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By Your Words You Are Condemned

July 4, 2017

Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

If “I” (the personality man; old man; natural man) am “dead,” it cannot speak. If the Christ (my true identity) is living me, then when I speak the word “I” it is the Christ speaking and what it says can refer only to that Christ, not to the “old man” that is dead. If I say “I am sick,” I am saying that the Christ is sick because a dead man cannot be sick.

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The New Creature

Because I was an English major in college, immersing myself in British history and literature, I’ve become something of an “Anglophile.” Living in England for two years (a fantasy of mine that came true) only enhanced my fascination with all things British. I’ve recently been re-watching “Downton Abbey,” “binge watching” really. The story began to occupy my thoughts and even my dream life. I awakened during the pre-dawn hours this morning feeling very anxious and unsettled. So I came into the living room and began to quieten myself inside to listen to the Holy Spirit—not exactly an easy skill to master but, arguably, the most valuable one; for inside is where God dwells (see “Where Is God?”) and therefore where we find answers, solutions and direction.

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What Qualifies Us for “Heaven”?

Paul tells us it is our Father, and Him alone, that makes it possible for us to enjoy the “life abundant” that Jesus said He came to give us.

Colossians 1:12   Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath [past tense, not when we say or do something] made us meet [2427. ἱκανόω hikanoo, hik-an-o´-o; from 2425; to enable, i.e. qualify: — make able (meet]. to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

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Go Within and See the Invisible

Please read the contemplations The Kingdom of God Is Within and Listening from Within when you read this one.

For some time now, since it was revealed to me that I was being motivated by my ego (see “Understanding”), I have been meditating on who I would be without my ego. There is a scene in a movie, “Peaceful Warrior,” where the main character is on the top of a tower contemplating suicide, and his ego asks him that question, “Who would you be without me?”

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The New Jerusalem

Revelation 21:1-8  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

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“In” the World, But Not “Of” It

Just as we Christians do, the Scriptures refer to the world rather loosely to mean the universe (God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth — Acts 17:24 (KJV)), but most often as something we don’t want to be a part of. When speaking to the Pharisees, Jesus said, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world (John 8:23). And of His disciples He said, They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world (John 17:16).

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