My dear relatives in Christ,

Man, am I excited about sharing something with you! You know how you feel as you watch a loved one open a special gift that you've prepared for them. Well, that's the way I feel today. But, first I need to explain where this gift came from (2 Cor. 1:3-4).

I've chosen to believe that the Hebrew and Greek text of the Bible is unvarnished, inspired truth from God—His Love Letter to man. Even if I don't understand all of it, I still believe that it's true, every bit of it.

Since God said, "One (the Holy Spirit) is your teacher," that I am not to "lean on my own understanding," I've chosen to believe that I'll never understand biblical truth on my own. Consequently, while reading the Bible, studying Christian material, denominational statement of faith, listening to Christian teaching, etc., I place my trust in the Holy Spirit alone to reveal truth to me. Therefore it's a no-brainer that any truth from God I may understand is a credit to His amazing grace.

With that established, I wish I could watch as you open the gift of my new book What God Wishes Christians Knew About Christianity. It's based upon the truths of our identity in Christ as well as Christ as Life through the Believer, as you would expect, but it applies this amazing grace to several areas of life which have been liberating to me in my pilgrimage. I'm praying that it will have the same affect on you. It's a Harvest House release and is available in your Christian bookstore, on the racks in some secular stores, or from LGI.

Here are summaries from some of its eighteen chapter titles.

God Wishes Christians Knew…

That We are Not Fighting an Inner Civil War

I use the Word to document that the Christian is at war against a power in our body called sin. The Greek text reveals that this power is not our sinful nature. That was crucified in Christ (Rom. 6:2-13, et. al.). A Christian can't be "a house divided against himself [which] shall not stand. "Stand we will, for the Lord is able to make us stand" (Rom. 14:4). We're in a bi-partisan conflict—the Christian against the evil power called sin as described in Rom. 7:15-23—which Christ in us can win for us, by faith!

What it Means to Be Free From the Law

A sparrow feeding in the prison exercise yard operates under a higher law (aerodynamics) that sets it free from the law (gravity) which imprisons the inmates. We are governed by the law of life in Christ (Rom. 8:2) which is "written on our hearts" (Heb. 10:16) and is superior to the Old Covenant (Jn. 1:17). Of course, God didn't set us free from the Law so we could wallow in sin. Lost folks love sin. Although saved folks sin at times, we have a deep desire to overcome it. God put it in us at salvation.

Where the New Testament Begins

The Promise wasn't given to the infant Abram, but to adult Abraham. The tablets of the Law were not given to the infant Moses. They would have sunk his little ship just like they will sink anyone who seeks to find life in them. The Law was given to adult Moses. Similarly, although the New Covenant (Testament) was announced when Jesus was an infant, the New Testament became reality for man 33 years later through adult Jesus. I believe that the Holy Spirit will literally pour revelation into your spirit as He reveals the biblical ramifications of this truth to you.

That They are Sanctified

Birth, not performance, always determines identity. Being born in the USA makes a person an American. This is his national identity. Acting like an American is another thing altogether. This constitutes performance. Christians are sanctified (made holy) by their crucifixion and spiritual rebirth in Christ. This is part of our new identity. Sanctified performance, on the other hand, is produced by trusting Christ to express His life through us, by faith. Many mistakenly spend their lives striving to gain the identity we already have by grace—"the holiness without which no one will see the Lord."

That We Should Stop Asking Him to Forgive Us

How many of your sins were placed on Christ 2,000 years ago? All of them. How many had you committed 2,000 years ago? None of them. All of your sins were future sins when Jesus paid the penalty for them. If God can't forgive future sins, we're in a heap of trouble! The Bible teaches that we have been forgiven of all sins, past, present and future. Repeatedly asking for forgiveness is unbelief. What a liberating chapter this is!

That They Have All the Faith They Need

Christians don't need more faith; Christians need to better know the Object of their faith—Jesus—more deeply and intimately. As this happens, their trust in Him (faith) will increase automatically.

Why He Allows Us to Suffer

There's a big difference in seeking God for what you can get out of Him as opposed to seeking Him simply because you love Him, because you like Him. If God had to run for re-election daily, even moment-by-moment, would you vote for Him or do you want to usurp His role—be in control? The only way to discover the answer to this is by experiencing what you perceive as "undeserved" suffering.

That We Are Being Trained on Earth to Reign in Heaven

Many Christians are hoodwinked by Satan into believing that salvation is all about going to heaven. Although heaven is guaranteed by grace, our earthly pilgrimage is designed to train us for an active, eternal reign with Christ (Rev. 3:21). There is reign in our forecast! Failing to seriously pursue God's post-salvation training-for-reigning program is much like passing a university's entrance exam, but sleeping through the classes intended to prepare you for your future.

The Folly of Self-Generated Self-Acceptance

Everyone develops a fleshly self-image, which is kindling for the great wiener roast in the sky. We can trash our old self-image now or watch the bonfire later, but it will never enter heaven (1 Cor. 3:15).

How to Embrace a Christ-Generated Self-Acceptance

This explains how to appropriate a Christ-based self-esteem that is set in heavenly concrete from here to eternity. This will pass the judgment in a breeze because it's God's work, not man's.

That They Are the Beloved Bride of Jesus

Always a bride, never a bridesmaid is Christ's motto for us. Are you experiencing this truth and working on your wedding trousseau (Rev. 19:7-9)? You'll love it.

Dear friend, I am trusting that the Holy Spirit will use this book to put amazing back in grace for many Believers. God wishes Christians would throw off any burdensome, well-meaning, man-generated religious tradition by embracing their freedom in Christ. Will you please join me in praying to this end? God is doing a marvelous thing in our day. To Jesus be the glory forever!

I love you,
Bill Gillham