The Common Struggle

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond-servant, and coming in the likeness of men." Philippians 2:5-7

One of the greatest misunderstanding we have of Jesus is thinking that all the great things He did while in the earth was done because He was God in the flesh. As long as we keep His humanity at a distance we will never unlock our own potential in the kingdom of God.

Jesus told His disciples that they would do "greater things" than what He did while on the earth. He assured them time and again that they could operate in God's power and gave them authority over sickness, and demons. As long as they walked in faith and in what Jesus proclaimed them to be - nothing could stand in their way.

Don't you find it interesting that after Jesus was baptized and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him that He went into the wilderness to be tempted? This was a necessary part of His obedience to the Father so that He could become the High Priest that we needed. Hebrews 4:15, "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." Jesus showed that through the power of the Holy Spirit (becoming completely reliant upon His work in life) we can overcome any temptation the enemy throws our way. It doesn't matter what the temptation is or what form it comes in: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, or the pride of life; each of them can be overcome if we will submit to the perfecting work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

I know that Jesus was God in the flesh. However, He chose to operate as a man. His body grew weak, He was hungry and thirsty, He felt pain, and He knew sorrow. And even though He could say "I and my Father are one" - He chose to operate as a servant of God through the power of God flowing in His life.

Please don't miss this! Jesus chose the title "Son of Man" so often. He didn't run around saying that He was the Son of God. He could have! He also could have called down legions of angels to deliver Him from the agony of the cross. He could have stopped Pilate in his tracks. There's so much He could have done but chose to operate on the basis of faith, submission, obedience, and dependency upon His Father.

Should we be any different?

Trust me when I say that our common enemy doesn't want us to operate in this knowledge. One of the greatest temptations that we face is living a life that is far below what God has intended. If the enemy can get us to think that we are less than what Jesus says we are then he will keep our possibilities limited. But if we can learn to operate in life the way Jesus did - trusting that what He spoke over His followers is true for us as well - then our possibilities are limitless!

I can see the church beginning to think this way again. I'm excited about the opportunities that are happening right now in kingdom minded believers. There has been a lack of spiritual reality in the church for far too long. We have turned our members over to the mercy of surgeons, their spiritual growth to the ability of programs, and their faith experience over to our convenient planning. May God forgive us for limiting Him in the lives of others.

Almighty God,
I thank You that Your Word is truth. What You spoke to us through Your Son is true in our lives. It's the knowledge of this truth that sets us free to live for You.
I pray that You will continue to unleash Your power in our lives. May the children of God begin to live in the authority that You have given to them. May we see the Holy Spirit as more than just a seal over us but as the life source within us.
I pray that Your followers will begin to operate as the early church. May we never leave opportunities untouched. May we walk in the faith that You have granted. And may we see the Kingdom of God advanced in our generation.
Until Your Coming - In Jesus' Name,
Amen.