Opening the Gates of Heaven Perry Stone

enter into a covenant relationship with the Lord Jesus, our sins are erased, and we enter into a right relationship with God. This right relationship (or covenant) is manifested through the righteousness of God. Righteousness is imputed to us when God declares us free from sin and releases us from the penalty of death. Another word that describes this action is justification . If a man is assumed guilty yet the judge declares him innocent, he has been justified. Right standing with God is the breeding ground for all spiritual blessings. This right standing is not found in our righteousness or our personal struggle to be good or do better, but it is received inwardly when we understand who we are in Christ! Some Christians place the responsibility of righteousness only on the Lord and place no responsibility on their own personal conduct. I call this sloppy agape ! God tells us to “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit” (2 Cor. 7:1). Through His power we lay aside the weights and sins that so easily ensnare us (Heb. 12:1). God gives us the ability, but we take on the responsibility. True prosperity begins in the spirit when we receive Christ’s nature through being born again. At that moment our names are written in heaven, and the promises of God become ours! In the Old Testament blood offerings (sacrifices) were burnt on the altar for forgiveness. Today Christ has paid the final price for our redemption. Under the old covenant the people brought items to the temple to minister to the priests, who ministered continually in God’s house.