Hi Jim,
Here are four of my husband’s Bible studies that he wrote. He is currently incarcerated in Canon City Colorado and leads a weekly Bible study. He has wanted to find a way to share his Bible studies with others outside the prison walls. He and I both hope these bless others. I can send more as well, he sends his writing of these to me weekly to type up for him. by Jolynn Gillespie
This is the first Lesson!
“Who We Are in Christ
Contributed by Adam Gillespie
Before the foundation of the world, we were elected by God the Father to be in Christ which brings us the reward to be called a son or daughter of God. Our relationship with God is in some way connected to our relationship with Christ. In Christ, we have redemption from the power of sin. In Christ the old man is dead, and the new man arises (see 2 Cor 5:17). We are in Christ and Christ is in us.
God Always Had a Plan
Ephesians 1:4 In the Messiah, he chose us in love before the creation of the universe to be holy and without defect in his presence.
It was God’s grace that he chose us to be his holy children, not because of anything we have done. It is in the Messiah that we have this blessing of salvation, redemption, and justification. In Christ, we can share in the blessings and inheritance that Christ has.
In Him We Are Righteous
Romans 5:19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man, many made sinners, so also the obedience of the other man, many will be made righteous.
1 Corinthians 1:30 It is his doing that you are united with the Messiah Yeshua, He has become wisdom for us from God, and rightlessness and holiness and redemption as well!!
Philippians 3:9 and be found in union with him, not having any righteousness of our own based on legalism but having that righteousness which comes through the Messiah’s faithfulness, the righteousness from God based in trust.
Without being in Christ we are just disobedient sinners who have no right standing with God. It is through the perfect sinless life of Christ, his death burial, and resurrection on our behalf that we are righteous. He took our sins and gave us his righteousness.
He Bore Our Sins
2 Corinthians 5:21 God made this sinless man to be a sin offering on our behalf, so that in union with him we might fully share in God’s righteousness
Isaiah 53:6 We all like sheep, went astray; we turned each one, to his own way; yet Adonai laid on him the guiltless all.
1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the stake, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness, by his wounds we are healed.
By him taking all our sins on the cross God sees Christ’s righteousness not our sins. In him, we have the freedom to die to our sins so now we should not let sin rule in our bodies. We must give our lives over to him.
In Him, We Have a New Life
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is united with The Messiah, he is a new creation-the old has passed; look, what has come is fresh and new.
1 John 5:11 and this is the witness: God has given us eternal life and this life is in his son.
2 Timothy 1:1 From Sha’ul, an adversary of the Messiah Yeshua by God’s will, which holds forth a promise of life through being united with Messiah Yeshua
So, from these scriptures, we see we do have a new life in Yeshua. This good news should cause us to deny ourselves and pick up our cross daily and follow him. The first Adam brought death the second Adam (Yeshua) brought life.
In Christ, We Are to Live for Him
Romans 15:17 In union with the Messiah Yeshua, then, I have reason to be proud of my service to God.
1 Corinthians 15:31 Brothers by the right to be which the Messiah Yeshua our lord gives me I solemnly tell you that I die every day
Paul knew what he had in his savior Yeshua the Messiah. He knew what it was to die to his flesh every day and to live for him. He was proud to be constantly working for God and bringing many into the fold. He also knew who he was outside of Christ. So, let’s remember the children of God who we are in Union with the Messiah.
