This is a testimony that Jesus and I composed for you with where to find the basic doctrine in the bible on the next post
It was composed in one sitting from my notes of a rough draft outline of a book called ~Things that become sound doctrine~
DEPRAVITY
I was born as bad off as I could get. I couldn't stop doing things totally wrong and I knew that before I'd really lived, I knew I was condemned to die. That old wicked one that ruled this world had me rocked to sleep in his arms. I had no idea how lost I really was. I mean, I lived in the material world and my whole self moved in the physical, yet half of me was dead. I couldn't have pleased God if I'd tried b/c I was totally unable to. I was not only spiritually dead, but I was accountable for sins of mine and also sins I'd inherited. But the most fearsome thing of all was that I was under the control of Satan. I needed help desperately
GRACE
It was at this time that I looked up and saw Jesus standing there, reaching His hand toward me. He said he to wanted to show me the way to safety and this way was now mine. It made me feel so good when He said that in this "gracious state" He would be with me to supply all my needs.
Regeneration (Born again)
I began to wonder how all of this was possible and must have asked out loud b/c Jesus said that He would tell me of "our Father's" plan. He actually said that He's my Father, too. Am I awake? Anyway, our Father has a plan to bring His children home. Jesus called it a "new birth". He said our Father had made the plan for us and Jesus made it happen by laying aside His heavenly power to come live among us. Then when the creation (in actuality) killed the creator, God rose Jesus up, along with His human body, up from the dead. And the Holy Spirit carries on the work Jesus began. (This Holy Spirit is apparently also responsible for the wake-up call on my spiritual self) (I'm beginning to see how important that is)
But for the most it was getting way over my head. And being a wee baby christian, over my head was not high up.
So, He continued on, in His loving voice, to tell me that to have a new nature I needed to have a new father. (What! Satan gets the boot from my life?) My Father wasn't giving me a new body, but He was giving me a new life.
The Holy Spirit awakens new areas in my life as God speaks His Word into it. He says it's like a soda pop that grows larger as bubbles are blown into it. I think I actually understood that.
And so, know what I did? I just looked at Jesus and reached out my hand to Him. And He did the most amazing thing! He put my hand in my Father's Hand! I couldn't believe my ears when my Father said "On the basis of Jesus' shed blood on the cross, you may now call me Father."
IMPUTATION
Then, as I stood open-mouthed, God took a huge book marked "accounts" and said He was going to record our transaction. I didn't understand what He meant but as I peered at what He was doing it began to make sence. First I saw that my account had a huge debt going all the way back to Adam and Eve. Then I saw Him cross off all my debts and transfer them into Jesus' account. Jesus is now responsible for all of my debts!! And if that isn't amazing enough, He also transferred all of Jesus' credit into my account!! I knew that gave me the right to get into heaven itself! I couldn't believe it!! Me, a nobody, and here's this Jesus saying to the Father " She has sinned. I don't plead for leniency. I don't ask you to ignore her sin. But" Jesus said to Him "I offer you a full and complete payment. Charge it all to my account" And the heavenly Father accepted. I must be in heaven!!!
SUBSTITUTION
When the shock of this most amazing thing had worn off I was left with only one question. "WHY?" I was then led to understand (thru the Spirit, I guess, I don't know, but I suddenly just knew) the neccesity of accepting payment from Someone else. From Someone like me, yet unlike me, sinless, as a substitute for my debt. Because if He didn't pay for them, then I was going to have to pay for them myself and the price was beyond description.
REPENTANCE
Suddenly I was standing face to face with the truth. My thoughts began to move in a different direction. I realized what my former status was; that thru accepting help I had accepted God's offer to meet the need in my life. I no longer saw things in the same light. Once I was lost and didn't know I needed a Savior. I hadn't known how guilty and helpless I was. Thank You God, Jesus has found me. Thank You God that You found me Jesus.
REDEMPTION
You know, I really see Jesus as a kinda big brother to me. I'll be honest with you. I was on the slave-block of the world. Now I know a purchase was necessary. Big Bro accomplished that for me. And it wasn't so easy for Him to make it so that I never see that slave market again. The price was blood and thew method of payment was thru death. He's my redeemer and He says the destination He's bringing me to (and my body as well, in a better form) is a glorious inheritance. Can you believe this? All for free!
