The Roots
These are the scriptural foundations for each point in My Reality in the Presence of God.
All Scripture quoted from the NIV.
1. Faith is knowing that over 2000 years ago, I died in Christ. Born in Adam, I was crucified with Christ and now live as a new creation in Him. This is my baptism, and it is this faith that has saved me.
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” — Galatians 2:20
“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death…” — Romans 6:3-4
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” — 2 Corinthians 5:17
2. Adam is the first man, while Christ is the last Adam and the second man. The natural came first, and then the spiritual. The natural was crucified; now, my spirit lives.
“So it is written: ‘The first man Adam became a living being’; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit… The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven.” — 1 Corinthians 15:45-47
“The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.” — 1 Corinthians 15:46
“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with…” — Romans 6:6
3. My spirit is alive in Christ, indwelled by the Holy Spirit. This is my salvation.
“May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:23
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” — Romans 8:16
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions…” — Ephesians 2:4-5
“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” — Romans 8:11
4. I once relied on my flesh to discern right from wrong. But my flesh is dead, and my spirit, now alive in Christ, guides me in truth and righteousness through communion with God.
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh… They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” — Galatians 5:16-17
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” — John 16:13
5. My temptation is to rely on that which is dead to determine good. I must never turn from God. Oh, what a wretch I am.
“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” — Romans 7:24
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him…” — Proverbs 3:5-6
6. My every moment is spent glorifying God, for this is why I was saved. When I do turn away, I weep at the void and return to the light of Christ.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret…” — 2 Corinthians 7:10
7. I am now a grafted branch of the true vine, bearing good fruit. I abide in Christ, and He abides in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit…” — John 15:5
“And you… were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root…” — Romans 11:17
8. My Father, the vinedresser, prunes what does not bear fruit in my life. Even the fresh growth, a natural outcome, is cut away as it hinders the bearing of good fruit.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch… that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” — John 15:1-2
9. The purity of my life is this: I am wholly obedient and dependent on Him for every step I take.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5-6
“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him.” — Psalm 37:23
“If you love me, keep my commands.” — John 14:15
10. The Holy Spirit bears witness with my spirit that, by faith, born in Christ, I am a son of God.
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” — Romans 8:16
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.” — Galatians 3:26
“Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” — John 3:3
Each of these points is rooted in Scripture. They are not novel theology. They are the plain teaching of Paul, John, and Jesus Himself — that through faith in Christ, we die to our old selves and are reborn as new creations, indwelled by the Holy Spirit. This transformation calls us to live obediently, dependently, and fruitfully for God’s glory, continually reaffirming our identity as children of God.