26/01/2022
THE GOOD THINGS IN US IN CHRIST JESUS
" that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the ACKNOWLEDGING of EVERY GOOD THING which is in you in Christ Jesus."- Philemon 1:6 KJV
Our faith is effective to the extent of our acknowledging of every good thing that we received in Christ Jesus. God purchased us from the kingdom of darkness with a price.
" For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."-1 Corinthians 6:20 KJV
The purchase price was the Blood of Jesus.
" forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"-1 Peter 1:18-19 KJV
God purchased us and put us into Christ. As we came into Christ we inherited every good thing that is in Him. Another term for every good thing we got in Christ is every spiritual blessing.
" Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:"- Ephesians 1:3 KJV
WHAT ARE THESE SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS?
1- The first blessing (good thing) is the forgiveness and remission of our SINS.
" in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:- Colossians 1:14 KJV
This one talks about the forgiveness of sins.
" and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,"-Revelation 1:5 KJV
This one talks about the washing, the removal or remission of sins.
But is the forgiveness and removal of sins a blessing? Yes. Look at this:
" Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, And whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin."- Romans 4:6-8 KJV
The root and father of man's problem on Earth is sin. It was what made Adam to fall, to come under curse and to die.
" Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:"- Romans 5:12 KJV
With this blessing one is no longer at the mercy of the curse and death.
2- The second blessing (good thing) is REDEMPTION. The blood of Jesus procured redemption for us.
" In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"- Ephesians 1:7 KJV
We got redemption when we came into Christ. This vitally means three things to us:
First: It means FREEDOM from the CURSE of the law. This is the curse that came upon the earth by Adam's sin affecting the ground and the nature of the earth.
" Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."-Galatians 3:13-14 KJV
Second: It means reconciliation to God and acceptance into His family. No more enmity between you and God.
" And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:"- Colossians 1:21-22 KJV
Third: It means being endowed with the virtues and status of Kings and priests.
" and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."- Revelation 5:10 KJV
Redemption delivered to us a 7fold virtue that endows us with the character and capacity to function as kings and as priests on Earth.
3- The third blessing (good thing) is bold, open, unlimited and direct ACCESS into God's vital Presence, for fellowship, anywhere and anytime.
" Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God; 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."- Hebrews 10:19-22 KJV
When man fell, he was driven away from God's Presence and a barrier was put to hinder him from accessing that Presence. Fear was injected into him so that himself ran from the Presence.
Genesis 3:
8- " And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
9- " And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
10- " And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
24- " So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
- Genesis 3:8-10, 24 KJV
Through Abraham, God got the Israelites who then became His covenant people. But then, only one of them, could vitally come into God's Presence. However he could only enter that Presence once a year after slaughtering a lamb and using its blood to atone for their sins.
" Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:"- Hebrews 9:6-7 KJV
Now, the blood of Jesus gives to us the boldness and open invitation to come into that holy Presence anytime.
" Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."- Hebrews 4:16 KJV
4- The fourth blessing (good thing) is eternal VICTORY over Satan and his cohorts, deliverance from their bo***ge and the inherent ability to OVERCOME them vitally, in the affairs of life.
" Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bo***ge."
- Hebrews 2:14-15 KJV
" Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."- 1 John 4:4 KJV
THE VIRTUES OF REDEMPTION.
Redemption was procured with the blood of Jesus to enable us to have a place with God in eternity and also reign on the Earth, representing God. To this end, redemption delivers 7 divine resources to us to enable us reign.
" And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. (Praise- NIV)-"-Revelation 5:11-12 KJV
Satan fights to stop our lives from reflecting these resources so we don't reign and advertise God. The resources are:
1- Power. 2- Riches. 3- Wisdom. 4- Strength. 5- Honour. 6- Glory. 7- Blessing.
1- POWER is God's exclusive property.
" God hath spoken once; Twice have I heard this; That power belongeth unto God." - Psalm 62:11 KJV
This power is what God uses to rule and also to subdue every enemy that comes against Him.
Psalm 66:
3- " Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! Through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
7- " He ruleth by his power for ever; His eyes behold the nations: Let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
-Psalm 66:3, 7 KJV
When a man is washed away from his sins by the blood of Jesus, he receives REDEMPTION which makes him to have access to this Power in two dimensions.
