CONDEMNATION / DAMNATION...NOT THE SAME!!!

Woah... one thing we need to understand here is that Condemnation and Damnation are NOT the same thing. You argumentative religious hobbyists can go home now!

We read in John 5:29 that those who have 'not done good' come forth to the resurrection of damnation. KJV. Now Wait just a minute. We know that we are all saved in Jesus Christ. By Grace. Not based upon any thing we have done, good or evil. We know that we all... humans.. were chosen by Christ, and in Christ before the foundation or creation of the world. We know that God so loved the world. Jn.3:16.

We know that all of Adam's family are under the curse of death and condemnation by Adam's sin and fall. We simply inherit that penalty. But... we know that in Jesus that death penalty has been overturned and we are accepted into Jesus' life and receive real LIFE IN JESUS. We are transformed from dead to living in Jesus. I cor. 15:22. We know that this applies to ALL living humans who have ever lived. Eph.1:3-14.

We know also that none of us are any longer under any condemnation in Jesus as Romans 8:1 tells us. So we see all are saved and reconciled in Jesus, we are no longer under any condemnation and have passed from death to life, John 5:24, and are alive in Jesus. So what is this damnation all about?

Simply, if one refuses to accept who he or she is in Jesus and what all He has done for them, then by that refusal they simply will continue to live in a state of damnation or self sufficiency and misery and suffering and perishing and weeping and gnashing of teeth for as long as it takes for them to "see the light" and accept who they are in Jesus and come into the party of heaven.

There is NO condemnation in Jesus. The whole world is under condemnation or death due to Adam's sin and fall--I Cor.11:32--but Jesus has released all of humanity from under that death condemnation through belief in Him and Who we all are in Jesus. There is damnation of self choice by those refusing to accept and believe who they are in Jesus, and that denial and suffering can go on forever--and the Bible calls that HELL.

Good News...Huh?

Paul
256-468-8081
Madison, AL
www.newlifewcg.org

ASCENSION SUNDAY. WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?

Sunday was Ascension Sunday. One of the six great feast days of the Christian Church.
Why is it so important and what does it mean for all of us--all of humanity?
It was placed in the church in around the 300's A.D. before the Catholic Church was ever recognised. It was placed to declare the BODILY ASCENSION of Jesus Christ into Heaven. Jesus remains forever human in His eternal existence in His humanity.

In Acts 1:10-11, the angel said, " this SAME Jesus who you see ascending into heavens will come again ." The Feast of Ascension or Ascension Sundany, ( May 16th this year,) declares the bodily resurrection and ascension of Jesus into Heaven.

This is important for all of us--humanity--for it is in the ascension of Jesus that He takes all of us in His ascension and places all of us at the Father's right hand along with himself. ( Ephesians 2:6).

Not only this, but since Jesus is still human in his existence, we will also be human in our eternal existence with a "spiritual body" of flesh and bone which appears 'physical" and without physical limitations. Not subject to decay or death. See I Cor. 15.

In a sense, the Ascension of Jesus validates the entire Gospel which concludes with all of mankind residing at the right hand of the Father with Jesus, a position of highest love and respect the same as the Father has for Jesus himself.

In our state of Union with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit IN Jesus we will have, as Paul describes in I Cor. 15, our own 'spriitual body' which will appear 'physical' and without physical imitations. We will be able to do all of the things we do now but only better with a 'glorified' body made of spirit but appearing physical.

Ascension Sunday and the ascension of Jesus to the right hand of the Father and taking all of us with Him is vital to our understanding of the Gospel.

A few verses to further study for all of us;

I Cor. 15:47-49. The man Jesus remains a human man from heaven.
I Tim. 2:5, Jesus, the MAN, remains the mediator between heaven and man
Acts 1:10-11 The same Jesus which ascended in Acts 1 will return in the same
bodily form as always--one which He will have forever.
Ephesians 1:3-14 All of humanity has been included in this eternal future in Christ

May God bless all of us in uderstanding this more.

Pastor Paul
Madison, Al
256-468-8081

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MAN'S DESTINY IS IN GOD'S HANDS--AND THAT IS GOOD!

Man's destiny is God's destiny for man. God's plan for the destiny of man is a done deal finalized in the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. There is a little mostly obscure verse back in Isiah 46:10 most would read VERY incorrectly. It reads, " I declare the end from the beginning." Most would read this as , since God knows everything He just knows the end of things as He can see that end and knows in advance how it will all play out. BUT, this is NOT what the verse says. It says, " He DECLARES the end from the beginning. This means that He is completely in charge. His will is involved in the outcome of the future. He is in charge of our life and declares the end for all of His creation. And that end is Good. It is Good News for everyone. He brings it all about as He wishes for His good pleasure.

