Scripture clearly reveals that when Jesus suffered and died upon the cross of Calvary, He took upon himself our curse (our sin, iniquity, sickness, disease, poverty, & death); so that we may be free from the curse of the Law and be blessed with blessing of Abraham (Gal 3:10-14) . Abraham’s blessing is one of righteousness, freedom, purpose, destiny, multiplication, increase, health, healing, and a long life! In a word, Abraham prospered; but he had to first accept his God given identity (as father of many nations).
Romans 4:17-25
As it is written, “A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU” in the presence of Him who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.” Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God promised, He was also able to perform. Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.
Abraham had fully prospered in his soul, and this prosperity began with accepting His God-given identity as A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS. This principle is true for all believers, we must also respect the promises of God and grow strong in faith, not wavering in unbelief, but becoming fully assured that what God has promised, He is surely able to perform. We must also accept our new identity – as righteous in Christ Jesus – as a new creation! When we establish this new identity within our soul, as one who has been born from imperishable seed (the Word of God) and as partakers of His divine nature, our soul will truly be able to prosper. Our soul cannot prosper “in Christ” as long as we have the wrong identity as “in Adam” – as hopeless sinners. Jesus made for us, on the cross, the great exchange.
The Lord dealt with Abraham’s identity first, even telling him long before Isaac was actually born, that he had been already made the father of many nations… even changing his name (from Abram to Abraham) to reflect this spiritual reality (truth). We also must believe, that Jesus was not only delivered over because of our transgressions, but that He was also raised for our justification! And through the sacrifice of our Lord, the Father no longer looks upon us as filthy sinners (unrighteous), but as clean and righteous (justified), as children of God! Through Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, a “great exchange” has taken place. He has taken away our iniquity and granted us salvation and the newness of life, in Him! Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come (II Cor 5:17). We see a “prophetic picture” of this exchange through the prophet Zechariah.
Zechariah 3:1-7
Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at this right hand to accuse him. The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel. He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again he said to him, “See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.” Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the Lord was standing by. And the angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘If you will walk in My ways and if you will perform My service, then you will also govern My house and also have charge of My courts, and I will grant you free access among these who are standing here.”
We must see that Jesus has “taken away” our filthy garments (iniquity) and placed upon us a robe of righteousness – the Great Exchange has taken place! Satan is described in Scripture as a liar, the father of lies, a deceiver, a thief, and the accuser of the brethren. So think it not strange that he will come to make accusations against you and lie to you concerning your true identity. Unfortunately, many in the body of Christ today are struggling with a case of MISTAKEN IDENTITY! This is because many are listening to and accepting the words of the devil (father of lies), instead of listening to and respecting the words of the Spirit of Truth! Paul wrote, “forgetting what lies behind, and reaching forward…” We gain new revelation of who we are in Christ Jesus by looking forward (with respect to the promises of God), not by pondering the past (looking backwards). One of the greatest lies the enemy has brought against this generation is that we’re no more than merely sinners, saved by grace! Yes, we WERE sinners, and we are saved by grace (God’s precious gift of salvation); but we ARE NOW raised up with Christ Jesus and seated with Him in heavenly places; we are His workmanship, created for good works, that we may walk in them (Eph 2:5-10). We will never truly walk in these preordained “good works” as long as we have the wrong identity. Never allow your past to be the blueprint for your future!
James 1:23-25
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. This man will prosper!
I encourage you to “look intently” into the Word of God, and begin “to see” who you ARE in Christ Jesus. Meditate this week on Ephesians 2:1-10. With diligence, make note from this passage of who you WERE, before Grace (past tense), and who you ARE, after Grace (present tense). A revelation (and understanding) of these ten verses will help bring you into your real identity; and will change your life: in how you relate to God; in your purpose and destiny; and how you operate in kingdom authority. Embrace, by faith, the Great Exchange that has taken place! Take time to gaze into the perfect law of liberty (James 1:25) and you will surely be blessed in all that you do, as your soul prospers.
Blessings,
Pastor Rick
Amen!!…thats good stuff there. Thank you Lord for a new identity and a prosperous soul!!!
28.10.2010, 4:29 pm