Ascension Life Booklet . Reckon Ye...

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead...” (Rom. 6:11)

At the Garden of Gethsemene Jesus revealed that He knew the reason He came. It was so that He would suffer the humiliating death of the cross.(Jn. 12:27) The miracles and teachings were not His main mission. He came to set man free from the effects of the transgression of Adam. This could only be done through a redemptive work that included a death, burial and resurrection.

Jesus knew that it was only by His death, burial and resurrection that he could reproduce Himself through the body of Christ. In John 12:24, He said, “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die it abideth alone, but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit” Jesus also knew that in order for His body to be brought forth in His image a special emphasis would need to be placed upon His death. The Biblical imagery of "Wheat and Barley" are used consistently to typify the "Death and Resurrection" of Christ, "wheat" speaking of His death. (In a later paper we will consider these two beautiful types and their significance). In John chapter 12, Jesus is saying that in order for me to been seen by the Greeks two things must happen. First, the corn of wheat (Christ Himself) must be planted in the ground (The Heart Of Man) and secondly, He must die there. In other words, the only way a man will ever express the life and nature of Christ is first, be born again, that is have Christ the Seed planted in the ground of the heart. After the "new birth" must come a "revelation" of Christ's death, (He must Die there).

After experiencing the "New Birth" do we need "MORE OF JESUS" or "LESS OF US?" Paul put it this way, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him,.... Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:6, 11) There is a knowing and a reckoning needed. What do we "know?" We know that our OLD MAN was CRUCIFIED with Christ! The word "reckon" in Romans 6:11 is an accounting word used here to express the need for the believer to look at the ACCOUNTS of his death in Christ. We must be able to account for "HOW, WHEN, WHERE" this event happened! We have become New Creatures in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). The "Old Man" is dead and buried with Christ (Rom. 6:3-4). We must have the "eyes of our understanding enlightened." (Eph. 1:17-18) The most pressing need of Christians today is not a new car, house, or larger bank account. It's not even physical or emotional healing, although Christ does them both. The greatest need in Christendom today is "A REVELATION OF THE PERSON AND WORK of Christ!" When this becomes a reality in our lives all lesser needs will be swallowed up IN HIM!

How many believers today still fight an ongoing battle with the Old Man? The "old man" is not our problem today! OUR PROBLEM IS WHAT WE THINK ABOUT THE OLD MAN!!!! Our thinking will be only be changed as we behold Him in His death, as He identified with us.

To be continued next time ...

Reckon Ye