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First John 4:17 says, “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.”

So many people are motivated by the thought, “if I can only show God that I love Him more.”  Yet 1 John 4:19 says,We love Him because He first loved us.  Some translators even leave out Him. Therefore it would say, “We love because He first loved us.” Our motivation or focus should never be that we need to love God more, but we must focus on how much God loves us. And we can only love Him, “because He first loved us.”  Even 2 Corinthians 5:14 says, “For the love of Christ compels us.” It’s all about His love for us.

First John 4 talks at length about the love of God. He says in verse 12, “No one has seen God at any time.” Yet in verse 16 it says, “God is love.” How can we see the perfect love of God?  John continues in verse 12 and says, “If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.”  The way all people on this earth will know the love of God is by you and I understanding, receiving, and walking in His love for us.

John says in verse 17, “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.”  I believe that New Covenant believers, who know who they are in Christ, and who know their authority in the earth—should never be concerned about the Day of Judgment.

Verse 16 says, “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.”  We know that God is love and when you abide in His love for you, you are—as Jesus is—in this world.

Choose to embrace this truth, “as He is, so are we in this world.” Imagine how your world would change? You can change anything in your life, by changing the way you think.  But this is especially true when you choose to think like God.

Therefore, if we are as He is, then what is Jesus?  Ephesians 1:22-23 says, “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”  Jesus is the Head of the body, who is the church in the earth today.  And we know that every supply the Head has, is available to the body, the church; and, we should walk in it. 

Let me ask you a question:  Is the Head, Christ Jesus, the Son of the Living God—sick?  Does He have lack?  Is He discouraged about anything?  No! Christ, the Head of the body of Christ, the church—is always healed and whole…always blessed and always encouraged.  Therefore, the body of Christ (Jesus being our Head) should be whole, blessed and encouraged in the Lord. Right? 

You may say, “If that is true, why am I sick, in lack, and depressed?” One of the most important things that Jesus purchased for us at the cross was the freedom to choose to be free from satan’s bondage. We now have the right to choose, and the enemy doesn’t want you to choose freedom, so comes the struggle. 

You have the right to choose to draw from the supply of Jesus.  You also have the right to choose to blame God because you are sick, in lack and depressed. God will not make you be encouraged.  First Samuel 30:6 says, “Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened (or encouraged) himself in the LORD his God.” Has someone talked against you? Then encourage yourself with the Word of God.

Your mind and body may not yet have caught up with the Truth of God’s supply flowing out of Jesus the Head, down to His body, the church. Do you see yourself as connected to the life flow from our Head (Jesus), or do you see yourself only with the circumstances or condition of your current situation? 

You should glance at the problems you face in this world—which are only temporary, but learn to gaze steadily at the Word of God—which is eternal.  Psalm 119:89 says, “Forever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in heaven.” 

Begin to realize the depth, width and height of God’s love for you.  If you are not established in the fact that God loves you, you will not believe that God has provided for your every need through the finished work of the cross.  If you doubt God’s love, you will not believe that He will take care of you. 

When you look at things around you, know that “as He is, so are (you) in this world.”  Jesus found money in the fish’s mouth (Matt. 17:27).  Jesus spoke to the storm on the sea and the storm ceased (Mark 4:39).  Jesus healed all who were sick (Matt. 8:16).  These are descriptions of Jesus on the earth, and His position is now in heaven, and John said, “as He is, so are we in this world.”  

God loves you and His “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17)  …Think about it!

Worship & Word Fellowship & Ministries, Inc.
All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission

Author Biography

Bill Hanshew
Web site: Bill Hanshew Ministries
 
Dr. Bill Hanshew started preaching at the age of 17, was a youth pastor at the age of 18 and was a senior pastor at the age of 20. Bill loves to preach, teach, write and lead worship.
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