When Adam sinned, the ruler of sin and death was authorized to bring his evil power into the earth for the first time. Adam’s authority and influence to dominate and multiply on the earth according to God’s instructions was now subjected to Satan: the one Adam had chosen to obey.
God’s desire to ultimately free mankind from the rule of this rebel spirit required that the Law be given to people. They had to know what it would take to live in God’s system in order to receive His blessings.
Yet the Law didn’t empower people to live by its requirements. As a result, it only revealed their inability in themselves to obtain God’s acceptance and approval. The Law of God was true and right, but it was weak in a crucial respect: It did not bring the ultimate answer that would free people from the sin that bound them.
Then Jesus came to earth and destroyed the works of the devil. Nailed to the Cross, Jesus bore the punishment and paid the price for man’s sin, taking upon Himself all of its consequences. Sin had separated man from God, but on the Cross, the sinless One took that separation upon Himself so man could know rightstanding with God.
Jesus didn’t deserve the consequences of sin. Yet He took sin upon Himself and was made sin in order that you and I could be made His righteousness. We don’t deserve His righteousness. Yet, just as Jesus received what He did not deserve, we now receive what we do not deserve. His love has made it freely available. We are now made His righteousness: blameless and pure by faith in Him.
None of this is the result of our doing what is right. Rather, it’s the result of our receiving God’s free gift of righteousness. Paul tells us what then follows in Romans 5:17 (CEB):
“Death ruled like a king because Adam had sinned. But that cannot compare with what Jesus Christ has done. God has been so kind to us, and he has accepted us because of Jesus. And so we will live and rule like kings.”
We now rule like kings over our own lives based on our believing and receiving.
The way of the worlds system is to be rewarded for what we do. If we act right and do right, we will get ahead. This is the way it is in business, on the job, and in personal relationships. We will experience the best only if we do it right.
God’s way is to bless first; not because we act right or do right, but because we believe right.
God’s system is not based on works or personal effort, but on faith. This is contrary to our common way of thinking. God is the first to give, first to bless, first to forgive, and first to love.
The message of the Gospel is that God has blessed those who believe. The Law of the Old Covenant could not bring the blessing of God’s love without conditions. But the Father desired a way to express without limits His love toward man. Jesus was the revelation of that divine, limitless love. You are loved without limits!
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Vikki and Dennis began as youth pastors in 1973 in Southern California where they received tremendous insight into the work of the local church. In 1976, they moved to Ft. Worth, Texas, to work with Kenneth Copeland Ministries. Vikki worked with KCM for three years before entering full-time ministry with her husband. Since that time, their relationship and involvement with Kenneth Copeland Ministries has continued. Vikki and Dennis have had numerous articles published in the Believer's Voice of Victory magazine.
Vikki has spoken in several nations including Australia, Japan, and Canada. She has ministered on television, radio, in women's conferences and marriage seminars. Her desire is to see people raised to a higher level of living through the Word of God. By acting on Gods principles, Vikki has obtained a testimony of victory and imparts encouragement to others.
Throughout the years, Vikki and Dennis have pursued new avenues of reaching people. The Lord has continued to expand their vision. Their dedication has affected thousands as they are impacting God's people with the love of God.