God has never left anything undone that needed to be done. He has never left a project unfinished, incomplete, or imperfect. And so it is with our salvation:
PERFECT SALVATION… PERFECT SAVIOR!
“And by His one perfect sacrifice He made us perfectly holy and complete for all time!”
(Hebrews 10:14, Passion Translation)
“It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people. By that single offering, He did everything that needed to be done…”
(Hebrews 10:14, The Message)
Our salvation was perfect in its design, flawless in its execution, and absolutely effective in every way… from the cross, to the grave, to the throne.
But we need the help of Holy Spirit to see and understand the whole picture. Let me explain.
THE CROSS IS NOT THE END!
We take up our cross to follow Jesus as He commanded. But we only get as far as Calvary. And there, we kneel at the foot of His cross, asking forgiveness for our sins. Of course, that’s good. To admit our need for a Savior is absolutely necessary. But that’s only the first step in experiencing the awesome power of our salvation.
We come to the cross because Holy Spirit invites us there. But He doesn’t invite us to live there. The cross was never meant to be Jesus’ final destination, and it is not meant to be ours either. There’s so much more as we follow Christ.
FOLLOWING CHRIST FULLY MEANS FULLY IDENTIFYING WITH HIM!
We must see not only what Christ did FOR us on the cross as He bore our sickness, our sin, and our shame. but on a deeper level we must identify WITH Christ, as He accomplished our salvation.
He was crucified and we were crucified WITH Him. He died and was buried and we died and were buried WITH Him. He rose from the dead and we rose from the dead WITH Him. He ascended to heaven, and we ascended WITH Him. He is seated at the Father’s right hand and we are seated at the Father’s right hand WITH Him.
Following Christ means taking every step WITH Christ, not physically, not literally, but in the Spirit.
Every step… Christ didn’t stay on the cross. He didn’t stay in the grave. He didn’t even stay permanently on the earth after His resurrection.
Following Christ means going all the way, from the CROSS, to the GRAVE, to the RESURRECTION, to the ASCENSION, and to the THRONE.
Let’s say it this way: Our path goes from FORGIVENESS to FREEDOM to FULLNESS!
WE WALK BY FAITH, KNOWING THAT:
We were crucified WITH Christ.
“I have been crucified (past tense – once for all – not daily) with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
AND we died WITH Christ.
“For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3)
Jesus was made to be our sin. He died our death, a spiritual death, separated from the Father. He took our sin, our sin-nature, and our spiritual death into the deepest, darkest dungeons of hell.
But Jesus didn’t stop there! And we won’t either.
We were made alive together WITH Christ.
“Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation)”.(Ephesians 2:5, AMPC)
“Who… was raised to secure our justification (our acquittal), [making our account balance and absolving us from all guilt before God].”
(Romans 4:25, AMPC)
“… I came that (you) may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” (John 10:10, AMPC)
AND we share His resurrection-victory over all the powers of hell!
“Then Jesus made a public spectacle of all the powers and principalities of darkness, stripping away from them every weapon and all their spiritual authority and power to accuse us. And by the power of the cross, Jesus led them around as prisoners in a procession of triumph. He was not their prisoner; they were His!“
(Colossians 2:15, Passion Translation)
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has over- come the world—our faith.” (I John 5:4 NKJV)
We ascended WITH Christ positionally, yet we are commissioned to continue releasing His heavenly power and authority into the earth through our partnership with the Holy Spirit.
⁸ “But I promise you this—the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and you will be seized with power. You will be my messengers to Jerusalem, throughout Judea, the distant provinces —even to the remotest places on earth!” ⁹ Right after Jesus spoke those words, the disciples saw him being lifted into the sky, and disappearing into a cloud!”
(Acts 1:8-9, Passion Translation)
AND we are seated WITH Him in heavenly places.
“He raised us up with Christ the exalted One, and we ascended with Him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm, for we are now co-seated as one with Christ!”(Ephesians 2:6, Passion Translation)
“Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has already been lavished upon us as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus—all because he sees us wrapped into Christ. This is why we celebrate him with all our hearts!”
(Ephesians 1:3, Passion Translation)
“And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead–Father, Son and Holy Spirit–and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power].”
(Colossians 2:10, Amplified Classic Bible)
HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD:
“Come to the cross. See your Savior’s suffering for your sickness, your sin, and your shame. See it all laid upon your sinless Substitute, your perfect Sacrifice. But don’t stay there.
Come to the tomb. See the lifeless body of the Giver of Life, the Eternal One, slain by your sin, dead with your death.
Come to resurrection life! Come to the abundant life, to eternal life! Old things have passed away. Leave them in the tomb, and come forth out of death’s shadow as a new creation, walking in newness of life.
Come further now. Come higher into your heavenly authority, becoming one who represents
me to the world, anointed and empowered by my Spirit, speaking my life-changing Word!
And finally, come all the way, into the fullness of my presence, becoming as I AM because you now see me as I AM. Sit here with me, sharing my throne as an heir of the Father, a joint-heir with me of every blessing heaven has to offer. Be filled with all the fullness of the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
This is forever and ever! Amen!”
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My wife, Grace, and I are very proud to be in partnership with Student Life Organization, Inc. We believe in the great work they are doing in Cebu City, and throughout the central part of the Philippines.
SLOI provides educational opportunities to
many physically disabled and financially disadvantaged children, helping them reach their God-given potential.
Your generous giving will help Founders Anne Ruiz, Ian Rustia and their team, as they faithfully declare and demonstrate God’s love to these children and their families.
“I mention this not because I’m requesting a gift, but so that the fruit of your generosity may bring you an abundant reward.”
(Philippians 4:17, TPT)
Would you please give today? If so, please use this link: paypal.me/anaferuiz
Thank you! We pray that you will experience God’s richest blessings as you give freely and cheerfully in Jesus’ name!
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