Workbook Based On: IDENTITY MATTERS® 77 Truths for the Seven Areas of Life By Dr. Stephen R. Phinney IDENTITY MATTERS® Living Life Discipleship Manual By Dr. Stephen R. Phinney IDENTITY MATTERS® Exchanged Life Conference By Dr. Stephen R. Phinney
LISTEN ONLINE | These free audio/video messages go hand-in-hand with the teachings presented in the IDENTITY MATTERS CONFERENCE & WORKBOOK. It is for the strict purpose of providing teaching tools for those who are lead to communicate these profound messages to others—through sermons, small groups, conferences or private study. Log on to www.IOMAmerica.org and follow the instructions provided. Suggested Method: 1. Order the Identity Matters Workbook for each participant (order here) 2. Teachers - listen to audios and complete workbook at least 2 lessons in advance 3. First two meetings - share overview of the study by taking turns reading the Conference Topics & Definition of Terms from workbook 4. Assign Lesson One in workbook 5. Watch the short video as a group - expand to full screen (click in bottom right corner of video) 6. Gather your group, come back to this page, click on Lesson One & listen to audio as a group 7. Discuss attendee's answers in workbook 8. Assign next lesson and then repeat these steps
Dedicated To: My Beloved Daughter, Jessica (Kiwi)
It has been one of my greatest delights to see God advance you in the Truths of knowing who you are in Christ!
THE HOLY WORD OF GOD Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB), Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Identity Matters® Copyright © 1999, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016 by IOM America. Author: Dr. Stephen R. Phinney
ISBN: 978-1-329-89042-8 Printed in the United States of America LuLu Press, Inc. IOM America P.O. Box 71 Sterling, Kansas 67579 (602) 292-2982 www.iomamerica.org ChristAsLife@iomamerica.org Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Phinney, Stephen Ray Identity Matters® Exchange Life Dictionary: Advancing Life From Within
© 2014, Revised/Updated ©2016 Exchanging Life Publishing Cover Design: Inphinnety Designs Editing: 2014, Kathy Hill (Colorado Springs, CO) 2016, Jane Phinney (Sterling, KS)
My Deepest Appreciation: A special thank you goes out to numerous family members, friends, and colleagues. I will be forever grateful:
To my wife, Jane: “The lady who makes her home in my heart”. Her love and commitment to me over the years has been a source of strength, stability, wisdom, insight, and character. Without her, I don’t think I would have ever grasped the reality of the power of the indwelling life of Christ and having a deep love for the Word of God. Thank you for your tireless efforts in editing, not only with this project, but through the years as you guided me from illiteracy to being a passionate writer. Bless you for being there for me in those “dark places” – sharing the Light & Life of Christ with you has been my greatest delight!
To my family: I am grateful to each member for allowing me to trip and stumble until the indwelling Life of Christ became a reality!
To my dear mentor and friend, Dr. Charles Solomon: I thank you for your dedication in devoting your life to the personal discoveries of the Exchanging Life of Christ. Each of the diagrams and written content within this workbook and conference guide was influenced by the Lord using you, your ministry, and product design. Thank you!
To Victorious Christian Living International: It is through my 10 years of service with this organization that God revealed the practical elements of living out the Exchanged Life. It was through my daily responsibilities of designing and implementing diagrams for this ministry that became the basis of this project.
To my teachers and mentors: My heart will be forever grateful for Nick Harrison, Oswald Chambers, Andrew Murray, David Needham, Jack Taylor, Stephen Olford, John Woodward, Bill Gillham, Ian Thomas, F.B. Meyer, Watchman Nee, Hannah Whitall Smith, Miles Stanford, Charles Trumbull, Mike Wells, Bob George, Randy Alcorn, and Greg Burts.
To all of our trainees and students: I thank each of you for not only attending training events, but presenting questions that challenge me to explore the Word of God for His answers and cause me to look deeper at the indwelling Life of Christ. And thank you to the donors, readers, and printers who God used to put this study into the hands of all those desiring to be workers, teachers, and Bridal members willing to live out the Exchanged Life.
ď — Dr. Charles Solomon It gives me great pleasure to commend my son in the faith, Dr. Stephen Phinney for his burden and vision to proliferate the message of the cross, Christ-as-Life or the crucified life, globally via media & material development. The need is great, and the hour is late as he faithfully builds on the foundation in scripture laid half a century ago. I pray that those who receive this message will multiply it to God's glory that the Church may be edified through transformed lives of indwelt believers, as he and I walk together in obedience to our Father.
Preface Exchanged Life Workers
I am the kind of man who enjoys having a tool in my toolbox for all kinds of projects – not to say that I do “projects,” but it is certainly a goal. Tools have their true value when they are obviously used for their intended purpose. Just as you would not use a pair of pliers to hammer in a nail, you wouldn’t use an unbiblical “Christian counselor” to disciple a hurting soul with the Exchanged Life. Personally, I believe that a Truth-trained Exchanged Life preacher, teacher, or counselor is a choice tool in the Master Craftsman’s (God’s) toolbox. Owning a library filled with Bibles and Exchanged Life books does not make one a dynamic Exchanged Life worker, any more than owning a $1,200 toolbox filled with $7,000 worth of great tools makes one a great mechanic. The goal and purpose of this writing project is to put at the disposal of the Exchanged Life worker inspiration, information, Scriptural insights, and resources. These will, when used through the indwelling power of Christ, enable the reader to minister meaningfully, purposefully, and deliberately regarding any of the seven areas of life. This series is one of hope and renewal. It is aimed at equipping individuals and families to stand and walk free in completeness, in the indwelling life of Jesus Christ, by the miraculous mystery of the Holy Spirit within us. This is the key to renewal in the Church, as well. The Identity Truths Workbook and Conference Guide is offered to assist all indwelt Christians to be better equipped in communicating the Exchanged Life – from the beginner to the advanced believer. As a teacher of the Word, I see human life being divided into seven primary areas: physical, spiritual, psychological, social, financial, marital, and parental. These areas address and apply to every person – past, present, and future. Effectual living has seven primary requirements, assuming one is indwelt by the life of Christ: Repentance (misusing the vessel of God), Identification in Christ (putting away old self), Disciplines (learning to walk), Obedience (accepting the ways of God), Fruit of the Spirit (manifestation of the indwelling life of Christ), Victory (walking out the Truth), and Vision (our calling). Relating these seven “requirements” within each of the seven areas of life produces a miraculous formula for living out the Exchanged Life.
