Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
(1 John 2:6 NIV)Some might interpret the gift of salvation as something that enables us to barely make it through life and into heaven, but Scripture speaks of something so much higher. In Christ, we are empowered to live as Jesus did!
So, how did He live? There are many aspects of the answer to this question. Jesus lived in extraordinary godliness and power. He walked in wisdom and creativity, and He influenced His society. But today I want to stir your faith by looking at one facet of Jesus’s approach to life: He met the needs of the world around Him.
Throughout His time on the earth, Jesus healed the sick, cleansed the diseased, delivered people from bondage, opened blind eyes and deaf ears, made the mute speak and the crippled walk, multiplied food to feed the hungry, and even raised the dead. He had been sent to bring abundant life (see John 10:10), and anywhere lack or devastation threatened, He brought restoration.
We may know and even celebrate this. But we often miss the remarkable follow-up. Because Jesus—this One who walked in power and reversed the course of loss and lack—then charged us, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21 NKJV).
You and I are empowered (commissioned, even!) to carry the miraculous power of God into our world. There are so many who hurt and suffer around us. We are God’s response to their need.
How are we supposed to do this? Through the free gift of God’s grace! The Bible records of the early church, “And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33 NKJV).
All throughout the New Testament, we read of God’s people walking in His power to bring wholeness to the broken. This same power is made available to every believer, including you and me. Whether a person faced an issue of physical ailment or spiritual distress, God wants us to see ourselves as carriers of His redemption.
Do you believe this? Are you ready to live it out? What would it look like for you to enter into a life of greater power and love?
Source: Relentless: The Power You Need to Never Give Up by John Bevere
Excerpt permission granted by Messenger International.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Excerpt permission granted by Messenger International.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
John is an international minister and best selling author known for his bold and uncompromising approach to God's Word. His resources have been translated into over 110 languages, and over 40 million copies have been given away worldwide. When he's home in Nashville, you can find John playing competitive card games with his four sons or trying to convince Lisa to take up golf.
