(Read John 17:25-26)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing to teach on “Minimizing Your Humanity and Maximizing Your Divinity.” For the last two weeks we have looked at a prayer Jesus prayed in John chapter 17. I trust you have been blessed by studying this prayer. This morning we will study the last two verses and see how Jesus closed out the prayer.
Jesus ended the prayer by saying, “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. The world does not know God. In His prayer, Jesus said, “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do.” Jesus understood that the world did not know the Father and He saw it as part of His mission to do something about it. Guess what? You have the same mission. That is why God wants you to have a relationship with Him. The closer you get to God, the more of God people will see in you!
2. The Father is looking to reveal Himself to the world through you. All you have to do, in order for God to use you for His glory and to reveal Himself to the world through you, is DIE TO SELF. The more you die to sin and self, and the more you get out of the way, the more God is able to manifest Himself to the world through you!
3. People cannot see God, but they can see God’s impact IN and THROUGH you. In His prayer, Jesus said, “These disciples know you sent me.” The people who saw Jesus operate knew there was a God because they saw the manifestation of God in Jesus. In the same way, God can manifest Himself through you. When you accept Jesus as Lord, and you willingly die to self, God will flow through you in such a way that people will see so much evidence of God IN you, that they will be drawn to God because of you.
4. You are called to reveal God’s love in the earth. Jesus prayed for the Father’s love to be IN you. See, love is not something God has or something God does. No, love is literally who God is. So when God is IN you and you are IN Him, love should be natural. If you have an area of your life in which you are not walking in love, then that is an area of your life where there is too much of YOU and not enough God!
5. You are called to reveal God’s Son in the earth. Jesus closed out His prayer by stating that He would be IN us. Not only are you called to reveal the Father to the world, but you are also called to reveal His Son. To do it you don’t have to work hard, you don’t have to be perfect, and you don’t have to attempt to earn His presence. All you simply have to do is minimize YOU, so Jesus can maximize Himself in, with and through you. The more you die to self, the more people will see Jesus when they look at you!
Closing Confession: Father, I have learned a great deal about Your grace and love by simply reading and studying the prayer Jesus prayed for me. I say “Amen” to His prayer. I come in agreement and alignment. I understand the fact that the world does not know You, and I here to do something about it. I am called to reveal You and Your Son to the world. I cannot earn the assignment, because you called me by grace. I am could never be good enough, but Jesus was perfect for me. I could never be righteous enough, but Jesus made me righteous. Therefore, I accept the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness You have given me in Christ Jesus, Your Son; and I strive to minimize ME, so You can maximize YOU through me. I decrease, so You can increase in me. By faith I declare that Your love, light and power flow through me in such a prominent way, that people will not be able to deny that there is a God, that Jesus is His Son, and that You live IN me, because they will SEE You clearly when they look at me. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
