Today we continue our series, “As Jesus Is”, under the banner of the overall series for the year, “Supernatural Manifestation.” We have been looking at 1 John 4:16,17 for over a month now. This week we are looking at John 17 as well. Let’s go back to both passages again this morning.
The Apostle John said:
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
(1 John 4:16, 17 KJV)
The True Lord’s Prayer (John 17)
(verses 1-5)
After Jesus said these things, he looked toward heaven and prayed, “Father, the time has come. Give glory to your Son so that the Son can give glory to you. You gave the Son power over all people so that he could give eternal life to all those you have given to him. And this is eternal life: that people can know you, the only true God, and that they can know Jesus Christ, the one you sent. I finished the work you gave me to do. I brought you glory on earth. And now, Father, give me glory with you. Give me the glory I had with you before the world was made.
(verses 15-23)
“I am not asking you to take them out of the world. But I am asking that you keep them safe from the Evil One. They don’t belong to the world, just as I don’t belong to the world. Make them ready for your service through your truth. Your teaching is truth. I have sent them into the world, just as you sent me into the world. I am making myself completely ready to serve you. I do this for them, so that they also might be fully qualified for your service.
“I pray not only for these followers but also for those who will believe in me because of their teaching. Father, I pray that all who believe in me can be one. You are in me and I am in you. I pray that they can also be one in us. Then the world will believe that you sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me. I gave them this glory so that they can be one, just as you and I are one. I will be in them, and you will be in me. So they will be completely one. Then the world will know that you sent me and that you loved them just as you loved me.”
Yesterday I focused in on the words: ““I finished the work you gave me to do. I brought you glory on earth.” The last point I made was: “When you get to the point where your total being (everything you do) is associated with God, God is free to empower you to prosper. Because elevating you means elevating His own influence in the earth. And as a result, you bring glory to His name.” I am going to ‘pull the string’ on that thought today.
So what does this mean to you today? Let’s see.
- I believe the key to true success in life is found in your divine purpose. Success cannot be measured in “things”, it can only be measured in purpose. But even if you want to have a conversation about the earthly success and the “things” associated with it, I believe God is okay with it, just as long as He is being glorified in the process. Said another way… God is not opposed to you having a great name, He will actually MAKE your name great. God is not opposed to you having “things”, He will actually give you all things richly to enjoy (1 Tim 6:17); He just does not want the “things” to have you. Bottom line: God is not opposed to you being blessed, even by this world’s standards, just as long as He is being glorified in the process.
- Jesus’ life brought glory to the Father. Some people then make a logical leap and say, “Well Rick, Jesus did not have many earthly possessions and the Father was glorified through Him. Therefore, if we want to bring God glory, we must be poor, humble, and live a quaint life.” I understand the argument, but it is very shortsighted. Jesus had an assignment and He fulfilled it. That does not mean that every human’s assignment is going to be like Jesus’. What about Abraham? The Lord received glory from his life and God Himself made Abraham rich. What about David? God was glorified through David and he accumulated billions for the plans purposes of God. What about Solomon? His wealth was estimated between $800 Billion and $3 Trillion and he used the wealth to build God’s temple and lead God’s people. The point is that earthly success, money, houses, things, etc., are not an issue for God. The issue comes down to purpose and glory. Are you living your life to accomplish His purpose and are you doing it for His glory? These are the questions you need to be able to answer in your heart. Why are you pursuing what you are pursuing? Is it for a selfish desire, or is it to bring glory to God in the earth?
- When God knows that He will get the glory out of everything you do, then He will withhold no good thing from you (Psalm 84:11). But before that God will withhold things, because He knows that if your heart is not right, the “things” can derail or even destroy you. You can receive a blessing from God and then, in turn, get so caught up in the blessING, that you forget about the blessOR. Far too many believers make this mistake.
- Make your life about God, His plans, His purpose, and His glory, and you will live a life that far exceeds your wildest imaginations.
- If you choose to pursue God instead of pursuing things, you will wake up one morning and realize that things are pursuing you (Mat 6:33). I am witness. This is the story of my life. Live your life to bring glory to God and not only will you live the life of your dreams, but you will wind up living the life of God’s dreams for you; and believe, God’s dreams are much better.
I will stop here for today.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. I say this without wavering, because I am living to bring glory to Your name. People know I am Your son. People know I am called according to Your purpose. I am not ashamed of my relationship with You. I take You public every chance I get. This is why You bless me richly. Blessing me, elevating me, increasing me and favoring me, puts You in a position to have greater influence in this world. So I say, “Father, glorify me, that I may glorify thee!” My life is about about You. I have no other goal but to complete my assignment and to bring glory to Your name in the process. This is why I boldly declare: “As Jesus is, so am I, in this world!” I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
