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 the statement: “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 what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- Having the mind of Christ means that you submit to the Father in every way, even when it is unpleasant. The Bible says that Jesus obeyed the Father, even when it meant death. Not just any death, but the gruesome death of the cross. The Father gave Jesus a name that is above every name, but it only came after He was willing to endure all He was required to endure on the road to His purpose. We too, as believers who are called to the work and purpose of God, must be willing to submit to the Father, even when the process is painful.
- God never promised you a perpetual picnic. God never promised you a pain-free path to your purpose. While we have been believing God for this year to be the “Year of Great Victory”, this does not mean that it will be a year without opposition. Because the truth is, you will never have one. The fact that we are declaring “Victory”, means that we actually have something to triumph over. Submitting to God fully, means you are willing to submit, even when God is leading you into unpleasant situations.
- Some Christians only want to submit to the Father when they actually want to do what He is telling them to do. In actuality, that is NOT submission. That is agreement! Anyone can agree to submit to something they are happy with. True submission comes when you DON’T want to do what God is leading you to do, and you do it ANYWAY! That’s how Jesus lived and it is how we are supposed to live as well.
- Paul declared that he wanted to know Jesus in the power of the resurrection. But in that same statement, the Apostle acknowledged that the only way to know Jesus in the power of the resurrection, is to also participate in the fellowship of His sufferings (Eph 3:10). Believers today want the power, but they don’t want the suffering. You cannot participate in the power, if you are not willing to endure the suffering.
- I told you yesterday that your power is unlocked in your level of submission to the Father. Well, sub-mission means you are submitting to His mission. You are putting God’s will above your own. You are putting His desires above your desires. You are saying that if you ever encounter a situation where God’s path is not the path you wanted to go down, that you will choose to go down His path anyway. If you do, you are putting on the mind of Christ. If you do, you are humbling yourself before God. If you do, you are dying to self. If you do, you will experience the life God called you to live! If you do, you will live “As Jesus is, in this world!”
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. I put on the mind of Christ. I am fully submitted to You in every way. If there is a choice between my will and Your will, there is no choice. I choose Your will every time! I am Yours and this means I live for You every day, and I submit to You in every way. I walk in the power of the resurrection, because I am willing to participate in the fellowship of the sufferings. And I reckon that the sufferings of this present time, are not worthy to be compared, with the glory which shall be revealed in me. Because 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.
