For Me to Live

8/6/2019 For Me to Live

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FOR METO LIVE

IS

CHRIST

(Philippians 1:21)

A Primer On TheLife In Chr ist

For Group Study

A Companion Booklet toHandbook to Happiness

(Tyndale House)

Charles R. Solomon, Ed.D


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Published By:

SOLOMON PUBLICATIONSP. O. Box 6115

Sevierville, TN [email protected]

In Conjunction With:

GRACE FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONALP. O. Box 368

Pigeon Forge, TN 37868Phone: 865.429.0450Fax: 865.429.0144www.SolomoNet.org

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be repr oduced,stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by anymeanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior writtenpermission of the publisher.

Diagrams from Handbook to Happiness are used by permission ofTyndale House Publishers.

2000 Char les R. SolomonIBSN 0 -9668312-3-3


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(Philippians 1:21)

For me to live is Christ;In Him I have my being.Contrary to sense data,Believing now is seeing.

For me to live is Christ;

He is my only Source. (Colossians 3:4)Allowing Him to liveIs life without r emorse.

For me to live is Christ;He is my Satisfaction.

Since Im dead to sin, (Romans 6:7)Theres no other attraction.

For me to live is Christ;He alone is my strength. (Philippians 4:13)

From sin and self to save me,

Hell go to any length.

For me to live is Christ;He is my Supply. (Philippians 4:19)

He lives in GloryAnd, in me, as I die. (Galatians 2:20)

For me to live is Christ;He is my all in all. (Colossians 3:11)

My every need suppliedAs on Him I call. (John 15:16b)

For me to live is Christ;Ive found in Him my rest. (Hebrews 4:9,10)As I abide in Him, (John 15:5)

With peace and joy Im b lest. (John 14:27, 15:11)


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The forer unner of this booklet , utilizing Dr. Solomons mate-rials, was originally conceived and prepared for use byRev. Richard Wiens at Woodbury Community Church nearSt. Paul, Minnesota . Rev. Stoney Shaw made addit ions andused it at Park Avenue Baptist Church in St. Louis, Mis-souri. Rev. John Shepherd made other changes and used itat Chilhowee Hills Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.Rev. John Woodwar d also edited and amended it . We be-lieve that the Body of Christ will be blessed and enriched bytheir contributions and the consequent prompting of theHoly Spiri t to make it widely available in its present form.

This edition has been pervasively edited by Dr. Solomon foruse in this country and as a generic model for tr anslation inother languages. It is suitable for use in a new membersclass, new Christians class, Sunday School class in achurch or for group study, community Bible study, or cellgroup to lay the foundation for discipleship. And whoso-ever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot bemy disciple. (Luke 14:27)

When used with Handbook to Happiness (Tyndale HousePublishers, Inc.), it can serve as a tool for a believer to use

in helping others in spiritual growth.

When we come to the place of full retr eatAnd our heart cr ies out for God,

The only person whose heart ours can meet,Is one who has likewise trod.

Others may offer a word of cheer

To lift us from despair ,But above the rest, the one we hearIs the whisper, Ive been there.

Charles R. Solomon


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FOR ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST

Lesson 1: Gods Design for ManMan: A Tri-UnityMans Spirit ual ProblemA New SpiritThe Center: Christ or Self?Gods Plan

Lesson 2: My Old Identit yThe Identity Crisis

The Need for Life

Lesson 3: My New Identit yMy Life In ChristMy AssuranceMy Secur ity

Lesson 4: My AcceptanceMy Acc eptance In ChristThe Rejecti on SyndromeMy Response

Lesson 5: My Identi fication With Christ in Co-Death, Co-Bur ial,Co-Resurrec tion, and Co-Ascension

Lesson 6: My Victor yWhat Is Victor y?Why Do We Not Exper ience Vict ory?

Lesson 7: My ChoiceMy WillWalking After The FleshWalking In The SpiritThe Importance of FaithWe Must Claim Christ As Our Life

Lesson 8: Paths To The Cross


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Appendix I Definition of TermsAppendix II Who Am I?Appendix III My Identification With ChristAppendix IV ReviewAppendix V Addi tional Study Helps


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Introduction

Who am I? What does it mean to be in Christ ?

As Christians, it is possible for us to be operating under afake ID (one we have learned from others or one we havedeveloped ourselves) and be unaware of our real identity inChrist.

This study has been developed from the mater ial presented

in Dr. Charles Solomons Handbook to Happiness, and theSolomon Institute.

We pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Fatherof glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revela-tion in the (deep and intimate) knowledge of Him: the eyesof your understanding being enlightened; that ye may knowwhat is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of theglory of His inheritance in the saints. (Ephesians 1:17,18KJV)

And you shall know the Truth

and the Truthshall set you Free.(John 8:32)

This study guide is designed to be used in conjunction withHandbook to Happiness (Tyndale House) by Dr. CharlesSolomon.


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Man: A Tri-Unity

The Bible says that God has created each of us as a Tri-Unity (made of three parts). What are these parts? Read IThessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 4:12.

_______________ _______________ ________________

Our Spir it relates to ______________________________________

Our Soul relates to _______________________________________

Mind ThinkerWill C h o o s e r Our Personali ty

Emotions Feeler

Our Body relates to ______________________________________

ManMan ---- A TriA Tri--UnityUnity

1 Thessalonians 5:231 Thessalonians 5:23

Hebrews 4:12Hebrews 4:12

BODYBODY

PhysiologicalPhysiological

MindMind

WillWill

EmotionsEmotions

PsychologicalPsychological

SOULIntuitionIntuition

ConscienceConscience

CommunionCommunion

SpiritualSpiritual

SPIRITRelates toRelates toOthersOthers

Relates toRelates toenvironmentenvironment

RelatesRelates

to Godto God




BODYBODY


MindMind

WillWill

EmotionsEmotions




CommunionCommunion

SpiritualSpiritual



RelatesRelates

to Godto God




BODYBODY


BODYBODY


MindMind

WillWill

EmotionsEmotions


SOULMindMind

WillWill

EmotionsEmotions




CommunionCommunion

SpiritualSpiritual

SPIRITIntuitionIntuition


CommunionCommunion

SpiritualSpiritual


Relates toRelates to

OthersOthers



RelatesRelates

to Godto God

RelatesRelates

to Godto God


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In addition to each part of man having a special function in

relating to God, others, and the environment, each par t alsore lates to the other parts of man (see inside arrows). Thesoul is the intermediary between the spirit and the body.

For example, physical condit ions, such as a hormone imbal-ance in the body, may lead to emotional problems in thesoul. The opposite is also true: the psychological symp-toms in our soul can affect our bodies (e.g., tension maylead to headaches, ulcers, etc.).

Also, the psychological symptoms of our soul can affect ourspiritual relationship to God, while spiritual problems may

amplify existing psychological symptoms.

NOTE: Psychologic al symptoms and resulting physicalsymptoms have their root in a spir itual prob lem. Man is in-adequate in coping with and solving psychological symp-toms! The solution must deal with the root problem, andnot just symptoms. The question mark (?) in the center ofthe diagram on the previous page represents what or who

is controlling the life.

Lost Mans Spiri tual Problem

What is lost mans spir itual problem?

