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January 2017 (printable .pdf file - 357 KB)

Righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit be to you from God our Father and His son the Lord Jesus Christ.

The December 2016 teaching discussed God's Word concerning the birth of Jesus. We enjoyed reading God's Word concerning the announcement and birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the angel, the birth of Jesus, the Wise men, and Jesus at age twelve years old.

There are three types of teaching we can do in the Bible - 1. A Textual (Word based) teaching, 2. A topical teaching (a topic like Baptism & similar to what we did in 2016), and 3. An Expository teaching looks at every verse line by line and provides clarification and discussion. This month we will do a word-based teaching on the word ""Now." We will look at some of the things we have in Christ ""Now" per God's Word.

The word "Now" means immediately, instantly, right now! Some things in God's Word are in the future, like the return of Christ and the new body we are going to receive. Other things are written for our learning, like the Old Testament and its valuable lessons. I am so ecstatic to see all the things we "Now" have in Christ, and share this teaching with you.. Our Father so loved us that He made us complete in Christ.

I exhort you to take your Bible and read the chapters from where these scriptures which exhort us "Now" to take action. Let's read Luke 2:15-16:

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us "Now" go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

This verse tells us HOW the shepherds responded to the angels' heralds. They went immediately, instantly, right "Now" with haste to see what the Lord had made known to them. They acted with haste and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe Jesus lying in a manger just as the angels said. People, this passage from Luke teaches us that if we want to see the greatness of God, we must act "Now" on His word.

Let's look at another example of "Now" in John 9:19, 21 and 25. In these verses, Jesus healed their [referring to the parents] son on the Sabbath day, which the religious leader was not happy about. The key is looking at the immediacy of the healing. When did their son see? "Now"!

And they asked them [the parents], saying, is this your son, who you say was born blind? how then doth he "Now" see? But by what means he "Now" seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. He answered and said, whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, "Now" I see.

It is written in John 16:31: Jesus answered them, do you "Now" believe? Jesus asked his disciples do you "Now" believe. He wanted them to admit to the immediacy of their believing based on what he had just said to them [in verses 25-30]. This is important because once God's Word is known and believed, the action can start "Now."

Take a look at II Corinthians 6:2:

For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, "Now" is the accepted time; behold, "Now" is the day of salvation.

When was the accepted time? "Now"! When was the day of salvation? "Now"! Paul was exhorting the Corinthians to acknowledge instantly the day of salvation, so they could take action on it. Rather than wait for something in the future, "Now" is a sign-post that the action is to taken immediately.

People, the action you can take "Now" is to confess Romans 10: 9:
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you do not have the Spirit of Christ you are not born again. According to the scripture, But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. "Now" if any man [anyone] have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

It is important to understand the day of salvation is "Now"! It is written in Ephesians 5:8: For ye were sometimes darkness [blinded], but "Now" are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light. God is light, people. It is written This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). We are children of the light, God, and we walk by His Word which is a lamp to our feet, and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). Ephesians tells us this is something that is available and ready for action "Now." This is not something to wait for in the future or something that came to us in the past. It is prepared, available, and ready for us "Now."

The constant reminder we have is that "Now" are we sons and daughters of Gods. It is written in I John 3:2:

Beloved, "Now" are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

According to the scriptures, we are sons and daughters of God "Now," because we are born again of God's Spirit and we are children of the light, God. This means Jesus Christ is our brother. It is written in Hebrews 2:11: For both he that sanctified and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he [Jesus Christ] is not ashamed to call them brethren. I will repeat it - Jesus Christ is our brother! We have the same God and Father! This is God's Word, people, and it brings me great comfort each and every day.

Let's look at two more examples of "Now." The first is in Romans 8:29:

For whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. And in Ephesians 2:13: But "Now" in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are [the text is were] made nigh [next of kin] by the blood of Christ.

Jesus Christ, as our brother, died for us! He gave his life for you and me, people. This is something we have "Now" and something we can take action on "Now." The action we can take is tell people what God does for us every day in Christ Jesus. And why do we take this action? Turn to II Corinthians 5:20:

"Now" then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

When are we ambassadors for Christ? "Now" is the answer according to the Bible. The moment you were born again, you became a son of God, Jesus Christ became your brother, and we all became ambassadors for Christ. We are to speak God's Word "Now"! And why do we do this? We are told in Romans 7:6, which is talking about the ten commandments of the Law given to Moses.

But "Now" we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

We were delivered from the law in the Old Testament "Now." According to the scriptures for the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death [Romans 8:2]. Thank God, through Christ Jesus, we are delivered from the law. We are told in Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth. Christ is the end of the law, he fulfills it!

Turn to Romans 3:21-22:

But "Now" the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.

According to Romans 6:22:

But "Now" being made free from sin, and become servants to God, you have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

So, I ask you. . .When are we delivered and made free from sin by Christ? Your answer should be an enthusiastic and resounding "Now"!

