The New Testament Gamble

It's spiritual renewal week here at SBU. Which basically just means they brought in a speaker who spoke Monday morning and evening, Tuesday evening, and Wednesday morning. None of these were required you just went because you wanted to. Our speaker was John Lynch. I don't know much about John Lynch, but i do know this, he understands that the Body of Christ should be a community of grace. A community where you don't have to hide who you are, where you are accepted as you are because we understand that we all have been there, trapped in the darkness of sin. He always brought out the incredible truth that even on our worst days, God loves us. God sees us as we are, all our sin, shame, and filth and yet He still loves us. He's still crazy about us. This morning he shared something he wrote called "The New Testament Gamble." Don't just accept the things he says in this writing, search the scripture and make sure they line up with the other things God has said. . . Regardless, wherever you are be someone people can trust and let God use you to create a community that is filled with grace and acceptance.

The New Testament Gamble by John Lynch

What if I tell My children there is nothing they can do to make Me love them more, and there is nothing 

they can do to make Me love them less?   

What if I tell them there is nothing they can do to be more righteous?  Nothing they can do to be less 

righteous?

What if I give them grace?  James 4:6

What if I tell them who they are?  l Peter 2:9-10

What if I take away any element of fear, condemnation or rejection?  Romans 8:15

What if I tell them I love them and will always love them?  Romans 8:38-39

What if I tell them I can't love them any more than I do now, and I love them no matter what they've 

done as much as I love My only Son?  Deuteronomy 7:6-8

What if I tell them there's nothing they can do to make My love go away?  Jeremiah 3l:3

What if I told them there are no lists?  Psalms l03:11-12

What if I told them they are righteous with My righteousness, right now?  Galatians 3:27

What if I told them they could stop beating themselves up?  Romans 5:1

What if I told them they could stop being so formal, stiff, and jumpy around Me?  Ephesians 2:13 

What if I told them I was absolutely crazy about them?  Zephaniah 3:17

What if I told them that even if they ran to the ends of the earth and did the most unthinkable, horrible

 things and killed ME, even if they were unfaithful in their marriage, that when they come back to Me, 

I'd receive them with tears and a party?   Psalms 139:7-10; Luke 15:11-12

What if I told them that I don't keep a log of past offenses of how little they pray or of how often 

they let Me down or have made promises they don't keep?  Isaiah 44:22 and 1 Corinthians. 13:5

What if I told them they don't have to be owned by men's religious traditions?  Colossians 2:20-23

What if I told them that I'm their Savior and that they're going to heaven no matter what, it's a done

 deal?   Ephesians l:9-12

What if I told them they have a new nature and are saints--not saints who should buck up and be better

 because of all that God's done for you?  2 Corinthians. 5:17

What if I told them I actually live in them now?  That I put My love, power and nature at their disposal?

  Ephesians l:13

What if I told them that they didn't have to put on a mask? Psalms 32:5

What if I told them that it was really OK to be exactly who they are at this moment with all of their junk

 and not have to pretend about how close we are, or how much they pray or don't?  Or how much Bible they read

 or don't?  Matthew 23:14&37

What if they didn't have to look over their shoulder for fear that if things got too good the other shoe

 was about to drop?  Romans 8:31

What if they knew I will never, ever, ever use the word "punish" in relation to them?

   

Romans 8:l

What if they knew that when they mess up I never get back at them?  Isaiah 43:25

What if they were convinced that bad circumstances and sufferings are not My way of evening the score

 for taking advantage of Me?  Jeremiah 32:41

What if they knew the basis of our friendship was not on how little they sin, but on how much they let Me

 love them?  Isaiah 30:18

What if they had permission to stop trying to impress Me in any way?  Titus 3:5

What if I told them they could hurt My heart but I'd never hurt theirs?  Hosea 3:1

What if I told them that there was no secret agenda--that there was no trap door?  Jeremiah 29:11

What if I told them it wasn't about their self-effort but about allowing Me to live My life through

 them? Galatians 5:4; Romans 8:2 

Hebrews ll:6:  "And without faith it is impossible to please God."

