New Creation - Conclusion

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. Galatians 6:15

Greetings to you all in the matchless name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the one who loved us, washed us through His precious blood, cleansing all our sins, made us Kings and Priests before God the Father. To Him, all praise, majesty and glory ascribe. By the grace of God, I am completing the New Creation series. As per the title verse, every true disciple of Christ is a New Creation and that's what matters the most. A person who is born again through the Word and Spirit of God. He walks in His ways. Psalm 119:3

God sees the inside and not the outside. It means how we project ourselves in front of others never matters to God. He sees the beauty of the soul and rewards each one accordingly. Jesus spoke about entering the narrow gate in Matthew 7:14 and then He also spoke about the false prophets who are after money and said to identify them through their fruits not by their outward actions and then He also mentioned that there are many people who say that they prophesied, cast out devils and worked miracles in His name but Jesus would tell do them depart from me, you worked iniquity. So, those who are not showing Jesus to people instead project themselves in the name of Jesus for name, fame and money making would be cast out. So, it is all about being real for God. Same way, there will be preachers who are blinded by the law and whose eyes were not opened on what Jesus has accomplished on cross. Hearing their preaching is useless as it only brings condemnation to the believers and will not bring transformation that God expects from the inside.

Dear reader, God first expect you to grow as a new creation in Christ. Then, He will use you and touch many people through you. Get yourself trained in the Word of God. Make your foundation on the Word as Jesus mentioned in the same chapter Matthew 7:24-27. If the Word of God indwells inside you, then it means that the Spirit of God dwells inside you and the Lord will work through you. You will inherit all the blessings that God has in store for you in eternity. Not only that, you will get all your needs met in this life as well. Matthew 6:33. If there is something short for you, if you have some ongoing trouble for you, remember Jesus know it all. He is watching over you and God will meet all your needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19. Remember how Jesus asked His disciples with care and concern "did you lack anything?" before His departure in Luke 22:35.

If you are a new creation and walking in the spirit, you will have the power of the Holy Spirit manifesting in your lives to overcome all the temptations and tribulations. It will be very difficult to go through the temptations and tribulations that you may even think it would be better to die instead of living through the moment. But, remember that as per James 1:12, let's resist temptation and get the promised crown of life. Blessed  is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

So, be cheerful. Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7. I am telling you again you will be richly rewarded in heaven and you will share the eternal joy with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Now as a new creation, you have a goal towards which you have to run with patience and the goal is Christ Himself who is the author and finisher of faith. Just refer to those who have already finished the race as faithful witnesses. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset  us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of  our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1,2

There is one more thing which we are called to look unto the price of the eternal life. Nothing in this world should really took your attention from that goal such that we should push forth to that. Paul says this is the blessed hope in Titus 2:13 as Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ. When He returns all the sufferings that we endured here will vanish in a moment and we will be taken to live with Him in eternal joy for ever and ever. Let's look forward to the resurrection of dead and the transfiguration of living saints when our Lord returns for the Church. "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive  and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 4:16.17 and same is referred to in 1 Corinthians 15:51-55.

Let's look forward for the blessed hope and it is not very far and it is going to happen in our life time as we are nearing the 2000th year mark of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. I bless every one who reads this and all the new creation series in the name of the Lord and may God glorify you through His glory. I will definitely write many more short articles that the Spirit reveals to me and motivates me to write from time to time.  All glory, honor, praise to the Father through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

New Creation - Overcoming the opposition

To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Rev 3:21

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It has been a long time since I wrote the last article and I am really glad to resume with the articles. I didn't find the right time and mindset and focus to continue on articles. By the grace of God, again I found the motivation to continue. I am writing this on September 8, 2019. We are about to close the new creation series and this is the penultimate chapter and with the next chapter we will get into conclusion.

If you have gone through the new creation series, you could have identified that Christianity is not religious based movement instead it is all about the relationship with the true triune God through His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The real goal of the Christian life is to lead a life like Christ, walking in the spirit, giving fruits, reflecting the nature of Christ and that won't happen without a continuous connection with the Holy Spirit. The connection with the Holy Spirit cannot go proper without a clean conscience so we need to walk pure with the clean heart in order to live a life like Christ.

