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

¹⁸ And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

¹⁹ To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the Word of Reconciliation.

²⁰ Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be you reconciled to God.

²¹ For He (God) has made Him (Jesus) to be sin (the Sin Offering) for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the Righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.

The reconciling act of Jesus was in His dying on Calvary’s Cross.  It was there that the Lamb of God was offered up as a Sin Offering for the sin of man.  On Calvary’s Cross the penalty of sin was paid:

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23;

and the power of sin was broken:

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under Grace.” Romans 6:14.

Know this, WHO Jesus is and what He has done for whosoever will believe, there is no doubt as to the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is proof that every sin was paid in full for those who accept Him as their Lord and Saviour. Bear in mind, the sinner is called to believe but the Saint is called to follow Jesus (Luke 9:23).

The means by which Jesus Christ broke the power of sin in the Believer’s life is through Calvary’s Cross.  Religion will attempt to make the Righteousness of God a rule to be kept in order to be righteous.  However, Grace will manifest God’s Righteousness in the hearts of those whose faith is placed solely and exclusively in the Source by which God’s Righteousness is applied (Jesus Christ) and the means by which it is applied (Calvary’s Cross).  This is the working of the Holy Spirit being applied in our hearts and lives because of our faith in Jesus…looking unto Him, Who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the Cross and is now sitting at the Right Hand of the Throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

Precept upon precept, line upon line, the Lord will author and finish our faith. Recognize when laws are given to uphold righteousness.  When we’re faced with temptation, do we immediately remember that law/rule/oath that we made to “be” righteous or do we immediately look to Jesus to deliver us from that temptation?  Our answer will determine our victory or defeat.  That law didn’t give us dominion over sin, Jesus Christ gave us dominion over sin.  Choose accordingly.

“¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that in Him (Jesus) should all fullness dwell;

²⁰ And, having made peace through the Blood of His Cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

²¹ And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has He reconciled

²² In the Body of His Flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight:”  Colossians 1:19-22

We have been reconciled to God through the Body of His Flesh, Jesus Christ.  We have been given the ministry of the Word of Reconciliation.  We do not preach, declare or decree from behind the pulpit oaths, laws, 40 days, “series”, blood moons, shemitahs, traditions, feasts or festivals – we preach the Word of Reconciliation to the entirety of the world and then the end will come…we preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

-Donna Clark Warren