The Shack

I am currently reading "The Shack"

Really enjoying this fictional work loaded with Spiritual truths!

First called "Christians" in Antioch!

(repost)

Since the Church was birthed on Pentecost, many have only embraced a Historical Jesus versus The Indwelling presence of the "Anointed One." In-"Christ" (Christos-Anointed One)

Interestingly enough, The Disciples were first called "Christians" in Antioch............................Why?

It is well known that Saul, who was later to be called Paul, spent (14) fourteen years in Tarsus developing his trade as a (tentmaker). Moreover, as Saul was growing in a practical sense, he also was being given/ministered to, by the Holy Spirit a far deeper Revelation, which would ultimately change the World.

You may ask, well, what was this great "Revelation"? Listen to Paul's own words inspired by God in His Epistle to the Church of Ephesus.

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. (Eph. 3:1-12) nasb

Again, what is this mystery?

I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in me/you, the hope of glory. (Col.1:25-27)nasb

Now, Saul/Paul, after (14) fourteen years, was hunted by Barnabas and brought from Tarsus to Antioch. And it was here, that a large number of people assembled over the course of a year, and Paul ministered this New found Mystery, which had now been revealed which is Christ In Me,the hope of Glory..............................and in Antioch the Disciples were first called "Christians" (Christ- In- Ones).

(It is my prayer, that "all" will begin to embrace,the Reality of Christ-In me, versus the Historical Jesus of the past, and the word "Christians" will be known,as it was known in Antioch... Amen)

There is only one Life-Leader!

“Don’t set people up as experts over your life, letting them tell you what to do. Save that authority for God; let him tell you what to do. No one else should carry the title of ‘Father’; you have only one Father, and he’s in heaven. And don’t let people maneuver you into taking charge of of them. There is only one Life-Leader for you and them—Christ.” (The Message)

You Have Overcome

Check out Paul Rupe's new Blog and word below:

I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 1 John 2:13-14

In a day of deliverance ministries and demon hunting very few preach that believers have already overcome the devil. The believers victory over Satan is exactly what John is speaking of in our text. One interesting thing to consider is that you will never find one single case of any believer, after the cross, ever being possessed by a demon or trying to break a generational curse from off their life.

It's important to remember that in Christ you are perfect and complete (Colossians 2:10), there is no struggle because you are seated in the heavens with Christ - Satan is under your feet (Ephesians 1:20-21.)

Many Christians approach the devil in anger, rebuking and commanding him when in reality often this is just an exercise in fear; while there is a warfare present, the battle as we have seen previously, is in the mind.

The Truth is that Satan is terrified of the one that realizes their power and position in Christ; Satan knows that for the mature believer there is no struggle, there is no trying to be victorious because the believer rests in the fact that Jesus has already defeated and destroyed the enemy through His work at the cross. John says in 1 John 3:8,

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Paul the apostle writes in Colossians 1:12-13,

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son:
The Greek word for "Darkness" in this verse is "Skotos" and means, "1) darkness a) of night darkness b) of darkened eyesight or blindness 2) metaph. a) of ignorance respecting divine things and human duties, and the accompanying ungodliness and immorality, together with their consequent misery in hell b) persons in whom darkness becomes visible and holds sway"

If you are in Christ you are in the light in whom there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5) If you were to walk into a dark room and flip on the light switch, what happens? The darkness flees! In the same way the powers of darkness can't get close enough to the light that you are without having to flee - Light always over-powers darkness.

Dear believer, I would encourage you to stand firm in the faith and realize your victory in Christ. More on that tomorrow...