Romans 3:23 ______________________________________Romans 5:12 ______________________________________I Cor inthians 15:22 ______________________________________Ephesians 2:1 ______________________________________

Our spirit and Gods Spirit are separated, and our spirit hasbecome spiritually dead (not able to relate) to God.(Note: although our spirits, as unbelievers, are dead toGod, they stil l exist and are alive to Satans spir itual do-main.)


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A New Spir it

When a person receives Christ, what happens in the spiritport ion of our lives? Read:

II Corinthians 5:17, 21I Corinthians 6:17Romans 8-9Ezekiel 36:26, 27

Summarize what happens when you are born again:

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The indwellingof the HolySpirit

NOTE: Theinfilling o f theHoly Spiritcomes whenChrist takesthe place ofSelf (S).

SPIRITSalvation

Assurance

Security

Acceptance

Total Commitment

(Surrender)

SOUL

BODY

SPIRITSalvation

Assurance

Security

Acceptance

Total Commitment

(Surrender)

SOUL

BODY


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Christ (represented in the previous diagram by C) comes

into the spirit portion of the believer upon salvation and,joined with our new spirit, totally occupies it with His com-plete Person and Life. Our spir its are now complete, per-fect, and righteous! Many important things must be under-stood as a result of this: Salvation, Assurance, and TotalCommitment or Total Surrender . These exciting truths willbe looked at in more detail.

The Center: Christ or Self

Is it possible for Christ to be in our lives, but not controllingas the Center of our lives?

We may choose some-thing else to be the center(s) - suc-cess, sports, sex, a home, a car, some personfather,mother, husband, w ife, child, boyfriend, gir lfriendmoney,drugs, and, often, a job. It is also possible for one personwe dislike to become central because by reacting to thatperson, were allowing such a person to control us.

Describe, in your own words, what it means to have one orall of the previously mentioned persons or things as thecenter of ones life:

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

All of the symptoms listed in the soul area of the next dia-gram are indications of a deeper root pr oblem that may besummed up in the term self-life. The Bible calls this con-

dition of our lives as walking after the flesh. (This will bediscussed in more detail in later sessions.) NOTE: Theself-life is not the soul or personality, but is often a condi-tion of it.


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When self is at the center of our lives, we may experience

feelings of inferiority, inadequacy, guilt, worry, doubts, andfears.

As the outside pressures of family, work, circumstances,etc., come into our lives, we are frustrated because of ourinability to cope! We then respond to this frustration in hos-tility, which may be expressed either outwardly (e.g., blam-ing others or the situation) or inwardly (resulting in symp-toms such as depression, anxiety, obsessive thoughts,etc.).

SAVED MANS SPIRITUAL PROBLEM

Emotions:Emotions:DepressionDepression

AnxietyAnxiety

SOULSOULSalvationSalvationAssuranceAssuranceSecuritySecurityAcceptanceAcceptanceTotal CommitmentTotal Commitment

(Surrender)(Surrender)

InferiorityInferiorityInsecurityInsecurity

InadequacyInadequacyGuilt: real, imaginaryGuilt: real, imaginary

Worry, doubts, fearsWorry, doubts, fears

SPIRIT

BODYBODY

Somatic complaints,Somatic complaints,

insomnia, eating disorders,insomnia, eating disorders,etc.etc.

ProblemsProblems

Family,Family,

Money,Money,

Work,Work,

etc.etc.

frustration

MindMind

Fantasy,Fantasy,

Schizophrenia,Schizophrenia,

Paranoia,Paranoia,

ObsessionsObsessions

hostility


AnxietyAnxiety


AnxietyAnxiety






SPIRIT

BODYBODY








SPIRIT

BODYBODY



ProblemsProblems

Family,Family,

Money,Money,

Work,Work,

etc.etc.

frustration

ProblemsProblems

Family,Family,

Money,Money,

Work,Work,

etc.etc.

ProblemsProblems

Family,Family,

Money,Money,

Work,Work,

etc.etc.

frustration

MindMind

Fantasy,Fantasy,


Paranoia,Paranoia,


hostility

MindMind

Fantasy,Fantasy,


Paranoia,Paranoia,


hostility

MindMind

Fantasy,Fantasy,


Paranoia,Paranoia,


hostility

MindMind

Fantasy,Fantasy,


Paranoia,Paranoia,


MindMind

Fantasy,Fantasy,


Paranoia,Paranoia,


hostility


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WHO IS THE CENTER OF YOUR LIFE?

When Christ is not the center of our lives, this can causeproblems in the psychological or soul part of our being,which can, over a period of time, cause varying physicalproblems.

Gods Plan

Theres good news! It is not Gods will that our lives looklike the previous diagram! God never intended us merely tocope! He put His Spirit wi thin usHis supernatural Lifeto

be victorious over the circumstances and pressures weface. (Many believers make the mistake of asking God tohelp them rather than yielding to His indwelling Spirit sothat He can infill and live in and through them.)

What are the characteristics of Christs Life we can claimwhen Christ is in the center of our lives?

Philippians 2:5 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Philippians 4:13 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Philippians 4:19 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Philippians 4:6,7 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

John 15:11 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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CHRIST IS LORD (OWNER) OF OUR LIFE

We can experience Christ as the center of our lives andhave His Mind, His Strength, His Provision, His Peace, HisJoy, His Health (or help with our countenance).

This is what this study will help us discover : how to ex-change the self-life for the Christ-Life and live a victoriousLife in Christ!

The following poem addresses aspects of the makeup andfunctioning of the believer that have often been overlookedin the teaching ministry of the churc h.

As you read it , make notes on areas that you need the HolySpirit to guide you into truth (John 14:26) as you begin thisstudy of the life in Christsometimes known as:

the Abiding Life the Exchanged Life the Spirit-Filled Life the Abundant Life

the Crucified Life Victorious Christian Living the Life of Lordship Identification with Christ

Being in Order to DoBeing in Order to DoGrace LivingGrace Living

BODY

Health, or help ofHealth, or help of

our countenance.our countenance.

Psalm 42:11Psalm 42:11

SalvationSalvation

AssuranceAssurance

SecuritySecurity

AcceptanceAcceptance

Total CommitmentTotal Commitment


SPIRITPhilippians 2:5Philippians 2:5

Philippians 4:13Philippians 4:13


Philippians 4:6,7Philippians 4:6,7

John 15:11John 15:11

SOULHis Mind

His Strength

His Resources

His Peace

Unspeakable Joy

Matthew 16:24Matthew 16:24--2525

Being in Order to DoBeing in Order to DoGrace LivingGrace Living

BODY




BODY




SalvationSalvation

AssuranceAssurance

SecuritySecurity




SPIRIT

SalvationSalvation

AssuranceAssurance

SecuritySecurity




SPIRITPhilippians 2:5Philippians 2:5





SOULHis Mind

His Strength

His Resources

His Peace

Unspeakable Joy






SOULHis Mind

His Strength

His Resources

His Peace

Unspeakable Joy

Matthew 16:24Matthew 16:24--2525Matthew 16:24Matthew 16:24--2525


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Experience the Cross,My Savior said;

To the power of sinReckon yourself dead.But, Lord, I feel so alive

And my life doesnt squareWith commands in Your Word;

They are too much to bear.

I desire to do Your willBut something inside protests;

Could it be an old nature?Am I yet at its behest?Or, is it as You say

Flesh that yet holds sway?And what of the power of sinThat continually gets its way?

I know Im born againThat my heart is Your abode,

But how do I attainTo that high and holy road?

