THE REAL THING (1 OF 9)
by Ron Dunn
Scripture: JOSHUA 1:1-18, JOSHUA 2:1-24
This content is part of a series.
The Real Thing (1 of 9)
Ron Dunn
Joshua 1, 2
A victorious life is not a superior brand of Christianity reserved for the elite of the elect. It is the normal life for every Christian. It isn't bestowed upon some because they are spiritual, it is given to all because they are saved! Too many Christians are struggling to win a victory that has already been won It was won 2,000 years ago. The Christian life is a victorious life and anything less is a cheap imitation of the real thing Jesus said, "I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly." (John 10:10)
It will help if we understand that the Christian life can be divided into two stages-the Red Sea stage and the Jordan River stage, with a wilderness in between. What the cross is to us, the Red Sea was to Israel. It was the symbol of their redemption, their deliverance from the bondage of Egypt by the mighty hand of God. They looked back to the Red Sea as we look back to the cross; they celebrated the Passover as we celebrate the Lord's Supper.
But it wasn't enough to get them out of Egypt. Moses reminded the people in Deuteronomy 6:23, "and He brought us out from there (Egypt) in order to bring us in, to give us the land which He had sworn to our fathers." The purpose of their redemption wasn't realized until they entered the land of Canaan. And to enter that land they had to cross the Jordan River. Then and only then would the redemptive purpose of God be fulfilled.
This may surprise you, but Canaan never symbolizes heaven in the Bible. Church hymns may say that, but the Bible doesn't. There were giants in Canaan--there are no giants in heaven. There were battles to be fought in Canaan--there will be no battles in heaven. God's people sinned in Canaan--in heaven all traces of sin will be erased.
Canaan represents the fullness of salvation, the fullness of blessing, the possessing of our possessions. Canaan was when God redeemed Israel for, just as victory is what God saved us for. ...
Ron Dunn
Joshua 1, 2
A victorious life is not a superior brand of Christianity reserved for the elite of the elect. It is the normal life for every Christian. It isn't bestowed upon some because they are spiritual, it is given to all because they are saved! Too many Christians are struggling to win a victory that has already been won It was won 2,000 years ago. The Christian life is a victorious life and anything less is a cheap imitation of the real thing Jesus said, "I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly." (John 10:10)
It will help if we understand that the Christian life can be divided into two stages-the Red Sea stage and the Jordan River stage, with a wilderness in between. What the cross is to us, the Red Sea was to Israel. It was the symbol of their redemption, their deliverance from the bondage of Egypt by the mighty hand of God. They looked back to the Red Sea as we look back to the cross; they celebrated the Passover as we celebrate the Lord's Supper.
But it wasn't enough to get them out of Egypt. Moses reminded the people in Deuteronomy 6:23, "and He brought us out from there (Egypt) in order to bring us in, to give us the land which He had sworn to our fathers." The purpose of their redemption wasn't realized until they entered the land of Canaan. And to enter that land they had to cross the Jordan River. Then and only then would the redemptive purpose of God be fulfilled.
This may surprise you, but Canaan never symbolizes heaven in the Bible. Church hymns may say that, but the Bible doesn't. There were giants in Canaan--there are no giants in heaven. There were battles to be fought in Canaan--there will be no battles in heaven. God's people sinned in Canaan--in heaven all traces of sin will be erased.
Canaan represents the fullness of salvation, the fullness of blessing, the possessing of our possessions. Canaan was when God redeemed Israel for, just as victory is what God saved us for. ...
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