The Exchanged Life Worker When I use the term “exchanged life worker,” I am addressing each and every indwelt Christian who has a desire to learn more about allowing the life of Christ to minister (or live) through their mortal being. “And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another” (Romans 15:14). God gave us the ability, through the life of Christ within, to admonish (put in the mind) one another, assisting our Groom in keeping each of His Bridal members on the same road. The question begging to be asked is, “What exactly are we to be putting into each other’s mind?” That is the question this series will continuously address.
The commission to admonish one another does come with some restrictions and guidelines. For example: “And not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil” (1 Timothy 3:6). A worker who is brand new in faith should not be given spiritual responsibility for others. The person who has not grown through obedience to the Word is not showing the needed one who has been given wisdom of competence to minister to others (Heb. 5:12-14). Also keep in mind that an indwelt Christian who is aged as a believer, but has walked after their flesh most of their Christian journey, should still be classified as “new in their faith.” Again, the reason for this is the wisdom to be considered competent to minister has not settled into experience. The worker we should consider as a candidate for overseeing another soul, first needs to be well-groomed in experiential knowledge of Truth. The life of a worker is to be characterized by the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Does this mean a worker must be “perfect” in function and order? Absolutely not! It does mean an effective exchanged life worker must show a consistent record of an ability to walk in & after the Spirit. This person needs historical genuineness, authenticity, and evidence of the overflow of Christ flowing through him/her. Dynamic ministry is an overflow of one life into another. Obviously, a life that is not full, cannot function overflow, walking by the Spirit in obedience to God’s Truth. The evidence is seen in the believer’s day-to-day response to Christ within, to what the Holy Scriptures say, and certainly, in the ability to withstand reproofs of life that come from the hand of God. After many years of counseling and discipling God’s hurting souls, I have come to embrace one clear factor in determining a candidate’s measurement of grace in understanding the Exchanged Life – How does the believer respond to the reproofs of life? Is he/she willing to be involved in confessing, confronting, and/or forgiveness? Is he/she willing to do whatever is necessary for their healing, in order to make their life more at rest and peace? These seven “requirements” for victorious living need to be evidenced in the qualified worker to step into a life of overflow. This way, the worker will not minister to others because he/she “must” or “has to.” Each worker will minister because he is compelled to manifest the overflowing Life of Christ into another. In our present era of the post-modern church (everything is pointless), most minister to others because they are paid to, or, at the very least, because they want something in return. What Christ Jesus is hunting for is urgency in the worker to minister because of what He said: “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:38). This is the most desired description of an Exchanged Life worker. The apostle Paul described a Christ-as-Life worker as “filled with knowledge.” The type of knowledge he is referencing here is not what he learned by the wisdom of men, in the institutions of men; but rather, from the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:2). In our post-modern times, we lead people to Christ, require them to pay a minimum of $80,000 for a degree in ministry, negotiate a salary, and then commission them to work. In the days of Jesus, He oftentimes would pick men of higher education, but then He would “dumb them down.” Why? So He could fill them with the purity of the knowledge of the mind of Christ. The Scripture quoted below is my life passage as an Exchanged Life worker. Please read it carefully: “And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive
words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written, ‘THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.’ For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1 Cor. 2:1-14, emphasis added). I consider the above passage to be the absolute key to all believers who have a desire to minister to others. For the sake of illustration, I want to write a paraphrase depicting the post-modern version of ministry we are faced with today. Post-Modern Incorrect View of 1 Corinthians 2:1-14: When I came to minister to my counselees, I did so in superiority of speech and wisdom, proclaiming to you what I learned in school. For I determine to know as much as I can from my studies, even how to add Jesus Christ and Him crucified to my method. I counseled you in strength and confidence and in much stability, and my message and counseling were in persuasive words and methods of wisdom I learned in school, not by an uneducated view of laymen. And because of this, I implore you to grow in your faith; but trust your counseling process to me, since I am credentialed to help you psychologically. For I speak a wisdom among those who are mature and degreed to assist the hurting. As for the wisdom of God, He uses the positions of the world to assist in His children’s recovery progress. As for me, the good Lord revealed the root reasons for your troubles through a skill I learned as a qualified counselor. I have learned to search out your social history and the very depths of your mind through the methods I have learned. For how can I know your thoughts unless I ask the right questions and test you accordingly? Much like my walk with God, how can I know Him unless I memorize and study His Word. I have received degrees from the world and the Spirit of God, so that I can deliberate on the wisdom I gained in school and those taught me by the Bible, combining my degreed knowledge and Bible reflections. It sounds like I am down on information and education. Actually, I am – at least when it comes to using it as a qualification to minister to others. Shame on us for implanting a covert and hidden
sense for the need of educating Jesus within us once we become born-again! Nowhere in Scripture does God even hint at sending converts back into the world to be educated to counsel, teach, or preach to the souls of His hurting children – nowhere. Why has the Church gone emergent or Laodicean? It is a very short walk in the park for that answer. “The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly. The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd. But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body. The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil” (Ecc. 12:1014, emphasis added). The totality of the world’s knowledge at the time of Christ, we are told, doubled by about AD 1750. It doubled again in 1900, again by 1950, again by 1960, and another by 1963. Upon the introduction of the information age (internet), I am told, it is presently immeasurable as to how much knowledge humanity is exposed to daily. What that means is knowledge has gone exponential (transcendently immeasurable). If our above passage is true, the more knowledge we take in, the sicker we, and our society, will become. Every ounce of knowledge requires a pound of actions. If a believer in Jesus Christ is to counsel/disciple, he must know the life of Christ from the inside out. A believer is to know Jesus as Savior and Lord in “thought.” But he is also to have experiential knowledge of embracing Christ’s life within, which will give the believer the source of all wisdom, knowledge, and manifestations of the works of God. Each believer must be willing to grow in that Truth! It is only as much as a believer knows God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, as the Source of ALL power and wisdom, that he will be able to point others in the way, the Truth, and the life of Jesus, Himself. “For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power” (1 Corinthians 4:20). Since our goal is not to be degreed, qualified, or accepted by the standards and words of man or their institutions, what must a believer do to have this power? “Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge; for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, that they may be ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the LORD, I have taught you today, even you. Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge, to make you know the certainty of the words of truth that you may correctly answer him who sent you?” (Proverbs 22:17-21). First of all, a believer who has a desire to help others must accept the fact that unless a worker is born-again (received Jesus Christ into his mortal body through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit), he has no ability or power to help others. Anyone who helps outside this requirement is simply putting a Band-Aid® on a victim who is bleeding to death. A person cannot have overflow unless he is filled. Secondly, workers must not only know what the Bible says, but also be able to apply truth to life situations. While it is valuable and critically important to know the theology of the Word, it is even more critical to know the application of Scriptural truth to daily living. Jesus Himself demonstrated this on many occasions, by lifting statements out of the Old Testament Law and prophecy to explain His own actions or to correct another’s wrong thinking. Not only did He do a refined job
of this during His walk on earth, but He uses the same technique and method in, and through, the believer, by making use of His overflowing Life and the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling each believer. Jesus often referred to this process as the “key of knowledge.” He was quick to correct the educated theologians of His day for their ivory-tower schooled arrogance, which led them to “know the truth” by book, but not by heart. "Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you yourselves did not enter, and you hindered those who were entering" (Luke 11:52). So many post-modern churches, today, suffer with this acute dilemma: “Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7).