And where and what is my heart?Are my soul and spirit the same?

What was really changedWhen into my life You came?

Ive been taught there is a fightBetween natures new and old,

And the conflict is very realAs in Romans 7 we are told.

And do I have a spir it

That is distinct from my soul?If not, does regeneration only

Have changing attitudes as its goal?


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And while were talking, Lord,Your Church is teaching today

That the flesh and old man are one,Causing confusion to hold sway.

Since the old man is cruc ifiedThe flesh would be gone, too:

For sin to show itself,There would be no avenue.

Sinless perfection is the hue and cry

For those who the Cross oppose;Not realizing that the power of sinWill yet the flesh expose.Jesus died unto sin once

But sin, it did not die;Though the old man is gone

With sin we still must vie.

Yes, sin is missing the markTransgressing Gods law is, too;

Sin is also a strong power

Not just something that we do.Confessing sins is admonishedThat we might be cleansed;

Dealing with the power of sinLikewise, must be sensed.

But, Lord, its all too simpleIs not educ ation a must?Will turmoil in my psyche

Dissolve as my Savior I tr ust?And what of a chemical imbalance

Is that yet in Your domain?Are you grieved that mans answersAre applied while sin yet reigns?


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A new life You promisedAs the old one I lose;

The turmoil incr eases asAgainst myself I choose.

Mans answers are appealingSince I can keep control,

But years of self effortHave taken their toll.

Well, Lord, Ive enjoyed talkingOver things not new to You;

Though in You I am completeIts my mind You must renew.Since I am crucified to the wor ld

And it is crucified to me,Il l reckon myself dead to sinThat You the world may see.

Charles R. Solomon

NOTES:


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Why is it important to know what our old identity is? Luke9:23 states that we are to deny ourselves and take up thecr oss daily; we need to know what to deny.

The Identity Crisis

If all the questions of all times were summed up in one ortwo questions, what would they be?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The resounding question we hear all over the world, as menseek for meaning and identity, is: Who Am I? (If not ver-bally, this question is evidenced by act ions.)

Even Christians may experience an identity crisis due toignorance or misunderstanding of their new identity inChrist.

The Need for Life

Our Life in Adam(Who We Were )

The following diagram contrasts the two ultimate identitieswhich encompass all of humanity; we are either Adam peo-ple or Christ people with innumerable variations of each.Thus, the ultimate question that each of us must answer is:

Am I in Adam or in Christ, and how does my life portraythat identity?.


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The Fact of Sin

When we were born physically into this world, we were ableto trace our existence back through our parents, grandpar-ents, and so on (see line diagram abovegenerations areindicated by hatch marks) back to its beginning. We can alltrace it back to Adam (e.g., before we were born, we werein our father, just as before he was born, he was in hisfather). If Adam did not have children, would we have anyproblems today?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Therefore, if our existence began in Adam, where werewe when Adam was in the Garden?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CHRISTS LIFE

Romans5:12

Romans5:12

Romans3:23

Romans3:23Romans6

:23

Romans6:23

For as by one mansdisobedience many

were made sinners-Romans 5:19

Life in AdamLife in AdamGenesis 5:3

HellHell

Romans5:12

Romans5:12

Romans3:23

Romans3:23Romans6

:23

Romans6:23

Romans5:12

Romans5:12

Romans3:23

Romans3:23Romans6

:23

Romans6:23

For as by one mansdisobedience many

were made sinners-Romans 5:19

Life in AdamLife in AdamGenesis 5:3Life in AdamLife in AdamGenesis 5:3

HellHellHellHellHellHell


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If we were in Adam in the Garden of Eden, where were we

when Adam sinned? ________________________________________________________________________________________

Therefore, since we were in Adam, who also sinned?(Romans 5:12) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Read Genesis 2:16,17. What did God say would happen toAdam if he disobeyed God and ate of the forbidden tree?Explain, in your own words, what you think this means (e.g.,what kind of death r esulted?)._________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Eventual physical death was a result of sin. But Adam(after the Fall), and thus each one of us, was spirituallydead to God (separated from God). Summarize the fol-lowing:

I Cor inthians 15:22a ____________________________________Romans 5:12, 19 ____________________________________Psalm 51:5 ____________________________________

Ephesians 2:1 ____________________________________Romans 3:23 ____________________________________Isaiah 53:6 ____________________________________

According to the previous verses, we were (true or false):

____________ Born with a sin nature____________ Sinner s only the moment we f irst sinned in our

lives.____________ Spir itually separated from God because Adam

was our Father , and passed this spirit ualdeath to us.

____________ Sinners and in bondage to sin, because wewere born with a sinful nature (spirit).

Our life , then in Adam, w as not really li fe, but ___________.


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The Penalty of Sin

Read Ephesians 4:18, Hebrews 9:27 and Romans 6:23.Summarize the penalty of sin:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Is this eventually eternal death (Hell) if a person does notreceive Christ? __________________________________________

Sins Penalty Must Be Paid

What do the follow ing verses declare concerning Gods jus-tice in dealing with sin?

Psalm 89:14 ______________________________________John 5:30 ______________________________________Luke 23:41 ______________________________________Acts 17:31 ______________________________________Hebrews 9:27 ______________________________________

Reflect on this question: If God did not judge sin, whatwould this imply concerning His nature?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What is the difference between Gods justice and mans jus-tice? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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Christ Paid the Penalty For Sin

Read and summar ize in a phrase:

I Peter 2:24 ______________________________________Romans 5:8 ______________________________________I Peter 3:18 ______________________________________II Cor inthians 5:21 ______________________________________Isaiah 53:6b ______________________________________Hebrew s 9:22b ______________________________________

NOTE: At the Cross, Christ died for all of our sins (past, pr e-sent, and future). He took the penalty for sin (death) that

we deserved.

At the same time, the old man or unregenerate spirit wascrucified (Romans 6:6, Galatians 2:20) and replaced by theregenerate spir it or new man (Colossians 3:9, 10). This willbe covered in more detail in later lessons.

Salvation is a Free Gift

Read and br iefly summarize:

Ephesians 2:8,9 ______________________________________Titus 3:3-5 ______________________________________John 3:16 ______________________________________

We Must Receive Christ

Our greatest need, being in Adam, spirit ually dead to God,is Lifewe need to be born again spiritually. Read John3:3.

When we receive Christ, we receive HimHis Life, which isEternal Life. We are transferred out of the life of Adam intothe Life of Christ (John 5:24; Colossians 1:13; Romans8:1,2; I Corinthians 1:30).


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John 1:12: As many as received ______________, to themHe gave the power to become _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________, even to those that believe onHis Name .

We must each receive Christ as Savior, Lord, and Life, andbe reborn spiritually.

We received Christ, by faith, as an act of wi ll. Faith is be-lieving that what God has said concerning our need for lifeis true and then choosing to receive Him as our Savior,Lord, and Life.

God knows your heart and is not so concerned with yourwords as He is the attitude of your heart. Romans 10:9 saysthat if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and be-lieve in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, youshall be saved .

If you have never received Christ into your life, the follow-ing is a suggested prayer:

Dear God,

I know I am a s inner . I be l ieve tha t

You sent Your Son, the Lord Jesus Chr is t , to d ie in my p lace fo r my

s ins . I be l ieve tha t He was bur ied ,rose aga in , and now l i ves. I now

rece ive Chr is t in to my l i fe as mySav ior , and conf ess H im as my

Lord . I tu rn f rom a l i fe o f s in andse l f i sh ways and t rus t the Lor d

Jesus Chr is t to fo r g ive my s ins and

to be my L i fe . Thank you fo r sav ing me out o f the l i fe o f Adam, and fo r p lac ing me in to the L i fe o f Chr is t .

