Seeking Jesus First - July 26, 2023

Part Two

Grace empowers us to think God's Thoughts, speak God's Words, and do God's Works.

Where do you draw the line at being able to be like God?

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:12–14, NKJV)

These verses, and so many others, leave no doubt that what God meant here is that the right and privilege to be sons of God belongs to those who believe in Christ Jesus. We talk about this right very much in our ministry. The Holy Spirit cries out to God from within us, “Abba, Father!”  However, the right to become is not always exercised by every believer to the greatest extent.

Where do we draw the line at being able to like Our Heavenly Father? How much of the right to become are we willing to exercise?

What does it mean that we have the right to become children (sons or daughters) of God?

• We take on God’s characteristics. These characteristics are called the fruit of the spirit. We begin to love like Our Heavenly Father. We begin producing from within our inner man, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
• We begin thinking God’s thoughts. We receive the mind of Christ. Our minds are renewed. “and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,” (Colossians 3:10, NKJV)
• We begin having the God kind of faith. (See Mark 11:22-24)
• We begin forgiving others like God forgives them. (See Mark 11:25-26)
• We begin speaking God’s words as our own. His words become our words. (See Eph. 4:15)
• We begin doing God’s works. (See John 14:12)
• We begin acting in God’s authority. In John 1:12 above, the word right also means authority.
• We begin carrying and releasing God’s power. See Eph. 3:16)
• We begin experiencing, sharing and carrying God’s glory. (See John 17:22)

Whatever it is that you want to believe about God, you can start believing it about yourself. Caveat: Only God is The Creator. Only Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and in earth. We have all authority over the inheritance that He gives us. We choose how much of the inheritance we receive through our faith.

If you are struggling with the fruit of the spirit, go deeper in the love of God. Seek God first and His righteousness which is by faith. Ask Him to reveal His love more to you. Study the passages in the word about love. See how Jesus loved people. Ask God for a mentor in His love. Holy Spirit is the best mentor, but there are people who can strengthen us as well. Memorize the love scriptures. Meditate on them. Set your faith in them that you can receive them manifest in your life. Search out the love of God like hidden treasure. Holy Spirit will give you fresh revelation and faith will come alive. Before you know it love will explode inside of you and you will find: joy is natural, peace is present, patience is easier, kindness flows out of you, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control are all characteristics of your new inner man.

The rest of those things all flow out of faith, hope and love, with love being the core and foundation of everything.

If you are growing in love, you are thinking God’s thoughts because God is love.

If you are growing in love, you starting to walk by faith because faith works by love.

If you are growing in love, you are forgiving others.

If you are growing in love, you are starting to speak God’s words as your own as words flow naturally from the thoughts of the heart.

If you are growing in love, you are beginning to do God’s works because His works are based in and on love.

If you are growing in love, you are tapping into God’s authority and power as you do His works.

If you are growing in love,  you are experiencing more of His glory.

Just how much do you want to be like God, Our Father? The more we grow in love, the more we are like Our Father.

Where will you draw the line? Will you forgive everyone? Will you believe every Word from the mouth of God? Can God’s words flow from your heart and mouth as if they are your own words? Can you speak and act with the same authority and power as Jesus did when He walked the earth with His disciples? Will you love others before they deserve it? Are you willing to share in and carry God’s glory?

Do you believe God loves you that much to make you like Himself? Did God really give us the right to become like Him?