2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
Jesus prayed in John 17:15-17 (Amplified) saying, "I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep and protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world (worldly, belonging to the world) (Just) as I Am not of the world. Sanctify them, (purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself) Make them holy by the Truth. Your Word is Truth."
As new creation family, we have the "best of both worlds," like the old saying goes. We are "in the world," but are not confined to only the things of this world. We are also citizens of God's Kingdom, with all the substance that this world holds, being returned to us through Jesus. The worldly things that Adam's transgression and the resulting curse brought, aren't part of our inheritance. The things God gave to man before satan took rule, are ours again through Jesus.
Luke 2:52 (Amplified) says, "And Jesus increased in wisdom (in broad and full understanding) and in stature and years, and in favor with God and man." We've been left on earth for the full purpose of revealing the Father, through Jesus Christ. We've been granted the dominion and the authority that was given to man in the Blessing, once again. Jesus said in Luke 10:9-10 (Amplified), "Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and (physical and mental strength and ability) over all the power that the enemy (possesses) and nothing shall in any way harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in Heaven."
While we're in this world, we were given authority, power and dominion by and through Jesus, Whose "Name is above all names." Jesus prayed in John 17:15 (Amplified) saying, "I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep and protect them from the evil one." As new creation family, we have the Blessing working on our behalf, to bring us into what God intended His children to have. This provides everything necessary to care for our physical needs. We also have the inheritance, as fellow heirs with Christ, that meets all of our spiritual and physical needs. Romans 8:17 (Amplified) tells us, "And if we are (His) children, then we are His heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ (sharing His inheritance with Him) only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory."
The suffering Jesus endured wasn't death on the cross, but the people's rejection that He was sent to free. Jesus told His followers in John 16:18-19 (Amplified), "If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would treat you with affection and would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world (no longer one with it) but I have chosen (selected) you out of the world, the world hates (detests) you."
When we walk in the Spirit, we walk contrary to everything the world believes and stands for. When you walk contrary to those things, then you will suffer persecution from those who abide only by the world's beliefs. As new creation family, we have Jesus' prayer to "protect and keep us from the evil one," while we're here on earth. We also have the authority and ability of Heaven, to propel us into victory. We have been redeemed and the Blessing has been restored, to work in our lives and to use while ministering salvation to the world.
We simultaneously live in two dimension and that requires us to do the same as Jesus did in Luke 2:52 (Amplified), which says, "And Jesus increased in wisdom (in broad and full understanding) and in stature and years and in favor with God and man." God can (and already has) give us favor , even with man, by entering into this Truth of the new creation family. Proverbs 16:7 (Amplified) says, "When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him."
We've been ordained to walk as Heaven's ambassador and representatives of God's Kingdom, here on earth. We are to bring everything that satan took from God's family, by his deception, back into subjection. Those who've been captured by satan (through fear and deceit), are to be set free by God's Own elect family.
In this world (not of it), I have the responsibility of caring for my family. That's the stewardship and sonship of my inheritance. I also have the responsibility to walk as a dignitary and representative of Heaven. This appointment has been placed on us as family members and seems to be a long standing problem in many of our lives. Many believe that the more we suffer and do without, the more "holy" we become. Jesus asked God in John 17:17 (Amplified), "Make them holy by Your Truth, and Your Word is Truth."
Balancing our lives between the new Truth of this new creation, with the responsibilities of our family provisions, is where we seemingly become of two minds. We must provide and care for our earthly inheritance, as well as our Heavenly inheritance. We've had difficulty, balancing both in our lives. Some have given over one for the other, without seeking God on it, one way or the other.
We feel pressured and weighed down by the earthly things, that we're too tired to read the Word and/or pray. It's not that we don't wish to do these things, but we cannot find the time or energy. Jesus admonished His disciples at Gethsemane, saying in Mark 14:38 (Amplified), "Keep awake and watch and pray (constantly) that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Most of us desire to walk deeper in the things of God, but the flesh demands all of our time.
We're called to "seek first the Kingdom of God," according to Jesus' direction in Matthew 6:33 (Amplified) where He says, "But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His Kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right) and then all these things (what you ear, wear, live, drink) taken together will be given you besides." These were the same instructions given to the Israelites who came out of Egypt, about what they would eat, drink, wear, and live. And, God did provide all these things for them.
God's Blessing in our lives, will multiply our labors and finances, so that our needs will be met. Jesus' Name and authority will set the captives free, while we serve Him in joy and thanksgiving. Everything God gave to Adam, has been restored to us through Jesus. We've also been given the authority of Heaven and the Host of Heaven, to hold and take dominion once again and restore God's honor and glory.
We can simultaneously enjoy the lives with our families here on earth, while enjoying our new creation relationship with our God and Father. We must do like Luke 2:52 (Amplified) says Jesus did and "[Increase] in wisdom (broad and full understanding) and in stature and years and favor with God and man." We must learn how to walk in the Spirit in the realm of the earth. We must do like Jesus did and balance both realms, to glorify the Father.
If we neglect our earthly families, then we are not in God's will. If we neglect our walk with God, in order to meet only our earthly needs, then we're not in His will altogether. It's requires "wisdom and full understanding" to balance both realms, like God intended from the beginning. The ministry of the Holy Spirit, is to lead us into all Truth. If we would allow the Holy Spirit to teach us, then we can walk with God on earth and enjoy both realms simultaneously.
When God finished His creation in Genesis, He was "pleased" with His creations and He saw "that all things were good, even very good." Whether I'm grooming my horses, watching my cattle, praying for the sick, being in fellowship with my Heavenly Father, mowing hay, and worshiping on Sunday mornings with the brethren, I find that I can truly "Do all things through Christ Jesus, Who strengthens me" and enjoy them all.
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