A m e n


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If you know that you are a born again Christian, perhapsyou would like to write a prayer of thanks to the Lord for allHe has done for you!


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Time is ours to waste or invest;A prec ious commodity indeed;If we live with eternity in view,

From sins shack les we are freed. (Romans 6:7)If our focus is time and space -

Looking to people and things for meaning,Life becomes an incessant search,

Ever and always for acceptance gleaning.

When who we are, is what we do,There is never an end to doing;

When meaning is derived from others,Theres continual need for wooing.

When who we are, comes from Whom we re in,(I Corinthians 1:30)

Doingis replaced with dying; (Galatians 2:20)As Jesus life is made manifest, (II Corinthians 4:11)The flesh and sin we re dec rying. (Galatians 6:14)

When lived from an eternal perspectiveAnd our life is viewed fr om above, (Ephesians 2:6)

Our wooing g ives way to abiding; (John 15:5)And from our inner being flows love. (John 7:38)

When we allow Christ, our Life, to live, (Colossians 3:4)Were fr om bondage to others freed;

(II Corinthians 10:12)When the t ruth has set us fr ee, (Galatians 5:1)

From sin and self we re free, indeed. (John 8:32)

C. R. SolomonApril 27, 2000


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Who Am I?

My Life In Christ

Review: Since we were in Adam , born spirituallydead to God, our greatest need is spiritual life. When wereceived Christ as our Savior, we received His Spirit andHis Spir it is the source of life eternal.

What is Eternal Life?

I John 1:2 ___________________________________________I John 2:25 ___________________________________________I John 5:11 ___________________________________________John 17:3 ___________________________________________

When does it end? (Hebrews 13:8) __________________________________________________________________________

When did it begin? (I John 1:2; Colossians 1:15-17)__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Read John 5:24-38 and I John 5:11. What is Eternal Life?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

reconciled to God by the death of his son reconciled to God by the death of his son

Romans 5:10Romans 5:10

Colossians 1:15 -17Hebrews 1:2,3


Hebrews 9:22bHebrews 9:22bRomans 5:8Romans 5:8

1 Peter 2:241 Peter 2:24

so by the obedience of one shall many be made so by the obedience of one shall many be made

righteous. Romans 5:19brighteous. Romans 5:19b

EternalEternal LifeLife

(Christs(Christs Life)Life)

John 17:3John 17:3

John 1:14

reconciled to God by the death of his son reconciled to God by the death of his son

Romans 5:10Romans 5:10

Colossians 1:15 -17Hebrews 1:2,3


Hebrews 9:22bHebrews 9:22bRomans 5:8Romans 5:8

1 Peter 2:241 Peter 2:24

so by the obedience of one shall many be made so by the obedience of one shall many be made

righteous. Romans 5:19brighteous. Romans 5:19b



John 17:3John 17:3



John 17:3John 17:3

John 1:14


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Before receiving Christ, we were in Adam in his life in

the Garden when he sinned and became spir itually deadto God.

When we received Christ, we died out of the life of Adamand were born into the Life of Christ. We not only get anew future, but also a new past! Not only does Christ livein us, but we are also in Christ in His Life (I Corinthians12:12,13; Colossians 3:3,4; I Corinthians 1:30).

Since Christs Life is Eternal, and we are in Him, wherewere w e spiritually, therefore, when:

Chr ist was born? (Romans 6:5) __________________________________________________________________________________

The wor ld was created? (Ephesians 1:4) _________________________________________________________________________

Christ died, was bur ied, rose again, and was seated at theFather s r ight hand? _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Galatians 2:20Galatians 2:20

In Christ(Heaven

Ephesians 2:1Ephesians 2:1--66

Romans 6:3Romans 6:3--66

Colossians 3:3,4

Adam

Hell

1 Corinthians 1:30

Romans 6:3

Galatians 2:20Galatians 2:20

In Christ(Heaven


In Christ(Heaven



Colossians 3:3,4

Adam

Hell

1 Corinthians 1:30

Romans 6:3

1 Corinthians 1:30

Romans 6:3


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Where is Christ now? (Ephesians 1:19-23) ________________

_________________________________________________________

Where are we? (Read I Corinthians 6:17; Ephesians 2:5,6)___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How did Christ include us in His high pr iestly prayer?(John 17:13-26) ______________________________________

My Assurance

This is a miracle of God! We have been born again into anew life into Christs Life, and are seated with Him inHeaven! (Ephesians 2:6) We can know we are in Christ andhave eternal life(although we cannot see it with oureyes, or may not feel it) because the Word of God saysso! (There is no better basis for confidence.)

Look up the following verses and summarize:

I John 5:11-13 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

John 5:24 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

John 6:47 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

John 10:27-29 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hebrews 6:19 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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Isaiah 12:2 _______________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Colossians 1:13 _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Facts to put your faith in after salvation:

Christ came into your life. (Revelation 3:20; Ro-mans 8:9; I Corinthians 3:16; Colossians 1:27)

Your sins were forg iven. (Colossians 1:14)

You became a Child of God. (John 1:12)

You were placed into Christs Life and possess e t e r -nal life. (John 5:11-13)

Your old man died and you received a newman (spirit ). (II Corinthians 5:17; Colossians3:3,4; Ezekiel 36:26,27; Galatians 2:20)

NOTE: Even bor n again Christians may know the factsabove are true, but still doubt their salvation. Most really

are not doubting their salvation, but just feeling unsaved.We can t base our salvation on our feelings because they of-ten lie to us and are not true, but, by faith, we must claimthe facts of Gods Word.

Assurance is based on Gods Word, not our feelings!

What are some dangers of living by our feelings (or emo-tions) instead of living by faith in Gods Word?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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My Securi ty

How were we transferred out of the life of Adam intoChrist? (I Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 2:4-6; Colossians1:13). ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If God Himself were the one who transferred us into the Lifeof Christ, and seated us at the right hand of God in Him,who is greater than God to de-seat us? _________________________________________________________________________

Ar e we gr eater? ________________ Read Romans 8:31-39,

Ephesians 1:20-23, and John 10:27-29.

Our relationship wi th God is unbreakableeternal. We aresecure in that relationship because of what God has done.We cannot have assurance if we are not secure and knowthat this relationship is lasting.

Relationship versus Fellowship

Colossians 3:3 says that our life is _______________________________________________________________________________.

If we do not realize this, our assurance cannot be solid be-cause we are afraid we might lose our salvation. If we areafraid we will lose it, we will struggle to do something tomaintain it, such as good works. We will begin to live onperformance instead of who we are in Christ in order tobe accepted (John 6:37 & 39).

NOTE: Good wor ks wil l be a result of the believer who iswalking in Christ, because Christ will be living through him(Ephesians 2:8-10). But good works done in our strength isfleshly (carnal) and nothing of the flesh pleases God(Romans 8:8).


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If not secure, we will not fully trust God.

If not secure in Christ, we will try many things ofthe world to make us secure.

If not secure, we will not confidently serve God.

If not secure , we will not be completely resting inGod.

