Today we continue our series entitled, “God Loves You”, under the overall theme for the year of, “Supernatural Manifestation.” We have been learning about the love of God from John, the Apostle of love. For the past two days we have been discussing the importance of believing and trusting in God’s love. Today we will continue to flow in that vein. In Grandpa John’s first letter he said:
“So we know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love. God is love. Everyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in them. If God’s love is made perfect in us, we can be without fear on the day when God judges the world. We will be without fear, because in this world we are like Jesus.” (1 John 4:16, 17 ERV)
In yesterday’s message I focused on the chasm that was created between God and man when Adam sinned. God to had cross the chasm to restore the relationship. Man could not. God did it because He loves us.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. The relationship was broken and the intimacy was gone because of one man, Adam.
a) Adam had complete power. God gave him both the power and the authority to rule this planet. Adam operated divine power and authority without reservation, because God was IN Him and he was IN God. He walked with God in the cool of the day. He never went to school, but he knew how to do all he was called to do, by the Holy Spirit, through divine revelation, because of his intimacy with God.
b) The picture of the power and authority Adam had in the Garden of Eden is a picture of God’s best. This is how we are supposed to live in this world.
c) Because of sin, Adam’s relationship with God was broken. He lost the Holy Spirit, he lost his intimacy with God, he lost the power he had to rule and dominate the planet. The good news is that Jesus came to restore that which was lost.
2. The relationship was mended and the intimacy was restored because of one man, Jesus.
a) Adam’s sin created a gulf between God and man and we, as humans, could do nothing to repair the relationship. So, because He loves us, God took it upon Himself to repair the breach. Jesus came to restore us to the level of intimacy and power Adam had in the Garden of Eden before the fall.
b) Because of Jesus, power and authority have been restored to mankind. As Born-Again believers, we can now have the intimacy with God and the same authority to operate in His power that Adam did while he was in the Garden of Eden.
c) God looked down at fallen man and restored the relationship, simply because He loves us. No other reason. God loves us with an unconditional love.
3. Believing and trusting in God’s love is the only way a human and see themselves like God.
a) Even with a restored relationship and with true intimacy with God, God is [by nature] so far above us that that only way we can see ourselves like Him is if we believe and trust in His love.
b) The text we looked at today (1 John 4:17) says, “in this world we are like Jesus.” Before John made that statement, in the previous verse he said, “So we know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love.” The only way you can see yourself LIKE JESUS is if you truly believe and trust in God’s love.
c) Believing that God loves you is one level, but trusting in His love enough to actually attempt to live LIKE HIM in this world is another level altogether.
d) Adam had no problem operating like God in the earth. Guess what? Adam (before the fall) is a picture of what Jesus died to restore us to. Adam was created in the image of God. When he saw Himself, he saw the Father. When he thought of the Father, he saw Himself. This is how we are supposed to think, and it is the only way we can be the emissaries of God in this world; people who bring heaven to the earth daily!
e) God wants you to see yourself in His image and likeness. God wants you to see yourself LIKE HIM. The only way can can do this is if you believe and trust in His love. If you do, you will get to the point where you can believe the invisible, attempt the impossible, and operate in the supernatural!
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. I say this with confidence, because my confidence is rooted in the revelation of Your love for me. You love me. I am loved by God. I am God’s beloved. I was created in Your image. I am Your likeness. I look like You and You look like me. I look like my Daddy. When people see me, they see You, because You live IN me and I live IN You. The only way I can truly SAY and BELIEVE these things, is by BELIEVING and TRUSTING in Your love for me. I know You love me. Therefore, I enter this day, and every day, determined to BE LIKE YOU in this world! Not because I am so good, but because You are… simply because YOU LOVE ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
