I Reckon So - Results

In week 4 of "I Reckon So," Pastor Matt discussed why it is important to reckon that we have died to the law and sin. He also discussed whether we still have our old nature and the result of that in our lives. 

After the service, he posted a great list of verses on the Facebook Insider page to go through. I'm really astonished that he got through so many verses in the message, was able to expound on them, and that we are all still not sitting there. So, I'm not going to try not to touch on them all, but please take the time to go through them, note them, highlight them, etc.

If I'm going to be totally honest, I will admit that it is easy to fall into the works-based faith of "here's your list of do's and don'ts, fail your list of do's and don'ts, repent, and repeat. Where does it take you? Worn the heck out. Reckoning the truths that these verses give allows you to rest in your position in Christ and the abundant blessings that flow through Him.

Within the message, Pastor Matt laid out three components Illustrating why you cannot be sinners and righteous simultaneously: 

Romans 6:10, we are united with Christ in his death and resurrection.  This verse pretty much says it all, and anything contradictory says that Christ's death, burial, and resurrection were insufficient. 

Colossians 2:10 - You are complete IN HIM.

To me, knowing that I am in Christ is one thing, but that he is also in me? And not only that but we are sealed by his Spirit (Eph 1:13, 4:30). This mystery that was revealed to Paul is how we know and can reckon that we can have the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27-28

And through our union with Christ, Colossians 1:22 says we are holy, blameless, and beyond reproach. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become NEW."

In Christ, we have been made a new creature. I loved the illustration that we are not just renovated versions of ourselves, but that we have made completely new. By being united with Christ, my previous version was crucified with Him 2,000 years ago- past tense, history. So, even if I wanted to "do" something or even bring back the old man, I can't. It was dealt with long ago, and my old self is long gone; the strain was more than it could bear and ain't coming back. 

Many Christians are forever stuck on the "I'm just a sinner saved by grace" hamster wheel. This mentality can consume everything you do. But once you reckon yourself dead to sin, you must also reckon yourself to be alive to God through Jesus Christ.  Then sit and appreciate the fact that the battle was won for us through Christ and rejoice in knowing our victory brings us new life through him. 

Romans 3:19, we learned that the law condemns everyone who is under the law, and all the world is guilty before God. Therefore, by the deeds of the law, no flesh will be justified. 

BUT NOW, we are no longer condemned because we are in Christ. Judgment and condemnation came to all men through the offense of one. However, by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life (Romans 5:18-19).

We know that through the first half of Romans 8:1: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus."

Paul continues this thought through verse 3 and the first half of verse 4 - "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh."

However, our deliverance from sin is based upon what God did for us in Christ and reckoning (resting in it) it to be true. If our old nature were Johnny, tell him "I apologize I forgot you were there. You may go now."

After you rest in (reckon) these three truths, you can continue in Roman's 8, walk.  The flesh is in contrast of who I am. That is why we are dead to the law and the power of sin. It is no longer a matter of what I can do to please God. But instead, what he has done and given to me, through Christ (our source). And rejoicing that I have the privilege and blessing to be a part of this abundant life and to walk by the Spirit. The Spirit speaks to us today by His word. He is here to show us and teach us what God has done for us.

Which circles us back…remember that list Pastor Matt gave?