Walking with Christ will not always be easy. But the sweet taste of victory is much greater than the stings associated with the battle.
The other day, the Lord gave me an important revelation. Many Christians are comfortable staying on the cross. I know this may sound hard to believe, but if you look deeper, you will see that it is true. Walking in faith is a difficult road. As some religious teachings have poisoned Christians to believe they are nothing but "sinners saved by grace," other ones have painted a false picture of the Christian life being rosy and gleeful, filled with milk and honey. Although we have obtained victory through Christ's resurrection, it does not mean that victory does not come at a price--sometimes a great price. Living on the cross, i.e. struggling with sin, poverty, sickness, and generally being beaten down is easy in comparison to walking in faith.
Yes, our walk in Christ will be filled with great joy, but it is a battle. Many have been taught that once we're saved the fight is over. Truthfully, once we are born again, the war has only just begun. But the good news is--we have Jesus who has already given us the victory! We don't have to fight this fight alone. Jesus is there to fight with you and bring you through the eventual storms. The greatest test of one's faith comes through trials, and this is where many Christians continue to fail miserably. When the Lord gave me this to share, I asked him to provide me with a scriptural illustration where someone was comfortable staying nailed to the cross (figuratively, of course). I don't want you to conclude that I believe anyone desires to continue to struggle in life--we all want to prosper and live in victory, but in order to achieve this victory, we must first come to the knowledge of this truth, then walk in faith, or in this case we must stop whining about our problems and get to our feet. The problem is that many churches avoid teaching all the principles of living a victorious life in Christ and therefore, many Christians have been sadly deceived. This is why our own independent study of God's word is vitally important. In order to walk in the faith to live in victory, we must renew our minds daily!
In John 5, we read the story of the man at the troubled pool: Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool and troubled the water. Whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he said to him, Will you be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool. But while I am coming, another steps down before me. Jesus said to him, Rise, take up your bed and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed and walked. And on the same day was the sabbath. [John 5:2-9]
I underlined important points in these verses as we discuss how we are to walk in faith. As you read, the folks at the pool were waiting for healing to come to them. Faith doesn't sit by the wayside, waiting for his miracle. Faith pursues healing, much like how the multitudes followed Jesus. We'll discuss faith in greater detail in a subsequent lesson. The first man to step into the water after it was troubled would be healed. Therefore, for an impotent person, unless he had faith to step into the water, he had no chance of being healed. This man did not understand the operations of faith and this is why he had been impotent for such a long time. He was waiting on someone else to do the work"I have no man--to put me into the pool," he whined. "But while I am coming (probably crawling) someone else steps down before me." This man, although he desired to be healed, didn't want to get up off his bed and walk into the pool and receive his healing. He was mired in his own little pity party because someone wouldn't help him. Even if he had someone to help him into the pool, he wouldn't have been healed. The message of the pool isn't about some special water; it's about having faith to step into it and be healed.
The Lord saw that this man had been in that case for a long time. I don't believe the case refers to his impotence. Rather, it refers to his unwillingness to step out in faith. Consequently, Jesus commanded him to rise and take up his bed, which ignited the faith he already had, resulting in his healing.
Many Christians are like this man. When a storm knocks them down, they remain in their beds wallowing in their own misery instead of acting in faith and getting back up. They're comfortable like this man was comfortable. He had been impotent for thirty-eight years and for this time he was waiting for someone else to put him in the pool instead of having the faith to do it himself. Do you know someone who is like this man? Oh, yeah, it's easy to sing praises, raise hands and clap, and talk about faith when times are good, but when the storm comes, do they crawl in their beds and fail to get up because their faith wavers during time of trouble? It's what we do in response to tribulation that rightly defines our walk in Him.
Beloved, Christ died and rose to give us victory over sin and death. Our faith in this victory is what will carry us through the storms of life. The precious blood of our Lord Jesus wasn't shed in order to provide us with a means of coping with the trials in the world. Rather, He sacrificed Himself so that we too could overcome the world through Him. Jesus was encouraging us in this light in John 16:33: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation. But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.
Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.[1 Corinthians 15:54-57]
As Christians, we will face rejection from friends and relatives, ridicule, mockery, scorn, persecution, and maybe even abuse because of our faith in Christ Jesus. But this shouldn't surprise anyone who walks with Christ because He warned us it would happen. Again and I can't stress this enough--the true test of our faith walk in Christ is revealed through trial.
I think the apostle Paul wrote it best in 2 Corinthians 4:7-11: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body they dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
We are more than conquerors through him that loved us, but we must get off the cross and out of the grave and follow Jesus in the resurrection in order to realize this victory. Through the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that rose Christ from the dead, we too are resurrected in His likeness and given power to do greater works than Christ did. [John 14:12] Please don't forget this truth.
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint. [Isaiah 40:31]
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