Having said that, we have seen that there is an opposition in our lives here and the opposition comes from the world, our flesh and the devil. There are three types of problem that are in the world that impacts us lust of eye, lust of flesh and pride of life as per 1 John 2:16. So, there are temptations and troubles coming our way when we try to lead a Godly life as per 2 Timothy 3:12. In the past couple of articles, I have wrote about protecting ourselves from the temptations and withstanding troubles. In this chapter will try to focus on how to overcome the opposition.

First to overcome the temptations, we need to have the clear motive set in our mind and the motive is to attain the same glory of Christ in the eternal life. Our motive shouldn't be just getting into the heavens but we need to fix our eyes on what are all promised to us in the life which is to come. Even Jesus fixed His eyes on the eternal joy on the right hand of the Father which is set forth in front of Him and endured the cross. Hebrews 12:2 So, if we follow the role model of Jesus, we will overcome for sure. Please check the blessings of the overcomers in the messages to the Churches of Revelation and we have to fix our eyes on those eternal blessings. This must be our motive.

Secondly, we must know about how to fight the battle. Paul equates Christian life to three different types, warfare, wrestling and race. The first is the spiritual battle in Ephesians 6 where the new born Christian should be aware of the spiritual armor. The belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet with preparation of gospel of peace, helmet of salvation, shield of faith and sword of spirit, which is the Word of God. But, we should be aware of the opposition as well which is principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of this world and spiritual wickednesses of high place. Secondly, Paul sees a Christian life as wrestling and he instructs Timothy to wrestle in a right way 2 Timothy 2:5. So, we need to wrestle not with flesh and blood but against all the temptations and troubles that are brought against us by the opposition. Thirdly, Paul sees the Christian life as a race as he writes in 1 Corinthians 9:24, Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. and Why because to obtain an incorruptible crown. So, Paul says "But I keep under my body, and bring  it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." I Corinthians 9:27.

There are two kinds of people in every sport or game, One is players and another is Spectators. Only the winning player or team will get the prize but the spectators won't get anything. Today, most of the Christians are just spectators but only those who enter the race and overcome will get the eternal rewards. So, if you are troubled and tempted a lot because of your Godly life, then remember that greater prize awaits. Whenever you decline a temptation down for the sake of the Lord, His name is glorified and you will be eternally glorified. Remember even Christ said the same thing that there will be troubles for you in this world, but remember that I overcame the world. So, if you run your race, walking by spirit, bearing fruits and reflecting Christ in your life, you will surely be equivalent of Him as John says "but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." I John 3:2. Remember we are called to be overcomers and not settle for just average Christian life and the goal of Christian life is to be Christ like in this world so that we will be like Him in the coming life as well.

If you have this mindset and if you are in communion with the Holy Spirit, then you will surely reach there. There is only one thing which could stop you from reaching the eternal glory and that one deceiving this is the desire of money. There are two examples, one in Old Testament and one in New Testament who were greatly regarded but had fallen from their positions. Most of you would have guessed the New Testament example who is the famous example of Judas Iscariot who lost his position because of the desire for just 30 silver pieces. But, it is difficult to guess the OT example. The perfect example is Balaam, the prophet who had a great vision and revelation. In Numbers 24, he prophecied about Jesus and he also mentioned that his spiritual eyes were opened Numbers 24:3. This was a great gift that not even many great ministers of God had. But, even if his spiritual eyes were opened, his heart was on money so that he gave an evil counsel to Balak, the moabite king to make the daughters of moab to commit adultery with Israelites and made Israelites to eat and worship things that were offered to idols. Rev 2:14. His eyes were darkened as per Exodus 23:8, Deut 16:19. Finally, Balaam was killed in the battle by Israelites and he didn't die a death of righteous as he desired once. Numbers 23:10, 31:8. Peter and Jude quoted Balaam on a wrong note and Jude says that only blackness and darkness was kept for such people for ever. Why ? All because of love of money. Samson and David committed adultery but still they were recorded in faith giants in Hebrew 11. But, it is the love of money which is a slow but definite killer.