If we do not realize that we have a new nature/ id en -tity in Christ, we w ill be working out of the flesh andinadequate resources to prove ourselves and to

seek our acceptance in what we do instead of whowe are in Christ.

Fact Faith Will

Count on it to be t rue and live like it!!!!

Likewise reckon ye also yourselvesto be dead indeed unto sin, but

alive unto God throughJesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:11


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Not what we doBut who we are;What we have

Does not empower .

Not where we areOr where w eve been

Whats of self (Romans 7:18)Is surely sin.

Not what we gainBut what we lose (Romans 6:6)

Twixt God and selfIs ours to choose. (Romans 6:11)

To live is Christ; (Philippians 1:21)Self is but loss.

Identity in Him(Colossians 3:4a)Ours through the Cross.

Our li fe lost (Galatians 2:20a)His life begun; (Galatians 2:20b)

As in HimAll is done. (John 19:30)

Ours to laborTo enter rest; (Hebrews 4:11)

Found in Him, (Colossians 2:9,10)Lives truly b lessed.

C. R. Solomon


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My Acceptance in Christ

Some people accept Jesus Christ as personal Savior andthen spend the rest of their lives trying to get Him to acceptthem. Read Ephesians 1:3-6. On what basis are we ac-cepted/acceptable? ________________________________________________________________________________________

Does God accept His Son, Jesus Christ? _________________

What is our posit ion? Read Romans 15:7 _________________________________________________________________________

We are accepted in Him! Our acceptance is not dependenton our good works, our church attendance or membership,or from any effort we expend. God accepts us because weare in Christ, righteous, holy, and blameless. Regardless ofbehavior (good or bad), we are accepted for who we are,not what we do (or dont do)! Philippians 3:9. (For example,father/son relationship.)

Why, then, do we not feel accepted oftentimes?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What is the opposite of acceptance? ___________________________________________________________________________

The Reject ion Syndrome

My books, The Ins and Out of Rejectionand The RejectionSyndrome and The Way To Acceptance, contain a commondenominator to Christ ians experiencing defeat in theirlives; it is called the Reject ion Syndrome . I have dis-


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covered that a key problem people face is reject ion. They

are always wanting to be accepted, and yet experience re-jection in its various forms. Therefore, in their relationshipwith God, they are likely to conclude, If people dont ac-cept me, why should a Holy God accept me?.

With the use of a dictionary, define the following:

Rejec tion (Reject) _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Over t __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cover t __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What would be an example of overt rejec tion? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What would be an example of covert rejection? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Everyone experiences rejection in one form or the other, invarying degrees. Rejection can even be the cause forthe chain reaction in families (for example: a strict, over-protective father may unknowingly reject his son by notallowing him to be a person and learn to make decisions.

When the son becomes a father, he then determines togive more freedom and rejects his children by being toolenient, thus causing his children to feel he doesnt careabout their welfare and so on.) We must realize that the


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reason we experience rejection from many people in vari-

ous ways is because they, too, are r eacting out of the rejec-tion they have experienced.

EMOTIONAL RESULTS IN THEREJECTED PERSON

Feelings of Worthlessness Perfec tionismWishing He Had Not Been Litt le Self-Discipl ine

Born IrresponsibilityFeelings of Inferior ity DepressionWorr ies, Doubts, Fears Self-Condemnation

Inability to Express Feelings Self-HatredEmotional Insulation GuiltSubjectivity Introspection

SUMMARY: Self-Rejection

The aforementioned emotions affect our attitudes and r ela-tionships with others (see diagram below).


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Without becoming introspective, can you relate, in any

way, to the facts of rejec tion? Have you experienced rejection? Has this affected your attitudes toward God?Family? Yourself?

Read Matthew 16:13-16. Applying this to your own life:

Who do peoplesay/think you are? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Who do yousay/think you are? ________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Who does Godsay you are? (II Corinthians 5:21; Matthew16:24,25) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Whom do you choose, by faith, to believe? ____________________________________________________________________

Are you looking for acceptance? Only God accepts uncon-ditionally. Are you looking for identity? Your true identityis found in a new life in Christ. Are you looking for wor th?Christ paid the price of His Blood to redeem and purchaseyou, thus establishing your wor th.

The wor th of an object is determined by theprice paid for it!

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not r edeemedWith cor ruptible things, as silver and gold, from your

Vain conversation received by tradition from yourFathers; But with the precious blood of Christ,As of a lamb without b lemish and without spot.

I Peter 1:18 & 19


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My Response:

Read and summar ize I Cor inthians 6:19, 20: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Who owns your li fe? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Who controls your li fe? ________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Our lives are not our own! Have you given rightful owner-ship and Lordship to the One who has given His very Life toyou?

Yes! ___________ No! __________

NOTE: Read Romans 12:1,2

Total commitment won t cost you anything. It will cost youeverything! Total commitment (presenting our bodies a liv-

ing sacrifice) does not mean Ill do everything I can for t heLord; rather it means Ill let God do anything He chooses inand through me.

Total commitment or surrender is not the ultimate, end-allof the Christ ian exper ience. In fact, it is really just a begin-ning, because we are giving God permission to work onour case to br ing us to the end of ourselves so thatChrist may be our LIFE and produce His fruit in our lives.Total surrender or commitment is not synonymous with theexchanged l ife, t hough it is possible that surrender (yourpart) and the tr ansformed life (His part) could take place si-

multaneously.


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TOTAL SURRENDER PRAYER

Dear God,

I am Yours. I want YOUR wi ll

to be acc omplished in my life,whatever the cost.

Whatever wherever whenever.I have no rights no strings attached.

I take my hands off my life and,

in total surrender and abandonment,

give You permission to do whateverYou desire in and thr ough me.I want JESUS to be my LIFE.

Amen.

Dear God,

I am Yours. I want YOUR wi ll

to be acc omplished in my life,whatever the cost.

Whatever wherever whenever.I have no rights no strings attached.

I take my hands off my life and,

in total surrender and abandonment,

give You permission to do whateverYou desire in and thr ough me.I want JESUS to be my LIFE.

Amen.


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Oh, to know acceptanceIn a feeling sort of way;

To be known for who I am -Not what I do or say.

Its nice to be loved and wantedFor the person I seemto be;

But my heart cr ies out to be lovedFor the person who is really me!

To be able to drop all the fronts

And share with another my fears,Would bring such relief to my soul,

Though accompanied by many tears.When I find th is can be doneWithout the pain of rejection,Then will my joy be complete

And feelings toward self know cor rection.

The path to feeling acceptance of GodIs paved w ith acceptance on Earth;

Being valued by others I loveEnhances my own feeling of wor th.

Oh, the release and freedom He givesAs I behold His wonderful face;

As Jesus makes real my acceptance in Him,And I learn the tr ue meaning of grace.

A pity it is that so late we findHis love need not be earned;

As we yield to Him all manner of str ifeA pr ecious truth has been learned.

Then, as we share w ith others who searchFor love, acceptance, and rest;

Theyll find in us the Saviors love

And experience the end of their quest.

Charles R. Solomon1975


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In Part I of this study, we have examined My New Life InChrist - what our true identity and position of security andacc eptance in Him really means.

To be in Christthat is redemption; but for Christ to be inyouthat is sanct ificat ion! To be in Christthat makes youfit for heaven; but for Christ to be in youthat makes you fitfor earth! To be in Christthat changes your destination;

but for Christ to be in youthat changes your destiny! Theone makes heaven your homethe other makes this worldHis workshop. (The Saving Life of Christ by Ian Thomas,Zondervan Publishing, page 18).

