John.Creel
The Exchange
Romans 3:24
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Revelation 1:5
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,
What an incredible exchange the God of all creation prepared before the foundations of the world. “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:”—Ephesians 1:4
World: κόσμος kosmos – orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally)):–adorning, world.
A vessel washed in the blood of Jesus Christ by His grace through faith. The amazing love of God the Father to send His only begotten son Jesus Christ into a world lost in sin. A savior of the world who died on the cross for the sins of the whole world, and resurrected from the dead the third day. A vessel who hears the truth of the gospel and believes in the heart unto righteousness and confesses with the mouth unto salvation. A gospel sent by God through chosen vessels to preach the good news that Jesus is the way to everlasting life.
Romans 9:23
And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Ephesians 4:15
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
So, the growth and development stages begin within the believer as they learn the holy scriptures, as well as the character and attributes of the Holy One of Israel. The purpose and plan of God for the believer’s life are then revealed as they study and pray for God’s divine guidance in their lives. Of course, the gifts and offices within the body of Christ vary but they all work together by the same Holy Spirit. The vessel is thus preparing to bring forth good fruit in their own lives and also to live the example of Christ so others may behold the transformation and glorify God.
John 15:16
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
John 15:2
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Acts 13:25
And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
The course of the race each believer seeks to fulfill may be uniquely suited and aligned with the plan God designed for their life and ministry. The exchange from walking after the lust of the flesh and carnal mindedness in a dark world which only leads to vanity, hopelessness, and death especially after the pleasure of sin for a season has dissolved, could in no wise ever compare to the peace and fulfilment of having one’s eyes opened to the truth and life that is in Christ Jesus. Then the final phase of the exchange, even when trials, challenges, and tribulation may be flaring on all sides. The blessed hope of the faithfulness of Christ that even in death or Jesus’ return and the resurrection will usher the vessel, the believer, into the midst of the paradise of God one day.
Be reconciled to God by Faith in Jesus Christ
Revelation 2:7
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
