Faith
Understanding The Divine Exchange
We exchange gifts during Christmas holidays. We usually return the items that others have given us as a gift and exchange it for something we would rather have. We exchange items when we purchase them and when they don’t work, we often return the item for another—especially electronics. We exchange our money for food or groceries. We are very familiar with the act of exchanging every day, although we may not consider the meaning or definition of the act of EXCHANGING.
However, the meaning of EXCHANGE—is to give, hand over, or transfer (for another thing in return). It also means to receive or give another thing for (something returned).
One meaning that we must consider from a Biblical perspective is what OUR HEAVENLY FATHER DID. Paul said, for HE (GOD THE FATHER) made HIM (JESUS) who knew no sin to be sin for us; (2 Cor. 5:21 NKJV). Paul is teaching us that OUR HEAVENLY FATHER was substituting JESUS as the LAMB OF GOD, to take our sins away from us and place it on HIM. Why would GOD THE FATHER do that? Paul explained why?
That is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to HIMSELF, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the Word of reconciliation. (2 Cor. 5:19 NKJV).
So what did we get in return for GOD doing this DIVINE EXCHANGE? The second part of (2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV): That we might become the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM. So instead of us being judged and punished for our sins and trespasses—GOD placed the blame on JESUS and as a result we were;
1. Reconciled back to GOD
2. God did not count all our sins up against us (that’s what imputing their trespasses means).
3. And we were made RIGHTEOUS because of JESUS.
In my last article, “ONE BELIEVES UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS” written 10-5-14. We explored what Paul taught us about what actually happened when we were Born-again, and how we were made the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS (Romans 10:9-10 NKJV/ 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 NKJV).
Today, we are going to go deeper into the topic of The Divine Exchange. Why? Because RIGHTEOUSNESS is not the only thing we have received from GOD THE FATHER when HE gave up JESUS to die in our place. Isaiah, Paul, Peter, Matthew and Luke gave us more Biblical insight into what GOD gave us during THE DIVINE EXCHANGE. We did not just get a free ticket to heaven--so we can relax on the earth, eat, drink, be merry, get fat, get sick and die and then go to Heaven. If we currently have this outlook in life as a Christian we definitely need to be taught more on the topic of THE DIVINE EXCHANGE.
The more we UNDERSTAND THE DIVINE EXCHANGE, the more we can live like JESUS lived, on the earth in the Power and Authority of GOD THE FATHER. I’m going to briefly give an outline then write a detailed explanation of each EXCHANGE OUR HEAVENLY FATHER gave us through JESUS CHRIST.
Isaiah on the topic of THE DIVINE EXCHANGE
Isaiah wrote, surely HE (JESUS) hath borne our grief’s, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem HIM stricken, smitten of GOD, and afflicted. (v. 4)
But HE (JESUS) was wounded for our transgressions, HE was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon HIM; and with HIS stripes we are healed. (v. 5) (Isaiah 53:4-5 KJV)
Matthew on the topic of THE DIVINE EXCHANGE
Matthew was writing what he witnessed JESUS do in HIS earthly Ministry. Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law. Then that same evening JESUS delivered many people who were demon possessed and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “HE HIMSELF took our infirmities and borne our sicknesses.” (Matthew 8:14-17 NKJV)
Theologians will argue that JESUS healed and delivered people way back when, but HE doesn’t do it today. They obviously failed to fully UNDERSTAND THE DIVINE EXCHANGE. JESUS is the same yesterday, today and forever Paul said (See Hebrews 13:8 NKJV)
Peter preached after JESUS died and rose again, that JESUS is still healing and delivering us back then, as well as today. Peter preached in Acts 2:22 NKJV, and mentioned the Miracles, Signs and Wonders JESUS did (the whole message is found in Acts 2:14-41 NKJV). Then we read how Peter preached to Cornelius and his household about the Miracle working Jesus (See Acts 10:38 NKJV) (the whole message is found in Acts 10:34-48 NKJV) Peter always presented JESUS in his messages as a Miracle working , demon busting healer and delivering SAVIOR who came to bring us THE DIVINE EXCHANGE of blessings.
Later on, Peter wrote in his letter about THE DIVINE EXCHANGE. Peter wrote, who HIMSELF bore our sins in HIS own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for RIGHTEOUSNESS—by whose stripes you were healed. (1 Peter 2:24 NKJV)
Here we have Peter explaining THE DIVINE EXCHANGE;
1. Who bore our sins—(Theologians will agree with this.)
2. So we might live for Righteousness—(some theologians depending where they were trained believe this part of THE DIVINE EXCHANGE.)