First dimension, it comes to him immediately as AUTHORITY to enable him to reign on earth.
" He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" -John 1:11-12 KJV
Power there is from the Greek word, exousia which actually means authority, the right to rule. Every redeemed has it.
Second dimension, it comes to him through the Holy Spirit as dunamis which is dynamic power to represent Jesus effectively on Earth and subdue enemies.
" But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."- Acts 1:8 KJV
Only the redeemed can receive this Holy Spirit and the dynamic power. Unbelievers cannot have it.
" even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."- John 14:17 KJV
Divine authority as well as the Holy Spirit resides inside everyone that is redeemed by the Blood. Nothing outside of him can compare with him in that regard.
" Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."- 1 John 4:4 KJV
2- RICHES. These are spiritual resources that innoculates one against failure and makes him to succeed in every endeavour. God cannot fail and a redeemed man should not fail but prosper in whatever he does.
Christ sacrificed himself to make this resource available to those that come to Him.
" For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."- 2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV
Everyone in Christ is rich already with these riches hence Paul prayed for the eyes of the believers to open to know the riches they have in Christ.
" the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,"- Ephesians 1:18 KJV
3- WISDOM. This is divine intelligence, the ability to know what to do in any situation and to gain advantage, never confused.
It is the capacity to deal sensibly with the affairs of life and not make stupid decisions. Everyone in Christ is wise with the wisdom of Christ.
" But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:"- 1 Corinthians 1:30 KJV
4- STRENGTH. This is divine vigour that infuses might into someone and energize him to walk and work without being weary. It is the antidote to laziness. Paul said:
" I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."- Philippians 4:13 KJV
It is Christ that strengthens us from within, not sleep, and He does it by the Holy Spirit.
" that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;"- Ephesians 3:16 KJV
5- HONOUR. This is the ability to be respectable. It is what makes one not to be easily disregarded nor shamed by anyone.
Every child of God carries this virtue in them, and so they should not be easily put to shame or ridiculed anywhere. No wonder the Bible says this:
" For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."-Romans 10:11 KJV
6- GLORY. This is what I call moral excellence. The capacity to carry oneself and do things perfectly.
In referring to Jesus, the people testified thus:
" ...He hath done all things well..."- Mark 7:37.
It is the excellent spirit that rested upon Daniel and made him to excel above his mates, as well as beyond people's expectations of him.
" Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm."- Daniel 6:3 KJV
Glory is the unction, the excellence, on a king that makes people to automatically defer to him and put him above.
It rested on Daniel. It also rested on Joseph.
" And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou."- Genesis 41:38-40 KJV
7- BLESSING. This is actually talking about PRAISE. The NIV correctly puts it that way:
" In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”"-Revelationn 5:12 NIV
It is goodness. Inherent ability to be and do good. Goodness is God's nature which redemption delivers into the spirit of the believer. He can exhibit it everywhere.
" But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"-1 Peter 2:9 KJV
" Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."-Matthew 5:16 KJV
All these virtues are divine attributes. They are the nature of God which He then shares with His children that are in Christ.
TO ACTIVATE THE VIRTUES:
These virtues are spiritual resources embedded in the spirit of the believer. For them to vitally profit the man, they have to be activated. There are three means by which the believer activates and cause them to be operational.
1- By means of nourishment by the WORD.
" whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."-2 Peter 1:4 KJV
They are nourished to be able to flow out as the believer constantly ingests the word of God and ponder (meditate, think) on it.
" Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all."- 1 Timothy 4:13-15 KJV
2- By means of constant PRAYER. This is how he stirs up the gifts and animate them to be able to flow out.
" Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands."- 2 Timothy 1:6 KJV
However, it is scripturally-oriented prayers and praying with the spirit that can stir them up.
" He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer shall be abomination."-Proverbs 28:9 KJV
It is the prayers that engages one's spirit that pumps up those virtues.
" He that speaketh in an unknown tongue, edifieth himself... " 1Cor 14:4.
" But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,"- Jude 1:20 KJV
3- By means of PREACHING the Gospel and PROCLAIMING (confessing) scriptures. This is how these virtues are released to manifest outwardly, to miraculous effects.- Mark 16:17-20.
