Galatians 3:13 (NKJV) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),
In the New Testament, believers have experienced a fundamental positional shift from the Old Testament:
- Atonement and redemption through the blood of Jesus which grants us a right standing with God, justification by His blood, and forgiveness of sins.
- All curses, including generational, our imperfections, and the curse of the law, have ceased at the cross of Calvary.
- Made alive as new creations in Christ.
- No longer slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness.
- Dwell in the Kingdom of Light and are born again as children of God.
- Have fellowship with God.
- Set free from the law of sin and death. Therefore, we can walk in the Spirit and avoid gratifying the desires of the flesh.
- Given the greatest commandment to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbours as ourselves.
Our response to the complete and thorough work of Jesus’ atonement should be one of gratitude, commitment, and consecration. Those who truly grasp and appreciate the abundant grace of God will naturally seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, living purposefully and intentionally for the Lord.
For instance, there is no reason for us to worship online when churches have resumed meeting on-site post-COVID. A church is not just a physical building. Together, believers form the body of Christ, and each member has a role to play in contributing their gifts and talents, ensuring the growth of the body. Also, a consecrated life involves walking in God’s will, serving Him with our gifts, being good stewards of His resources, and living in godliness.
God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. However, biblical prosperity encompasses more than just financial prosperity, but holistic well-being, which includes emotional health and peace in interpersonal relationships. God desires that we prosper in all aspects of life, just as our soul prospers (3 John 1:2-3).
It is crucial to understand that sickness, illness, and pain do not originate from God. As believers, we have peace with God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, meaning there is no animosity between us and God. God’s desire is for us to be in good health and experience an abundant life, living to a good age before being called home.
Nonetheless, to prosper in our soul, we must deal with the flesh, which represents the “old man’s” desires and seeks to live independently of God. Therefore, if we sow in the flesh and get our life into a mess, God is not to blame. Instead, we must yield to the Spirit and walk in the Spirit, thereby resisting the lust of the flesh and the eyes. Because of our new position, let’s choose to live differently from the world.
Sermon Series: Wise Leadership
活出不一样的新位份
加拉太书3:13 基督既为我们受了咒诅，就赎出我们脱离律法的咒诅，因为经上记着：“凡挂在木头上都是被咒诅的。”
在新约中，信徒们经历了与旧约截然不同的位份转变：
- 藉着耶稣的宝血赎罪和救赎，使我们得以站立在上帝面前，靠祂的宝血称义，并罪蒙赦免。
- 所有的咒诅，包括世世代代的咒诅、我们的不完美以及律法的咒诅，都在加略山的十字架上停止了。
- 在基督里成为新造的人。
- 不再是罪的奴仆，而是给义作奴仆。
- 住在光明国度里并重生成为上帝的儿女。
- 与上帝相交。
- 从罪和死亡的律法中得释放。 因此，我们可以靠着圣灵行事和避免放纵肉体的私欲。
- 给予我们最大的诫命，就是尽心、尽性、尽意爱主，并爱人如己。
我们应该以感恩、委身和分别为圣来回应耶稣彻底完成的赎罪工作。 那些真正领会并珍惜上帝丰盛恩典的人，自然会寻求神的国和神的义、有目的地为主而活。
例如，当教会在新冠疫情过后恢复现场聚会时，我们就没有理由在线上敬拜。 教会不仅仅是一座实体的建筑。而是信徒们一起组成的基督身体，每个成员都可以发挥作用，贡献自己的恩赐和才能，叫身体渐渐增长。 此外，分别为圣的生命还包括遵行上帝的旨意，用我们的恩赐事奉祂，成为上帝资源的好管家，并过敬虔的生活。
上帝在基督耶稣里赐给我们天上一切属灵的祝福。 然而，符合圣经的兴盛不仅仅包括财务上的兴盛，还包括整体的福祉，其中包括心理健康以及和睦的人际关系。上帝希望我们在生活的各个方面凡事兴盛，正如我们的灵魂兴盛一样（约翰三书1：2-3）。
明白疾病和病痛并非源自上帝是至关重要的。 作为信徒，我们藉着耶稣基督的宝血与上帝和好，这意味着我们与上帝之间没有仇恨。 上帝的愿望是我们身体健康，经历丰盛的生命，在被召回到天家之前能活到美好的年纪。
尽管如此，为了让我们的灵魂兴盛，我们必须对付肉体，它代表了“旧人”的欲望，并寻求脱离上帝而活。 因此，如果我们顺者肉体撒种，把我们的生活弄得一团糟，这不是上帝的错。 相反，我们必须顺服圣灵，并靠圣灵行事，从而抵挡肉体和眼目的情欲。 因着我们的新位份，让我们选择与世界不同的生活。
讲章系列：智慧的领导力
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