Keep yourself girded and walk in love, truth and after the Spirit. You will lead a true Christian life which is a born again life, having your soul regenerated every day with the Word of God. May you reap rich blessings in heaven. Let's give all glory, honor and praise to God the Father through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and forever. Amen.

New Creation - Caution against backsliding

Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. I Cor 15:12

Greetings to you in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let's continue the New Creation study and there are just 2 or 3 more chapters in New Creation series and we will go to plenty of excited topics there after. God gave plenty of revelations over the past few years and I will start to share them going forward. This chapter is fully going to be a sound of warning and caution for every believer who is living as a new creation. In the last chapter, we saw that we have an enemy who always tempts us until we live in this physical body and all his tests and trials are to pull us back towards our older life and the sinful ways. This could be a continuation from the last chapter.

Paul cautions the believers saying whoever thinks that he is walking upright in the Spirit should be careful that he shouldn't fall again. So, let's see how we can see that we can protect ourselves. The Word of God says, "And every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure."I John 3:3. So, if we have right spirit of faith in God, we will protect ourselves carefully from the temptations. The person one who is a matured new creation and one who walks in the Spirit knows how to do that. Again Paul says, if you live by your flesh, you will die and if you destroy the works of the flesh by your spirit, you will live. Romans 8:13. Let's see how we can put that into action.

I think I had written a lot about temptations, about body, soul and spirit in my earlier chapters. Please refer back to TTT and Overcoming temptations and lust chapters for the details. But, in a short summary, when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, their physical eyes were opened and spiritual eyes were blinded. God created them as a spirit man who could control their soul and body. So, the spirit is like a master, the soul is like a servant and the body is like a slave. But, when they sinned, the fleshly body took over as master, the soul the servant and spirit became slave. So, we are all slave to sins and our spirits were dead. But, when Jesus was dead and rose from the dead, "He hath quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins" Ephesians 2:1. Those who were believe in Him were saved and their spirits were born again and their spirit became master again and body became slave. But, this truth is not known to people yet. You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. John 8:32.

Now, the spirit still lives in flesh and the body still has its cravings for worldly pleasures. So, we are often tempted. When James quotes this, he writes it step by step, saying every one is tempted by his own lust, then when temptation becomes fulfilled, it gives birth to sin and when sin is fulfilled, it leads to death. James 1:14-15 and then he says Do not err, my beloved brethren James 1:16 to warn us.

So, the very first step to avoid backsliding is to figure out temptation points and avoid them. For example, if a drunkard is delivered from his drinking habit and when he is a new creation in Christ, he will still be tempted to go and drink back. But, how he can avoid the temptation. To stop going in the ways of the liquor shops, to stop meeting the friends who were his drinking partners. If he strictly practices these two steps, he can avoid the temptation which is a very good way of keeping ourselves pure. If lust is our problem, then we should keep our eyes from seeing wrong things.

Even if we carefully avoid temptations, the devil will try to bring more temptations. Now, how do we deal with that. So, we need to know how that temptation enters into us. If we observe, all the temptations enter through our mind. So, we shouldn't keep our mind idle. If we keep our mind idle, surely the temptations would enter and eventually we will commit sin. So, we need to keep our minds occupied with the Word of God, fellowship, meditation, our work and our family thoughts. If the temptation thoughts come at night before sleeping, memorize the scriptures and recite them until you get sleep to overcome those thoughts. It works. This is also temptation avoidance.