RECONCILIATION
Oh this is weird. I could hear someone speaking to me in the Spirit. God was saying that according to him the world is out of balance and needs to conform to the standards he has set. So, what did that mean to me? Well, I knew that Adam had provoked ALL my privileges originally and Jesus had given them back to me...so...I listened carefully. He was saying that He'd been right all along and that now I was back on His wavelength, not Him on my wavelength. I knew this was a new dimension brought on by what Jesus did. People need to be told about this or how will they know that's it's here. God has the way for the world to return to Him. He didn't need to return to me but I needed to return to Him.
PROPITIATION
OK, so let me get this straight
Jesus redeemed me: brought me out of sin
I'm reconciled to God: Jesus opened the door to God
God is free to act on my account:
I know now that I can't change God's attitude toward me because i know inside He is loving and merciful ( He's not like those heathens whose form of good sport is spearing fish in a bucket, who take verse out of context to hang their dirty pool doctrine on and who are repelled by goodness in others)
I only need to speak softly to Him for him to hear me. The concern He has for my needs and the delight he has in meeting them has found a home in my heart.
JUSTIFICATION
So what is the logical conclusion of all this? Is it just that a Holy and Righteous God accepts me, a sinner, into His Presence? There had to be more. And He mentioned "glorification" and said that was yet to come. For now all I could figger out was that God's saving work takes place instantaneously upon faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no logical procession. IT JUST IS.
In God's sight I am righteous and complete, thanks to Jesus. And there is nothing that belongs to Him that He has not shared with me, apart from His essential diety. It's all so overwhelming and amazing. Outside of Christ and His work I'm guilty and condemned to God's wrath. Yet to be with Christ I stand equited.
My oh so imperfect mind finds it hard to wrap around these facts. I mean, ..what God is doing...to think I needed..needed... Jesus' blood.
It's now so easy to believe. And i feel that I'm no longer alone. I'm still in this the world but the material and the physical aspects of life are now under the control of the spirituality within me. I feel whole now, I find myself wanting to do good b/c of the place of high esteem I find myself.
SANCTIFICATION
iT WASN'T JUST THAT I FELT SO SET APART FROM ALL THAT I'D EVER KNOWN. BUT I KNEW I WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE FATHER'S EYES, AS A FINISHED WORK, SET APART AS HIS BELOVED. I ALSO KNOW THAT HE WILL WORK AT AWAKENING MY SPIRIT TO MOVE HIGHER 'TILL I FILL THE POSITION OF BEING FAULTLESS IN HIS PRESENCE. WOW, THIS STUFF IS SO TOO MUCH! I HAVE SO MUCH GOING FOR ME. THERE'S JESUS WHO SET ME APaRT WHEN HE GAVE HIS LIFE AND BLOOD FOR ME ON THE CROSS, CLEANSING THE CRUD OF SIN FROM ME. AND OUR FATHER WHO SAID HE "WANTED ME" TO LIVE WITHIN HIS SPOKEN WORD. AND THEN THERE'S THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO SETS ME APART DAILY BY APPLYING THE BENEFITS OF JESUS' WORK ON MY LIFE. AND FOR MY PART I JUST NEED FAITH THAT WHAT GOD TELLS ME IS TRUE. THEN ALL THAT I HAVE BEEN PROMISED WILL BE MINE.
SECURITY
But how could I be sure? Had He really saved me or had He only provided a chance to be saved? I mean, does He do this healing thing for me? or am I supposed to contribute something on my part? How could I find out? I decided then and there to test this "coming to our Father thru Jesus Christ thing."
I screamed out "Will this alwys be mine?" I was so afraid I would mess it up. Jesus said" Some people use me as if by my death they inherit all I stand for, but reject that I am alive and full of power. Have truth behind your convictions and you will not lose rewards. That is your work. But this is the work of God for you; The Father's work is basic to your security, b/c He is able to keep and save you. His only offer being eternal life. His offer of love is the basis of security. My work," Jesus continued " is to provide a payment no enemy can ever challenge to your being at home in God's presence. And the Holy Spirit's work is to permenantly construct a temple within you placing God's seal upon you. As I am to the Father so also are you to Him. Do you understand now that now I would never leave you" Yes, I thought perhaps I did.
