In today’s study we look at God’s provision for re-creation, our identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ; and His provision for our reconciliation with Himself in the death of Christ. These benefits are a mystery to the natural man, but as we enter in to this new life we see the reality of it all in our lives, and the need for others to receive this reconciliation as well.

Today we look the process of being cleansed and acquitted. In the Old Testament this was a temporary solution, but in the New Testament became permanent through the blood of Jesus. The sacrifices and sprinkling of blood in the Old Testament that covered sins had to be repeated, but the blood of Jesus once and for all cleanses us—blots out sins as we confess them, and causes us to remain in the light.

Derek looks into the life of David, from Psalm 51, to show us that even godly men such as he were capable of falling into sin. When confronted with sin, David saw his miserable state and his need for salvation and cleansing. He knew his only help was in God, and he was wise enough to humble himself and seek God for it.

Today Derek begins a study of what happens when a person encounters Christ and becomes a new creation. There is a line of separation between the world of the senses and the world of the Spirit that is the death and resurrection of Christ. This is the world we enter through the work of the Holy Spirit.

In this three week series Derek looks at God’s creation: the new man created in Christ Jesus. God offers every man a new beginning in life, but it is up to each individual to accept it. God is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. What He starts in us He is perfectly capable and willing to complete.

Today Derek finishes this study on the topic of love by using the active definition and command Jesus gave to His disciples. “Love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” By this we know that we are to prefer others before ourselves. This is love taking on flesh.

Today Derek examines the character of love—how it behaves in everyday life. Looking at the verses in 1 Corinthians 13, “the love chapter,” we find how love behaves—what it does and does not do. Love is not insecure, so it does not make a display of itself. It is infinitely strong and can stand any pressure, face any situation. Love can meet any challenge, and love never gives up.

Reading from 1 Corinthians 13, Derek comments on the importance of love. Without love we are nothing. Regardless of all of our giftings, no matter what we do, if it is not borne out of love it will not accomplish the fullness of what it was meant to do. All we do must be done in faith to empower the action of love.

Today we examine the perfect law of liberty, the law of love. The entire Law is wrapped up in these: If we love God and love our neighbors as we love ourselves. If we will put these two commands into practice, we will not break any law. The end purpose of the New Testament is precisely the same as the Old, but it takes the love of God in Christ to fulfill it.

How does God’s agape love work in our lives? Derek helps us to see that we cannot move in God’s love until it has first been birthed within us by the Holy Spirit. Then, as we get to know the One who has given us this love, we can come to know and experience God’s love in our lives. There is much more to it than we can imagine, but eventually it will flow out from us to others.