Seven Points of Competence: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Must be indwelt by the life of Jesus Christ – born-again. Demonstrates a lifestyle of obedience and victorious living. Growing in the grace of the key of knowledge, by being teachable and correctable. A true and honest listener who fears not correcting in Truth. A believer of the power of faith and the supernatural gifts of the Spirit. Secure in one’s identity in Christ. Confident in the authority of Christ and authoritive structure of the Church.
There is a massive difference between a “Christian Counselor,” a counselor who is a Christian, and a Christ-as-Life counselor. The Christian counselor, and most dangerous type, could define any worker who systematically, or not, applies biblical principles to their model. The second is the least threatening, because counselors who are Christian are not making claims to be “Christian” about their field of work. They are classically admitting to being a counselor who happens to have Jesus in their life. They give counsel that is humanistic in orientation, having been based in the presuppositions of secular models and teachings from a “Christian” school of thought, or not. The third, and truest, is the Christ-as-Life counselor – a believer who not only wants to make it known he is a born-again indwelt Christian, but also desires to have Christ in him doing the counseling through him. All can have a “pure” motive in helping others, but only one allows the Power (indwelt Christ) to do so. People helpers, who fail to embrace the Exchanging Life of Christ and/or don’t allow the great Counselor within to do the work through them, NOT only lead those they are assisting away from help, but away from Christ, Himself. To truly offer transformation in Christ, a helper in Christ must know the source of real life, the practical application of that life, and most importantly, who offers this life. A helper will be more effective by embracing and understanding how to use the Exchanging Life of Christ in its most practical way.
Conference Topics Terms & Definitions Introduction, Discipleship in the Making: Many self-proclaimed “Christians” put their entire Christian experience in the day of their Salvation. Once saved, they continue to function by making use of their own mind, will, and emotions. Godship: A simple term to describe what the Word defines as the number one problem in life — mankind attempting to function as their own god in the lives of self, others, and even God. This includes suffering with divorce, suicide, eating problems, depression, or any other common problem with the self-life. Most of the time, it falls under the category of Godship -finding ways to fix the fix that God has fixed on you to stop fixing life through self-effort. Our ministry has learned that the act of “playing God” helps us identify the real problem in each of the lives we reach out to. We have also learned that the most common consequence of Godship is “rejection” (Gen. 3:5). Rejection is withholding love from self, others, and God. There are two types of rejection: overt and covert. Overt rejection is “obvious or known rejection, i.e. “I hate you.” Covert rejection is “subtle or unknown rejection, i.e. smiling on the outside while judging on the inside. Both of these forms of rejection are consequences of Godship applied, either by self or by others. Without question, we believe that rejection leads to individuals attempting to find life “externally” (Romans 15:7). External/Internal is an individual attempting to gain love, acceptance, and significance from external resources - idolatry. Since Godship sets up “self-rule,” the individual works to turn negative externals into positive ones, by making use of self-effort. Problems are direct consequences of self-life efforts. God then uses these problems to bring the believer to the end of their own resources, or self-life, in order to create a dependence on Christ’s Life from within. We believe that suffering is the key component to learning obedience to Christ Jesus, who actually lives in the born-again believer. It is these problems that reveal the person’s flesh (Heb. 5:8). My Flesh exhibits patterns, reactions, and/or sinful actions that reveal (my) an individual’s selflife - trash left behind by the old nature. These fleshly reactions lead the believer to Life (Christ) or death (flesh) decisions. If the believer continues to choose self-life decisions, we believe God will bring this person to the end of himself through consequences formed by their own flesh. This, without question, leads the person to repentance (Luke 9:23). Repentance is the process of confessing one’s sins, turning away from the self-life, and returning to a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ from the inside out. This cannot be done effectively unless the Holy Spirit brings revelation to specific areas of the flesh that rise up against Jesus Christ. Once true repentance has occurred, the indwelt Christian can begin to apply their identity in Christ to all of life’s situations and circumstances (Psalm 119:59). Identity Matters is an experiential embrace, and an understanding, of the believer’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension - in daily living. This is what we call the Exchanged Life. When an individual has a born-again experience by faith, it means the Life
of Christ comes and indwells the believer through the personhood of the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Christ Jesus). The reality of this transformation allows for a true exchange of our old nature, or Adamic history, for that of the Nature of God through Christ. In knowing this, we become partakers of all that is true about Christ through His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. Now the believer is in a position to appropriate their true identity, in Christ, and begin to live out that he is literally the righteousness of Christ (Galatians 2:20). Righteousness is an indwelt believer’s expression, function, and lifestyle of releasing the Life of Christ from within. Once a born-again believer begins to appropriate their position in Christ, their condition is soon to change, simply by watching the evidence of His Life being manifested through their mind, will, and emotions. This means that when life’s circumstances are put before him, he can choose to release the Life of Christ to do the doing through him. This is a perfect setup for learning how to extend forgiveness to others (2 Corinthians 5:21). Extending Forgiveness before God, in prayer, is forgiving anyone who has hurt you. Once an indwelt believer gets to this point, he is usually quick to release all anger and pain before