215 Nuggets of Truth

I know i have not written a blog in a really long time. Do not get your hopes up because this is not going to be a blog where i share what i have been learning. This is a blog where i share with you a list of 215 nuggets of truth about our identity in Christ that our campus pastor, here at SBU, put up online for us to access. Print them out, pass them on, most importantly just sit and dwell on these and the goodness of God and the incredible amount of love He has lavished on us. Enjoy.

1.          My salvation is fully accomplished (John 19:30).

2.        I have eternal life as a present possession (John 5:24; 6:47; 1 John 5:11-13).

3.       I have Jesus Christ as my present possession (1 John 5:12).

4.        I know the one, true God (John 17:3; 1 John 2:3; 5:20).

5.        I have been saved by His grace (Eph. 2:1-10).

6.        I have been justified by His grace (Tit. 3:7).

7.         I have passed from death unto life (John 5:24; 1 John 3:14).

8.        I have been quickened (made alive) by God (Eph. 2:1,5; Col. 2:13).

9.        I have been made fit for heaven (Col. 1:12).

10.      I have the forgiveness of sins (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14).

11.        My sins have been taken away (John 1:29; Heb. 9:26; 1 John 3:5).

12.      My sins have been completely purged (Heb. 1:3).

13.      My sins will never be remembered by God (Heb. 8:12; 10:17).

14.       I have been washed (1 Cor. 6:11; Tit. 3:5; Rev. 1:5).

15.       I will walk with Christ in white (Rev. 3:4-5).

16.      I have been healed by His stripes (1 Pet. 2:24).

17.       I have been forgiven all trespasses (Col. 2:13; 1 John 2:12).

18.       I have been fully justified (Rom. 4:5; 8:30; 1 Cor. 6:11; Gal. 2:16; Tit. 3:7).

19.       I am reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:18-19; Col. 1:20).

20.    I am made nigh by the blood of Christ (Eph. 2:13).

21.      I am redeemed through His blood (1 Pet. 1:18,19; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14).

22.    I am redeemed from the curse of the law (Gal. 3:13).

23.    I am redeemed from all iniquity or lawlessness (Titus 2:14).

24.     I am bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23).

25.     I am delivered from so great a death (2 Cor. 1:10).

26.    I have been delivered from this present evil world or age (Gal. 1:4).

27.     I have been delivered from the power of darkness (Col. 1:13).

28.     I have been delivered from the wrath to come (1 Thess. 1:10).

29.     I will not come into condemnation or judgment (John 5:24; Rom. 8:1).

30.    I am a child of God (John 1:12; Rom. 8:16; Gal. 3:26; 1 John 3:1,2).

31.      I am a son of God (Gal. 4:5-7).

32.    I belong to Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:29; 5:24).

33.   I have been adopted (Gal. 4:5; Rom. 8:15,23).

34.    I am an heir of God and joint-heir with Christ (Rom. 8:17; Tit. 3:7).

35.    I am an heir of the grace of life (1 Pet. 3:7).

36.    All things are mine (1 Cor. 3:21-23).

37.     I possess all things (2 Cor. 6:10).

38.    I will inherit all things (Rev. 21:7).

39.    I am enriched by Christ in everything (1 Cor. 1:5; 2 Cor. 9:11).

40.     I am a fellow heir (Eph. 3:6).

41.       I am rich because of Christ (2 Cor. 8:9; Rev. 2:9).

42.     I am blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3).

43.    I have obtained an inheritance (Eph. 1:11,14; Heb. 1:14; 9:15; 1 Pet. 1:4).

44.     I have been appointed to obtain salvation (1 Thess. 5:9; Heb. 1:14).

45.     I am His inheritance (Eph. 1:18).

46.     I am a partaker of His promise in Christ by the gospel (Eph. 3:6).

47.      I am a new creature (creation) in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:10; 4:24; Col. 3:10).