" Let us hold fast the profession (Gk. Confession) of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
- Hebrews 10:23 KJV
" For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."- Romans 10:10 KJV
THE GOOD THINGS IN US IN CHRIST JESUS
" that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the ACKNOWLEDGING of EVERY GOOD THING which is in you in Christ Jesus."- Philemon 1:6 KJV
Our faith is effective to the extent of our acknowledging of every good thing that we received in Christ Jesus. God purchased us from the kingdom of darkness with a price.
" For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."-1 Corinthians 6:20 KJV
The purchase price was the Blood of Jesus.
" forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"-1 Peter 1:18-19 KJV
God purchased us and put us into Christ. As we came into Christ we inherited every good thing that is in Him. Another term for every good thing we got in Christ is every spiritual blessing.
" Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:"- Ephesians 1:3 KJV
WHAT ARE THESE SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS?
1- The first blessing (good thing) is the forgiveness and remission of our SINS.
" in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:- Colossians 1:14 KJV
This one talks about the forgiveness of sins.
" and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,"-Revelation 1:5 KJV
This one talks about the washing, the removal or remission of sins.
But is the forgiveness and removal of sins a blessing? Yes. Look at this:
" Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, And whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin."- Romans 4:6-8 KJV
The root and father of man's problem on Earth is sin. It was what made Adam to fall, to come under curse and to die.
" Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:"- Romans 5:12 KJV
With this blessing one is no longer at the mercy of the curse and death.
2- The second blessing (good thing) is REDEMPTION. The blood of Jesus procured redemption for us.
" In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"- Ephesians 1:7 KJV
We got redemption when we came into Christ. This vitally means three things to us:
First: It means FREEDOM from the CURSE of the law. This is the curse that came upon the earth by Adam's sin affecting the ground and the nature of the earth.
" Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."-Galatians 3:13-14 KJV
Second: It means reconciliation to God and acceptance into His family. No more enmity between you and God.
" And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:"- Colossians 1:21-22 KJV
Third: It means being endowed with the virtues and status of Kings and priests.
" and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."- Revelation 5:10 KJV
Redemption delivered to us a 7fold virtue that endows us with the character and capacity to function as kings and as priests on Earth.
3- The third blessing (good thing) is bold, open, unlimited and direct ACCESS into God's vital Presence, for fellowship, anywhere and anytime.
" Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God; 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."- Hebrews 10:19-22 KJV
When man fell, he was driven away from God's Presence and a barrier was put to hinder him from accessing that Presence. Fear was injected into him so that himself ran from the Presence.
Genesis 3:
8- " And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
9- " And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
10- " And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
24- " So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
- Genesis 3:8-10, 24 KJV
Through Abraham, God got the Israelites who then became His covenant people. But then, only one of them, could vitally come into God's Presence. However he could only enter that Presence once a year after slaughtering a lamb and using its blood to atone for their sins.
" Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:"- Hebrews 9:6-7 KJV
Now, the blood of Jesus gives to us the boldness and open invitation to come into that holy Presence anytime.
" Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."- Hebrews 4:16 KJV
4- The fourth blessing (good thing) is eternal VICTORY over Satan and his cohorts, deliverance from their bo***ge and the inherent ability to OVERCOME them vitally, in the affairs of life.
" Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bo***ge."
- Hebrews 2:14-15 KJV
" Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."- 1 John 4:4 KJV
THE VIRTUES OF REDEMPTION.
Redemption was procured with the blood of Jesus to enable us to have a place with God in eternity and also reign on the Earth, representing God. To this end, redemption delivers 7 divine resources to us to enable us reign.
" And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. (Praise- NIV)-"-Revelation 5:11-12 KJV
Satan fights to stop our lives from reflecting these resources so we don't reign and advertise God. The resources are:
1- Power. 2- Riches. 3- Wisdom. 4- Strength. 5- Honour. 6- Glory. 7- Blessing.
1- POWER is God's exclusive property.
" God hath spoken once; Twice have I heard this; That power belongeth unto God." - Psalm 62:11 KJV
This power is what God uses to rule and also to subdue every enemy that comes against Him.
Psalm 66:
3- " Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! Through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
7- " He ruleth by his power for ever; His eyes behold the nations: Let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
-Psalm 66:3, 7 KJV
When a man is washed away from his sins by the blood of Jesus, he receives REDEMPTION which makes him to have access to this Power in two dimensions.