Upon receiving Christ, we received His Life. How can weexperience the reality of Christ living His Life through us?How can we experience His Victory in our daily walk?Where is the battle won? What does it mean to exchangeour self -life (flesh) for the Christ Life?

These are the exciting truths we will discover in Part II

Christ s Life in Me!

Lest we be misunderstood: The truth of our being in Christand His being in us are both tr ue at regeneration; however,we may not understand and try to live Christs life for Him.Rather, Chr ists life is to be expressed throughus.


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(My Co-Death, Co-Bur ial,Co-Resurr ect ion, and Co-Ascension)

Recommended Reading:Apr il 10, 11, and 12 in

MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST(by: Oswald Chambers)

Lets review our Spiritual Identity:

Salvation(Romans 6:23)

Our greatest need, when we wer e in Adam and spirituallydead to God, was life. We needed to be born again, spiritu-ally (John 3:3). When we received Christ, we received Himand His Life, which is Eternal Life. We were transferredout of the life of Adam into the Life of Christ. Or, to put itanother way, we died out of Adam and were born, or bap-tized, into Christ.

Assurance(I John 5:13)

We can know, on the basis of Gods Word (not our feelings)that we are t ruly children of God, and that we have eternal

life because we have Christs Life (Christ = Eternal Life).However, damaged emotions may tell us exactly the oppo-site.


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Security

(Colossians 3:3)

Not only does Christ live in us, but our life is in Christ,seated in heavenly places! (Ephesians 2:6). God Himselfput us into Christ (I Corinthians 1:30; Colossians 1:13), andno power can r emove us (Romans 8:28, Ephesians 1:20-23).We are eternally secure in our relationship with Christ (IJohn 5:13).

Acceptance(Ephesians 1:6)

We are accepted in Christ, not on the basis of works (worksare a resultEphesians 2:10). God accepts us because weare in Christ and He accepts His Son. We have been spiri-tually justified and made to be the righteousness of God inChrist (II Corinthians 5:21). We need to find our accep-tance in God, rather than people. Even the best of them arenot dependable; they will die and leave you!

Total Commitment (Surrender)

Romans 12:1,2

In view of all God has done for us, and His purchasing uswith the life of His own Son, our response should be to ac-knowledge Gods rightful (and wonderful) ownership andplan for our lives. By a choice of our will (not emotions), wegive God permission to do whatever He chooses in andthrough us, to bring us to the end of ourself so that Christmight produce His fruit through us by His Life.


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My Co-Death, Co-Burial, Co-Resurrect ion,and Co-Ascension

What does it mean to be identified with Christ in co -death,co-burial, co-resurrection, and co-ascension?

In our discovery of our new identity in Christ, we realizedthat in or der to receive Christs life in our Spirit, our old

spirit had to die (a sinful spirit could not be joined withGods Holy Spir it. We were given a new spiritperfect andrighteous). We had to die out of the life of Adam in order tobe born into the life of Christ (we cannot be in two lives atonce!). Though a believer is identified with Christ at thenew birt h, he may not appropriatethe results of such ident i-fication.

This can be a source of confusion for Christians, if notclearly understood; and understanding what happened atthe cross enlightens our understanding of how we can ex-perience Christ as our Life.

For example, how would you respond to this statement:We have two natures in usa sin nature and a new nature,warring against each other . True or false? ______________

Colossians 3:3,4

I n C h r i s t( H e a v e n

Ephesians 2:1Ephesians 2:1 -- 66

Jesus L i fe3000 Years Past 3000 Years Future

Galatians 2:20






Galatians 2:20


Galatians 2:20


1 Corinthians 1:30Romans 6:3


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Why? ___________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Our essential nature is new (II Corinthians 5:17; I Peter 1:4;Romans 7:22). What is often called the old nature or oldman in the believer is Biblically identified as the flesh (Galatians 5:16,17). The flesh is in us, but is not us,though it causes the conflict descr ibed in Romans 7.

We will look into the why very closely and discover whatGod accomplished at the cross.

CRUCIFIED CHRISTIAN

My Co-Death

Read Romans 5:8, I Peter 2:24, and Hebrews 9:22b. Whatdid Chr ist accomplish on the Cross? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Read Galatians 2:20a, and Romans 6:6. What happened tous (our old nature, old man ) at the Cross? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In your own words, what does it mean that you werec ruc ified with Christ and when did this take place?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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Because of your crucifixion with Christ, you are free from

condemnation (Romans 8:1).

Please note: Your old nature or old man was cruc ified, notyour soul, which is your mind, will, and emotionsor yourpersonality. You still have your same mind, will, and emo-tions, which are only a moldable vehicle through which ourtrue identity may be expressed. The power of sin yet func-tions through the flesh which is the ally of the world andDevil.

My Co-Bur ial

Romans 6:4a ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

When Christ was buried, who was bur ied with Him?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Because of your burial with Christ, you are free from sinsauthor ity (Romans 6:1-7).

My Co-Resurr ect ion

Romans 6:4b ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ephesians 2:6 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Read Romans 5:10. Whose resurrection life can save the

bel iever from the st rugg le of the self-li fe? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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Since we have been resurrected with Christ (in His Life),

what/who is our new Life? Read Galatians 2:20, I Corin-thians 6:17, II Corinthians 5:17, and Colossians 3:4.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Because of your resurrection with Christ, you are a par-taker of Gods power for living (Ephesians 1:19).

My Co-Ascension

Where is Christ seated now? (Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 1:1-3)_________________________________________________________

Who is spiritually seated with Christ in the heavenlies?(Ephesians 2:6) _________________________________________

Colossians 3:1-3 _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Because you are seated with Christ, you are a partaker ofHis authority over the world, the flesh, and the devil(Matthew 28:18-20; Galatians 6:14; James 4:7).

These are the facts of Gods Word for every believer. Thishas already happened to each of us, even though we maynot have been aware of this identity in Christ .

To realize the full impact of this, suppose you were to be ina car accident and die. You then would be buried. If youwere dead and buried, you would no longer need to worryand struggle over the sin and temptations you were facing.It is impossible for a dead person to respond to temptation.

Read Romans 6:6,7 careful ly. Who died to what? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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See the definition of sin in Appendix I.

Why are we free from the power of sin? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NOTE: The power of sin wasnt cruc ified, we were. Jesusdied to sin, but sin didnt die (Romans 6:10).

Now imagine that after you died and were buried, God mi-raculously resurrected you and gave you a new life (newspirit). Remember the old life with all of its inability to cope

is dead (I John 4:17). Within this new spir it, God Himself, byHis Holy Spirit , indwells in His total Person. He now will beyour Life, your strength, your peace, your sufficiency!!!