48.     I have been renewed by the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:5).

49.     I am accepted and highly favored in the Beloved One (Eph. 1:6; cf. Matt. 3:17).

50.     I have been seated in heavenly places with Christ (Eph. 2:6).

51.       I am to the praise of His glory (Eph. 1:6,12).

52.     I am light in the Lord (Eph. 5:8).

53.    I am a child of light (Eph. 5:8; 1 Thess. 5:5).

54.     I am a "peculiar person," even God's special, purchased possession (Tit. 2:14; 1 Pet.2:9).

55.     I am a priest who can offer spiritual sacrifices (Heb. 13:15-16; 1 Pet. 2:5,9; Rev. 1:6; 5:10;20:6).

56.     I am a king who will reign (Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6).

57.      I am privileged to have fellowship with the Father and with the Son (1 John 1:3).

58.     I dwell in Christ (John 6:56; 1 John 3:24; 4:13,15,16).

59.     Christ dwells in me (John 6:56; Gal. 2:20; 1 John 3:24; 4:12-16).

60.    I am in Christ (John 14:20; 2 Cor. 5:17).

61.      Christ is in me (John 14:20; Col. 1:27; Rom. 8:10; 1 John 4:4).62. The Spirit of God dwells in me (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16; Eph. 2:21-22).

62.    The Spirit of God dwells (John 6:56; Gal. 2:20; 1 John 3:24; 4:12-16).

63.    I am not in the flesh but in the Spirit (Rom. 8:9).

64.     My "earthen vessel" houses a great Treasure (2 Cor. 4:7).

65.     My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19).

66.    I have been blest with the gift and pledge of the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 1:22; Gal. 4:6; Eph. 1:13-14; 1 Thess. 4:8; Tit. 3:6; 1 John 3:24; 4:13).

67.     I have an anointing (unction) from the Holy One (1 John 2:20,27).

68.     I am one of the "called" of Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:6; 8:28-30; Jude 1; Rev. 17:14).

69.     I have been called unto the fellowship of God's Son (1 Cor. 1:9).

70.     I have been called unto eternal glory (1 Pet. 5:10).

71.       I have been called with a holy calling (2 Tim. 1:9).

72.     I am a partaker of the high, heavenly calling (Phil. 3:14; Heb. 3:1).

73.     I have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Pet. 2:9).

74.      God foreknew me (Rom. 8:29; 1 Pet. 1:2).

75.      God predestined me to be conformed to Christ's image (Rom. 8:29; Eph. 1:5,11).

76.     I have already been glorified according to God's mind and purpose (Rom. 8:30).

77.      I am eternally secure in God's love (Rom. 8:38-39).

78.      I am chosen in Christ (Eph. 1:4; Col. 3:12; 1 Thess. 1:4; 1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 17:14).

79.      I have been chosen to salvation (2 Thess. 2:13).

80.     I am complete in Christ (Col. 2:10).

81.       I am beloved of God (Col. 3:12; 2 Thess. 2:13).

82.     I am chastened and disciplined by my Heavenly Father (Heb. 12:6-7).

83.    I am part of that group that Christ is not ashamed to call His "brethren" and "friends" (Heb. 2:11; John 15:14-15).

84.     I am a child of Abraham (Gal. 3:7).

85.     I am Abraham's seed (Gal. 3:29).

86.     I enjoy the blessing of Abraham (Gal. 3:9).

87.      I am a child of promise (Gal. 4:28,31).

88.     I am faithful (Rev. 17:14).

89.     I am a sheep in His flock (Luke 12:32; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 2:25).

90.     I am a member of His body (1 Cor. 10:17; 12:27; Eph. 3:6; 4:25; 5:30).

91.       I am a stone in His building (Eph. 2:20-22; Heb. 3:6; 1 Pet. 2:5).

92.     I am a branch in the Vine (John 15:1-7).

93.    I am a child of the kingdom (Matt. 13:38; compare Mark 10:14-15).

94.     I am born again into His family (John 1:12-13; James 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:3,23; 2:2; 1 John 5:1).