With this said let's look at a few scriptures which reveal what that "end" for humanity is. Gen.1:26-27, God said let us make man in our image. Relational. Loving. Then in Ephesians 1:3-14, God shows that He adopted man into His life from before the foundation of the world by His Grace. II Tim.1:9. Then through Jesus Christ He seated man at His right hand with Jesus. All of mankind. Then he declares in Hebrews 2:5-8, that ALL things will be put under mans feet and in subjection to man ultimately. All here is the GK. word , "panta", which means the entire Cosmos, the universe, all things.

So the Destiny of man is to be with God, in God, experiencing real life with God for all of eternity. A loving relational relationship of pure joy, peace, harmony, pleasure, and happiness forever.

There is one small ( or large) caveat which man must deal with. And that is , man must believe it in order to experience it.

Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.

Paul

PROSTITUTES AND PURITANS. WHO IS ACCEPTED?

I feel like creating an earthquake today with this blog. So here goes. WE can talk God's love and Grace all we want to but until we are confronted with some really, and I mean serious propositions concerning that love and grace our doubts are elevated to controversial proportions.

Do we,you, all of believe that the blood of Jesus Christ covers ALL sin? Do we believe that in Jesus ALL of humanity, that includes you and your worst enemy and worst sinner, were adopted and included in the life of God from before the world began?

Do you grade sins as certain ones as easily forgivable, others and a little hareder to forgive, and yet others really hard to forgive and still others as basically UNFORGIVEABLE?

Do you really want to play God? Have you been creating God in your own image, or have you created God in your own image complete with judgemantalism, respect of persons, and a brand of your own righteousness?

Hypothetical situation for you to evaluate. Two sisters. One is a prostitute and loves her "work". The other is a Protestant Preacher who loves her work as well. Which of the two stands "more" accepted in the sight of God? Which one is more saved than the other? Which one pleases God the most? Why would either one need to please God in the first place? Which one is "more" righteous in God's eyes?

Of course we could use numerous examples of sinners and situations, but this one will suffice.

Do we belive that ALL sins were forgiven in Christ at the Cross? ( answers the above illustration right here). And, were not all humans declared "righteous in His sight from before the foundation of the world in Jesus?" (Eph. 1:3-14). Do we believe that in Jesus Christ ALL humans are declared RIGHTEOUS and are part of the Bride of Christ by His declaration? (Romans 3:21).

I think your get the point. All humans. Murders, rapists, child abusers, adulterers, lusters, gamblers, wife beaters, ANY and ALL sinners stand clean in the eyes of Jesus because He has made them so from the foundation of the world when He was slain. ( Rev. 13:8). Do you like this? Maybe not. But it is the love and Grace of God in action. This IS the Gospel. The Good News for everyone. We just need to share this Good News with others so that they will KNOW they belong to the Father and begin to live like it.

The two ladies I mentioned above both stand EQUAL before the Triune God. Both are loved, saved, redeemed, reconciled, justifed, and are seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. ( Eph. 2:6). Do they know it? Maybe not. They need to and that is sharing the Gospel with the both of them. Both are loved uncondidionally By the Father in Heaven and Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Deal with it.

Paul
www.newlifewcg.org

BELONGING TO THE TRIUNE GOD

Traditional Western Christianity would tell us that in order to belong to God one must accept Jesus and believe then behave "religiously" and then one would be able to be accepted by God and BELONG to Him. But, can you see how this violates everything God has done in Jesus for the completion of His plan for man? Let's see.

Triune God determined 'way back' to create man in His image. ( Gen.1:26-27). Also, to choose man/woman to be His children inside His existence and in His life BEFORE the foundation or Creation of the world. ( Eph.1:3-14 ). Then God blessed mankind with every heavenly blessing possible IN Jesus and declared man righteous and blameless in HIS sight at that time. ( Eph.1). Man has always belonged to the loving Father in Heaven. YOU have always belonged to the Father in Heaven. He has always loved you and wanted you to be with Him forever. Jesus simply ratified your belonging to the father by making payment for you to insure your belongingness to the Father.

Now do you see a problem with what I wrote in the first paragraph above? It isn't that we CAN belong to the Father IF we do this or that, accept Jesus or behave, the Truth is that we have ALWAYS BELONGED to the Father in heaven. The Gospel message is simply that , that you, we, all belong to the Father and Jesus has made the plan successful for everyone who ever lived. Done so by His life, death, resurrection and ascension to the Father carrying all of us humans with Him. ( Eph.2:6).

So, the correct order of the three "B's", if you will, is Belong, Believe, Behave.
YOU belong to God. Believe you belong to God. Behave like you belong to God. There is a vast difference in these two views. One is wrong and the other is right. See that?