What does this mean to you? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________


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Praying an identification prayer may help you to experi-

ence Christ s Life of Victory and Peace. Before this prayercan be effective, you must be under conviction by the HolySpirit that you are trying to live the Christian life (ChristsLife) in your own str ength for Him. You must be ready togive up control of your life. Brokenness is a pre-conditionto recognizing the corruptness of the flesh and, generally,is the result o f suffering (Philippians 1:29,30). If this is so inyour life, pray the following prayer:

Father,

Thank you for forgiving my sins and taking meout of the life of Adam and grafting me into the

Life of Christ. Now that I am in Christ, I believe that I

was crucified with Him, buried with Him, raised withHim, and that I am seated with Him at Your r ight

hand. From this moment on, I choose, by faith, to

have Your Son, Jesus Christ , live His life in me and

through me. I am trusting You to do what I cant do,quit what I cant quit, and, most of all, be what I cantbe. I am trusting You to renew my mind, transform

my life, heal my damaged emot ions, and to live Your

life through me instead of me. I consider myselfdead to sin and alive to You and I am counting on theHoly Spirit to make me aware when I forget my death

with Christ and tr y to live His life for Him in my ownhuman wisdom and energy. I choose to yield my total

being to You as an instrument of r ighteousness,

allowing no part of me to be used for sin. Thank youfor making Christ and His Life real to me. Glorify

Yourself through me, in Jesus name I pray,

Amen.

Father,

Thank you for forgiving my sins and taking meout of the life of Adam and grafting me into the

Life of Christ. Now that I am in Christ, I believe that I

was crucified with Him, buried with Him, raised withHim, and that I am seated with Him at Your r ight

hand. From this moment on, I choose, by faith, to

have Your Son, Jesus Christ , live His life in me and

through me. I am trusting You to do what I cant do,quit what I cant quit, and, most of all, be what I cantbe. I am trusting You to renew my mind, transform

my life, heal my damaged emot ions, and to live Your

life through me instead of me. I consider myselfdead to sin and alive to You and I am counting on theHoly Spirit to make me aware when I forget my death

with Christ and tr y to live His life for Him in my ownhuman wisdom and energy. I choose to yield my total

being to You as an instrument of r ighteousness,

allowing no part of me to be used for sin. Thank youfor making Christ and His Life real to me. Glorify

Yourself through me, in Jesus name I pray,

Amen.


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I am cruc ified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet notI, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live inthe flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved

me, and gave Himself for me.Galatians 2:20

Born to dieThe plight of all;

Mans just desertsSince the Fall.

All life will die A common fate,

But only ManFor death doth wait.

When Adam sinnedTo God He died;

Separated from GodHe lived in pr ide.When born again

New life is received;The old man died

When we believed.

Fear of deathIts bondage br ings; (Hebrews 2:15)

Through Christs vict r y (I Corinthians 15:54)Death loses its sting. (I Corinthians 15:55)

To live is Christ;

To die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)Precious in His sight

Is the death of His saints (Psalm 116:15)


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Living to d ie A life of defeat,Ignores the promiseOf the Mercy Seat.

Reconc iled by His blood (Romans 5:10a)But living in str ife; (Romans 7:15)

Ended by the Cross (Galatians 2:20)Saved by His life. (Romans 5:10)

Dying to live (John 12:24,25)A blessing divine;

His death to sin (Romans 6:10)

By faith r eckoned mine. (Romans 6:11)Self daily denied (Luke 9:23)

Is His injunction;Delivered always to death (II Corinthians 4:11)

Gives the Spirit s unction.

The monster selfIs Satans ally;Our only hope

Is that we die. (Romans 6:6,11,13)Ours to submit; (Romans 12:1,2)

His to forgive.

His death reckoned our s (Romans 6:11)We are dying to live.

Charles R. SolomonAugust 27, 1999


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What Is Victor y?

What is Victor y? How can we experience victory in ourdaily lives?

Have you ever said

I just cant get victory over this problem!Just keep praying and victory will come.

Victory comes only after much hard work. I lost the victory.You can know you have victory when you

feel good.

These are very common, but erroneous statements aboutvictor y. Gods Word has many sure promises about victor y.

Victory is not:

Achieving Winning

Being on top of it Something we have to do

This is working forJesus.

Why are these not Victory? Because they direct us awayfrom the One who is our Vic tor ywe often work for victoryinstead of from Victory!

What is our position of victory in Christ and over what doesthis position exercise power? Ephesians 1:19-23_________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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Faith IS the Victory!

(I John 5:4)

Above all Rulers, Authority, Power , and Dominion! Now andForever! God placed all things under Jesus feet and ap-pointed Him Head over the church.

Is Christs Life in me able to be victorious over sin andtemptation? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Read Romans 8:35-39 and I Corinthians 15:57. What is thesour ce of our Victor y? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The believer who is not aware of his freedom from having toobey the power of sin (gained through his death and resur-rection with Christ) will continue to face temptations, andproblems; he did not have victor y in the old life. How is heto experience anything different now? Everything stillseems the samethe old habits, the struggles, conflicts,

and memories of failures. Pretty soon, the believer resignshimself to the idea that this is normal, and that he cannotexperience victory in his life. After all, many of his Christianfriends arent experiencing victory either.Read and summarize:

Romans 8:1,2 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Romans 6:6,7 ______________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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II Cor inthians 2:14 ______________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

John 8:32-36 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Why did these hearers not act on their freedom in Christ,and, instead, choose bondage again?_________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Read Romans 6:11-14 and summarize in your own words.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Even though we have been set free from having to obey thepower of sin, can we still choose to obey it, rather thanwalking after our new life of victory in Christ?_________________________________________________________

As a born-again Chr istian, what is your new identity?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Who is your new master /owner? (I Corinthians 6:19, 20;Romans 8:15) ______________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep

standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slav-ery. Galatians 5:1

The problem of walking in defeat is not that we dont havevictory (because we have been set free, and Christs life isvictorious in us for whatever we face). But we can choose(consciously or subconsciously) not to claim our victoryand continue to live as though were in bondage. This con-dition of our lives is called walking after the flesh ratherthan walking in the Spirit .

The wor ld says we attain victory by doing; God says we ob-

tain it by dying or counting ourselves dead to sin. It is ex-actly backwards from our wor ld system training; the way upis down; we have to fail in order to succeed; we have to diein order t o live.


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Sin was our master We, its willing slave; (Romans 6:20)

The old man triumphantTwixt birth and the grave.

Its deathknell soundedAs the veil was rent; (Matthew 27:51)

Christ died on the cross, (Romans 5:8)And sins fury was spent.

When He rose from the deadVictorious oer sin,

He offered new life (John 5:24)To those of our kin.

He ascended to Heaven (Acts 1:9)To the Father s right hand; (Hebrews 12:2)There to seat us in glor y, (Ephesians 2:6)

Sins presence to r emand.

In Christ we d ied to sin; (Romans 6:11)But sin it did not die,

And through our personalities

For control it still does vie.When by permission or deceit

Our wills it does enmesh, (Romans 6:13a)We have given reign

To an enemy called Flesh.

The old man died with Christ, (Romans 6:6)But flesh (self) is with us still; (Galatians 5:17)

We acceded to sins behestIn the domain of our w ill. (Romans 6:12)

The flesh, too, is crucified Its affect ions and its lusts; (Galatians 5:24)

To bring its deeds to death, (Romans 8:13)The Cross again we trust ! (II Corinthians 4:11)


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Our Heads in the heavenlies (Ephesians 2:6)

And our feet on the Earth;Our minds are renewed (Romans 12:2)To know our tr ue wor th. (Ephesians 1:6)

Our talk is affectedBy Christ our true Head; (Ephesians 5:23b)

Our walk is affec ted (Galatians 5:25)As by Him we are led. (Romans 8:14)

Constant victor y is promised (II Corinthians 2:14)As in Christ we are placed; (I Corinthians 1:30)

It becomes our portionAs Self (flesh) is effaced.

