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:
“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 2:5-9 ERV)
In yesterday’s message I shared with you something my Pastor, Tony Brazelton, said, and I attempted to weave it into the vein of this series. I will do the same again today. This is what Pastor Tony said: “The New Testament is not about what you need. The New Testament is about what you already have!” Allow me to continue to ‘pull the string’ on this thought, within the context of this series.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- In the Old Testament (or the Old Covenant), man had to strive to attain things in God and to earn things from God. The spotlight was on man, and it was about man working to for God. The New Covenant is completely different. In the New Covenant you do not strive to attain or obtain, you realize that Jesus already obtained for you. Under the New Covenant you simply receive all Jesus is. The spotlight is no longer on man, or man working for God. The spotlight is on God, and what God has already done for man.
- The purpose of the Old Covenant was to prove to man that we could never be good enough; that we could never earn God’s blessing; that our effort would always fall short. The Old Covenant was designed to bring man to the end of himself/herself. Once you are at the end of yourself, you learn that the only way you can become the man/woman God called you to be, is by allowing God to live through you. Jesus was an example of what it looks like for a man to be completely submitted to the God IN HIM. This is the way we are supposed to live.
- In the Old Covenant the Blessing of the Lord was contingent upon man’s performance. So performance-based religion was the natural by-product. The challenge is that many believers have not made the transition from a dispensation (or time period) that was performance-based, to one that is grace-based. Under the New Covenant, our blessing is not based on our performance. The Blessing has already been provided. The Blessing was contingent upon Jesus’ performance. This is why it is so critically important that we embrace ALL Jesus is. We are because He is. All that Jesus is, is who we are. Not because of our performance, but because of His!
- Jesus lived with a mindset where He saw Himself on equal status with God. Then the Bible says that we should live with the same mindset. Now, to be clear. You are and I will never be on equal status with God, in and of ourselves. However, God LIVES IN US! God Himself has taken up residence INSIDE of us. So, from that perspective, the Father wants you to live with the same mindset Jesus had. You must see no separation between God and you. You must see no difference between the God who WAS IN Jesus and the God who IS IN you. When you get to this point, when you see yourself “As Jesus is, in this world”, when live with the same mindset Jesus had, when you realize God is IN you and it is not just for your own benefit, then at that point you are ready to change the world. Not because of you, but because of Him. Not because of your performance, but because of His! Not because you deserve it, but because Jesus earned your status for you. This is the message of Grace. This is the power of the New Covenant. This is the freedom we have in Christ Jesus! This is the GOSPEL! As Jesus is, so are we, in this world!
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. I no longer strive to attain or obtain. I no longer live by the arm of the flesh. I no longer attempt to earn everything by the sweat of my brow. I release the strain of performance-based religion. I enter into Your rest. I fully accept ALL You have given me in Christ Jesus. I fully embrace the fact that You see me the way You saw Your own Son. You love me with the same love. You gave me the same Spirit. And You see me as righteous, because of Him. I am, because Jesus is. 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.