PREDESTINATION
But having adventured thus far into conversation with the great "I AM" now I asked if he could possibly explain to my limited mind all about the infinite God. Why am I here? Am I a part of the purpose and the plan? What, where, and when and how and all of it? Please tell me Lord, I need to know.
"You cannot possibly know it all, " He answered me, "yet listen to this. God settled upon one plan, in the beginning, and He had one purpose. He established an irreversable decree - that is based on the law of love. In doing so He limited Himself to a specific course of action. He knew the events that would take place and no human will can ever set limits on them. God also knows who will be included in His plan and who will fulfill His Divine purpose. He elects those based on His will and not on whether they are good or evil, from amongst all of the lost. All humans are cursed, but election is of grace ; to conform you to My glory. Our Father's will, will be accomplished.
And thru the ministry of the Holy Spirit, He will give you the power to respond. No one can come to Me unless the Father has sent him. All are rendered savable yet all are not called. You could not be here unless He had enabled you to respond. And He did that b/c it suited His purpose to do so."
RESSURECTION
"But" said I, "what is the final outcome for me then?" I knew I was pushing it but, well, "could you be more specific? Like where do I fit into this cosmic plan? I know it's in relationship to what You did, but, like, how?" My brain was stalling for time so I could think, but hey, really, where were we going with this? I suppose what I really wanted to know was, what about death? How do I get from here to there?
Amazingly He picked up exactly where my thoughts left off. "My purpose" my Lord began " was foretold from the beginning of mankind thru Words spoken by God's chosen people. The prophesies were fulfilled when I came for the purpose of giving life (I knew He meant the awakening of the spiritual life) (I was catching on) to those who believe that I lived on the earth and that I died and that our Father has given a powerful new life in heaven, having the same body as before death. All this was done for the purpose of giving you gifts in this life ans also the gift of eternal life.
All those who believe this is true will join Me. I Am the proof that God can do this for you also. I, Jesus, was the first to show you where death leads. When i arose from the dead I gave you power in your life and I will maintain that for you. That same power is what carries you heavenly, your spirit first and your body to follow, after physical death, to be with Me forever. Trust Me for it. This is My work."
Hope you enjoyed! Study the scripture to find yourself approved!!!
DEPRAVITY
I was born as bad off as I could get. I couldn't stop doing things totally wrong and I knew that before I'd really lived, I knew I was condemned to die. That old wicked one that ruled this world had me rocked to sleep in his arms. I had no idea how lost I really was. I mean, I lived in the material world and my whole self moved in the physical, yet half of me was dead. I couldn't have pleased God if I'd tried b/c I was totally unable to. I was not only spiritually dead, but I was accountable for sins of mine and also sins I'd inherited. But the most fearsome thing of all was that I was under the control of Satan. I needed help desperately
GRACE
It was at this time that I looked up and saw Jesus standing there, reaching His hand toward me. He said he to wanted to show me the way to safety and this way was now mine. It made me feel so good when He said that in this "gracious state" He would be with me to supply all my needs.
Regeneration (Born again)
I began to wonder how all of this was possible and must have asked out loud b/c Jesus said that He would tell me of "our Father's" plan. He actually said that He's my Father, too. Am I awake? Anyway, our Father has a plan to bring His children home. Jesus called it a "new birth". He said our Father had made the plan for us and Jesus made it happen by laying aside His heavenly power to come live among us. Then when the creation (in actuality) killed the creator, God rose Jesus up, along with His human body, up from the dead. And the Holy Spirit carries on the work Jesus began. (This Holy Spirit is apparently also responsible for the wake-up call on my spiritual self) (I'm beginning to see how important that is)
But for the most it was getting way over my head. And being a wee baby christian, over my head was not high up.
So, He continued on, in His loving voice, to tell me that to have a new nature I needed to have a new father. (What! Satan gets the boot from my life?) My Father wasn't giving me a new body, but He was giving me a new life.
The Holy Spirit awakens new areas in my life as God speaks His Word into it. He says it's like a soda pop that grows larger as bubbles are blown into it. I think I actually understood that.
And so, know what I did? I just looked at Jesus and reached out my hand to Him. And He did the most amazing thing! He put my hand in my Father's Hand! I couldn't believe my ears when my Father said "On the basis of Jesus' shed blood on the cross, you may now call me Father."