First dimension, it comes to him immediately as AUTHORITY to enable him to reign on earth.
" He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" -John 1:11-12 KJV
Power there is from the Greek word, exousia which actually means authority, the right to rule. Every redeemed has it.
Second dimension, it comes to him through the Holy Spirit as dunamis which is dynamic power to represent Jesus effectively on Earth and subdue enemies.
" But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."- Acts 1:8 KJV
Only the redeemed can receive this Holy Spirit and the dynamic power. Unbelievers cannot have it.
" even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."- John 14:17 KJV
Divine authority as well as the Holy Spirit resides inside everyone that is redeemed by the Blood. Nothing outside of him can compare with him in that regard.
" Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."- 1 John 4:4 KJV
2- RICHES. These are spiritual resources that innoculates one against failure and makes him to succeed in every endeavour. God cannot fail and a redeemed man should not fail but prosper in whatever he does.
Christ sacrificed himself to make this resource available to those that come to Him.
" For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."- 2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV
Everyone in Christ is rich already with these riches hence Paul prayed for the eyes of the believers to open to know the riches they have in Christ.
" the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,"- Ephesians 1:18 KJV
3- WISDOM. This is divine intelligence, the ability to know what to do in any situation and to gain advantage, never confused.
It is the capacity to deal sensibly with the affairs of life and not make stupid decisions. Everyone in Christ is wise with the wisdom of Christ.
" But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:"- 1 Corinthians 1:30 KJV
4- STRENGTH. This is divine vigour that infuses might into someone and energize him to walk and work without being weary. It is the antidote to laziness. Paul said:
" I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."- Philippians 4:13 KJV
It is Christ that strengthens us from within, not sleep, and He does it by the Holy Spirit.
" that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;"- Ephesians 3:16 KJV
5- HONOUR. This is the ability to be respectable. It is what makes one not to be easily disregarded nor shamed by anyone.
Every child of God carries this virtue in them, and so they should not be easily put to shame or ridiculed anywhere. No wonder the Bible says this:
" For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."-Romans 10:11 KJV
6- GLORY. This is what I call moral excellence. The capacity to carry oneself and do things perfectly.
In referring to Jesus, the people testified thus:
" ...He hath done all things well..."- Mark 7:37.
It is the excellent spirit that rested upon Daniel and made him to excel above his mates, as well as beyond people's expectations of him.
" Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm."- Daniel 6:3 KJV
Glory is the unction, the excellence, on a king that makes people to automatically defer to him and put him above.
It rested on Daniel. It also rested on Joseph.
" And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou."- Genesis 41:38-40 KJV
7- BLESSING. This is actually talking about PRAISE. The NIV correctly puts it that way:
" In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”"-Revelationn 5:12 NIV
It is goodness. Inherent ability to be and do good. Goodness is God's nature which redemption delivers into the spirit of the believer. He can exhibit it everywhere.
" But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"-1 Peter 2:9 KJV
" Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."-Matthew 5:16 KJV
All these virtues are divine attributes. They are the nature of God which He then shares with His children that are in Christ.
TO ACTIVATE THE VIRTUES:
These virtues are spiritual resources embedded in the spirit of the believer. For them to vitally profit the man, they have to be activated. There are three means by which the believer activates and cause them to be operational.
1- By means of nourishment by the WORD.
" whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."-2 Peter 1:4 KJV
They are nourished to be able to flow out as the believer constantly ingests the word of God and ponder (meditate, think) on it.
" Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all."- 1 Timothy 4:13-15 KJV
2- By means of constant PRAYER. This is how he stirs up the gifts and animate them to be able to flow out.
" Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands."- 2 Timothy 1:6 KJV
However, it is scripturally-oriented prayers and praying with the spirit that can stir them up.
" He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer shall be abomination."-Proverbs 28:9 KJV
It is the prayers that engages one's spirit that pumps up those virtues.
" He that speaketh in an unknown tongue, edifieth himself... " 1Cor 14:4.
" But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,"- Jude 1:20 KJV
3- By means of PREACHING the Gospel and PROCLAIMING (confessing) scriptures. This is how these virtues are released to manifest outwardly, to miraculous effects.- Mark 16:17-20.
" Let us hold fast the profession (Gk. Confession) of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
- Hebrews 10:23 KJV
" For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."- Romans 10:10 KJV