Let's continue reading in Romans 8:1:

There is therefore "Now" no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The Word tells us there is "Now" no condemnation. No doubt on this one, people. . . there is "Now" no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. Remember, Christ in you is son ship, you in Christ is fellowship.

Turn to I Corinthians 7:14 for a comforting example of "Now:"

For the unbelieving husband [who does not believe in God] is sanctified [set apart] by the [believing] wife, and the unbelieving wife [who does not believe in God] is sanctified [set apart] by the husband: else were your children unclean; but "Now" are they holy.

Children are made holy "Now" by the believing of the husband or wife. If you are parents, doesn't that bless your heart and comfort you? People, God's Word guarantees us "Now" our children are made holy if one parent believes.

This comfort also extends to us. Turn to the scriptures in Romans 5:11:

And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have "Now" received the atonement [reconciliation].

The Word of God says we "Now" received the atonement or reconciliation back to God through Jesus Christ. By taking action on Romans 10:9, we are sons and daughters of God, our Father. This is important because in Colossians 1:21 we see And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet "Now" hath he reconciled. In the same manner, II Corinthians 5:18 tells us And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ.

The word "reconcile" means to bring back together that which was separated. Man was separated from God when Eve and Adam sinned (Genesis 3). If this is not clear to you, please go back and read the teachings from January 2016 and February 2016. It is important to understand why Romans 5:9 is so powerful - Much more then, being "Now" justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. It is through our taking action via Romans 10:9, we are saved through Jesus Christ. It by what our brother Jesus Christ accomplished that we are saved from wrath "Now."

According to the scriptures: I am [was] crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I "Now" live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me - Galatians 2:20.

Because we are "Now" justified by the blood of Jesus Christ, we shall be saved from wrath through him. This is not wishy-washy - it is not maybe we will be saved or we could be saved. People, we are not absolutely, positively going through the wrath because "Now" we are justified.
More than being justified, as if that was not enough, we are also in the body of Christ.

I Corinthians 12:20 and 27 tells us: But "Now" are they many members, yet but one body. Verse 27 "Now" you are the body of Christ, and members in particular. We have a place "Now" in the body of Christ.

Let's look at another example of the power of "Now" in God's Word. Turn to Colossians 1:26-27:

Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but "Now" is made manifest to his saints. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Take a look at the time constraints in these verses. The scripture tells us something that was in the past hidden is "Now" made manifest or known to his saints. This is a great example of the past and present. And, more importantly, the "Now" action is Christ is in us if we have taken action via Romans 10:9.

According to the scriptures, "Now" ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth (Colossians 3:8). We are given clear instructions to immediately stop actions which are not in line with God's will. What other instructions or actions can we "Now" take?

I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me! -- Philippians 4:13. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so "Now" yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness -- Romans 6: 19.

It is important to look for those examples of "Now" throughout the scriptures. When we see it, we look for the subsequent ACTION that is to take instantly and immediately. Turn to these verses and look for the ACTION of "Now:"

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so "Now" also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death -- Philippians 1:20. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness [is your real, true, vital and spiritual relationship with God] is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that "Now" is, and of that which is to come -- I Timothy 4:8.

These examples of "Now" give us clear instructions of the ACTION to take immediately, just as the angels appearing to the shepherds told them what to instantly do. Many people turn the Word of God into something complicated and difficult. But by looking at the sign post of "Now," we can clearly see the instant behaviors we absolutely must take as ambassadors of Christ.

Let's look at some final knowledge and immediate actions.

And "Now", little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming -- I John 2:28. For "Now" we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord -- I Thessalonians 3:8. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both "Now" and forever. Amen. -- II Peter 3:18.

If there is one main activator in the word "Now," it is the love of God that comes from continually and immediately renewing our mind with God's Word. Look at 1 Corinthians 13:13: And "Now" abideth faith, hope, charity [love of God in the renewed mind in manifestation], these three; but the greatest of these is charity [love of God in the renewed mind in manifestation]. For God, love is the greatest action we can take "Now" because love triggers and energizes believing and hope while we wait for the return of Christ.

In summary, we did a word based study of the word "Now" as it appears in the Bible. We learned the word "Now" is a sign post of an immediate action that needs to be taken immediately, instantly, or "Now"!

I invite you to explore the Bible for more examples and knowledge about the actions you can take "Now." The Bible is not a dusty old text to be picked up when convenient. It is the word of life "Now."

I thank God, our Father for what He has given us "Now" through His only begotten son the Lord Jesus Christ. "Now" for this cause, I also thank God without ceasing, because, when you receive the Word of God, you receive it not as the Word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe (I Thessalonians 2:13).

Next month's teaching will continue to explore "Now" from the perspective of HOW or in what ways can we take the actions of "Now."

In the Lord
Ministry of Reconciliation
Son of God through Jesus Christ
Ambassador for Christ

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