God, extending forgiveness to those who initially hurt him, and in many cases, is ready to seek forgiveness from others whom he has hurt (Matt. 5:22-24). Seeking Forgiveness is the process of going to an individual whom you have offended by action or reaction, seeking their forgiveness, and restoring the relationship when possible. Once the believer has extended forgiveness before God on how he was hurt, he usually is released to go and seek the forgiveness for his part in the offense. We find that when a believer reaches this stage of discipleship, he begins to rest, abide, and walk in the Spirit in the truest sense. Resting, Abiding, and Walking are the result of appropriating true forgiveness in all areas of life. It is living in the present, releasing the Life of Christ in you to be obedient to the Father through your mind, will, and emotions. When an indwelt believer gets to this point in growth, he is able to confront the self-centered view of life and to embrace the challenge of releasing the mind of Christ from within. Resting in Christ is a perfect place to be in showing the Love Life of Jesus (Matt. 11:28). Love Life is the pinnacle of the Christian Life. Once appropriating the aforementioned 10 definitions/steps, the indwelt believer begins to embrace the two primary commandments spoken of by Christ: love the Lord with your whole heart and secondly, love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 1:30-31). The result is, when we obey we have no condemnation. When we have no condemnation, we have confidence toward God. Then, whatever we ask through Christ, we receive (1 John 3:21-22).
Dictionary Terms & Definitions of the Exchanged Life
HUDSON TAYLOR father of the term: “Exchanged Life” "God has made me a new man! God has made me a new man!" “Do you know, I now think that this striving, longing, hoping for better days to come is not the true way to holiness, happiness or usefulness. It is better, no doubt, far better than being satisfied with poor attainments, but not the best way after all. I have been struck with a passage from a book... entitled Christ Is All. It says, ‘The Lord Jesus received is holiness begun; the Lord Jesus cherished is holiness advancing; the Lord Jesus counted upon as never absent would be holiness complete. He is most holy who has most of Christ within, and joys most fully in the finished work...’” “How then to have our faith increased? Only by thinking of all that Jesus is and all He is for us: His life, His death, His work, He Himself as revealed to us in the Word, to be the subject of our constant thoughts. Not a striving to have faith... but a looking off to the Faithful One seems all we need; a resting in the Loved One entirely, for time and eternity.” “... I looked to Jesus, and when I saw – oh, how joy flowed!” “It was resting in Jesus now, and letting Him do the work – which makes all the difference. Whenever he spoke in meetings after that, a new power seemed to flow from him, and in the practical things of life a new peace possessed him. Troubles did not worry him as before. He cast everything on God in a new way, and gave more time to prayer.” “It was the exchanged life that had come to me – the life that is indeed ‘No longer I’... It was a blessed reality ‘Christ liveth in me.’ And how great the difference! – instead of bondage, liberty; instead of failure, quiet victories within; instead of fear and weakness, a restful sense of sufficiency in Another.” -Hudson Taylor Excerpts from: Chapter 14 (The Exchanged Life) by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor. Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret. (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2009). Book first published in 1932.
Terms Used in Sharing the Exchanged Life Abiding Life An indwelt Christian resting, trusting, and continually yielding to the Life of Christ living inside (Romans 6:13).
Abundant Living A lifestyle of walking after the indwelling Spirit of Christ through a consistent, yielding process within the mind, will, and emotions. Acceptance in Christ Complete and unmerited favor offered to those who are in Christ through the forgiveness of sins – past, present, and future. Acceptance is the fluid act of Grace demonstrated by Jesus Christ in relationship and position, as Bridal members of Christ (Ephesians 1:13). Adamic Nature (Old Man, Old Nature, Sin Nature, Unregenerate Nature, Old Self) This is the condition of Adam after he chose to sin and ate from the tree that God commanded him not to eat from, or touch. Before his “fall,” his nature/spirit was in complete harmony to his Father’s – God. After his “fall,” Adam’s spirit became separated from that of God’s, resulting in spiritual death and being replaced by the old man, old nature, sin nature, unregenerate nature, old self, or Adamic nature. Admonish This is the action of correcting, rebuking, reproving, and warning believers of their wrong beliefs in order to bring them in line with Christ doing the living through them. Being admonished has the appearance of being negative, but is positive when used by Christ. Appropriation This is an active faith decision of taking what God says as Truth and bringing it into daily living. It is through appropriation that an indwelt believer begins to walk after the Spirit. Baptism (Water, Spirit, and Fire) Just as with the earth, three baptisms are offered to all of humanity. The earth’s water baptism was the flood, its Spirit baptism was the first coming of our Lord, and the earth’s fire baptism will be the burning of it, as stated in Revelation 8:7. For those who are unsaved and never become born-again, they will go through only one baptism – fire (Rev. 21:8). Many unsaved view the water baptism as a ritual, rather than a testimony of their Salvation and being cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. The born-again, indwelt Christian is strongly encouraged to be water baptized (testimony of Salvation) shortly after their Spirit baptism [receiving the Holy Spirit into their mortal bodies and being baptized into Christ] (Rom. 6:3). The indwelt Christian’s fire baptism (purification) entails the trials and sufferings while waiting to join their Savior and Husband in Heaven. Birth (First and Second) The first birth is physical and comes by way of being born of woman. The second birth offered to us is called “born-again” (John 3:3). Being born-again is the experience of Salvation – being regenerated and connected back to God. This is accomplished by the “old man/nature” being crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20). The first birth places us “in Adam.” The second birth transfers us from being in Adam to that of being “in Christ” (Col. 3:3).
