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My Confession Concerning Who I Am in Christ – Part 3

By: Mark Virkler Click author's name for more of his/her articles

Since I have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, I will not submit myself to decrees, such as, "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" (which all refer to things destined to perish with use) -- in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men. These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

Since I have been raised up with Christ, I will keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. I set my mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth because I have died and my life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ, Who is my life, is revealed, then I will be revealed with Him in glory.

Therefore I consider the members of my earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them I also once walked, when I was living in them. But now I put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from my mouth.

I do not lie to others, since I have laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One Who created him -- a renewal in which there is no distinction between people, but Christ is all, and in all.

If I love another, God abides in me, and His love is perfected in me. By this I know that I abide in Him and He in me, because He has given me of His Spirit.

By His doing I am in Christ Jesus, Who became to me wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD."

I determined to speak of nothing except Jesus Christ, and His death and life within us. My preaching will not be in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. Yet I do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but I speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

It is written,

"THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD,
AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN,
ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM."

For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But I have the mind of Christ.

Verses undergirding my confession of who I am:

I Corinthians 6:17; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 4:13; Colossians 1:11, 27-29; 2:9,10; Galatians 3:27; 4:19; Ephesians 1:4; II Peter 1:4; II Corinthians 1:20; Ephesians 1:3, 10,11, 17-23; 2:1-7; 3:16-21; Colossians 2:3,6,7,9-23; 3:1-11; I John 4:7-16; I Corinthians 1:30 - 2:16

Caution: Note what is not in the confession statement. That will help you as much as confessing what is on it. Calling yourself a sinner or weak or miserable or dumb is NOT on the list, and is not acceptable. It is not acceptable and it is not allowed and it is not to be done. (Journaling from the Lord Jesus Christ)

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

About The Author: Mark Virkler is with Christian Leadership University. CLU is a Christian University and Online Bible College offering Christian education including Christian counseling and Christian theology seminaries and offers certificates, undergrad, Masters, and Doctorates in the various Christian colleges of CLU.