What is Exchanged Life?
The heart of our message is our union with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. This is often referred to as the exchanged life. At the moment of our salvation, God took us out of spiritual death in Adam (Romans 5:12-21) and transformingly put us into union with Christ (Romans 6:1-10). Christ exchanged our old identity as sinners in Adam for a radically new identity in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are now not just sinners saved by grace; our essential nature and identity is that of new creation saints in Christ (Ephesians 1:1). Our union with Christ is so real, so vital, so complete, so trans-historical that the old us (our spirit) in Adam died and was buried. The new us (our spiritual identity) is now raised up in union with Christ. We have been set free to live as ones who have been recreated in Christ’s resurrection (Romans 6:11). This is all God’s doing. He traded our old spiritual identity in Adam for a new spiritual identity in Christ.
This is the foundation of the exchanged life: God’s uniting us with Christ, whose life is eternal, victorious, and abundant. This results in a shared life, a life of union with Christ. However, the usual experience for us as Christians seems to be that we lose sight of our resources in Christ. The great tendency is for us to try to get our needs met our own way and to depend upon our own human resources (the flesh) instead of trusting Christ. Even the Apostle Paul described his own personal struggle and defeat as he strived in his own strength to fulfill the will of God (Romans 7:14-25).
As we continue to appropriate by faith His life rather than relying on ourselves, Christ meets our inner needs and gives us His joy, peace, power, and a deeper walk with Him in the midst of life’s difficulties and problems. The focus of our attention is shifted from ourselves to Christ and those He has put into our lives for Him to love through us (John 15:9-17; 1 Corinthians 13; Galatians 5:13-18; 1 John 3:16-4:12). This is the result of the exchanged life. By an ongoing trust in Christ as our life, we can trade our total insufficiency to live the life the New Testament describes for Christ’s total sufficiency to live it in and through us. If you don’t like your life, exchange it for a new one!
GFI Seminars
Our seminars present a biblically based, heart-oriented, Christ-centered approach to overcoming life-controlling problems. They give diagnostic insights and scriptural solutions that are drawn from Grace Fellowship’s counseling ministry. The teaching is practical for those needing help and for those want to be better equipped to help others.
Finding Joy
is about overcoming depression
The need:
It is reported that in 2020, an estimated 14 million U.S. adults aged 18 or older had at least one major depressive episode with severe impairment in the past year.
God’s provision:
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11
Finding Peace
is about overcoming anxiety and fear
The need:
6 million adults struggle with anxiety, and another 6 million experience panic attacks.
God’s provision:
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
Finding Freedom
is about overcoming addictions
The need:
There are an estimated 15 million alcoholics and 10 million drug addicts in this country. Behavioral addictions include pornography, gambling, and eating disorders.
God’s provision:
“…If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free… if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:31,32,36
Seminar Schedule
The schedule for the seminars is usually 9:00am-4:30pm with lunch and refreshment breaks. They are offered in the Knoxville, Tennessee area in March, August, and November. These seminars can also be presented elsewhere when other individuals and ministries provide a venue and sponsorship.
For audio and video recordings of GFI conferences, visit our online store.
For live seminar dates, registration, and further details, see our calendar of events.