Brethren and sisters, we have now seen that being "more than a conqueror" in Christ means that we have the forgiveness of sin, the power to overcome sin, the power to resist and become victors over temptation, God's purity, developing spiritual maturity, and a proper perspective of what is going on around us.
New Covenant Christians have a reputation amongst those who know us of being strict about the Gospel -- we don't cut corners, we don't water down the Gospel, and we put all the energy of out souls into walking the Way of Christ. Many Christians allow Christ to function in certain areas of their lives while other areas are withheld. Over these special or reserved areas ego rules, ego makes the decisions. Where this occurs, duality enters into life -- something that works to produce inner division.
In India, many years ago, the British arranged to have certain "reserved subjects" while turning others over to the Indians. That kind of government was called a "dyarchy". Inevitably, the system failed, just as the attempt to have a spiritual dyarchy within the soul will fail. Millions of Christians, set up a spiritual dyarchy within the soul, and wonder why their spiritual life is so unsatisfactory. No one can be truly happy and effective when there is an inner division. There must be unity within or else there will be collapse on the outside.
Over the years I have met many Christians who have said: "I am a Christian but I am far from experiencing what the Bible describes as living 'abundantly'. Why?" Investigation usually leads to one answer -- a spiritual dyarchy. Incredible though it may seem, they have enough of the love of Christ in their hearts to make them miserable! By that I mean the love of Christ is allowed to enter into their lives only so far -- far enough to give them a taste of what life is all about but not far enough to sweep them to victory.
Is it any wonder, then, that the Bible speaks of God's people of being a small remnant? As everyone knows, we have entered a time of great darkness and spiritual apostasy on the earth as Satan manipulates world conditions for his last great offensive against mankind prior to his final defeat by Christ. Our time, and the time that is coming, is not unlike the times in Elijah's day. The Lord told the Hebrew prophet that there were 7,000 souls who had not bowed their knees to Baal (1 Ki.19:18). There were millions of Hebrews but only a tiny remnant -- 7,000 -- remained true and faithful.
As I look around the Christian world I see many well-meaning men and women who are, in fact, compromising with the world. In the last day there will be no compromise -- we are either for Christ and against the world, or for the world and against Christ. We, as New Covenant Christians, are not, however, waiting for the last day to take our stand. We have already chosen. And because we have chosen, we stand out somewhat and are regarded as peculiar not only by the world but by fellow Christians also.
Do you like being peculiar? My dictionary says that "peculiar" means "strange" or "odd". I don't much like being called "peculiar" any more than I doubt you do, as it is usually used as a term of insult. But in the Bible the words in Hebrew and Greek for "peculiar" also mean "beyond the ordinary". Peter says: "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light" (1 Pet.2:9, CW trans.).
We recently had some publicity in one of Norway's national newspapers and I listen as some young men made fun of us and said we were peculiar. Well, we are peculiar -- we are different. We do not conform ourselves to this world's way of doing things, no matter how much we may love our country. God intended us to be peculiar -- He Himself has said so, and if you intend to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, then you had better get used to being peculiar! For with Paul, we join in, saying that "we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:12-14, AV).
In the Old Testament, God calls His people a peculiar treasure (Ps.135:4); and He calls them thus because they obey His voice and keep His covenant (Ex.19:5). We are a covenant people, meaning that we enter into covenants with each other and with Christ, to be true to the Gospel and to Christ our Master. That is why we are called New Covenant Christians. Our covenants are our anchors firmly attached to the rock of Christ. There we have moored the boats of our lives, and there we shall stay. Let us pray:
Dear Father in Heaven, forgive us if we have ever thought to make Your Son only our half-king, leaving other half-gods in our hearts. We cannot bow at a double shrine. Renew in us the covenants that we have taken and gather in Thy people, the elect, as You have promised, that we may be one with them, and they one with us, in the bonds of everlasting love. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
Invitation to Baptism
Brethren and sisters, if there are any of you have never received Christ as their personal Saviour, and would like to do so, I invite you to come and stand before the altar and make your request known, where you will be helped to make a prayer of commitment to Him. If there are any who have received Christ and who have been led by the Holy Spirit to unite themselves with this people, then I invite both them and those who are meeting Christ for the first time to receive water baptism at the soonest possible opportunity, as commanded by Scripture -- the first to be baptised into Christ, and all to be baptised into the New Covenant.
If there is anyone who would like to have private counsel first, they too are invited to come up to the stand. We will now have a few minutes of spiritual music to allow those who wish to commit themselves to come up to the altar...
Prayers of Commitment:
Simple Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the gift of eternal life. I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. I believe Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for my sins and rose again from the dead. I now put my complete trust in You alone for eternal life. Thank you for delivering me! In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Special Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I want to be Your child and I want to be completely free. I confess that Jesus is Lord, I believe You raised Him from the dead and I confess my need for the new birth and freedom He alone can give. I want this. I renounce (the occult, drugs, rock music, sexual obsession, homosexuality, etc.) and all its lifestyle and activity. I renounce all things connected with (the occult, drugs, etc.) that have touched my life recently or have come into my life through my family or friends. I renounce it all, turn from it and ask you to forgive me, free and deliver me from all its consequences. I ask you to fill me with Your Holy Spirit and lead me in the way I should go. I count this done, and thank you for it, in the mighty Name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

This page was created on 16 May 1998 Updated on 16 May 1998

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