I Reckon So - Word

Have you ever said, "I reckon so?" If you've spent any time in the south, you've either said that or most certainly heard it said. It typically implies a half-hearted yes; however, the word reckon is actually an accounting term that means to balance to the penny. It means it is 100% accurate and without fault...in other words, it is true. It isn't an assumption or a best guess, and it certainly isn't a feeling. Rather it is certain and can be trusted as absolute. This past weekend, Andrew brought a message from the I Reckon So series entitled Crucified and Raised with Christ.  
Andrew took us on a quick history lesson through the events recounted in the Bible from the Garden of Eden to the Cross, then beyond giving us truth on living an abundant and fruitful life...living in peace and leaving with true life-changing power. As we go throughout our lives, it sure seems life is full of challenges, trials, and temptations, doesn't it? In fact, we've all encountered times in our lives that have seemed like a deep dark valley. But we've likely also experienced times that seemed much like a mountain top experience. These times challenge us, they usually cause us to ask questions and often times question what we believe. As hard as those times seem, it isn't necessarily a bad thing...if we use truth to navigate through these times. Our desires, our thoughts, and our feelings all follow after our beliefs. It is important to know what we believe, but it is imperative to know truth.
The truth I'm referring to and that Andrew spoke with us about this weekend is the truth of who we are. Unfortunately, most people don't have the desires of, think like, or feel like they are who God says they are. This is where the reckon word comes in. The Creator of the Universe has spoken truth through His written word, and those are the things we can reckon, count on, rely on, take to the bank as truth. Romans 5:12 gives us a very sobering and seemingly hopeless look at who each of us was at birth. "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."  Because of our Adamic nature, the law of sin and death reigned in us. In that life, there was only hopelessness. However, 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" This verse tells us a profound truth...it is nothing that any believer would argue. However, it is one that every believer doesn't necessarily believe. Do we live a life reckoning that the hopeless old man is graveyard dead? Or do we live a life that exhibits a belief that Jesus gave us one heck of a spit shine and said, now go keep yourself clean? Don't ask yourself if you believe it for a moment, rather view the thoughts, desires, and feelings that follow. It is your belief manifested in real life. Sadly, many live a defeated life in the valley, on the mountain top, and everywhere along the way. As Pastor Matt mentioned last week...many are just hanging on until Jesus returns, and that isn't the life God has willingly provided and desires for us.  
One of my favorite movies is Lonesome Dove, and in a particular scene, Capt Gus McRae says to Woodrow Call, "it ain't dying I'm talking about; it's living." I doubt it matters where you die, but it matters where you live." How many of us walk in what is dead...whether we want to admit it or not, the fruit of our reckoning truth or not will be evidenced in our lives. Romans 6:4 tells us, "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." What Paul is telling us here is not just to walk but to walk in this new life...not walk through a new life with the old person spit-shined and attempting to stay clean. Instead, walk knowing the new life is all that exists. Scripture tells us that as believers, we have been perfected, we are Holy, we are the very righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Could a person feel defeated, be tossed to and fro, lack hope...if they believed that is truly who they are...not a glimpse of it, rather that is you entirely and completely?
How was Paul able to say, "...for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (Philippians 4:11) and then tell us, "give thanks in all circumstances..." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)? Because he knew the truth of what he tells us in Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The new life I now live in this body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me and gave Himself for me." He was also able to give us further insight into that power in Romans 6:12-14, "Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace."
The Lord's plan isn't to just keep us from an eternity separated from Him and everything good. Rather, He bestowed upon us a new life, with completeness and equipped to walk in boldness, not defeated, but acknowledging the power of resurrection life. What a deal! What a deal!!! Ephesians 4:1, "I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called." This isn't a working on, rather living in. May we more than "reckon so." May we reckon and know it so.