There are things that Christ has done for us: who we are in Christ (realities), and there are things that God has made available for us in Christ (provisions,) which is the milk in His Word. However, both you and God must participate to bring into manifestation of these truths in our lives, and that is only possible when we follow the instructions that God has given us.
John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.
Our walk in Christianity should not be because of duty or legalism but because we love Jesus; we must be compelled by love to live a holy life.
God doesn’t love us based on our performance but because it is His nature and the proof that He loves us is the cross; our proof that we love Him is walking in obedience.
Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned-
What separated man from God after the fall was the sinful nature, but when we give our lives to Jesus, the sinful nature dies, and we become righteous not because of what we have done but because of what Jesus did for us. 1 John 3:5, Hebrews 9:26
Hebrews 8:8-9,12
The covenant in the old testament was conditional: it was based on performance. God couldn’t do anything without man doing something.
However, in the new testament, God made provision for our weaknesses that He would be merciful if we sinned. It is, therefore, our understanding of His unconditional love that takes us back to Him once we have sinned. 1 (John 2:1)
John 15;5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
The life of every branch comes from the vine; this means that the fruit that the branches (we) bear do not reveal us but the Jesus (vine) in us.
How we know that we are in Jesus is when we bear fruits and fruits are not something produced with our will power but it is a result of yielding to the leadership of the Holy Spirit which depends on our fellowship with Him.
What is inside us must find expression outside; we are here to reveal Jesus by bearing the fruit of Holiness, but that can only be possible once we stay in contact with the vine.
Ephesians 2:1, Romans 6:11
Before we come to Christ, we are dead in sin, but when we get born again, we become dead to sin because Christ lives inside us.
Sin doesn’t affect our vertical relationship with God but with fellow men. When God’s love begins to rule in our lives, it takes away the sinful nature.
Remember, man is a creature of love. This love has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit; it is, therefore, what we owe one another. (Romans 13:8)
2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] One died for all, then all died; (AMP)
We are not controlled by laws but by the love of God. If you love someone, you will not hurt them. All the commandments point us to love; if we can major in love, we shall find ourselves living a life of Holiness and righteousness that honours God.
STAY BLESSED AND HIGHLY FAVORED, WE LOVE YOU.
PASTOR BEN OCHOLA.