95.     I am one of God's people because He graciously claims me as His own (1 Pet. 2:10; Rev. 21:7).

96.     I am a fellow citizen with the saints (Eph. 2:19).

97.      I was baptized into Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27).

98.     I was identified with Christ in His death (Rom. 6:3-6,8-11; 2 Cor. 5:14; Col. 2:12,20; 3:3).

99.     I was identified with Christ in His resurrection (Rom. 6:5,8,11; 2 Cor. 5:15; Gal. 2:20; Col. 2:12; 3:1).

100.   I died to sin (Rom. 6:2).

101.     My "old man" was crucified with Christ (Rom. 6:6).

102.   I have been crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20).

103.  I have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts (Gal. 5:24).

104.   I am alive unto God (Rom. 6:11,13; Gal. 2:19,20).

105.   Christ is my life (Phil. 1:21; Col. 3:4).

106.   I can walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4).

107.    I can serve in newness of spirit (Rom. 7:6).

108.   I can live unto righteousness (1 Pet. 2:24).

109.   I died to the law (Rom. 7:4; Gal. 2:19).

110.     I am delivered from the law (Rom. 7:6).

111.       I am not under the law but under grace (Rom. 6:14).

112.     I have God's laws written in my heart (Heb. 10:16).

113.    I am married to Jesus Christ (Rom. 7:4).

114.     I am a partaker of Christ (Heb. 3:14).

115.     I am identified with Christ in His suffering (2 Tim. 2:12; Phil. 1:29; 1 Pet. 2:20; 4:12-13; 1 Thess. 3:3; Rom. 8:18; Col. 1:24).

116.     The knowledge of God is made known by me (2 Cor. 2:14).

117.      The savor (aroma) of Christ is made known by me (2 Cor. 2:15-16).

118.     I am an epistle of Christ (2 Cor. 3:3).

119.     I am being changed into Christ's glorious image (2 Cor. 3:18).

120.   I am being perfected (Phil. 1:6).

121.     My inward man is being renewed day by day (2 Cor. 4:16).

122.   I have put on Christ (Gal. 3:27).

123.  I am not of the world (John 17:14,16).

124.   The world is crucified unto me (Gal. 6:14).

125.   I am crucified unto the world (Gal. 6:14).

126.   I am separated unto the gospel of God (Rom. 1:1).

127.    I am set apart and sanctified in Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 1:2; 6:11; Heb. 10:10; Jude 1).