3. By whose stripes you were healed—(this is where the Theologians will freak out and call a believer who BELIEVES IN THE DIVINE EXCHANGE for DIVINE HEALING a heresy or false teacher.)
Now, pause here for a moment and ask yourself this question; If Isaiah predicted THE DIVINE EXCHANGE. Then Matthew witnessed it first-hand and quoted Isaiah. Peter always included it in his messages in the Book of Acts. Then later Peter writes about THE DIVINE EXCHANGE in his letter. Why is it then, Theologians only believe 1 or 2 out of the 3 things that Peter quoted in this list of THE DIVINE EXCHANGE?-- And not the whole list of things that Isaiah, Matthew, and Peter spoke about? (Food for thought!)
This is what is hurting the Christian world today— the half-informed Theologians, Bible scholars, and Pastors and Teachers who haven’t tapped into all the information regarding the entire topic of THE DIVINE EXCHANGE. So they teach and preach against other Ministers who have thoroughly came to UNDERSTAND THE BIBLICAL TRUTHS AND FACTS ABOUT THE DIVINE EXCHANGE.
What these unbelieving Theologians need to do is humble themselves like Apollos and get re-trained about the entire topic of THE DIVINE EXCHANGE. Apollos accepted more TRUTH and went on to share it.
Paul on the topic of THE DIVINE EXCHANGE
Paul taught extensively about THE DIVINE EXCHANGE in many of his letters to the Churches. We already covered THE DIVINE EXCHANGE about RIGHTEOUSNESS and Sins. Let’s see what else Paul spoke about when JESUS died for us.
Paul wrote to the Christians at Galatia and said, Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”). (Galatians 3:13 NKJV) Here, Paul speaks about Blessings and Curses, which is a lengthy topic in itself that can become a 300 page paperback book. However, the point of THE DIVINE EXCHANGE is clear about JESUS being Cursed for us--so we can be Blessed. It’s that simple! There’s more that needs to be said to capture the entire concept of Blessings and Curses which I will share later on (God, willing!)
The next thing Paul wrote about THE DIVINE EXCHANGE is about us becoming RICH—meaning becoming well-off financially. Paul wrote, for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though HE was rich, yet for your sakes HE became poor, that you through HIS poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV).
Here Paul pointed out to the Church of Corinth that the GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST is about becoming well-off RICH. HOW? By simply being a giver or being of help to others. The entire chapter 8 and 9 of (2 Corinthians 8:1-24 NKJV and 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 NKJV), Paul is teaching about giving in support of other Churches, the poor, and the Ministry--so they may continue to share the Gospel and show others the love of God by the financial and material things that are shared.
Then Paul threw this verse in about THE DIVINE EXCHANGE—about the GRACE OF GOD in the area of giving and that JESUS became poor so we can become rich (well-off). This is another passage of Scripture Theologians will argue against the topic of prosperity. However, Jesus spoke about prosperity by saying, seek first the kingdom of God and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS and all the food, clothing, shelter and material blessings will come to us (Matthew 6:24-34 NKJV)
When we are seeking the kingdom of God, we will learn principles and be inspired by the GRACE of JESUS CHRIST and Give to the work of GOD in support of Ministry, the poor, and others that don’t have. As we do it with simplicity, we will encounter what Paul shared. We will be well-off RICH.
I can testify to God's Blessings in the area of Finances. I have a lot of material possessions that I sincerely acquired by living these principles of sharing and giving. I tithe and give, I also give material things away and God keeps blessing me. In 2012, I gave away tools to 3 different people. Then in 2013, I bought a mini-van for my uncle. I didn’t expect nothing of it. I did it from the heart. I inherited $25,000 dollars worth of tools. I could go on and share many testimonies that I personally experienced. But my point of this teaching, is to teach about THE DIVINE EXCHANGE clearly, practically, and declare that it works!!! When we come to BELIEVE IN THE DIVINE EXCHANGE in all areas of our Christian walk with God. We will experience THE DIVINE EXCHANGE that JESUS came to give us Forgiveness, Salvation, Healing, Deliverance, Financial and Material Blessings, Miracles, Signs, Wonders, and everything that is mentioned in Scripture that the Apostles spoke about.
So believe THE WORD OF GOD, LIVE IT—DON’T DEBATE IT! And you too, will experience the BLESSINGS that come through THE DIVINE EXCHANGE. AMEN
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