Verses & Doctrine Upon which we Stand in Faith

- Words to Live By - 

Verses Written by God the Holy Spirit, assembled with words amplified by Arthur J Licursi

(All verses are taken from the Authorized KJV English Bible)

After hearing of the truths of the new relationship to be enjoyed by grace-believers by faith during today’s “dispensation of the grace of God” (Eph. 3:2), some have asked for a synopsis of KEY verses that apply to these truths for today. Frankly, these verses below appear over and over in my writings at www.artlicursi.com since they are the basis for all aspects of Christian living … in peace and rest… through our literal Spirit-union with Christ.

These truths are not to be only read, but also to be studied. The more you familiarize yourself with them, as you consider their importance, the more you will be able to recall them as a supportive resource for our daily living. As you do this you will be enlightened by the Holy Spirit who reveals and makes the truth for today to be real and empowering to us in our daily lives. We need to invest the daily work of studying “the word of truth” for us today. Christianity is not based upon Sunday attendance to some religious organization’s service where we sing three songs, take a collection, and listen the preacher for 30 or 45 minutes and go home til next week; Christian living is the way of ‘life in the word.’ Jesus said;

“It is the spirit that quickeneth [makes alive]; the flesh [human effort apart from the Spirit] profiteth nothing: the Words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life [Gk., Zoë, spirit-life.”] John 6:63

Paul Tells Us to Study the word and also How to Study “the word of truth”:

¹⁵ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV only)

We must “rightly divide” that which applies to other dispensations (especially concerning the nation Israel) from that which applies to “the body of Christ” today. You will note that most of the verses referenced in this summary of what we need to know, seen below, are taken mainly from the Apostle Paul’s Epistles to the members of “the Church,” that he called “the body of Christ” (cf. Eph. 1:22b-23a)

Paul Prayed for Believers that they gain “Revelation” of ‘What Now Need to Know’:

Paul wrote to the grace believers of Ephesus concerning the importance of ‘knowing’ “the riches of the glory of his inheritance [that is now] in [indwelling] the saints [all believers]” and all that concerns “the revelation of the mystery [God’s eternally planned secret] of Christ.”

¹⁵  Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, ¹⁶  [I] Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; ¹⁷ That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him [Christ]: ¹⁸ The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance [that is now] in [indwelling] the saints [all believers], Ephesians 1:15-18

¹  For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, ²  If ye have heard of The Dispensation Of The Grace Of God which is given me to you-ward: ³  How that by revelation he made known unto me ‘the Mystery’ [God’s secret plan concerning the church of the Gentile “body of Christ”]; (as I wrote afore in few words, ⁴  Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in The Mystery of Christ [of His indwelling of the believers] ⁵ Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles [grace apostles] and prophets [preachers] by the Spirit; Ephesians 3:1-5

We Need to Understand “The Mystery” (God’s Secret Plan) From Which Springs the Many Aspects of God’s Grace Program for Believers Today.

⁷ But we speak the wisdom of God in a Mystery (Secret Plan), even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained [planned] before the world unto our glory: ⁸ Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they [Satan’s princes] known it 9the secret], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Cor. 2:7-8 (KJV)

Why would these “Princes of this world” not then crucify the Lord Jesus?

The “Princes of This World” Identified: The phrase “the princes of this world” (above) refers to the religious and political leaders of Israel and Rome who in concert crucified the Lord Jesus Christ. They were guided by the Satanic Angelic Princes in the lower heavens who Paul refers to as the “Spiritually Wicked in High Places”:

¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the Darkness of This World, against Spiritual Wickedness In High Places. Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)

Satan and his wicked “princes of this world” and the fallen Satanic angelic “principalities and power, the rulers of darkness in “high places” did not know God’s plan of the Cross. Had they known the Victory of Christ at the Cross that would come by His death, burial, and resurrection … they certainly would Not have cooperated with God’s secret plan to crucify the Lord of Glory.

Therefore, in retrospect Satan and his Princes would rather have just one Living Jesus walking on earth today rather than the crucified and resurrected Lord as “the life-giving spirit” (1Cor. 15:45) who would then dispense His Spirit into “as man as received Him” (Jn. 1:29). Thereby, Christ’s life is multiplied to all believers, making them also to be… the “sons of God” as the increase of His family who will reign on earth and in heaven. They these believers bear the very same spiritual DNA of the Godhead in their spirit.

Now, as the Resurrected “Spirit of Life,” Christ is then able to Abide IN the Believer’s Spirit.

⁴⁵ And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [Christ] was made a quickening (life-giving) spirit [by His resurrection]. 1 Corinthians 15:45 

¹⁷ But he [the believer] that is joined unto the Lord [the Lord’s Spirit] is one [in] spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:17

“Saved by Grace Through Faith” in the Truth of Christ and His Cross as our ALL. Paul, “The Apostle of the Gentiles” (Rom. 11:13) thus writes to the members of the Gentile “body of Christ”

⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

• Note what Jesus said of ‘Israelites Only’: ¹³ But he that shall endure [faithful] unto the end, the same shall be saved. Matthew 24:13
• Note what James said to Israelites Only (cf. James 1:1): ¹⁰ For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is Guilty Of All. James 2:10

BY CONTRAST, Paul tells Us Gentiles we’re Forever Saved Securely “Sealed” with the Holy Spirit.