IMPUTATION
Then, as I stood open-mouthed, God took a huge book marked "accounts" and said He was going to record our transaction. I didn't understand what He meant but as I peered at what He was doing it began to make sence. First I saw that my account had a huge debt going all the way back to Adam and Eve. Then I saw Him cross off all my debts and transfer them into Jesus' account. Jesus is now responsible for all of my debts!! And if that isn't amazing enough, He also transferred all of Jesus' credit into my account!! I knew that gave me the right to get into heaven itself! I couldn't believe it!! Me, a nobody, and here's this Jesus saying to the Father " She has sinned. I don't plead for leniency. I don't ask you to ignore her sin. But" Jesus said to Him "I offer you a full and complete payment. Charge it all to my account" And the heavenly Father accepted. I must be in heaven!!!
SUBSTITUTION
When the shock of this most amazing thing had worn off I was left with only one question. "WHY?" I was then led to understand (thru the Spirit, I guess, I don't know, but I suddenly just knew) the neccesity of accepting payment from Someone else. From Someone like me, yet unlike me, sinless, as a substitute for my debt. Because if He didn't pay for them, then I was going to have to pay for them myself and the price was beyond description.
REPENTANCE
Suddenly I was standing face to face with the truth. My thoughts began to move in a different direction. I realized what my former status was; that thru accepting help I had accepted God's offer to meet the need in my life. I no longer saw things in the same light. Once I was lost and didn't know I needed a Savior. I hadn't known how guilty and helpless I was. Thank You God, Jesus has found me. Thank You God that You found me Jesus.
REDEMPTION
You know, I really see Jesus as a kinda big brother to me. I'll be honest with you. I was on the slave-block of the world. Now I know a purchase was necessary. Big Bro accomplished that for me. And it wasn't so easy for Him to make it so that I never see that slave market again. The price was blood and thew method of payment was thru death. He's my redeemer and He says the destination He's bringing me to (and my body as well, in a better form) is a glorious inheritance. Can you believe this? All for free!
RECONCILIATION
Oh this is weird. I could hear someone speaking to me in the Spirit. God was saying that according to him the world is out of balance and needs to conform to the standards he has set. So, what did that mean to me? Well, I knew that Adam had provoked ALL my privileges originally and Jesus had given them back to me...so...I listened carefully. He was saying that He'd been right all along and that now I was back on His wavelength, not Him on my wavelength. I knew this was a new dimension brought on by what Jesus did. People need to be told about this or how will they know that's it's here. God has the way for the world to return to Him. He didn't need to return to me but I needed to return to Him.
PROPITIATION
OK, so let me get this straight
Jesus redeemed me: brought me out of sin
I'm reconciled to God: Jesus opened the door to God
God is free to act on my account:
I know now that I can't change God's attitude toward me because i know inside He is loving and merciful ( He's not like those heathens whose form of good sport is spearing fish in a bucket, who take verse out of context to hang their dirty pool doctrine on and who are repelled by goodness in others)
I only need to speak softly to Him for him to hear me. The concern He has for my needs and the delight he has in meeting them has found a home in my heart.
JUSTIFICATION
So what is the logical conclusion of all this? Is it just that a Holy and Righteous God accepts me, a sinner, into His Presence? There had to be more. And He mentioned "glorification" and said that was yet to come. For now all I could figger out was that God's saving work takes place instantaneously upon faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no logical procession. IT JUST IS.
In God's sight I am righteous and complete, thanks to Jesus. And there is nothing that belongs to Him that He has not shared with me, apart from His essential diety. It's all so overwhelming and amazing. Outside of Christ and His work I'm guilty and condemned to God's wrath. Yet to be with Christ I stand equited.
My oh so imperfect mind finds it hard to wrap around these facts. I mean, ..what God is doing...to think I needed..needed... Jesus' blood.
It's now so easy to believe. And i feel that I'm no longer alone. I'm still in this the world but the material and the physical aspects of life are now under the control of the spirituality within me. I feel whole now, I find myself wanting to do good b/c of the place of high esteem I find myself.
