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."
In John 8:9 (Amplified), we see the True Identity of God our Father is revealed to His family, through Jesus. Thus, it says, "Then they said to [Jesus], Where is this Father of Yours? Jesus answered, You know My Father as little as you know Me, if you knew Me, you would know My Father also."
Keep this scripture in mind, while reading the New Testament and realize that GOd deals with us differently than He dealt with those under the old covenant. Don't get caught up in trying to walk and live under the Law. We are God's Own children, who live by faith and Grace. This is the Truth that comes through Jesus, according to Romans 4:13 (Amplified), which says, "For the Promise to Abraham or his posterity, that he should inherit the world, did not come through observing the commandments of the Law, but through the righteousness of faith." In Romans 4:16 (Amplified), Paul states this Truth, "Therefore, inheriting the Promise is the outcome of faith, and depends entirely on faith, in order that it might be given as an act of Grace (unmerited favor), to make it stable and valid and guaranteed TO ALL his descendants."
If we were still under Law, this Promise would only be to those descendants, but under Grace, it's guaranteed TO ALL who are descendants by Grace. 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."
The Kingdom of God and His way of doing and being right, is something we need to seek after, "first of all." God Kingdom (the Kingdom of Heaven) has a way of operating, that cannot and does not change. God will not alter His Word or His Kingdom, even for us. God's Word is "forever settled in Heaven," according to Psalm 119:89,130 (Amplified) which says, "Forever O Lord, Your Word is settled in Heaven, stands firm as the Heavens." Verse 130 tells us, "The entrance and unfolding of Your Word gives Light; their unfolding gives understand, discernment and comprehension to the simple."
Isaiah 1:18-19 (Amplified) says, "Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins be like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land." It's difficult to be willing and obedient, if you don't know how the Kingdom operates or what we're to be obedient to. This might sound strange to some, but if we're not operating in God's way of doing and being right, then we're not obedient.
God's Kingdom operates on faith and faith alone. We can't work our way into God's Blessing and Promise. We must by faith, simply accept them, by faith in His Word. We've been trying to get to "Heaven to move," by our works, when Heaven has already moved by what Jesus has already done. All of God's Promises operate by faith in Jesus' Finished Word. 2Corinthians 1:20 (Amplified) says, "For as many as are the Promises of God, they ALL find their Yes Answer in Him (Christ), for this reason we also utter the Amen (So be it), to God through Him (in His Person and by His Agency), to the Glory of God."
Isaiah 55:8-9 (Amplified) tells us, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts." This is why we are to "seek first God's way of doing and being right." God has a way that His Kingdom runs. We're to seek out His ways from God's Word and then walk in that. Jesus had no problem walking in the Promises, because He was always in the Temple, learning and understanding God's ways. Paul walked in the ways of God and knew that God's ways were higher than Saul's ways. When Paul reasoned with God with God's reasoning, he realized that the Law was no longer relevant, but it was now Grace, even to the Gentiles.
Few understood Paul, because he did things by God's way of doing and being right. God's Kingdom isn't some confused, unorthodox Spiritual Land, where we will float around on clouds. God's Kingdom (which we're now a part), has rules, laws, and governments that aren't run by majority rule. God's government rests on the shoulders of Jesus and the shoulders are in the Body. We need to learn the government of God's Kingdom and walk in it. In Matthew 18:18 (Amplified) Jesus says, "Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare improper and unlawful on earth, must be what is already forbidden in Heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth, must be what is already permitted in Heaven."
When you seek first of all God and His way of doing and being right and God's Kingdom, then all of these things besides will be added unto you, according to Matthew 6:33. It's been easier for believers to
No comments:
Post a Comment