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. We have been looking at John 17, to go along with it, for two weeks. 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 17:20-23)
“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.”
I will, once again, focus in on the words: “Then the world will believe that you sent me.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. You are the proof.
a) Jesus came to the earth to succeed where Adam failed. He came to establish God’s Kingdom in this world. He did it. Mission accomplished. But as Jesus was leaving He knew that His disciples, and all who would follow (which includes you and I), would have to continue what He started. Our job is to live as He lived, to demonstrate what He demonstrated, and to manifest God’s Kingdom in this world. Jesus drove this message home then and we must drive it home now.
b) Jesus spent three and a half years with His disciples, and even then, Jesus had to drive home the message that the responsibility was going to be in THEIR hands. If people were going to believe that Jesus was the Son of God, they were going to have to do it through them! Over 2,000 years later, the same holds true. If people are going to believe that Jesus is real, that He was the Messiah, that He did what the Bible says, it is going to be because of US! We are the proof. We either RE-Present Jesus well or we don’t!
c) The responsibility to RE-Present Jesus in this world is an awesome one. Don’t take it lightly. You are the proof that Jesus is real. Your life is supposed to testify of His.
d) If the world is going to believe on the Lord Jesus, they are going to do so because of YOU! You are supposed to show the world what Jesus is like.
e) For your life to testify of Jesus’ life, the Bible teaches that you must operate in both God’s love and His power. God’s love will show people that He lives IN you. His power will show people that you have grown to the point where allow Him to flow through you! Both are necessary.
2. As yourself this question: Can the world SEE Jesus IN me?
a) Imagine Jesus held a huddle with you this morning and said, “Son (or daughter), I love you. I have prepared you for this day. I will allow you to go out into it alone. I will be with you every step of the way. Remember, I am IN you, but you have to let me out. People in this world can’t see me. But they can see you. You are my proof. You are the proof that I exist. Now go live like it!” Would that pep talk change the way you live this day? If it would, then it’s time to make some changes. This is the way you are supposed to live every day.
b) As you enter each day, remind yourself that the world is supposed to SEE Jesus IN you. That’s why it is so critically important that you live with this mentality: As Jesus is, so am I, in this world!
I will stop here for today.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. The God of the Universe lives IN me. My Savior, Jesus the Christ, is counting on me to RE-Present Him in this world. I declare that I do. I operate in love and power. Love shows the world that my God, who is love Himself, is IN me. Power shows the world that I am in synch with God and He is in synch with me, to the point where I freely LET GOD OUT! The world sees Jesus IN me every day. Because I live this mentality: 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.
