TOPIC: OPERATING THE HIGHER LIFE IN
CHRIST DATE: 01 -05-2016
TEXT: COL. 1:12-14; 1 PETER 1:18-19
Salvation is a movement from the
lower realm of life in the world into a higher realm of life in Christ.
Redemption and forgiveness of sin were obtained through the blood of Jesus
Christ. The life of Christ was offered as a ransom for our redemption. It was
an eternal redemption that flows to all generations of mankind (Mark 10:45).
The value and integrity of our redemption cannot be corrupted because of the
kind of price paid for it (1 Peter 1:18-19).
We were not redeemed with corruptible
things like money (which loses value and purchasing power) but by the precious
blood of Jesus Christ – A lamb without blemish and without spot.
We were chosen in
Christ before the world began, even before Adam was created. It was not after
Adam’s sin that God determined our redemption; it was before the foundation of
the world. Before there was Satan, sin and death, God already had the plan of
redemption in place. The plan of redemption was put in Jesus Christ. To operate
in the Higher or Superior life in Christ Jesus we must have a working knowledge
of what Jesus Christ has accomplished for us via the work of Redemption.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF REDEMPTION
1. We have been made accepted in the
blood of Christ (Eph. 1:4-7)
This forms the basis of our holiness and purity. They are attainable
when we are in Christ. Jesus’ coming to the earth was to execute the blue-print
of man’s redemption. No effort of man to be holy or maintain the highest level
of morality can meet God’s standard of holiness and righteousness. On the
cross, a divine exchange took place: Jesus took our sin and gave us His
righteousness (2 Cor.5:21). Receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of
righteousness and reign in life (Rom.5:17).
2. Redemption makes it possible for man
to receive and enjoy the free gift of God; which is eternal life.
Eternal life is the ultimate gift to humanity in Christ
Jesus. It is the heart of Christianity. In Adam we all died, but now in Christ,
we have been made alive (1 Cor. 15:21:22). The Higher life in Christ is powered
by the highest level and quality of life ZOE. This life was implanted in every
born again believer at the instance of his accepting Jesus Christ as the Lord
of his life. His/her human life (psuche) was replaced with eternal life (Zoe)…
1John5:11-13.
3. Jesus, through His redeeming mission
has taken away sin (John 1:29).
The scriptures give us understanding that sin is primarily a
nature that expresses itself in sinful acts. We can deduce from the above that
sin is not a behavioral problem, but a nature. The work of redemption deals
with the sin issue from its root by offering us an opportunity to have a change
of nature. It is therefore wrong to subject people to spiritual, mental and
physical drills to free them from sin or behavioral challenges in the name of
deliverance. Teach them Jesus Christ and the realities of His accomplishments
in our redemption, their minds will be transformed to operate in the Higher
life we have been translated into. When a believer attains the realm he begins
to see sinful tendencies and acts as bringing him/herself into lower things. It
is only dogs that return to their vomit.
BY. REV.
SONGO WHYTE
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