SANCTIFICATION
iT WASN'T JUST THAT I FELT SO SET APART FROM ALL THAT I'D EVER KNOWN. BUT I KNEW I WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE FATHER'S EYES, AS A FINISHED WORK, SET APART AS HIS BELOVED. I ALSO KNOW THAT HE WILL WORK AT AWAKENING MY SPIRIT TO MOVE HIGHER 'TILL I FILL THE POSITION OF BEING FAULTLESS IN HIS PRESENCE. WOW, THIS STUFF IS SO TOO MUCH! I HAVE SO MUCH GOING FOR ME. THERE'S JESUS WHO SET ME APaRT WHEN HE GAVE HIS LIFE AND BLOOD FOR ME ON THE CROSS, CLEANSING THE CRUD OF SIN FROM ME. AND OUR FATHER WHO SAID HE "WANTED ME" TO LIVE WITHIN HIS SPOKEN WORD. AND THEN THERE'S THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO SETS ME APART DAILY BY APPLYING THE BENEFITS OF JESUS' WORK ON MY LIFE. AND FOR MY PART I JUST NEED FAITH THAT WHAT GOD TELLS ME IS TRUE. THEN ALL THAT I HAVE BEEN PROMISED WILL BE MINE.
SECURITY
But how could I be sure? Had He really saved me or had He only provided a chance to be saved? I mean, does He do this healing thing for me? or am I supposed to contribute something on my part? How could I find out? I decided then and there to test this "coming to our Father thru Jesus Christ thing."
I screamed out "Will this alwys be mine?" I was so afraid I would mess it up. Jesus said" Some people use me as if by my death they inherit all I stand for, but reject that I am alive and full of power. Have truth behind your convictions and you will not lose rewards. That is your work. But this is the work of God for you; The Father's work is basic to your security, b/c He is able to keep and save you. His only offer being eternal life. His offer of love is the basis of security. My work," Jesus continued " is to provide a payment no enemy can ever challenge to your being at home in God's presence. And the Holy Spirit's work is to permenantly construct a temple within you placing God's seal upon you. As I am to the Father so also are you to Him. Do you understand now that now I would never leave you" Yes, I thought perhaps I did.
PREDESTINATION
But having adventured thus far into conversation with the great "I AM" now I asked if he could possibly explain to my limited mind all about the infinite God. Why am I here? Am I a part of the purpose and the plan? What, where, and when and how and all of it? Please tell me Lord, I need to know.
"You cannot possibly know it all, " He answered me, "yet listen to this. God settled upon one plan, in the beginning, and He had one purpose. He established an irreversable decree - that is based on the law of love. In doing so He limited Himself to a specific course of action. He knew the events that would take place and no human will can ever set limits on them. God also knows who will be included in His plan and who will fulfill His Divine purpose. He elects those based on His will and not on whether they are good or evil, from amongst all of the lost. All humans are cursed, but election is of grace ; to conform you to My glory. Our Father's will, will be accomplished.
And thru the ministry of the Holy Spirit, He will give you the power to respond. No one can come to Me unless the Father has sent him. All are rendered savable yet all are not called. You could not be here unless He had enabled you to respond. And He did that b/c it suited His purpose to do so."
RESSURECTION
"But" said I, "what is the final outcome for me then?" I knew I was pushing it but, well, "could you be more specific? Like where do I fit into this cosmic plan? I know it's in relationship to what You did, but, like, how?" My brain was stalling for time so I could think, but hey, really, where were we going with this? I suppose what I really wanted to know was, what about death? How do I get from here to there?
Amazingly He picked up exactly where my thoughts left off. "My purpose" my Lord began " was foretold from the beginning of mankind thru Words spoken by God's chosen people. The prophesies were fulfilled when I came for the purpose of giving life (I knew He meant the awakening of the spiritual life) (I was catching on) to those who believe that I lived on the earth and that I died and that our Father has given a powerful new life in heaven, having the same body as before death. All this was done for the purpose of giving you gifts in this life ans also the gift of eternal life.
All those who believe this is true will join Me. I Am the proof that God can do this for you also. I, Jesus, was the first to show you where death leads. When i arose from the dead I gave you power in your life and I will maintain that for you. That same power is what carries you heavenly, your spirit first and your body to follow, after physical death, to be with Me forever. Trust Me for it. This is My work."
Hope you enjoyed! Study the scripture to find yourself approved!!!