Blood (Christ and Of Man) The blood of Christ is the washing element of our redemption/Salvation. It is in, and through, the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the Cross (by shedding His innocent blood) that we have redemption, forgiveness, and Salvation, which is made real to us by His everlasting Grace (Eph. 1:7). In order for blood to be redemptive and cleansing – it must be free of sin – as was the single case of Jesus. Man’s blood became defiled (filled with sin) as a result of the seed of Adam. It is through Christ, that all are made new (1 Cor. 15:22). Body (Of Man, Sin, and Christ) “Born of woman” is the first form of body. It is by “being born of woman” that the “body of sin” is given to us through the defiled seed of man. This is what made us unsaved/unregenerate and gave us an “old man/nature.” This is also why our old self had to be crucified with Christ, so that the body of sin might be done away with – in order that we would no longer be slaves to sin (Rom. 6:6). As for Christ, He was born without sin in His body (1 John 3:9). This was possible because the seed placed in Mary came directly from God through the Holy Spirit. Sin travels through the seed – not the blood. Therefore, Christ could be born of a normal human woman without having sin pass into His body. Today, we know through science, that the mother’s blood never mixes with that of her baby. * * “Health & Pregnancy: Fetal Blood Flow,” WebMD – Medical Reference from Healthwise, Inc., eds. J. Pope, MD and L. A. Latson, MD, http://www.webmd.com/fetal-blood-flow (updated Oct. 11, 2011).
Bride (Of Christ and Man) Human marriages are the physical representation of the marriage of the Lamb to the Bride of Christ – the indwelt believers (Rev. 19:7; 21:9; 22:17). Men are to represent Christ’s headship over the Church, as heads of the home in and through their marriages. Women are to reveal the practical workings of the Bride of Christ through their acts of service to their husbands, children, and community. Brokenness Brokenness is a term frequently used to describe the state of mind that a believer is in shortly before they embrace the Truths of being brought to the end of their self-life. Brokenness communicates a loss of will and identity in one’s own self – resulting in a dependence on Christ, from within, for life and identity. Christ (Real and the Antichrist) The Hebrew root for Christ is “Messias” and the most popular Greek meaning is “Messiah” – highest of all priests. Christ is not Jesus’ last name; rather, it is a statement of position, power, and privilege. Jesus Christ is the total deity (God position) within the Trinity as the Father’s Son. He is the manifestation of God in the flesh. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit by the direct orders of God, and born of the Virgin Mary. He is both true God and true man (John 1:1, 14, 18; 14:8-9; 1 Timothy 3:16). The Antichrist is Satan. He will come to project himself as the “true Christ” or Messiah. He will work to replicate the real, in order to deceive the people into following the fake – himself. Christ’s Life and Christ-as-Life
The life of Christ Jesus while on the earth was in the form of man, emptying Himself out as being equal to God (Phil. 2:6). After His resurrection, and then ascension, He gave to all those who accepted Him as Lord and Savior a special gift – His Life, by placing the Holy Spirit to indwell us (James 4:5). When we read about the life of Christ living within us (Gal. 2:20), be assured it is His actual Life, which is eternal Life. The term “Christ-as-Life” is used to explain believers walking after the Spirit, by allowing the Life of Christ to “do” the walking in, and through, them. Crucifixion and Co-crucifixion Crucifixion is the form of death thrown upon Jesus in His appointed time of death. It is described as nailing a person’s hands and feet to a cross and allowing the natural processes occur to lead to death, i.e. suffocation. Romans 6:6 reveals a very powerful reality of freedom: “knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.” Galatians 2:20 also reveals a life-alliterating reality: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Both passages reveal the fact that those of us, who have the indwelling life of Christ, have experienced the believer’s co-crucifixion. What was crucified? The old man, old nature, Adamic nature, or old-self. Co-death, Burial, and Resurrection The reality of true Salvation states that the believer has been baptized into Jesus, as an actual sharing in His death, burial, and resurrection. This is a Truth that takes the Spirit of life within the believer to understand and embrace (Rom. 6:3-7). People who are not born-again have no ability to understand the mystery of co-death, burial, and resurrection, as they are not spiritually appraised/discerning (1 Cor. 2:14). Communion This term is used to define the unity and unblocked fellowship with the Life of Christ from within. The word comes from “commune” or oneness, which is operative for any believer who walks after the Spirit and not after the flesh (self-life). Conscience The conscience is the part of the mind that enables a person to discern the difference between “right” and “wrong.” It is either seared by the Adamic nature (the unregenerate spirit of an unsaved person), or once saved, it is generated by the indwelling life of Christ. Conscious and Subconscious The term conscious is the part of the human brain that is awake, aware, intentional, informed, and conducts active thinking. The term subconscious is a modern word used to define the memories filed away by the mind as we sleep at night, or are those purposely and/or unintentionally forgotten. The brain is designed by God to hold only a certain amount of data while awake. All “unnecessary” data/memories are filed either through time or sleep. This is why we can remember things from our past if we contemplate them or dream about them. Cross (Christ and Man)
Cross is one of the most common words used in the world of Christianity and classically has two common references. First, it is the word used to define the form of death Jesus experienced. Secondly, it is used to define an indwelt believer’s description of their co-crucifixion with Christ and all the eternal benefits of understanding their identification with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension in their walk with Him. This Truth makes way for each indwelt believer to share in the experience of the Cross and actually, to have their own Cross to bear (Luke 14:27). Death There are three forms of death: physical, spiritual, and eternal. But since all mankind is born spiritually dead, it is said that the participatory deaths are just two: physical and eternal, by way of the lake of fire (Rev. 21:8). Those who become indwelt by Christ only experience one death – passing from this life to the eternal life. The Salvation experience is for that reason, to deliver the individual from experiencing eternal death. Die Daily It is clearly noted in the Scriptures that all believers must die daily (1 Cor. 15:31). This “dying daily” is for the strict purpose of considering ourselves dead to sin and alive to/in Christ. The enemy throws sins before us by appealing to our flesh (trash left behind bthe Adamic nature). The dying daily is the process of appropriating the Truth that we are dead to this mortal flesh. Discipleship This term is used to describe the process