The Ole Ball and Chain.

Forgiveness is one of the many things we have a hard time dealing with. Some often say, "It is easier to ask forgiveness, than it is to get permission." which is a quote from Rear Admiral Grace Hopper. 

We ask for forgiveness in situations that we have placed ourselves in but it is usually proceeded by our disregard for the situation. We knowingly choose to do something and then ask for forgiveness. 

However, when it comes to our sins we think that we can not possibly be forgiven for those. We feel like we must do something to atone for those, even though they are the same as the previous example. (That could be an entirely different discussion.) 

The wonderful thing we learn about who we are in Christ is the positional truths that we have based solely on our identification with Jesus Christ. However, this truth is most usually veiled in a series of do's and don'ts. The reality of our position in Christ is in plain sight to the reader of scripture, but it is hidden to those that simply "attend" church. 

Based on the authority of the scriptures, we can know that we have ALL of our sins forgiven the moment we trust in Christ's faithfulness which was put on display in the death, burial, and resurrection. We know that when we place our faith in what Christ did we are completely and totally identified with Him. 

His death is now our death. 

His burial is now our burial.

His resurrection is now our resurrection. 

        Romans 6:3, 4

        Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his             death? 

        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. 

Christ died and rose again that He might live unto God. The same is now true of those who have trusted in the cross work of Christ. 

We have been forgiven of ALL trespasses. 

        Ephesians 1:7

        In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the                riches of his grace; 

        Ephesians 4:32

        And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for                     Christ's sake hath forgiven you. 

        Colossians 2:13

        And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened             together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Those of us which have come to that understanding REJOICE! 

Yet, even some that come to understand that truth do not understand the guilt of those sins should be gone as well. 

How? 

Through the exact same relationship that we have the forgiveness.

If we are justified, which we are, then we are declared righteous. God has declared us righteous because we are in Christ. Righteousness is God's standard of perfection. God imputes unto us His righteousness by the faith of Jesus Christ. 

Therefore, when we trust in the faithfulness of Christ, God gives us His righteousness, which is His standard of perfection. That means that we are perfect, IN CHRIST. Because of our identification with Christ, we are given the gift of righteousness. 

All we have to do is believe the Word of God that tells us these truths. 

Saved individuals are walking around with a ball and chain strapped to their ankles, yet they hold the key to loose themselves from it. 

Trust the Word of God today. 

Grace and Peace

Greg Resor

Complete in Him

Sorry, You Cannot Fulfill the "Great" Commission

Many churches today speak of the great commission as their purpose statement.  

Mark 16:15 KJV

[15] And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

This is a great goal to have, but Peter and the 11 were not going to be able to fulfill that commission during their time until Jesus Christ comes back after the seven year tribulation period.  The bad news is, you cannot fulfill that commission either.

Matthew 10:22-23 KJV

[22] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. [23] But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. …

Notice that Christ tells them that they will not have gone over all of the cities of Israel before He comes back; therefore, they could not preach their gospel to the whole world until after Christ comes back to set up His earthly kingdom.

That means you need to go preach the gospel of the kingdom in the cities of Israel and you cannot preach it to the world until Christ comes back, which means you have to go through the tribulation period.  Notice, Christ also tells them that they who endureth to the end shall be saved.  What is the end He is speaking about?  The end of the tribulation period of course.

What if you do not want to go live in Israel?  How about some good news?  

You have a new gospel to preach.  One you can preach to the whole world before Christ comes back. One you learn about not having to going through the tribulation period. 

Did you know that Christ gave a new gospel and a new commission?

New Gospel:  1 Corinthians 15:1-4

New Commission:  2 Corinthians 5:16-21

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV

[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. [3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 5:16-21 KJV

[16] Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. [17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. [18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] 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. [20] Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. [21] 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.

Grace and Peace

Greg Resor