JC Blog

Recently at work, we have been conceiving a name for a new business endeavor. As we embark upon this task it is proving extremely difficult. We want a name that embodies our business philosophy, describes our services and provides insight both to what we value and to what we will deliver. We want our name to summarize who we are because a name says everything...

The same is true for our mission and calling as Christians. The name we have been given says everything. In Philippians 2, Paul tells us that God was so pleased with Jesus' redemptive work and so completely satisfied with His atonement for our sin that He gave Jesus the 'name above every name'. As Christians we also partake in the benefits of the association with that name. We are called Christians because our foundation and faith is built upon Jesus our rock and chief cornerstone. The name we bear says everything...

Grace is a beautiful thing and it is for Jesus' name's sake alone that we received it. Grace is unmerited, unearned favor and kindness. It is not something we can obtain on our own and It pleased Him and glorified Him to grant this grace to us when he redeemed us.

When we receive this grace we also received a commission to proclaim this good news and free gift to people everywhere. This mission is not an obligation but a privilege to glorify the very name that we have been called and saved by. Calling people from all walks of life into this new and living way of life stems from obedience to the word of faith we have heard, in accordance to the power and purpose of the name of Jesus.

Even as our new business name embodies everything we hold dear, the name of Jesus encompasses who we are and our purpose and mission of this life. Recognizing and calling upon the name of Jesus is the single most important thing you can do in life. Today, if you have never believed in, adhered to or trusted in that name, I pray that you will call upon it and receive the same grace of the many saints who came and called before you. Amen.

Many people misinterpret the effects of sin as inherited from Adam. Many assume that this offense caused us to sin. While this is true, we do sin on an individual basis, the effects of Adam's trespass was much more devastating. In this chapter Paul clearly teaches that not only do we sin on an individual basis, but more accurately, we sin is on a continual basis because Adam's transgression made all men sinners. In other words, through Adam, we inherited a sin nature.

Trying to live a good life, trying to live at harmony with each other and trying to live in accordance to the ten commandments does not work. We were born with a sin nature and therefore cannot break free from sins grip on our own accord. This is why Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." This is a hard idea to grasp until you know understand this concept of the sin nature. You were born with the spirit of this world, you belonged to the kingdom of darkness and polluted by a sin nature because of what happened in the garden. However, II Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" Meaning that, when you trust Jesus as your savior and put all your hope of righteousness in Him alone, you are born again. At that time the most miraculous thing happens. God took the sin nature, the nature of this world out of you and puts His Spirit inside you. The old is gone, and the new has come. Colossians 1:13 says, "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son." ( Colossians 1:13 KJV ) You were freed from the sin nature when when you trusted Jesus as your Savior and were born again.

Not only did Adam's trespass create the gap between us and God and created a sin nature, it also made reconciliation with God on our own accord impossible. More importantly, just as sin, through Adam brought death, life which is what Jesus offers, brought justification. And Paul stresses that the grace we received was much more in every way. Jesus completely undone what was done through Adam, and this truth is powerful. Through faith in Jesus we have a new spirit that no longer belongs to this world. The sin nature has been completely destroyed and removed. God's abundant grace overwhelmed and overcame it much in every way.

The next thing that Jesus completely reconciled was condemnation and guilt due to our old sin nature. If the judgement that followed the creation of the sin nature caused condemnation, the gift of grace through Jesus completely annihilated sin and the affects of it upon our person. Under judgement we are fully aware of and fully condemned of sin. So the opposite must be true. Through Jesus we should be fully aware that we are forgiven, righteous and a holy consecrated people because of him. No longer suffering under the spirit of this world, but rejoicing through the spirit of the kingdom of light through whom we have no received reconciliation ( Romans 5:11 ).

Today passage is a marvelous thing to understand and rejoice in. Gods grace is so abundant so that we should be celebrating it every chance we get. I pray that God will enlighten your spiritual eyes and give you a revelation of this wonderful truth. God bless you!