Something Already Done

The Apostle Paul made this astonishing statement … "Jesus hath abolished death."

2nd Timothy 1:10 … "But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel."

As Paul was writing these words … who hath abolished death … people were still dying, and still are today. Death is still active, right? So how has Jesus abolished death?

In this chapter, Paul is speaking of what God intends to do through Christ … as being so certain, that it may be spoken of … as a thing that is already done. Let me repeat myself and say it this way. Jesus, through His resurrection has made it so certain that death will be abolished, that it is spoken of as something already done.

In John 11:25-26, Jesus speaking to Martha after Lazarus died said … "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"

Jesus wasn't saying that no one would ever die again. Natural man has an appointment with death. That's how God set it up. Hebrews 9:27 … "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." The sad part is … for the lost the opposite is true, spiritual death and separation from God will last forever.

But there is some good news as Paul states in the last half of 1st Corinthians 15:22 … "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."

Through the power of the resurrection, the very same power that entered into our hearts through the process of the new birth, the life that was in Christ, now residing within us … makes what Jesus has done so certain, that it may be spoken of … as a thing that is already done.

Physical death will be done away with at the end of this age. Paul continues speaking of this assurance about death in …

1st Corinthians 15:53-54 … "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory."

John writes in agreement in Revelation 21:4-5 … "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new."

When God sent Jesus into the world He intended to do more than just abolish death. There are some other things God wants to make certain in our lives. It has to do with what is called making … a declaration of faith.

When we make a declaration of faith concerning something that we consider as needing to be done by God; such as healing or salvation for a loved one, etc., we need to speak of it as … something already done.

You may say … "You're repeating yourself." Yes I am. I intend too! What moves God? Faith! When you ask God, when you pray … you need to see whatever you ask for as … something already done.

2nd Corinthians 5:7 … "We walk by faith, not by sight." This is what faith is all about. Believing that what you have asked your Lord for is … something already done.

I wasn't going to use this most familiar scripture but it just stays in my mind, so here it is. Hebrews 11:1 … "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." In other words it's … something already done.

Speak of it and treat it with faith as … something already done. That way we do what the Apostle Paul said in 1st Corinthians 11:1 … "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." If I may use my words, I think Paul was saying … "Pattern yourself after my example of following Christ. Be so certain about what God intends to do that you can follow Him as I do."

That's why Paul could make the astonishing statement I started this dissertation with … "Jesus hath abolished death." Paul was certain in his heart and mind because he knew Jesus … who He really was and what He was like in every situation of life. Paul knew he could have faith in the words of Jesus.

I don't care what people say or think about me … I may not get the job done … but I intend to make every effort to believe the words of Jesus. Words like we find in …

Mark 11:22-23 … "Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith."

But He doesn't stop there. Jesus now adds in the next verse what I think is something even stronger when He says …

"Therefore … (because of what I have just said) … I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."

It sounds to me like Jesus is saying ... be so certain in your heart and mind that what things soever you have asked for in prayer, may now be spoken of as … something already done.

Something already done. It's a … declaration of faith.

If you think about it … faith (trust and confidence, perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses) says it's true. Why should you decide it's true? Because of the three words Jesus said on the cross before He died; three words confirming He gave you complete restoration and freedom from sin, sickness and death.

"It is finished" … and I believe Him. No more can be done … therefore whatever your need is, it can be spoken of as …

Something already done.



Comments welcome.