Today we continue our series entitled, “God Loves You”, under the overall theme for the year of, “Supernatural Manifestation.” We have been looking at a passage in John’s first letter for a few days. Let’s go back to that passage this morning.
John, the Apostle Jesus loved, said, “What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to. But friends, that’s exactly who we are: children of God. And that’s only the beginning. Who knows how we’ll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we’ll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model for our own.” (1 John 3:1-3 MSG)
While it is understanding to see God the Father as clearly above us, beyond humanity, and supernatural in every way, we must see God the Son, Jesus, in the proper light. While Jesus was clearly God, He was also clearly a man. He was a God-man and an example of what it looks like for a human to be completely submitted to God. God placed the Holy Spirit inside of Jesus, the human, and He did the same for every Born-Again believer. This means we are equipped, like Jesus was equipped, to live a supernatural life in the earth. So when the Father looks at us, He has no less expectation of us than He did of Jesus. He loves us like He loved Jesus. He has given us His Spirit like He did with Jesus. He has called us to a specific assignment, like He did Jesus. And He expects us to fulfill our assignment before we die, like He expected of Jesus.
My point is that Jesus was not just an example FOR us, He was actually an example OF us. Jesus was an example of what it looks like to live as a human conduit of the divine. And while many believers see themselves far below Jesus, God the Father does not. All throughout scripture we see (like the text we read this morning), that God expects us to be like Jesus in this world.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- The Apostle John tells us that ”when Christ is openly revealed, we’ll see him—and in seeing him, become like him.” The revelation of the Father (the more God the Father exposes to us His glory), causes us as humans to fall flat on our faces in worship. But the revelation of the Son (the more you get to know who Jesus is), is designed to draw you up to His level. Said another way, the better you get to know the Father, the more fear and reverence you have for Him; the better you get to know the Son, the more you become like Him!
- As believers, we live our lives in anticipation of Jesus’ return. But in the interim, we are supposed to LIVE LIKE HIM in the earth. The Apostle John said, “All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model for our own.” While Jesus was God in the flesh, He did not live on earth ABOVE His humanity. He lived within the confines of humanity, so He could be a true model FOR us and OF us.
- God loves you So much that He expects no less of you than He did of Jesus. He gave you His Spirit so you could live your life as a human conduit of the divine.
- When Jesus’ disciples failed to operate like Him in the earth, He never said, “Well, you guys will never be like me. Don’t worry about it. I am God and you are not.” No! This is not what Jesus said at all. On the contrary. Jesus was often frustrated with His disciples when they failed to do what He was doing. Guess what? He is still frustrated today when He looks down at us and sees us living beneath His example.
- Here is a simple formula for living a life that is pleasing in God’s sight: LIVE LIKE JESUS in this world!
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. Not because I am going to go out and obtain some great victory. But because You already obtained it for me, through Your Son, Christ Jesus, my Lord. I have the victory now and I walk in it daily, by Your grace and for Your glory. I live AS JESUS in this world. As Jesus is, so am I. I am a human conduit of the divine and the world will come in contact with Jesus today, when they come in contact with me! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
