John 1:16-17 (Amplified) says, "For out of His fullness (abundance), we have all received, all had a share and were all supplied with, one Grace after another and Spiritual Blessing upon Spiritual Blessing and even favor upon favor and Gift heaped upon Gift. For while the Law was given through Moses, Grace (unearned, undeserved favor) and Spiritual Blessing and Truth came through Jesus Christ."
Many believers remain in the dark, concerning God's will for mankind. Some quote the Old Testament, others quote the New Testament, while others don't know any scriptures about God's will for us today. We are looking from Law to Grace, but cannot seem to separate the two things. The Holy Spirit gives us the entire picture of God's will, through the Life and ministry of Jesus. John 1:18 (Amplified) says, "No man has ever seen God at any time; the Only Unique Son, or the Only Begotten God, Who is in the bosom (in the intimate Presence of the Father), He has declared Him, He has revealed Him and brought Him out where He can be seen; He has interpreted Him and has made Him known."
When we see and know Jesus, we have seen and known the Father. Many cannot differentiate between the old covenant God and the new family Father. We seemingly forget that we're not the same people that God dealt with in the old covenant, but we are a new creation family. God didn't change. He changed us, in Christ Jesus. God no longer deals with us from the outside-in, but from the inside-out. Those under the Law, were still Spiritually dead and separated from God, because Adam's transgression brought death.
God's Grace has granted His new creation family, the things man could never keep in his fallen sin nature. God didn't change, but He changed us instead. Jesus' death and resurrection brought about more than our just "going to Heaven when we die." Jesus brought Heaven back to earth. If it was just about going to Heaven when we die, then God would have taken us to Heaven immediately after our being born-again. We've been created in His Image and Likeness, so we can continue the work that needs to be done, here on earth.
Christians have the responsibility to who and what we have been called and created to be. We are ambassadors of Christ and are His Personal representatives, declaring His Divine favor to the world and reconciling the world back to God. 2Corinthians 5:20 (Amplified) says, "It is our privilege through the Power of His Name to break down the strongholds of the enemy and restore righteousness and God's will once again to mankind through Grace in Jesus and the Father."
We've allowed the enemy to deceive us into thinking that, "If god wants something done, then He will just do it" and "We have no real purpose here on earth." There are so many things that the Body of Christ is responsible for on this earth, but has never taken up. We've been slack in voting for Christian leaders and haven't accepted the responsibility we have to do so. Many have decided that, "God will place whoever He wants into office, so why bother voting or praying for these persons."
We have the responsibility of knowing what God's will is and adjusting our way of thinking and doing His will. There are so many things happening in this world, that are not God's will. It's certainly God's will that we are born-again, but what happens to them after they're born-again? Do they just join a fellowship somewhere and refrain from anything else? Or, do they grow into mature sons and daughters of God, taking responsibility on this earth for God's Kingdom?
Jesus told His followers in Matthew 6:33 (Amplified), "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 taken together will be given you besides." What is His way of doing and being right? We read above in John 1:18, that Jesus revealed the Father to mankind, in a way that we can now see Him. What do you see?
When you see Jesus in His earthly ministry, do you see One Who is full of anger and bringing sickness on mankind? Or, do you see a Loving Father Who has come to bring us out of sickness and bondage? Do you see One Who condemns man for his failures, or One Who ministers Grace in our time of need? If you don't know Jesus as the Father has sent Him, then you don't know the One Who sent Him. The difference between God and "Father," is in His Power of Love to change us into His children and not just His people. When we become His children, our entire relationship with Him has changed. Many in the Body of Christ, still see God as only being God and not Father. God's entire reason for sending Jesus, was to bring us back as family, so He could suspend the judgment called for by Adam's disobedience. THIS IS GRACE AT IT'S BEST.
As we grow into mature sons and daughters of God, we're to take responsibility for our actions, by being led by His Spirit and corrected by His Word. We're to know Him, His Voice and His Word, in our every day lives. Baby Christians still do many things that aren't right, but that's what babies do. When we grow into mature Christians, we're required by family right, to adjust our lives by His Word.
Even the world has different standards which to judge between babies and adults. Babies get away with many things, because they don't know any better, but more is expected from them, as they grow into mature adults. This is what taking responsibility for who we are and the same is true in the Kingdom. Christians can't expect the world to know the difference between what they think is right and what "right" really is. The world sees many laws that have been placed on this nation as being right, but they're not right as the Father's way of doing and being right. We're responsible to bring about God's way, by voting for those who will make judgments and laws according to God's way. God has created a new kingdom here on earth, and we're responsible for holding it firm, by His Word and the not the world's word.
Proverbs 14:34 (Amplified) tells us, "Uprightness and right standing with God, moral and Spiritual rectitude in every area and relationship, elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to the people."
Proverbs 29:2 (Amplified) says, "When the uncompromisingly righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked man rules, the people groan and sigh." Part of our responsibility as Christian people, is to place righteous men and women into places of authority and then pray for God to lead them. The above scripture tells us that, "Walking in righteousness exalts a nation and turning from it brings distress and bondage from the enemy." We must become responsible to elect and pray for the people who hold office in our nation. The laws and statutes of this nation should reflect the laws and statutes of our Heavenly Father.
Continue praying for our government and leaders, as well as those in all nations. Don't side with ungodly people and place them in authority.
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