of equipping an indwelt believer in Christ with the Truth and understanding of what it means to walk in, and through, the Holy Spirit as a believer. This is accomplished through the written Word and the Life of Christ (Internal Word) that lives and functions within the believer. Emotions and Feelings Even though the Scriptures do not put much of an emphasis on “feelings,” our materials will use this term to define the human soul’s response and/or reaction to Truth and lies. Physiologically, emotions are the hormonal part of the human body which alarm, awaken, or celebrate what the mind chooses to believe. Eternal Life and Everlasting Life Eternal life is the life of Christ – past, present, and future (Heb. 13:8). Jesus has always been and always will be. When indwelt believers receive Christ Jesus into their lives, they are placed into the Life of Christ (Eternal Life) – making us one with Him. Everlasting life is the life we receive from the point of our Salvation forward. The believer is given a new past, present, and future because of their spiritual position. Therefore, whatever is true about Christ becomes true for every Bridal member. Exchanged Life This term was originally used by Hudson Taylor to define the exchange that takes place upon Salvation – we exchange our life for His. Many teachers of the Cross also use this term to explain an indwelt believer appropriating their co-death, burial, and resurrection with Christ. One of the
most common Scriptures used in this exchange is Galatians 2:20, “Not I, but Christ.” All believers in Christ receive the exchanged life upon the moment of their Salvation. Experiential Living Many speak Truths without living it in daily experience. Experiential living is a believer walking in, and after, the Spirit as a lifestyle. As such, experiencing the release of the mind of Christ within is their norm. Faith in Christ Faith is often subjective and overused as an expression of the firmness of what someone believes. To have faith in Christ is much different (Rom. 4:14). Those who have faith in Christ separate themselves from all other forms of faith (Rom. 3:22). Any faith that is not in Christ is classically bound by the Law and no justification exists under those conditions. Those who believe in Christ Jesus are not only justified (just as if I never sinned), but they have a clear understanding, and belief, that what is in the eternal unseen world can be brought into their own lives through the indwelling faith of Christ from within (Gal. 2:16). Flesh and Fleshly Self-life There are two primary forms of flesh: the human body, where sin houses itself (Rom. 7:17), and flesh or fleshly self-life, which is the trash left behind by the old nature. Indwelt Christians have had their flesh (selfish passions) crucified (Gal. 5:24). But since sin remains in our human flesh (not the old nature), we are positioned to reckon ourselves dead to it (Rom. 6:11). We are called by our Savior not to continue presenting our bodies to sin as if we are slaves to it, for it will produce unrighteousness (Rom. 6:13). Gifting vs. Personality The pop culture of psychology has adopted the term “personality” to describe the differences between people. This word does not exist in the Bible. There are no Hebrew or Greek words making use of this fable, although many culturally accepted translations are using this term. The description used in the Bible is “gifting” or “spiritual gifts.” All believers are given a minimum of one occupational gift and each believer is blessed with all of the manifestation gifts. Manifestation gifts are actual manifestations of the Holy Spirit within the believer upon the command of the Father and Christ Himself. Occupational gifts are for exactly that – an occupation. Each occupational gift is given at birth and made alive in Christ upon Salvation. Each gift carries traits the world has now defined as “personality types.” Grace The unmerited favor of Christ, without works, is the easiest way to define Grace. Grace is the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life of the indwelt through the mind (Life) of Christ inside the believer. People who appropriate grace have manifestations of forgiveness, acceptance, favor, liberty in the Spirit, and peace in all circumstances. People NOT of grace use the Law to change internal and external behavior. Guilt (Real and False)
It is said that for indwelt believers, “guilt is the fuel of satanic condemnation.” Once saved, God no longer uses guilt to motivate His children – only conviction. Conviction is a gentle reminder of that particular action is not of Christ Jesus; whereas, guilt involves punishment, fear, and condemnation. Unsaved people not only continue to live in guilt, but they are supposed to be living in guilt. God uses guilt as a condemning factor to “press in” on unbelievers So they will realize they are condemned and reroute to hell if they do not accept the life of Christ. Real guilt is pre-salvation. False guilt is a believer who does not embrace the grace of conviction. Heart The Greek word “kar” and the Hebrew word “leb” are used to define the core of an individual’s thoughts and feelings. Heavenlies The word “heavenlies” is a derivative of “heavens.” When this term is used within the exchanged life teachings, it is directly referring to the place where Christ is seated at the right hand of His Father (Col. 3:1). Holy Spirit and Spirit of Christ The ministry of the Holy Spirit (Spirit of Christ) is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ (John 16:14). The Holy Spirit regenerates the sinner upon belief and confession in Christ, and baptizes the believer into one body, of which Christ is the head. The Holy Spirit indwells, guides, instructs, fills, comforts, and empowers the believer for Godly and righteous living (Mark 13:11; John 14:26; 16:13; Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16). The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, God's righteousness, and coming judgment (John 16:811). While I believe the Scriptures do not teach that certain gifts have ceased, they do indicate that we use of the gifts varies according to the need and movement of the Holy Spirit within each believer. We do NOT encourage the Body of Christ to focus upon the gifts, or their manifestations; but rather, the Giver. Instead, we teach and focus on the transformational life principles of the indwelling life of Christ – which emphasizes the more excellent way of love, as well as, zeal (John 13:15; 16:8; Titus 3:5; Eph. 1:22; 4:11-12; Romans 8:9-17; 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 3:16; 12:4-5, 11-13, 19; Galatians 5:25; Hebrews 4:1-4; 2 Cor. 12:12). Identification This is one of the most commonly accept terms used to describe the exchanged life. Since behavior comes from identity, what one believes to be their identity (Christ or self) makes a significant impact on daily living. It is of utmost importance that the indwelt believer places their identity in the message of identification with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. In Christ When the term “in Christ” is used, it should define the finality of the great exchange – “Not I, but Christ.” Upon Salvation, the old nature is crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20) and a new nature (that of Christ) is placed in the new believer. Upon this exchange, the indwelt Christian is placed in Christ and then hidden in God (Col. 3:3).