As He lives His Life (Galatians 2:20b)Which only is meet,His joy in us our joy is full; (John 15:11)

In Him we are complete! (Colossians 2:9,10)

Then, your life is hidden in God; (Colossians 3:3)And all spiritual blessings you gain; (Ephesians 1:3)

Things of this world lose their pull,And only things eternal remain. (Hebrews 12:27)

Together w e look for the blessed hope (Titus 2:12,13)

And eager ly await that loud cr y; (I Thessalonians 4:16)

His coming back will be as He went, (Acts 1:11)And we will meet Him in the sky! (I Thessalonians 4:17)

Charles R. Solomon


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Why Do We Have A Choice?

Even though we have been released from the power of sin(having to obey it) by the death of the old man/spirit, werealize that we have a choice of either walking after theflesh or walking in the Spirit .

My Will (Chooser)

Lets review the design of man:

Read: Galatians 5:17; Romans 8:9; Colossians 3:4; Colos-

sians 3:9,10.



BODYBODY


MindMind

WillWill

EmotionsEmotions


SOUL

IntuitionIntuition


CommunionCommunion

SpiritualSpiritual

SPIRITRelates toRelates to

OthersOthers


environmentenvironment

RelatesRelates

to Godto God



BODYBODY


BODYBODY


MindMind

WillWill

EmotionsEmotions


SOULMindMind

WillWill

EmotionsEmotions


SOUL

IntuitionIntuition


CommunionCommunion

SpiritualSpiritual

SPIRIT

IntuitionIntuition


CommunionCommunion

SpiritualSpiritual

SPIRITRelates toRelates to

OthersOthersRelates toRelates to

OthersOthers





RelatesRelates

to Godto God

RelatesRelates

to Godto God


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In this diagram, the will can be set on the sin position ora walk after the flesh or on the Holy Spirit position and awalk in the Spirit.

We make decisions (choices) with the Will, not the Mind.We dont make up our minds to do something; we decidewith our Will. This should not be based on feeling , but on fact truth from Gods Word.

NOTE: A more thorough explanation of this diagram is con-tained in Part 2 of Ins and Out of Reject ionby Dr. Solomon.

Read the following verses, picking out the verb, which is

WILL EMOTIONSMIND

AffectionsIntellect

Volition

Carnal(Romans 8:6a)Behavior

ControlCenter

BRAINMemory Bank

BEHAVIOR

Death(separation from source

of life in a functionalsense or works of the flesh)

DEVIL

WORLD SIN

NEW MAN orREGENERATED SPIRIT

(Colossians 3:10)

HOLYSPIRIT

Romans 8:9

OLDMAN

Romans 6:6Colossians 3:9

Galatia

ns5:17

Flesh or Self (KJV)

Sinful Nature (NIV)

WILL EMOTIONSMIND

AffectionsIntellect

Volition


ControlCenter

BRAINMemory Bank

BEHAVIOR



DEVIL

WORLD SIN


(Colossians 3:10)

HOLYSPIRIT

Romans 8:9

OLDMAN


Galatia

ns5:17

Flesh or Self (KJV)

Sinful Nature (NIV)

WILL EMOTIONSMIND

AffectionsIntellect

Volition

Carnal(Romans 8:6a)

WILL EMOTIONSMIND

AffectionsIntellect

Volition


ControlCenter

BRAINMemory Bank

BEHAVIOR



DEVIL

WORLD SIN


(Colossians 3:10)

HOLYSPIRIT

Romans 8:9

OLDMAN


Galatia

ns5:17

Flesh or Self (KJV)

Sinful Nature (NIV)BehaviorControlCenter

BehaviorControlCenter

BRAINMemory Bank

BEHAVIOR



BRAINMemory Bank

BEHAVIOR



BEHAVIOR



DEVIL

WORLD SIN

DEVILDEVIL

WORLDWORLD SIN


(Colossians 3:10)

HOLYSPIRIT

Romans 8:9NEW MAN or

REGENERATED SPIRIT

(Colossians 3:10)

HOLYSPIRIT

Romans 8:9

OLDMAN

Romans 6:6Colossians 3:9OLDMANOLDMAN


Galatia

ns5:17

Galatia

ns5:17

Flesh or Self (KJV)

Sinful Nature (NIV)

Flesh or Self (KJV)

Sinful Nature (NIV)

MINDWILLEMOTIONS

THINKERCHOOSERFEELER


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the action of the will:

Romans 6:11 _______________ yourselves to be dead tosin.

Romans 6:13 _______________ yourselves to God

How can we choose Christ to be the center of our livesand exchange the self-life (walking after the flesh) for theChrist -Life (walking in the Spirit )?

Review Romans 6:11-14:

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed untosin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord (KJV). Determine to yield yourself to Gods indwellingSpiri t and choose those things that are pleasing to Godnomatter how you feel!

Why do some people feel they do not have a choice?___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Walking After The Flesh(The Self-Life)

Galatians 5:16,17 (KJV): This I say then, Walk in the Spirit ,and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the fleshlusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh:and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye can-not do the things that ye would.

As shown on the next pages, we have the choice to r eckonourselves dead to sin and alive unto God (Romans 6:11) or

we will, by choice or default, reckon ourselves dead to Godand alive unto sin.


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SELF-LIFEWALKING AFTER THE FLESH

The S in this diagram is self trusting in the ways welearned to cope apart from Godrelying on how we learnedto take care of ourselves (meet our own needs) without Godin mind. We learn to live by idols. An idol is anything I turnto in order to meet my needs instead of, or outside of, JesusChrist.

Even though we possess Christs Life and our new identity is righteous and victorious, we can choose not to haveChrist controlling as center of our lives and thus notexperience His life living through us. Are you aware oftimes when you have done this?

Of course, it is possible, as a believer, that you have done

SOULSOULSalvationSalvation

AssuranceAssuranceSecuritySecurity




InferiorityInferiority

InsecurityInsecurity



(or Good(or GoodPsychologicalPsychological

Adjustment)Adjustment)

SPIRIT

BODYBODY


insomnia, eating disorders,insomnia, eating disorders,

etc.etc.

ProblemsProblems

Family,Family,

Money,Money,Work,Work,

etc.etc.

frustration

Galatians 5:19Galatians 5:19--2121

hostility

AdulteryFornication

IdolatryWitchcraft

HatredStrife

Wrath

EnvyingsEtc.












SPIRIT

BODYBODY



etc.etc.

ProblemsProblems

Family,Family,


etc.etc.

frustration


hostility

AdulteryFornication

IdolatryWitchcraft

HatredStrife

Wrath

EnvyingsEtc.












SPIRIT

BODYBODY



etc.etc.

ProblemsProblems

Family,Family,


etc.etc.

ProblemsProblems

Family,Family,


etc.etc.

frustration


hostility

AdulteryFornication

IdolatryWitchcraft

HatredStrife

Wrath

EnvyingsEtc.


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nothing but this!

We are walking under a fake ID, as though the old manwere alive and still bound by the power of sin. As such, weare powerless to cope with life! As shown in the diagramon page 58, the switch is on the sin position. In effect, wehave reckoned ourselves dead to God and alive to sintheconverse of Romans 6:11.

Recall a situation which reveals this in your life.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

For Me to Live

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