In Matthew 16 Jesus said, "I
will build my church." He is the one that builds the church. We are
workers together with Him. It is a progressive work. God is forming His
likeness within us, "We are built upon the foundation of the apostles
and the prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone."
Ephesians 2:20.
Now we are the body of Christ,
and members in particular.
1Corinthians 12:27
The church that the Lord is building consists of individuals like us,
who have a relationship with the Lord and are being built together in
God for a reason. God has revealed to us His reason and purpose sufficient
for us to live and manifest Him in this world.
1Peter 2:5 "You as living
stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer
up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
God has determined that He
will impart His nature and His character to us through a relationship
based on identity. Identity is one of the most powerful influences that
result in our spiritual transformation. Identity with Jesus Christ in
all ways is essential for a lasting, meaningful, life transformation.
We all live in accordance with our perceived identity.
Jesus said, "Out
of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34
No one can consistently behave in a way that is in conflict with how he
perceives himself. Basically what you do is what you believe.
We have a confidence; a calm
assurance that we have laid hold of the promises of God. We possess a
certainty that we will see the promises come to pass. We enjoy being heirs
of the promise along with faithful Abraham; the father of our faith.
We have patience based on the assurance that we have sufficient faith
to mix with the word that is preached. Our faith is established in Christ
and given validity in our ability to receive and manifest the word of
God. We are in a time of preparation for the greatest victory that we
have ever known - the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have need
of patience so that, after we have done the will of God, (after we have
exercised our faith in action) we might receive the fulfillment of the
promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall appear will appear
(in the manner that we understand).
We have been tried and we have
been tested. We have been made rich in wisdom, rich in knowledge and
in experience. We count ourselves to be among "them who by patient
continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, and
receive eternal life." Romans 2:7
Because we have found and continue
to find our identity in Jesus Christ we are equipped to do the work of
the church in the world fulfilling the plan of God for His people. We
are to consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not
forsaking the assembling of ourselves together and exhorting one another."
Hebrews 10:24 We are to go into the world and preach the gospel to every
creature. (Galatians 6:10) encourages us to do good to all people, especially
unto them who are of the household of faith. The work of the church is
to bless people, and to do good unto all people. We can meet the needs
of the people because we understand that it is God's intention to have
a people.
Now is the time to reveal through
your life the character and nature of the Lord as never before. We need
to believe more deeply and more fully participate in the transformation
of our soul. It is a work of the spirit but your life must be fully engaged.
We have seen how believing has worked in our lives to reveal Jesus Christ
and to transform the substance of our experience. Our lives have become
a confession that Jesus Christ is alive in us.
Eternal life is working in
us now. God's Spirit abides with us. We experience eternal life as faith
in action. What could be more real, more powerful, more joyful?
To believe more deeply has always been the challenge, but as you seek
the Lord He will reveal it. What we see, what we believe, we can live
and express. The revelation in your mind and heart; your faith can be
given expression. We are pursuing understanding and insight with a greater
intensity. Our heart-felt desire is to be able to live in the Spirit,
and doing so to also walk in the Spirit. "Let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven."
*For more information on this topic simply E-mail Michael Brod at: michaelbrod@hotmail.com
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GOD HAS CHOSEN: BY MICHAEL BROD