Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for me, that I might become the righteousness of Christ. Jesus bore the sins of the world in his own body. His body died, and with it went my sin. His resurrection marked the end of the old and the beginning of the new! I have shared in the baptism of Christ's death and therefore also shared in his resurrection. For I was crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me. My sinful nature has been circumcised away, and I have now become a partaker of the divine nature!
I now live in a reality where I have authority over all evil. God has taken away the power and punishment of sin. He has reconciled me to himself through Christs flesh and I am no longer predisposed to sin, but a slave of righteousness. Through hearing the 'good news' God has renewed my mind so that I am no longer deceived in thinking that He and I are enemies. God has removed sinfulness itself, thereby making me completely righteous and Holy. I have a righteousness that come by faith not by works; now I only can boast in the Lord. I now live peacefully in His victory rather than fighting to win my own; I am more than a conqueror!
The spoils of this victory are magnificent; God has granted me everything pertaining to life and Godliness, and has seated me in heavenly places with Christ. His victory has granted me full access into the presence of God, into which I step boldly knowing that I have been sprinkled clean by the blood of the lamb. Christ himself is the source of all knowledge, wisdom, and authority. I have the mind of Christ and a heart of flesh; anything I ask for in His name shall be given to me. Because I am in Him and He in me, I can know the deep things of God, those things which Angels long to look.
The greatest treasure of them all is the gift of the Holy Spirit, who lives in me. He teaches me all things and reminds me of everything I have already been taught. The Holy Spirit attests to my Spirit that I am a child of God; He will not let me forget. Because the Spirit of Christ lives in me, I will work the same works that He did; and even greater things will I do because He is back with the Father. As child of God, imbued with power from on high, whatever I touch prospers, and I release the kingdom of heaven here on Earth.
As Jesus was sent, so to am I. I am anointed to preach good news to the poor, to set free the captives and proclaim the year of the Lords favor. Today is the day of salvation! I have been sent to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and caste out demons. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus and He now lives inside of me. All of creation has been groaning, my family and I, the sons of God, to release it from bondage.
I am a stranger, a foreigner in this land, sent out to tell all people that God reconciled them to Himself through Jesus. I pray that they believe it! Living in this foreign place, no matter the circumstances, I have learned to be content in God alone. People may hate me, persecute me, or even kill me, but the Joy of the Lord is my strength Therefore I will exalt even in my suffering, knowing that suffering produces endurance, endurance character, character hope, and hope doesn't disappoint because God has lavished His love on me.
In this life I move from Glory to glory as my mind is renewed by His grace. I ever increasingly reflect the image of God to the world; my face as a shining light in the darkness. I grow in grace until that day when Christ comes again to judge those who judge themselves; for they do not believe. It is then that my physical body will no longer limit my ability to contain the glory of God. Oh how I wait for and hasten His coming; for every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord. The joy unspeakable! He brings peace that passes understanding! He is Lord, King, Almighty God, and I am His child; an ambassador to the nations, seasoning to a bland people, a first fruit of salvation, life midst death, and a light in the darkness! The kingdom of God is at hand, it is among us!