Indwelling Life This term references the indwelling life of Christ in the true born-again believer. Justification by Faith This is probably one of the most difficult identity Truths to believe. Justification is a free gift of having our sins forgiven – past, present, and future – all at one time. Justification is often explained as “just as if I never sinned,” which is an accurate way to view this term. The only way this can be embraced by the believer is through faith, for human logic cannot accept the things of God. Law vs. Law of Spirit of Life The Law given to us by God through Moses is for the strict purpose of revealing that no man can fulfill the Law. Therefore, it must be fulfilled by someone who can – Jesus Christ. The Law must stay in position and continue to place people under its condemnation, in order for them to be led to the Law of the Spirit of Life and become accountable to God (Rom. 3:19). As Rom. 8:1 states, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (emphasis added). But outside of Christ, condemnation is alive and well. The Law of the Spirit of Life is only found in Christ; this is why the new convert must be placed in Christ. In fact, the convert cannot be set free from the Law of sin and death unless this exchange takes place (Rom. 8:2). Lordship vs. Life Lordship is not a biblical word, but it does refer to a release in the believer to count Jesus Christ as their Lord (owner). This is a critical doctrinal belief each indwelt believer must embrace. Without the appropriation of Christ being the owner of His Bride, the convert will continue to manage his life as if he owned himself – thus, fleshly behavior. If the believer does not move forward from personal lordship into the release of the Life of Christ, legalism will manifest itself. Mind, Will, and Emotions These terms are used to define the trichotomy of man’s soul. The mind is what Christ renews by revealing the mind of Christ within the believer (1 Cor. 2:16). The will is what chooses to receive renewal. The emotions support what man believes to be or perceives as Truth. New Man, New Nature, and New Life The new man / new nature / new life is the result of a regenerate spirit in Christ. This consists of a new Spirit – the Holy Spirit or Spirit of Christ – containing the literal mind of Christ (Col. 3:10; 2 Cor. 5:17). It is also known that our pre-saved condition houses a broken and dead spirit; this spirit is made new and alive through the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer, and the two becoming one. Old Man, Old Nature, and Old Self The old man / old nature / old self is the unregenerate spirit which is dead to Christ and is in need of being crucified with Him (the process of making it new and regenerate). This clearly describes unsaved persons and why they go to Hell if they do not receive new life upon Salvation (Rom. 6:6; Col. 3:9).
Perfection vs. Sinless Perfection Perfection can only come from the One who is perfect – Jesus Christ. Once the convert receives Christ into their mortal being, the perfection of God is revealed through the Life of Christ housed within the convert, thus making the new man (spirit) perfect (Heb. 10:1; 11:40; 12:23). This makes one-third (1/3) of man perfect, holy, and blameless; the other two-thirds (2/3) [soul and body] are imperfect. The soul of man is what is sanctified, whereas the body remains in a dying state. This is why our body remains in the grave, for it houses the sin left behind by the Adamic nature. Once the believer dies a physical death, their perfect spirit and sanctified soul are joined with a new and perfect body on Heaven’s side. The false teaching of “sinless perfection” is a belief that once saved – the Spirit, soul, and body become perfect and cannot sin. Position vs. Condition The term “position” references the indwelt believer’s new position in Christ by way of their new life/spirit seated at the right hand of God; placed in the Bride of Christ; made a holy child of God; and all the other identity statements given to us through Christ (Eph. 1). Condition is the soul’s reflection of the measurement of appropriated belief of what is true about the new convert. This is why the soul must be sanctified and renewed by the Spirit (Phil. 1:6; Heb. 5:12-14). Power of Sin This is an unrighteous force and power within all humans, saved or not. This power of sin was birthed into each of us due to the consequences of a single sin Adam and Eve committed (1 Cor. 15:22). This sin is in us, but it is NOT us. Any convert who finds identity in this indwelling power of sin will appear and function as an unbeliever – one who is not saved (Rom. 7:20). Reckoning The term “reckoning” is used frequently within the community of the Cross. It means to “calculate,” to sum up, or “to summarize.” When the term is used Scripturally, it becomes a mandate for all believers to consider and calculate what Christ said about us, as Truth (Col. 3:5). Regeneration and Regenerate This is the process of Christ placing the Holy Spirit within the convert and making him new or regenerate – as in turning on the generator. Righteousness vs. Self-righteousness True righteousness can only be found in the One who is Righteous – Jesus Christ. Once a convert receives Christ into their lives, they become the Righteousness of Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). Selfrighteousness is a fleshly and ungodly form of humans mustering up their own rightness before God and man (Rom. 10:3). Self and Self-life Self is another term for “flesh” or “selfishness” – those who practice having their own way. An unsaved person lives in, and functions out of, an identity of selfishness/flesh. Unbelievers choose
to be selfish, by walking after the flesh and continuing to perfect themselves by self-effort (Gal. 3:3). Self-Control vs. Christ Control There are two forms of “self-control” – by flesh or by the indwelling Holy Spirit. In fact, one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is self-control. But this kind of control is Christ’s control through the Holy Spirit in the believer. One puts an emphasis on “self” control and the other is a result of walking in, and after, the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). Sin, Sin Nature, and Sins The most common definition of sin is “falling short of the mark.” This mark is the standard of the Law. Since no one can fulfill the Law except Christ, all who are not saved are in sin, of sin, and find meaning and purpose in sin. This is clearly a result of being born with a “sin nature” (Adamic nature) and it is why humans commit sins – deeds that don’t measure up to the standards [Law] of God (Rom. 3:23). Soul, Body and Spirit This is the trichotomy of man. The mission of our Lord is to preserve the body, soul, and spirit of all believers through daily sanctification (1 Thess. 5:23). Suffering Subjecting oneself to the Life of Christ actually produces suffering (1 Pet. 2:21). It is through suffering that Christ Himself learned obedience (Heb. 5:8). Believers who typically avoid suffering are oftentimes disobedient to Christ. Surrender, Total Commitment, and Obedience The Hebrew word for surrender is “charaph,” which means “to betroth.” Betroth is a marital term used to describe the engagement period of a marriage. When an indwelt believer surrenders their life to Christ, it is a willful agreement of accepting His invitation to be the Bride of Christ. Total commitment is the action of the Bride to remain pure and true to their Husband – Jesus Christ. Obedience then becomes the result of the appropriation of the first two (Rev. 21:9). Trichotomy (God and Man) The trichotomy of man is body, soul, and spirit; the trichotomy of God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Man was created in this image. Many theologians attempt to reduce man’s design into dichotomy – two parts of man (soul and body). Not only is this an insult to God’s design, but rubs in the face of all teachings hinging around 1 Thess. 5:23 and the message of co-death, burial, resurrection, and ascension (Rom. 6:6; Gal. 2:20). Truth Truth in the Hebrew means “mother of the covenant.” Remember that betroth, surrendered, is a marital term describing the engagement phase of marriage. To be surrendered to Truth is to know and accept one’s engagement with Christ as the Son of the mother of the covenant – the man nailed to the cross. When Christ said that He was the Truth – it literally translates out in the
