AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD

1 John 4:17
In this love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so are we in this world. (WEB)

The destiny of every believer is to be conformed into the image of the Son (Romans 8:29). In Galatians 2:20, the Apostle Paul declared that he no longer lived, but it was Christ who lived in Him. In today's Scripture passage, the Apostle John tells us that God's love has been made perfect among us. The perfect love that resides in Jesus, resides in us as well. As He is, so are we in this world.

The New Living Translation expresses 1 John 4:7 this way... And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. (NLT) Think about this statement for a moment. The plan and purpose of our God and Father is that we would ALL live just like Jesus lives in this world.

As Jesus lives in the love of His Father (John 15:9), we are called to remain in His love too. As Jesus came to fulfill the mandate of Isaiah 61, so should it be our mandate as well. As Jesus lives in a constant state of communion with His Dad, so can we because we are in Christ (John 17:23).

My prayer today is that we would not put all kinds of pressure on ourselves to live some kind of 'super Christian' life. We are not called to copy the works of Jesus, but simply yield to His life that is already in us. As He is, so are we in this world. May our soul (mind, will, emotions) catch up to the reality of our spirit man which is seated in heavenly places in Christ right now (Ephesians 2:6).

Wherever we go, He goes because He lives in us. We don't have to 'try' to be like Christ, we are like Him because we have been baptized into His body. May each one of us be aware of His abiding presence today so that we can have the freedom to simply be a unique expression of Christ in us... the hope of glory wherever we go (Colossians 1:27).

John 14:12-14
12 Most certainly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to my Father. 13 Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it. (WEB)