But, somehow if we are caught in temptation and yielded to it, now we need to break the temptation cycle. That is we need to stop the birth of sin by running away from it. Remember Joseph how he ran when things crossed the limit. We should keep ourselves in that position. Next, even if you miss this step and sin enters, remember not to fulfill it. Say for example, if you had slipped seeing an attractively dressed woman in your computer screen, if you close the window, it is like not sinning. But, if you click that link and if that takes you to another page where more explicit content is shown at you, then it will surely attract. At this point, you started to sin. But, even at this point you still have your conscience telling you it is wrong. You have to immediately feel that God is watching over you and looking deep into your heart at this moment. If you get this thought, immediately you will close the window and walk away. This is not fulfilling the sin even if you had fallen into trap. But, once you dig deep you have fulfilled the sin and surely it will lead to spiritual death. Wait, there is always return through repentance and then you can avoid. God will keep forgiving and cleansing you. But, if you had that habit, then slowly your conscience will go wrong and if that happens then it would be very difficult to repent and return back to God. Then, you will start to enjoy sin and you will be in a position where you love to sin more and avoid God. You will feel like, "ok, just this time. I may repent and return later. God will forgive so that's ok." You know what could happen eventually, you will be totally disconnect from God just enjoying sinning and forgetting what you had been once. This is the worst situation that could happen to the new creation which is called backsliding.

That's why it is best to avoid temptations at first point. One who practices that actually rules his body and he is the one who is lead by Spirit of God and then called the son of God, co inheritors with Christ. Romans 8:14-17. This doesn't come just like that but after a hard battle. But, God helps you in this battle to overcome. All you have to do is spend quality time with God through His Word everyday. That gives you power to overcome. God will help you but we have our own  responsibility as well to carefully protect the new creation. God will help the new creation believer to avoid temptation, but if he deliberately does that then he is called a dog or a pig.

I will give you the verses that give caution and warning against backsliding and close this chapter. All the apostles and prophets who explained the grace and truth of God warned the believers too against backsliding. The main verse is our title verse where Paul says whoever thinks He is standing should not fall. Even if we fall at times, we should try to come back again to new creation. "For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again" Proverbs 24:7. Scripture clearly says the judgement is for those who deliberately sin after delivered from that, For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." Hebrews 10:27,28. The book of Hebrews also says, "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come. If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put  him to an open shame." Hebrews 6:4-6. Next, Peter says these people are like dogs and pigs as follows, For if after they have escaped the pollution of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known  it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog  is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." 2 Peter 2:20-22. Read this entire chapter to get more understanding. Finally, Jude in his single chapter says "Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds  they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withers, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever." Jude v 11-13.

So, God will help you to overcome temptations and keep you from backsliding. But, you too need to keep yourselves connected to God so that you will not go astray. We will further connect in the next chapter which is Overcoming the opposition. All glory, honor and praise to you Father through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

New Creation - Withstanding Trials and Temptations

God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. I Cor 10:13

Greetings to everyone in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am glad to resume the New Creation series this year. There are plenty of new revelations I want to cover. But, I was stuck in this series for so long, around 1.5 years. There are few more chapters I have to cover and then we will be done with New Creation. We have seen about the goal of the New Creation in Christ in the last two articles, that is bearing fruits for Christ and walking in the Spirit fulfilling God's will. Now, in this chapter we are going to see what are the problems and troubles we face in the new creation life. We have to remember that each new creature in Christ have a common enemy in satan and the world. Both will fight in every possible way to make the new creation go weary and side track from fulfilling the God given goals. The main goal of trials and temptations that come from the enemy is to make us tired, lose the faith and then go back to the older ways of living thereby rendering us ineffective. We may remember the words of Jesus to Peter the night before our Lord's crucifixion. "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Luke 22:32. So, we understand that the main goal of satan is to disturb our faith in God.

To learn more about the trials and temptations, please read my earlier chapters, TTT and Overcoming Temptations that I wrote in July and August 2017. Now, let's focus on the ways that the devil attacks the new creation. Being aware of the different ways make us ready to fight and give us half victory even before the test starts. There are essentially four main ways the devil uses to pull us back to the older ways. The first one is temptation. Temptation is about pulling back to worldly pleasures by hitting at the weak points of our old man. We should be aware even the inner man is born again and became a new creation still we live inside the old body which is prone to our older weaknesses. The lust of eyes and lust of flesh play main role in temptation. You may read more about the temptation of Eve and temptation of Jesus in my earlier chapters. In this, the devil will remind us of our older sins, attempt to throw new temptations to pull us back. Remember temptations are not sin in itself but it will lead to sin and we have to resist and reject the temptation to avoid sins. The primary weapon to overcome temptation and lust is knowing the Word of God and applying correctly to the situation. Please refer to my article on overcoming lust that will help a lot to fight back lustful thoughts. The Holy Spirit help you to overcome the temptations through the Word of God which is the Sword of the Spirit. Ephesians 6:17