¹³ [Jesus] In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, Ye Were Sealed With That Holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 1:13

Believers are Fully Endowed for Living the Christian Life:

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath [already] blessed us with ALL spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: ⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him [Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we should [would] be holy and without blame before him in love: Eph 1:3-4 

³⁰ But of him [Father God] are Ye IN Christ Jesus, who of God is [currently and always] made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 1 Corinthians 1:30

¹⁶ For who hath known the mind of the Lord…? But WE HAVE the Mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16 (KJV)  

¹⁰ And Ye Are Complete In Him, which is the head of all principality and power: ¹¹ In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Colossians 2:10-11

Differences Between Israel’s Law Program and Paul’s Grace Program for “the body of Christ”:

⁶ And [He] hath [already] raised us up together, and made us sit together in [the] Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus: Ephesians 2:6

⁸ For By Grace Are Ye Saved Through Faith; and that Not Of Yourselves: It Is The Gift Of God: ⁹ Not Of Works, lest any man should boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

¹¹  Wherefore remember, that Ye Being In Time Past Gentiles in the flesh [by physical birth], who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; ¹² That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: ¹³  BUT NOW In Christ Jesus Ye Who Sometimes Were Far Off Are Made Nigh by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:6, 8-13 

⁵⁶ … the Strength [Power] of Sin Is ‘The Law.’ 1 Corinthians 15:56b BUT, ¹⁴ Sin shall NOT Have Dominion Over You: for ‘ye are NOT under the Law,’ but under GRACE. Romans 6:14b

As Grace Believers Today, We have No Religious Laws, Rites or Rituals or Special Days:

¹⁶ Let no man therefore judge you in [the laws of Israel concerning] meat [diet], or in drink, or in respect of a holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Colossians 2:16

Who is Working Now on Our Behalf?

⁵ NOT BY WORKS of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Titus 3:5 (KJV)

²⁵ Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my [Paul’s] gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of ‘the mystery [Gk. musterion, God’s long-held secret plan],’ which was kept secret since the world began, Romans 16:25 

⁵ But to him that Worketh Not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. ⁶ Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, ⁷ Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. ⁸ Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute [count his] sin. Romans 4:5-8 

⁶ And if by grace, then is it No More of Works: otherwise grace is no more grace… Romans 11:6a 

¹³ For it is God Which Worketh In You both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13 
⁶ Being confident of this very thing, that he [God] which hath begun a good work ‘in you’ will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6  

The Enemy Within “the Flesh” of All Men:

³ Among whom also we all had our conversation [manner of living] in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. Ephesians 2:3 (KJV)

³ For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin In the Flesh: Romans 8:3

A New Mindset for Living in “peace”:

⁵ For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit [mind] the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For to be Carnally [Fleshly Minded] Minded Is Death; but to be ‘Spiritually Minded’ Is Life and Peace. Romans 8:5-6 

⁶ Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ⁸ … whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phili. 4:6-8

We are “One Spirit” with Christ and the Godhead:

⁸ But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Job 32:8 

¹ The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Zechariah 12:1 

The Mystery Seen in its Personal Aspect:

²⁵ Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; ²⁶ Even the Mystery (secret plan) which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: ²⁷ To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this Mystery (secret plan) among The Gentiles; which is Christ In You, the hope of glory: Colos. 1:25-27 KJV

Victory Over the Dominion of the Sin-Nature in the Flesh

³ Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized [immersed] into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? ⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:3-4

⁶ Knowing this, that our old man [our soul self] is crucified with him, [so] that the body of sin might be destroyed [Gk. kartargeo, rendered powerless], that henceforth we should not serve sin. ⁷ For he that is dead is freed from sin [free from Sin’s dominion]. Romans 6:6-7 Dead people cannot be commanded to Sin.

As Members of “His body,” We have Peace with God, a New Life, a New Calling, and we are Destined to Dwell in Heaven forever!

¹ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Rom. 5:1 (KJV)

¹⁷ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

²⁰ For our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: ²¹ Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Philippians 3:20-21

¹⁶ Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh [as Jesus of Nazareth in His earthy ministry], yet now henceforth know we him no more. ¹⁷ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. ¹⁸ And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 2 Corinthians 5:16-18 ²⁰  Now then We Are Ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV)

The Blessed Hope (Expectation) of Grace Believers:

¹³ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep [lay dead in the grave], that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. ¹⁵ For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent [precede] them which are asleep.

¹⁶ For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: ¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thess. 4:13-18 KJV

⁵¹ … I shew you a mystery [a former secret]; We shall not all sleep [lay dead], but we shall all be changed, ⁵² In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. ⁵⁵ O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 1 Cor. 15:51-55 

¹²  If we suffer [learn to endure by trusting Christ in us as our real life], we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us [reigning]: 2 Timothy 2:12
¹  For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle [our physical bodies] were dissolved [disintegrated], we have a building of God [a body], an house not made with hands, Eternal In The Heavens. 2 Corinthians 5:1

The everyday circumstances and situations of life that all believers endure while on this earth living in our “body of sin” are used by God’s for our training and learning to trust the Lord in the midst of “all things”; thus, preparing them to occupy the seats of rank and authority, to co-reign with Christ “in the heavenly places” for eternity. (Satan and his cohorts will already have been cast down and into “the lake of fire” leaving vacant these seats of rank and authority “in the heavenly places.”

Knowing this, we can embrace “all things” as being ‘for our eternal good.’  - ²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30