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)
Today I will focus in on this statement, “He [Jesus] gave up everything, even his place with God. He accepted the role of a servant, appearing in human form.”
So what does this mean to you today? Yesterday I drove home the point that your life is not actually about you. It’s about the plans God made for you before the world began. I will further emphasize this point today.
- Jesus gave up everything to fulfill His assignment. This is the mindset we are supposed to live with. There should be nothing in our lives that we are NOT willing to give up, in order to become the man/woman we are called to be.
- If Jesus was willing to leave heaven and to strip Himself of His divinity, in order to fulfill a His divine purpose as man, then surely you should be able to give up whatever God requires of you.
- The mindset of Jesus was that He put NOTHING above His divine assignment. That’s the same mindset we should live with. NOTHING should be more important to you, than the assignment God sent you the planet to complete.
- Paul made it plan. He said, “We don’t live or die just for ourselves. If we live, we are living for the Lord. And if we die, we are dying for the Lord. So living or dying, we belong to the Lord.” (Rom 14:7,8). That’s about as plain as you can make it. Your life is NOT your own!
- Jesus said, “Any of you who want to be my follower must stop thinking about yourself and what you want. You must be willing to carry the cross that is given to you for following me. Any of you who try to save the life you have will lose it. But you who give up your life for me and for the Good News will save it.” (Mark 8:34,35 ERV). Jesus did not sugar-coat the requirement. God has never required any less than ALL OF YOU! Either He is Lord OF all, or He is not Lord AT all!
- The closer you get to God, the less you focus on yourself, and the more you desire to live as a human conduit of the divine.
- The more you die to self, the more God can and will live through you. This is how Jesus lived. This is how we are supposed to live as well!
- The more selfless you are, the more God will flow through you, and the more of an impact you will make in this world. Because at that point it won’t be you doing the work. It will be the Father, living in you. He will give you the words. He will perform the work. And He will leave a mark in this world, through you, that will not easily be erased!
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. Because my focus is no longer on me or any selfish desire. The more I live, the greater impact I make. Because it is NOT me doing it. It is You Father, living in me. You are giving me the words. You are performing the work. I am a human conduit of the divine. I am a God-carrier. I take God into every meeting, conversation and activity I engage in today. 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.
