Life In His Name

John 20:30-31

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book;
but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

The most important part of these two verses is the phrase ‘in His Name’. We know that in the Bible, a name represents the essential nature of the individual or group. Thus, as true followers of Jesus the Christ, we are following in His nature — we must ‘be as He is’.

When we pray — and Paul says we should pray without ceasing [1 Thessalonians 5:17] — we pray in Jesus name. Indeed, we may find ourselves in constant communion with the Holy Spirit without realising it. This meditation is not the place to discuss all aspects of our prayer life, but I must say that I have found benefit to my spirit; found a greater power and a stronger connection to Jesus when I believe myself to be praying in His name. Even saying the words, brings an energy to spoken prayer.

John makes it plain that life in the Spirit is only possible if we are filled with Jesus’ nature, Jesus’ Holy Spirit. In this way we are raised up into His Holiness — holy as He is Holy. The word used by John for life is the Greek ‘Zoe’, a translation of which says ‘life, real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever.’ This is ‘being as He is’ and we know it, we can feel it.

John chapter 20 is revealed as the summation of Jesus’ purpose and the pattern that He establishes for His ongoing work in us after His resurrection. Through Him we are given new life, and here we see the spiritual path till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; [Ephesians 4:13]

• When the stone is rolled away from our old life and the light shines in the darkness we are released from our old life into a new spirit-filled way of being.
• Even if we have known the religious life, the Holy Spirit comes as such a revelation, a life that we begin to mature into, with our Lord’s inaudible voice speaking to our inmost being. You cannot touch it, shape it or save it. Instead He touches, shapes and saves you — but only as you allow.
• The learning process continues as you begin understanding His presence in the midst of you, driving out fear and bringing peace.
• Such is the glorious mystery of His presence, that even as we believe, yet we can doubt. Can it really be true? The voice of our old life can try to infiltrate and insinuate its way back in. That is where our work begins in earnest — by co-labouring with Christ to keep us in His Way, hearing and obeying His truth, which will nurture and blossom into the fullness of His Life.
• These four steps are His creative work, which are covered and sealed by His amazing grace unto us. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. [Ephesians 4:7]

MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS

JOHN 10:10-11
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.“
1 JOHN 3:1-3
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

SPIRIT LEAD ME — Michael Ketterer + Influence Music

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PRAYER requires FAITH

STATE DEFINITELY TO yourself the things that are confused; note the things that are not clear black and white. There are no problems at all over right and wrong. Human life is not made up of right and wrong, but of things which are not quite clear. Stand in faith that what Jesus said is true — everyone who asks receives. If the friendship of God is shrouded and it looks as if He is not going to do anything, then remain mute. The real problems are very heavy. Remember, God has bigger issues at stake on the ground of redemption than the particular setting in which we ask.
[from ‘The Place of Help’ by Oswald Chambers]

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