Today we continue our series entitled, “God Loves You”, under the overall theme for the year of, “Supernatural Manifestation.” We have been looking at the following passage for a few days. Let’s get back to it this morning. Grandpa John, when he was over 90 years old, said the following:
“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)
I made three points in yesterday’s message. My last points was, “You can’t focus on living LIKE Jesus if you are afraid of Him.” I will discuss this further today.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Struggling to solidify your relationship with God will keep you from living like Him in this world.
a) Many believers (especially new converts), question their salvation. They struggle to settle the “doubts” concerning their relationship with God and His relationship with them. This is a major issue for the believer. God has called us to be like Jesus in this world. We are supposed to be the continuation of His incarnation. However, we will never see ourselves like Jesus, nor operate like Him in this world, if we question whether or not we even have a relationship with God. Our relationship is the foundation of everything we do with God. Notice I said, “with God” and not, “for God”. God is looking for us to walk WITH Him, and He will freely walk WITH us, in this world. This is how the supernatural is manifested. But everything is in jeopardy if you question whether or not you even have a relationship with the Father.
b) In the next chapter of John’s letter, the old Apostle says, “This is what God told us: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life, but whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write this letter to you who believe in the Son of God. I write so that you will know that you have eternal life now.” John went on to say, “So we can come to God with no doubts…” (see 1 John 5:11-14 ERV). Did you catch that? John did not mince words. He is clear and plain. If you have Jesus, you have eternal life, and the old Apostle of love wanted us to KNOW that we have eternal life NOW! Why? So we can come to God with no doubts. This is how we will live like Jesus in this world!
2. It takes faith (confidence) to operate in the supernatural.
a) You cannot please God without faith (Heb 11:6).
b) When you ‘peel the onion back’ on faith, what you will find is that faith is all about confidence; your confidence in God and His Word.
c) The only way you can truly have fearless confidence in God and His Word is by knowing that He loves you unconditionally. You may waiver, but God’s love for you will not. So if you base your confidence (faith) in God on His love for you and not your performance towards Him, your faith is going to be strong. This is how you get to live like Jesus in this world. Not because you are perfect, but because God’s love is perfect towards you.
d) Faith works by love (Gal 5:6). Your faith is going to work — meaning it will be strong and unshakable — when you KNOW God loves you!
e) Believing God’s love and TRUSTING in it, is what positions you to operate in the supernatural! You have to KNOW that God loves you to be able to boldly declare, “As Jesus is, so am I, in this world!” (1 John 4:17).
I will stop here for today and discuss this further tomorrow.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. I say this without reservation, because I know You love me. Your love for me fuels my faith and starves my doubts. I don’t question Your love. Therefore, I am able to live by unshakable faith. While I my waiver (in my humanity) from time to time, I know Your unconditional love for me will never waiver. Therefore, I choose to make Your love for me the foundation for my faith towards You. Since Your love never fails, my faith shall not fail! This is how I will LIVE LIKE JESUS in this world! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