The Good News , or the Gospel, is simply informing or educating individuals as to this truth. That they are loved by God, they belong to God, believe it, and behave like it. This is all a PROCLAMATION OF THE TRUTH. It is NOT a challenge or contest for humans to see IF they can make it happen. It has already happened in Jesus for the Father. It is an announcement. It is a proclamation. It is a done deal. And you are included in the wonderful plan of God from before the beginning of time. Now believe and behave. ( You already BELONG to God.)

God Bless all of you,

Pastor Paul Kurts
Madison, AL

THERE IS NO ROOM FOR SHAME OR GUILT !!!

Jesus came to this earth to FORGIVE sin. ALL Sin of fallen humanity. The Good News is that this means YOUR sins...ALL of them. Now here is what it would be like for you if you 100% believed this.

You would believe Jesus Forgave (past tense) all of your sins at the Cross by becoming The Sinner of your sins for you. II Cor.5:21. What this means is that on your part sins are not accounted to you they are accounted to the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world. Some call this process the Great Exchange. That Jesus exchanges His righteousness for our unrighteousness and therefore the Father is able to look at us as sinless, Holy, blameless, pure, without spot or blemish and righteousness sharing in Jesus' own righteousness. We stand in this position before God the Father "in perpetuity". Permanently. Forever. Do you believe this? Probably not 100%. Now what that means is what follows.

By NOT seeing who we are in Jesus and believing what He has done to us, and for us, and in us, and through us we suffer from the darkened mind we inherited from father
Adam. We doubt, we of course sin, we are burdened with shame and guilt and we suffer needlessly. It simply boils down to our personal lack of faith.

So how does one increase this faith which we all lack in? Answer: By believing what we are told in scripture. God loves us. He wants to live with us forever. He gave His Son Jesus to make payment for the perfection of His plan to have ALL humanity come alive in Jesus and thereby live IN and WITH Him and Jesus and The Holy Spirit FOREVER. Triune God chose all of us before the world was even created and He chose us by NAME--this means YOU personally by name. You have always belonged to God. He blessed us in Jesus and proclaimed our life and salvation in Jesus BEFORE THE WORLD was created. ( Ephesians 1:1-14 ).

When we exercise guilt or shame over our sins we are NOT seeing the Magnitude of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God slain from before the foundation of the world. Rev.13:8.

Can we believe what John tells us in I John 3:5, that in Jesus there is NO SIN?

God simply does not count our sins against us. He is not keeping a list and checking it twice. He forgives sins and forgets them before we ever commit them!!

The more we lift up Jesus and magnify His Name and His Work and His life as the head of the human race which He loves, the more faith we will see in our life and guilt and shame will become a thing of the past.

Thank you Jesus.

Paul Kurts
Madison, AL

GRACE IS "TOO BIG" FOR SOME !

Is Jesus going to save the world? If so, then how? Is Jesus' sacrificial and atoning work going to be applied to ALL human beings? And, if so, then when will it? Will it be applied and become effective when someone "repents" and "accepts" Jesus? Another question. Is Jesus trying to get the world saved now? One more question. Is Jesus trying to get saved Christians to STOP SINNING? That's a good one.

This whole world became LOST in and through the sin of Adam. All humanity received the death penalty in the sin of Adam and the fallenness we all have lived in since. All humans have had and still have a darkened mind influenced by the prince of darkness. Humanity has suffered under the sway of this power since the garden of Eden. Mankind simply was lost to the evil force and death was the result.

When Jesus came as the incarnate Son of God His work, His mission, His purpose was to 'reverse', if you will, what occurred in Adam. His mission was to bring LIFE to a DEAD humanity and heal the cosmos. He was not trying to "improve" man's position by getting man to become sinless for He knew man lived in the fallenness of Adam with a darkened mind.

Jesus came to SAVE what was LOST. He did. (Lk.19:10). Notice these scriptures which DECLARE this salvation as FACT. John 1:29,"...Behold Jesus, who takes away the sin of the world!" Luke 23:34 "...Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." Since Adam, this has been the case in EVERYTHING. Jesus was the 'propitiation' or payment, or sacrifice for the sins of the WHOLE WORLD. (IJn.2:2). John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the WORLD.

Jesus is not just for Christians. God loves ALL of His children. The Whole World. God has made alive ALL humans since Adam in Jesus. ( ICor.15:22). All things have been reconciled in and through the blood of Christ. ( Col.1:20).

Jesus did not come to 'get man to stop sinning'. Jesus came to FORGIVE Sin. Sin had to be forgiven in order to effect the gift of God, which is eternal life. The wages of sin is DEATH. But the GIFT of God is ETERNAL LIFE. This is a truth for all of humanity. It is by God's sovereign will. It is given out of Love. God the Father and Jesus Christ LOVE all of us. There is no challenge to live with God forever. It is a done deal. We all belong to the Great Triune God. Believe it and live it. More next time.

Pastor Paul Kurts
Madison, Al
www.newlifewcg.org