If We Confess Our Sins, He Is Faithful and Just to Forgive Us Our Sin- Part 937

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you always -- in every prayer of mine for you, all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now -- being confident of this very thing that He which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.`(Philippians 1:3-5)

Even so, when we were children -- we were in bondage under and unto the elements of the world. (Galatians 4:3) But now, know that as many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into His death. Therefore, as a consequence, we are buried with Him by baptism into death -- that like as Jesus the Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father -- we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:2-3) This is why, as the Word states, we set our affection on things above, and not on things of the earth. (Colossians 2:2) 

Jesus said, “These things have I spoke unto you that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11) This same message is similarly confirmed in I John 1:4. That is, “and these things we write unto you that your joy may be full.” (I John 1:4) And again, `whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (I Peter 1:3-13)

Indeed, òur joy comes from Him who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ ... according, as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, and to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved -- in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace -- wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known unto us the mystery of His will -- according to His good pleasure -- which He hath purposed in Himself. (Ephesians 1:3-9)

All of this so that in the dispensation of the fulness of times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth, even in Him -- in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will ... that we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ. 

In whom you also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. In whom also after that you believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise -- which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:10-18) 

Who is that holy Spirit of promise? Jesus Christ of Nazareth -- the Word who was both with God and was God -- and who later became flesh and shed His precious blood on the cross for you and I. (John 1:118)

Note that it does not suggest here that we are to be subject to spiritual wickedness in high places. Why? Because we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)

“Therefore, if you be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject to ordinances – touch not; taste not; handle not – which all are to perish with the using, after the commandments of men? Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to satisfying the flesh.” (Colossians 2:20-23) “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but they were eyewitnesses of His majesty.” (II Peter 1:16)

Thus, if we be risen with Christ, we are able to seek those things which are above.

John wrote: “That which was from the beginning which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the Word of life. (For the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested unto us) … that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.” (I John 1:1-3)

Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power … that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (II Thessalonians 1:11-12) Continue steadfastly in the apostles`doctrine. (Acts 2:37-42) Stand in the offering plate.