Foundational Truths to Live By
Here are 4 foundational truths to live by. Some call them vital signs of the Gospel; some call them essential truths of the Gospel. If you are careful to build your foundation on these essential truths, your life will withstand whatever storm comes against it. Why? Because your foundation will be solid.
1 – Righteousness by Faith. (1 Cor. 1:30-31; Heb. 5:13-14.) A simple definition of righteousness is “right-standing with God” or “a harmonious relationship with God.” It is a gift that we receive from Him, and that’s why we can’t make ourselves less or more Righteous. This righteousness by faith exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees (Matt. 5:20). Imagine that! Isn’t that awesome?
But how do we receive this righteousness by faith? God wants us to know this. It is His heart’s desire for everyone to understand that righteousness is given to them when they receive Jesus as Lord and Savior! We are literally born into righteousness when we receive our new nature (2 Cor. 5:17). Did you know that “righteousness” is mentioned 555 in the KJV of the Bible?
Righteousness by Faith is a gift that has caused many to stumble. Why? Righteousness can only come to anyone through the finished work of Jesus (Rom 3:21-22,25.) Religious mindsets cause many to believe that they have to work for righteousness. And they spend their energy trying to make themselves righteous, not knowing that it is a FREE gift. The Apostle Paul said he counted all he did to make himself righteous as “dung.” For the Law could never make anyone righteous. Christ is the end of the Law (works) for righteousness. To those who believe they must work for righteousness, faith-righteousness is a stumbling stone.
If you have been under this mindset, repent from these “dead works.” It’s easy. Simply change what you believe to line up with God’s view and opinion of you in Christ. Bring every thought captive to the finished work of Christ! And thank God that Jesus offered 1 sacrifice for sin and sat down at His right hand! Forever!
2 Cor. 5:21 tells us that Jesus became sin for us so that we could be made the righteousness of God! God’s Grace is the key to repenting from dead works. Simply start acknowledging the fact that He came to set you FREE from this “dead works” mentality. Say, “Thank You, Lord!” Then acknowledge that the good works you get to do are simply fruit from a changed life that comes from understanding that you are righteous because of Jesus. (1 Cor. 15:16).
Confess: “I am the righteousness of God!” Confess it daily over your life. “I have right standing with my Abba Father!” Keep thanking God every day that our righteousness comes from Him! and not from ourselves! We are new creations in Christ! Created righteous and truly holy in our spirits. (Eph 2:24.) You are not an old sinner saved by grace! You are the righteousness of God! Keep your focus on this important capstone! Faith-Righteousness!
2. Faith Toward God – True faith is when we believe in Jesus’ finished work! Easy enough! A powerful definition of God’s Grace is His divine influence in our hearts that makes us more than overcomers; more than conquerors! Able to do what we do because of His grace in our lives: His abundant grace! We are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8.) “By” grace “through” faith. God sozed us by the regeneration and renewing of our spirit through the Holy Spirit!
So, let faith righteousness rule in your relationship with God your Father. Know with confidence that faith righteousness brings grace! Grace brings eternal life!
Keep believing you are righteous through Jesus’ finished work! As you do, watch as something supernatural starts to work in you. God’s grace will manifest! You can live better by accident than on purpose! Become fully persuaded and believe you are righteous because of Jesus! Then God’s Grace will give you the ability to live righteously.
Know that God’s nature is good! If it’s good, it’s from God. If it’s not, question it. For God loves us unconditionally just the way we are! He would never use His power to hurt us! Proverbs 16:6 tells us that by God’s mercy and truth (of the Gospel) all sin was atoned for! All!! God’s mercy will endure with us FOREVER! Faith in God works (is energized) by the knowledge of God’s love for us. Money is no issue for God! Hallelujah!
Allow His agape love to touch you. Love & faith in God will lead us into relationship with Him and others!
Here some fun things to think about and meditate on throughout your day:
- Jesus stepped out of joy everlasting and into suffering so we could step out of suffering into joy everlasting! Wow!! Think of that!! Meditate on this.
- Jesus stepped out of the peace of God into chaos so we could step out of chaos into the peace of God!! Another big wow! Awesome!
- Jesus stepped out of innocense into temptation so we can step out of temptation into innocense! Almost too good to be true!
- Jesus stepped out of righteousness into sin so we could step out of sin into righteousness! It’s the Gospel truth!