The second one is trials and troubles. Often the devil will be attempting to bring in lot of troubles in our family, work or profession or through any other external ways. If that doesn't work, he will try to affect our health or the health of our family members. Remeber how satan tested Job. If not, then he will bring some quarrels and unnecessary strife between our family members or friends and try to target our peace. Be aware that these things will happen for sure because it is written that, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" 2 Tim 3:12. If you are going through this, remember Jesus is with you and He will deliver you at the appropriate time as He delivered Paul. "Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me." 2 Tim 3:11. The title verse shows that God will make a way to escape. But, pray fervently when you go through these situations that God will strengthen your faith. God will eventually deliver you from all troubles. These troubles are very much needed to bring us more glory. Remember a Goliath is needed for David so that he can eventually become a king. Same way, the worst troubles will help to exalt our faith and give us more eternal glory. 2 Cor 4:17. Peter also writes "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:" I Peter 1:7

The third approach the devil takes is to make us feel tired, bored and worried when we wait for our Lord to prepare us. He will make situations such that we often get into troubles and temptations so that we grow weary and distract from God seeking our own ways instead of pursuing God's ways. Often we feel like there is nothing happening from God's side and even we think whether God hears our prayers, whether God supports us during our distress, whether He loves us any longer. It may look like God is turning His face away from us leaving us to fight the battle all alone. But, all these thoughts are complete lies from the devil through the situations so that we walk away from faith or return to our older ways of living. How do we stay focused through all these situations and thoughts? Faith comes to the rescue. The stronger faith will overcome situations like this. It will always go back to the Word of God and through prayer and faith fighting back the situation. The Christian life is all about fighting like a warrior, staying strong like a wrestler and run our race like an athlete. Eph 6:11, 2 Tim 2:3-5 and I Cor 9:26. So, with practice comes endurance. Practice with Word of God and going through the situations strengthens your faith. This is a real test of a matured Christian character. You have to remember the metamorphosis process where a worm go through difficult changes and emerges out as a beautiful butterfly.

If you have overcome the first three obstacles, it will be a great journey and now you are a real tool in the hands of our Lord. 2 Tim 2:20,21. The fourth and rare attack of the devil is to make you feel proud of your successes and make you stagnant feeling you had achieved greater things. The spiritual proud and fame will pull down us from greater heights. I am seeing great and wonderful pastors and ministers and young musical talents who were bestowed with anointing of God's talents taking a different path and enacting the worldly styles and falling for heroism and misdirected from their direction. We have to remember one thing that Paul said in Philippians 3:22,23 he is not thinking he had already attained the goals and forgetting the past and reaching forth unto coming things, pressing on goals until the life endures. We are yet to make it to heaven and that comes either with our death or transfiguration when the Lord appears. The eternal rest and glory comes thereafter. But, until then we should remember the race is still on. We need to be watchful on the attacks that we are going through in order to overcome them.

I believe these are certain ways to overcome various fiery darts fired at us from the wicked. Ephesians 6:16. There is one central mandatory truth we must remember in order to succeed. That this new creation is entirely started by God and we are not fighting alone. I just think this verse whenever I face any of the above difficulties and that verse is, "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." 2 Timothy 1:12. This assures me that our Lord is faithful to make our run successful and bring me to eternal glory. Its not me but it is He who called me and I am sure that He will fulfill His calling and that makes me to keep at rest. Same thing applies to you as well if you are serious about New Creation.

Dear believer, if you feel like you are going through lot of sufferings and pains in this world, be assured that you have double portion awaiting in the next world. But, fight the good battle of faith. Remember the one who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world. Final Victory is going to be ours. Our Lord fights the battle for us. One who called us for this new creation life is faithful and trust Him. He will be giving rest to you. May God's name be glorified. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. All glory, honor and praise, I give to you Father through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.