Confession of Faith - July 23, 2004

SCRIPTURAL VERIFICATION

The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

(Romans 10:8-10)

CONFESSION

Series 2.7.23 - #204

July 23, 2004

The Lord is Jesus Christ. He came in the flesh. Before he came in the flesh, HE IS. I am of God and have overcome the spirit of antichrist because greater is he that is in me, than he that is in the world. I am of God, for I hear those who are of God. He that is not of God does not hear me. There is the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. The spirit of error has captured many. While in captivity to this spirit, they cannot love one another as he has loved them. If I love others, God dwells in me, and his love is perfected in me. He has given me his Spirit, and now I have the ability to love others. Love is the key. There is no fear in it. Perfect love casts out fear. Fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love. If I love the Lord, then I will love my brother also.

The world loves in word but does not love in deed and in truth. I am not of the world, for all that is in the world is the lust of eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. The world will pass away, but he that does the will of God will abide forever. I am of the truth; therefore, I let my heart be assured. Jesus is greater than my heart, so I do not allow my heart to condemn me. I cannot have confidence toward him if my heart condemns me. My heart will not reproach me if I hold fast to the righteousness of God and do not allow it to slip. Grace shall lead me in the path of righteousness for his name's sake. Terrors shall not take hold of me as waters, and a tempest shall not steal me away in the night. The east wind shall not carry me away, and a storm shall not hurl me out of my place, for God shall hold me in his right hand, and no evil shall befall me. There is none that is without sin. Then let him cast the first stone of judgment. Jesus is the one who justifies then I will not be afraid of men who stand to condemn me. Whereas they have condemned me, they have condemned themselves, for Jesus was the only one without sin. If a man says he has no sin, then he makes God a liar, for he has said, "All have sinned and come short of his glory."

I walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh, and I will not be condemned, for there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ who walk not after the flesh but walk after the Spirit. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free. I cannot say that I have a relationship with God when I take up stones of judgment to condemn my brothers and am not convicted by my own conscience. Jesus did not condemn a woman caught in the act of adultery. He told her, "Neither do I condemn thee, go, and sin no more." I determine not to walk in the darkness of casting stones of judgment at others lest I condemn myself. I remember, I judge after the flesh. When I judge after the flesh, my judgment is not true. I allow my Father to judge and then will I escape the condemnation that chases after me. Many hearts are condemning people because they do not allow Jesus, the greater one, to be the judge. He knows all things. I know very little. I move on from finding fault and blaming others. This is a big distraction. This is a deep pit. I will not go down into this pit to declare others guilty and worthy of punishment. I seek justification. It is impossible for me to seek justification while declaring others guilty. God is the judge of men. He did not come into the world to condemn the world. He came into the world to save it. Jesus bore the sins of the people on his cross. The consequences of their sins were borne by him, and he condemned sin so that I could be made free and be released from sin's power. He has pardoned me. Now I go and forgive those who have sinned against me lest I am captured by spite and malice. By my words, am I justified, and by my words, am I condemned.

Death once reigned, but God has dethroned death and placed me in a reigning position in life by his power. I have received abundance of grace. I have received the gift of righteousness. By his righteousness, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. God grants forgiveness to all who ask, so I, being a sinner, cannot withhold forgiveness. I will not be ensnared in this temptation to war with words and vengeance of the heart. Let us go on, for judgment is the Lord's and so is vengeance. He will repay. My enemies meant the things that have happened unto me for bad. God meant them for good. I behold the good that is flowing out of this dilemma as a mighty fountain of love and victory. He has sent forth the good unto me. He also sends vengeance upon those who seek my harm, for he will bless those who bless me, and he will curse those who curse me.

Hebrews 10:22 - 23

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.