- Jesus presented us to God as holy, unblameable, unreproveable when we accepted His finished work! Thank You Lord! Thank You Father!!
- Faith will rise up in your heart as you keep focusing on the Gospel of peace between God your Father and tidings of good things! For He only has good thoughts towards you! Thoughts to bring you into the peace that surpasses all understanding!
3. – Doctrine of Baptisms. To be immersed into something else.
When we were baptized, we were immersed into water, symbolizing our baptism into the body of Christ when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior! Now we are united with Christ! We are inseparable from Christ! This is the mystery of the Gospel! Christ in us! What an awesome hope! What an awesome truth! (1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Cor. 1:30; John 14:19-20.)
When we were baptized in water, as all the early Christians were, we identified with the death of Christ (Rom. 6:4.), symbolic of our old nature being crucified with Christ (Rom. 6:6). From that point on, we can consider ourselves to be dead to sin but alive to God through Jesus Christ through our faith in the power of God who raised Jesus from the dead! (Rom. 6:11; Col. 2:12.) So choose to live in the power of your new nature, as Christ demonstrated through His earthly ministry (2 Cor. 5:15.)
When we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we receive power from on High! Jesus promised His disciples that they would receive the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, another one just like Him. (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8.) Jesus would not leave His disciples without family! The Holy Spirit constantly reminds us that we belong the family of God!
Let the Holy Spirit’s ministry be seen through Faith Righteousness & God’s love! 1 Cor. 13:1 tells us that without love — knowing God’s unconditional love for us personally — all our good works will only be like sounding brass, noisy symbols. The Holy Spirit will constantly show us who the Father is. The Holy Spirit will be with us forever. So, welcome Him! Say “Holy Spirit, You are welcome in my life!” Become Holy Spirit conscious! Aware of His presence!!
John 16:8-11 tells us the Holy Spirit will convince the world (the kosmos; all creation & its inhabitants) to believe and trust in Jesus! that we have peace with God! Right standing with our Abba Father! And that Satan has been judged 2000 years go! He’s Captain Zero with the rim knocked off!
We are unconditionally loved! Joel 2:28-29 tells us that we have an ally wherever we go: the Holy Spirit! Jesus’ ministry is still being carried out by the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:14-15). Jesus came to give us abundant life! The Holy Spirit is the same! He wants to bring us into the more than abundant life — life that overflows – life that is filled with the Zoe life of God!!
Jesus knew God His Father was always with Him. This is what we need! Revelation knowledge of God (Eph. 1:17)! When you see people depressed pray, “Lord, make Yourself real to them.”
They that believe in Jesus’ finished work shall lay hands on the sick and they will recover! His love, mercy, forgiveness is our true identity!! Everything Jesus did was as a man anointed by the Holy Spirit who trusted 100% in His Father! Let the Holy Spirit embolden you to the point you trust 100% in Your Abba Father!
Jesus focused on finding His identity in scripture and on the day He was baptized in the Sea of Galilee, He was baptized by the Holy Spirit. And God His Father said, “THIS IS MY BELOVED SON IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED!!” Today, focusing on finding your identity in the Gospel! In the finished work of Christ! Receive the 2nd baptism of the Holy Spirit. And hear God the Father say same thing to you, for you are His beloved child in whom He is well pleased.
4. Resurrection from the Dead! This is what separates Christianity from all other religions! It is what guarantees us eternal life! Jesus’ resurrection was proof that He was the son of God (Matt. 17:23; Rom. 1:4)! The Holy Spirit is our down payment of eternal life! Our guarantee! 1 Cor. 6:14 and 2 Cor. 4:14 say that because God raised Jesus from the dead, He will also raise us from the dead! Wow! More good news!! Hallelujah!!
Jesus also guarantees you and I will be counted free from all guilt and all sin at the judgment seat! All we can say to this is THANK YOU, JESUS! Thank You that we are already citizens of heaven! That’s why Paul says that He made us to be seated with Jesus in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6!) We are eternal beings! When we go to sleep or die as some say, we will go straight into God’s presence! (2 Cor. 5:8.) John 5:24 tells us to listen to the good news: we will not come into judgment! Why? We have already passed from death to life! How? When we accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior! At that split second, we were given God’s eternal Zoe life! And when we come before the judgment seat of Christ, we will be judged innocent and righteous! Because of Jesus’ finished work!