Hebrew as “what nurtures the covenant.” Even though we are accustomed to believe that Truth is fact backed by the Holy Bible, it means much more to Christ. The Church is the Bride of Christ and Christ is the one that nurtures the New Covenant. We can find great comfort and security in whatever our Husband tells us is right and righteous – for you shall know the Christ, and Christ will set you free (John 8:32). Works (Christ and Man) There are only two kinds of works stated in the Holy Scriptures – self and that of Christ. Works of man produces sin unto death; whereas works of Christ through the believer produces Life and Life Abundantly (Rom. 6:16; John 10:10). Worship The Pictorial Hebrew meaning is “what comes from humility.” The act of worship is the indwelt Christian’s willingness to join the fellowship happening between the Holy Spirit within and Christ Himself. Jesus Christ is clear about how He jealously desires the Spirit that He has made to dwell within us (James 4:5). All Bridal members of Christ are given the gift of partaking in this divine, holy fellowship and intimacy that exists between God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is what it means to share in His holiness (Heb. 12:10). Worthy (Christ and Man) The term “worthy” means to inherit what one deserves due to His worth – having merit. The only being of eternity that deserves this kind of label is that of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When converts shout out, “Worthy are You, Lord,” they are saying there is none other that has deserving worth. Yield and Yielded The term “yielded” literally means, “generated.” To yield is to open the passageway of generation. If we understand the significance of being born-again, we will know that the unsaved person has an unregenerate spirit before God. Once a person becomes saved, their spirit is re-generated. Yielding is critical for this process. An individual cannot become yielded (generated) until this happens.
Life Mission: Dr. Phinney is the Founder and Ministry Host of the Institute Of Ministry (IOM America), founder of the Exchanged Life Global Initiative, as well as the International Fellowship of Exchanged Life (IFEL). Stephen is also the cofounder of the Men Mapping™ Outreach Ministries, a ministry dedicated to equipping men to be protectors of women, children, community, and nation. Stephen and Jane were married in 1977 and have three daughters and eight grandchildren. They are dedicated to the institution of marriage and multi-generational family/church development. Steve has authored multiple study helps and spiritual growth materials, with the hope of assisting others in developing a transformational Biblical worldview. In addition to writing, teaching, and counseling, Steve pastors a small family – integrated church in Sterling, Kansas. Although education does not define who you are, he has earned degrees on the Bachelor, Masters, and Doctorate levels. Mission Truth is under attack in our culture. “Christians” believe ideas, concepts, values, and/or supposed facts that are true only because their ideologies demand it – NOT because it is written in the Word of God. IOM America often hears a popular cliché in our culture today: “That may be true for you, but it is not necessarily true for me.” Gone are the days when right and wrong were black and white. Today’s morality is painted in shades of gray to match the faces of morbid unbelief. Steve is focused on providing not just a biblical worldview, but a Transformational Biblical Worldview – one that emphasizes changing lives. Worldview Development Worldview is birthed through personal identity! Therefore, it’s critical for workers to first understand who they are in Christ before they can lead another to such a discovery. With this in mind, Steve aims to gently message the identification truths of co-death, burial, resurrection, and ascension into all aspects of ministry communication. It is his experience that if any ministry, focuses on worldview issues before experientially understanding the power of the Cross, the Church could actually be lead away from the Truth that will set them free. His primary objective is to equipping individuals for the purpose of building up the Body of Christ, and to assist and empowering men, women, children, and families to have a greater impact in the communities they serve. This can be accomplished through Christ-as-Life, Bible-based guidance and training with a focus on issues pertaining to the indwelt Christian’s identity in Christ.
Steve presses forward to show individuals their freedom from enslaving mental, emotional, and spiritual conflicts by placing a special emphasis on IDENTITY MATTERS. His ministry style is direct, honest, and Biblical. Exchanged Life Global Initiative Steve fathered the proposal of the Exchanged Life Global Initiative, a mission and vision to unite and revitalize Exchanged Life workers throughout the entire world. In addition to our existing partnerships, we welcome affiliations with like-minded ministries who focus on the message of the Exchanged Life!
Recommended Reading Drawing Near Devotional His Victorious Devotional Indwelling My Utmost For His Devotional Highest Practicing the Presence Devotional of God God’s Best Secrets Devotional Close to His Majesty Devotional The Book of Prayers Prayer The Prayer Life Prayer Prayer, Life’s Limitless Prayer Reach Not I But Christ Indwelling Life Man As Spirit, Soul & Indwelling Life Body Lifetime Guarantee Indwelling Life Born Crucified Indwelling Life The Christ Life for Your Indwelling Life Life Abide in Christ Indwelling Life The Two Covenants Indwelling Life Absolute Surrender Indwelling Life Normal Christian Life Indwelling Life Release of the Spirit Indwelling Life The Christian’s Secret Indwelling Life of a Happy Life Handbook to Happiness Indwelling Life The Ins and Out of Indwelling Life Rejection Sit, Walk, Stand Indwelling Life Finances and the End Indwelling Life Times Green Letters Indwelling Life Victory in Christ Indwelling Life Sidetracked in the Indwelling Life Wilderness Men & Warfare Spiritual Warfare The Adversary Spiritual Warfare The Principled Patriarch General Studies Hudson Taylor’s General Studies Spiritual Secret Completing the General Studies Reformation
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