Seeking Jesus First - April 28, 2023
If the word is not working in my life, there is usually a reason.
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22, NKJV)
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:1–2, NKJV)
According to God’s merciful loving kindness and compassion, we are able to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God. We can, through obedience to God’s word, consider our bodies a living sacrifice to God and live for God. We can present our bodies to God and have our bodies accepted by God. We can do this by saying, “No” to the world’s way of doing things. We can choose not to conform to the ways of the world by renewing our mind to God’s way of thinking, speaking and acting. When we do this, we prove that God’s ways are beneficial, pleasing and complete.
Have you noticed that there are believers who put a lot of faith effort into receiving the promises of God while putting little faith effort into obeying God’s word? I’ve been that way many times in my own walk with God. How is it possible to have faith to receive God’s promises but no faith to obey God’s word?
Did you know that God was a forgiver of sins even back in the Old Testament? Have you ever read 2 Chronicles 7:14? “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14, NKJV)
Jesus died on the cross and rose again from the dead so that those who believe in Him would inherit salvation and eternal life - not just to extend forgiveness of sins.
Forgiveness of sin was included in the law. But Jesus destroyed the works of the devil (See 1 John 3:8). Jesus restored what was stolen. Jesus took away the sin of the world. Jesus paid the price, penalty and final judgement for sin. Jesus gave us adoption and a new birth. Jesus made a way for us to be one with God by His Holy Spirit. Jesus gave us an inheritance that no probably no one has even fathomed yet. Jesus made us partakers of His divine nature.
When we believed in Christ Jesus, we became a new creature - a human receiving resurrection life in His spirit and union with the Spirit of God in his inward parts. Being united with God’s Spirit, we are united with God. Understanding the righteousness of God is more important than understanding the healing power of God. But the truth is, the righteousness of God and the healing of God are not separate. The truth is, the righteousness of God and prosperity are not separate.
Oh Clay, how can you possibly believe that?!?!
It’s simple. God and His Word are One just as God and His Spirit are One, and God’s Spirit and God’s Word are One. The same God who freely gave us righteousness through faith in His Son, also freely gave us dominion in life here on earth. Every promise is in Christ Jesus. “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20, NKJV). We live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. When we live by faith in God’s word, it changes us from the inside out. If it changes our seed, it changes our harvest.
Righteousness is in the same person that Peace (Shalom) and Joy resides in. (Look up the complete definition of shalom. When you study it yourself, you’ll remember it.) Without a doubt, God promised natural blessing and more than enough provision to Abraham, and the blessings of Abraham are included in the good news to the gentiles or God would be a respecter of persons. “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.” (Galatians 3:8–9, NKJV)
If we can use our faith for healing, we can use our faith for sanctification. If we can use our faith for obedience, we can use our faith for prosperity. Believing God for the fulfillment of God’s word in my life honors God. It is just as honoring to God for us to use our faith for each and every promise as it is for us to use our faith to walk in love.
Living a godly life, according to Romans 12:1-2 (quoted above), proves that the will of God is beneficial, pleasing and complete. When we say, “Yes”, to God, and start living according to His words, our life in every way begins conforming to the kingdom of God - the righteousness, peace and joy of The LORD.