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 a couple of months now. I have been adding other passages to it. Right now we are looking at 1 John 4:16,17 and Philippians 2. Let’s get to it.
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 Apostle Paul said:
“Think about what we have in Christ: the encouragement he has brought us, the comfort of his love, our sharing in his Spirit, and the mercy and kindness he has shown us. If you enjoy these blessings, then do what will make my joy complete: Agree with each other, and show your love for each other. Be united in your goals and in the way you think. In whatever you do, don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honor others more than yourselves. Don’t be interested only in your own life, but care about the lives of others too.
In your life together, think the way Christ Jesus thought. He was like God in every way, but he did not think that his being equal with God was something to use for his own benefit. Instead, he gave up everything, even his place with God. He accepted the role of a servant, appearing in human form.
During his life as a man, he humbled himself by being fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death—death on a cross. So God raised him up to the most important place and gave him the name that is greater than any other name.”
(Philippians 2:1-9 ERV)
Today we will, once again, focus in on this statement, “In your life together, think the way Christ Jesus thought. He was like God in every way, but he did not think that his being equal with God was something to use for his own benefit.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Even though Jesus was a human, walking around with a God on the inside of Him, and even though He was on equal status with God the Father, the Bible says that He did not use His status for His own benefit. Instead, Jesus chose to benefit others with the power God placed IN Him. This is the mindset Jesus had and it is the mindset God wants us to live with.
2. When you realize you are a man/woman, walking around with a God on the inside of him/her, you know you are in position to change the world. Not because of your power, but because of His. Not because you will attempt to unleash the power of God into whatever selfish desire is birthed in your heart. But because you know the power of God is ready to be released into the plans He already made, from the foundations of the world. When you accept this reality, you don’t see any challenge as a true problem. There is nothing God cannot do and He lives IN you!
3. God did not have to create the earth, but He did. He did it because He wants to influence this world. He does so by living IN us. God is heaven, but He does not just want to live in heaven. He wants to live IN and THROUGH you! This is why Jesus came. This is how Jesus lived. And it is how we are supposed to live… knowing that God is IN us and He wants to impact and influence the people of this world and the systems of this world. God will do it, and He will do it through you!
4. Yesterday my Pastor, Tony Brazelton, said something that flows in the vein of what I am teaching this morning. He said, “The New Testament is not about what you need. The New Testament is about what you already have!” Allow me to ‘pull the string’ on that thought as we close:
a) The Old Testament is a picture of a people disconnected from God. They yearned for the intimacy Adam had with God in the Garden of Eden, but they could not have that intimacy. The Holy Spirit lived in the Temple, above the Ark of Covenant, and only one person (the High Priest) could visit the presence of God. Even then, the High Priest could only visit one a year. He had to visit what Adam had on the inside of him.
b) John taught us that while the Law was GIVEN through Moses, grace CAME through Jesus (John 1:17). Did you catch that? The Law was given to people on tablets of stone. There was no direct connection between God and man. But when it came to the New Testament, God did not simply GIVE something, He CAME HIMSELF! The Law was given, but GRACE CAME!
c) Jesus redeemed us all the way back to Adam, in the Garden, before the fall. In the New Testament, it’s not about us being disconnected from God, needing this or that. It’s about knowing that God LIVES IN US, and we already have everything we need. All the answers are in God and He is IN US! The key is letting Him out. This is why you must develop this mindset: “As Jesus is, so am I, in this world!”
I will discuss this further tomorrow.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. I am IN You and You are IN me. I am not disconnected from You in any way. I don’t lack anything. I don’t have a need You have not already supplied. You live in heaven, but You also live in the earth, IN ME! You want to influence the people of this world and the systems of this world. You can and will do it through me. The kingdoms of this world SHALL BECOME the Kingdoms of my Lord, and of His Christ, and it will happen THROUGH ME! Because I am a man/woman with a God on the inside of him/her. 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.
