No More Consciousness of Sins – Part 1

2 Corinthians 3:5-18 NLT
5 It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. 6 He has enabled us to be ministers of HIS NEW COVENANT. This is a covenant NOT OF WRITTEN LAWS, but OF THE SPIRIT. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life. 7 The old way, with LAWS ETCHED IN STONE, LED TO DEATH, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. 8 Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GIVING LIFE? 9 If THE OLD WAY, WHICH BRINGS CONDEMNATION, was glorious, how much more glorious is THE NEW WAY, WHICH MAKES US RIGHT WITH GOD! 10 In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way. 11 So if the old way, WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACED, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever! 12 Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away. 15 But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day WHENEVER THE OLD COVENANT IS BEING READ, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. 16 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand. But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him AS WE ARE CHANGED INTO HIS GLORIOUS IMAGE.

Colossians 2:13-14 AMP
13 And you who were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (your sensuality, your sinful carnal nature), [God] brought to life together with [Christ], having [freely] forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having CANCELLED AND BLOTTED OUT AND WIPED AWAY THE HANDWRITING OF THE NOTE (BOND) WITH ITS LEGAL DECREES AND DEMANDS which was in force and stood against us ( HOSTILE TO US). THIS [NOTE WITH ITS REGULATIONS, DECREES, AND DEMANDS] HE SET ASIDE AND CLEARED COMPLETELY OUT OF OUR WAY by nailing it to [His] cross.

Hebrews 10:1-4, 8-10, 16-17 NKJV
1 For the law, having a SHADOW of the good things to come, and NOT THE VERY IMAGE OF THE THINGS, CAN NEVER with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, MAKE THOSE WHO APPROACH PERFECT. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, ONCE PURIFIED, WOULD HAVE HAD NO MORE CONSCIOUSNESS OF SINS. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. 8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” HE TAKES AWAY THE FIRST THAT HE MAY ESTABLISH THE SECOND. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL. 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” 17 then He adds, “THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.”

To be continued…

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No More Consciousness of Sins – Part 2

Every one that is not born again is under the conviction of the Holy Spirit for the SIN of not believing in Jesus Christ (John 16:8&9).

Once we are born again we should not be sin conscious because God doesn’t keep a record of our sins.

Romans 4:6-8 NKJV
Just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God IMPUTES RIGHTEOUSNESS APART FROM WORKS: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the Lord SHALL NOT IMPUTE SIN.”

God changed the law because we have a High Priest that serves under a different covenant to the one that Israel had with Him. Because priesthood changed, the law had to change. There is a new law in the place of the old one.

Hebrews 7:11-12 NKJV
11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (FOR UNDER IT THE PEOPLE RECEIVED THE LAW), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? 12 FOR THE PRIESTHOOD BEING CHANGED, OF NECESSITY THERE IS ALSO A CHANGE OF THE LAW.

Romans 3:21-22 NKJV
21 But now the righteousness of God APART FROM THE LAW IS REVEALED, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD, THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, to all and on all who believe.

John 13:34 NKJV
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

The old covenant commandment was to keep the Law, and then God would be pleased with you. In the new covenant we don’t do things to please God and become acceptable before Him. We do things for God and people out of love for God and people (I Corinthians 13:3 NKJV – And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.)

I John 3:23 NKJV
And this is His commandment: that we should BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE OF HIS SON Jesus Christ and LOVE ONE ANOTHER, as He gave us commandment.

Now that we are born-again our commandment is to 1. Believe what Jesus accomplished for us, 2. Walk in love toward other people.

Because we have the Holy Spirit prompting us to do right, we do not need the law to tell us what to do. The Bible tells us to completely dissociate ourselves from the law because it brings condemnation and death (2 Corinthians 3:7,9).

We have to grow in our relationship with the Holy Spirit because He has taken the place of the law in providing guidance for our conduct.

Romans 7:6 AMP
6 But now we are DISCHARGED from the Law and have TERMINATED ALL INTERCOURSE with it, having died to what once restrained and held us captive. So now we serve not under [obedience to] the old code of written regulations, but [UNDER OBEDIENCE TO THE PROMPTINGS] OF THE SPIRIT in newness [of life].

When the peace of God remains in our hearts after receiving a prompting, we can act on the prompting because it is from the Holy Spirit.

The promptings can come in many ways including: a thought, a word, a phrase, a picture/vision, an impression in your heart, compassion toward a person, etc.

We are no longer under the law of Moses. The law has been removed from our relationship with God. If we miss a mark we are not condemned by God. We will have to deal with the consequences of our actions or omissions where this life is concerned, but God does not count that sin against us because He has removed the law from His dealings with us.

Visit http://fountainofhisword.co.za for an audio recording of this message and other messages that were preached during our celebration services.