Going In Christ Jesus
“GOING” IN CHRIST JESUS.
Let us recap on what we learned from last week’s newsletter. Last week we saw that JESUS has shown us that we are to represent the ones whose Image and Likeness we are formed in. We are to represent GOD in all of HIS forms; GOD the FATHER, GOD the SON, and GOD the HOLY SPIRIT. WE are to do the will of our FATHER GOD, we do it in the name of our LORD JESUS, the SON OF GOD, and we do it through the power of the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD.
We saw that we are to “GO” in Love, in Power, in Truth, in Compassion, and most of all, IN GOD, into all of the world, representing the one who formed us all to be just like HIM.
Also last week we said that this week we will be looking at the “HOW” of going. It is all well and good us teaching people that they are called to go into all of the world and preach the GOSPEL, but it means nothing if we do not teach them HOW to GO.
In order to be able to follow JESUS we must first know what HE did so that we too can do those things. We know that HE raised the dead, we know that HE healed the sick, HE preached the good news of the Kingdom of GOD being at hand and HE taught HIS Disciples to follow HIS examples but what else do we know about the works of JESUS.
JESUS showed us that we are to know that we too are able to do the very things that HE did. One of our greatest hindrances to going is in knowing what we are meant to do. As stated above, we know that we are to do what we see JESUS doing, but how do we do that.
1. GOING is by Faith.
In Matthew 9:29 JESUS said "…. According to your FAITH be it unto you".
This means that whatever we can see ourselves doing BY FAITH we are able to do. If by Faith we see ourselves raising the dead, then we will be able to raise the dead. If by Faith we see ourselves able to heal the sick, then we will heal the sick. When we use our eyes of Faith to see the desired results then it opens up the Power of GOD for us to be able to bring the desired result into our realm of being.
When GOD spoke creation into being in the beginning HE saw the results of what HE wanted to achieve before HE spoke it out. HE didn't just go about creating hoping that maybe it might work. HE didn't think to HIMSELF, "Oh, what if it doesn't work". GOD knew what HE wanted to achieve, and above all, HE knew that HE had the power to achieve the things that HE wanted. So too, we have HIS Power, and have it through our LORD JESUS. We have it for one simple reason because JESUS bought and paid for it with HIS Body and HIS Blood at the Cross of Calvary.
In John 14:12 – 14 we see where JESUS tells us that these things that HE did, WE SHALL DO ALSO, and even greater things than those that HE did, we shall do as well.
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; AND GREATER WORKS THAN THESE shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I WILL DO IT.
Do you notice in verse 12 where JESUS says, "he that believeth on ME…"; this is Faith that HE is talking about. It is through Faith that we will do the things that our LORD has called us to do, all we have to do is believe what He said.
Faith in GOD is simply believing GOD means what HE says, and HE says what HE means. Therefore, if we see that GOD has made a promise in HIS HOLY WORD, then HE meant what HE wrote there for our benefit, HE meant that we are to believe HIS Word. In Numbers 23:19 we see where it proves that GOD will always keep HIS Word. Num 23:19 God is not a man that He should lie, or a son of man that He should repent. Has He said, and shall He not do it? And has He spoken and shall He not make it good?
When JESUS wanted to raise the dead, such as Lazarus and the widow's Son, HE simply spoke out the desired result. JESUS knew that HE had been given the Power and the Authority to do just that, and as we see in John 14:12-14 (written above), we too have now been given that very same Power and Authority, all we have to do is believe it, and apply it.
2. Going requires us to know just what it is that we are to do.
Having out fingers in too many pies can lead us into trouble. If we have 4 litres of paint and we need to cover an area that requires 12 litres, then we might cover that whole area, but we do it very IN-efficiently. The job is going to look horrible and whatever was there originally will shine through because the paint has been spread too thinly.
So it is with us, if we try to do too many things at the same time, then we will be like that paint, spread too thinly. If we are to do the job that we are called to do then we must be single minded regarding that call, giving ourselves totally to that job, and stick with it until we see it finished.
3. Going requires KNOWING what our protection is and what equipment we have at our disposal.
In Ephesians 6:10 – 17 we are given the list of our protection.
Eph 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Eph 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the
breastplate of righteousness,
Eph 6:15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
Eph 6:16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
Eph 6:17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, (MKJV).
In the Bible we are shown the most valuable weapon that we have at our disposal is the sword of the SPIRIT.
In Luke 22:36 we see where the LORD encourages us to go and buy a sword,
Luke 22:36 And He said to them, But now, he who has a purse, let him take it, and likewise his wallet. And he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.
This is the Sword of the SPIRIT mentioned in verse 17 above, and in Hebrews 4:12 we are shown how effective this Sword is, and what this sword really is. Heb 4:12 For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
And in Rev 1:16 we see where that sword is to be situated, it comes out of our mouths, Rev 1:16 And He had seven stars in His right hand, and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword. And His face was like the sun shining in its strength.
This is our greatest weapon, especially when we combine it with Prayer, when the devil tried to come against JESUS, JESUS used the word of GOD and cut the enemy down to size, and now HE expects that we too will do the same.
When we go out into the world, whether it be our local area or into the whole world, we go equipped and protected by these things, but especially when we go
IN
CHRIST JESUS.
Be Blessed In CHRIST JESUS, Don Phillips, 28/10/2018