128.   I am holy (Col. 3:12; Heb. 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 20:6).

129.   I am clothed in His righteousness (Rev. 19:8).

130.  I am a saint (1 Cor. 1:2; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:2; Rom. 1:7).

131.    I am faultless in Christ (Eph. 5:27; Col. 1:22; Jude 24).

132.  I am perfected forever (Heb. 10:14).

133.  I am not my own (1 Cor. 6:19).

134.   I am called unto holiness (1 Thess. 4:7).

135.   I am a citizen of heaven (Phil. 3:20).

136.  I am a stranger and pilgrim who is not at home in this world (Heb. 11:13; 1 Pet. 2:11).

137.   I have been translated into the kingdom of the Son of His love (Col. 1:13).

138.   I am circumcised in my heart (Col. 2:11; Phil 3:3; compare Deut. 10:16).

139.   My faithful God will sanctify me wholly (1 Thess. 5:23-24).

140.   My faithful God will keep me from evil (2 Thess. 3:3; 2 Tim. 4:18).

141.     Christ has made me free, free indeed (John 8:32-36; Gal. 5:1; 1 Cor. 7:22).

142.   Jesus Christ is my Deliverer (Rom. 7:24-25).

143.   I am free from sin (Rom. 6:7,18,22).

144.    The law of the Spirit of Life has made me free from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:2).

145.    I am God's servant or slave (Rom. 6:22).

146.   I am Christ's servant or slave (1 Cor. 7:22).

147.    I am a servant or slave of righteousness (Rom. 6:18).

148.    I have been called unto liberty (Gal. 5:13).

149.    I have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16).

150.   I have a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7).

151.     Christ has given me an understanding (1 John 5:20).

152.   I have the righteousness of Christ (2 Cor. 5:21).

153.   I have all sufficiency in all things (2 Cor. 9:8).

154.    I have all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3).

155.    I can ever be content for I have Christ (Heb. 13:5).

156.   I have all the armor and weapons I need (2 Cor. 10:4; Eph. 6:10-17).

157.    I have God's all-sufficient grace (2 Cor. 12:9).

158.    I have grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:16).

159.    I have God's power (Eph. 1:19; 3:20).

160.   I have access to the Father (Eph. 2:18; Heb. 4:16).

161.     I have a great High Priest (Heb. 2:17-18; 3:1; 4:14-16; 8:1; 10:21).

162.   I have an unfailing Intercessor (Heb. 7:25; 9:24; Rom. 8:34).

163.  I have a righteous Advocate with the Father for times when I sin (1 John 2:1).

164.   I have peace with God (Rom. 5:1).

165.   Christ is my peace (Eph. 2:14).

166.   I have rest for my soul (Matt. 11:28-29; Heb. 4:9).

167.    I am led by the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:14).

168.   I am enabled during trials and temptations (1 Cor. 10:13).

169.   I am given assurance by the Spirit (Rom. 8:16; Heb. 6:18).

170.    I am given comfort by God (2 Cor. 1:3-7).

171.      I am tranquilized by His peace (Phil. 4:7).

172.    I am freely given truth and knowledge by the Spirit (1 Cor. 2:12).

173.   I am not distressed (2 Cor. 4:8).

174.    I am not in despair (2 Cor. 4:8).

175.    I am not forsaken (2 Cor. 4:9).

176.    I am not in darkness (1 Thess. 5:4).

177.     God is my Sufficiency (2 Cor. 3:5).

178.    God is my Strength (2 Cor. 12:9-10; Phil. 4:13).

179.    God is my Helper (Heb. 13:6).

180.   I belong to a Sovereign God who works all things together for my good (Rom. 8:28).

181.     All things are for my sake (2 Cor. 4:15).

182.   My God is for me (Rom. 8:31).

183.   My every need is supplied (Phil. 4:19).

184.    I am a laborer together with Christ (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor. 6:1).

185.    I am His workmanship (Eph. 2:10).

186.   God works in me (Phil. 2:13; Heb. 13:21).

187.    God's Word works in me (1 Thess. 2:13).

188.    I am sealed by God (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13).

189.    I am on the Rock, Christ Jesus (Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 3:11).

190.   I am established securely in Christ (2 Cor. 1:21; 2 Thess. 3:3).

191.     I am kept by the power of God (1 Pet. 1:5).

192.   I am preserved in Jesus Christ (Jude 1).

193.   I am kept from falling (Jude 24).

194.    I have a building of God eternal in the heavens (2 Cor. 5:1).

195.    My name is forever written in heaven (Luke 10:20).

196.   I am more than a conqueror, even a super-conqueror (Rom. 8:37).

197.    I have victory through Christ (1 Cor. 15:57).

198.    I have overcome the world (1 John 5:4-5).

199.    I always triumph in Christ (2 Cor. 2:14).

200. I am indwelt by the victorious Christ who is greater than Satan (1 John 4:4).

201.   Satan cannot touch me (1 John 5:18).

202. I have a living hope (1 Pet. 1:3).

203.I have a glorious future (Rom. 8:18; 2 Thess. 2:14).

204. I have been given eternal encouragement and good hope through grace (2 Thess. 2:16).

205. I will be preserved unto His heavenly kingdom (2 Tim. 4:18).

206. I am receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved (Heb. 12:28).

207.  I have a place reserved in heaven for me (John 14:2,3; 1 Pet. 1:4).

208. I will eat of the tree of life (Rev. 2:7).

209. I will not be hurt of the second death (Rev. 2:11; 20:6).

210.   I will have a new name (Rev. 2:17; 3:12).

211.     I will have power over the nations (Rev. 2:26; 5:10).

212.   I will not have my name blotted out of the book of life (Rev. 3:5).

213.  I will be a pillar in God's temple (Rev. 3:12).

214.   I will sit with Christ in His throne (Rev. 3:21).

215.   I will be with my God forever (Rev. 21:3-4).