Understanding Our Inheritance
It seems to be time for believers in Jesus to realize and to spend their inheritance in Him. The riches of our inheritance mentioned in Ephesians are not to be spent later, but are "in the bank" for today. Jesus was raised from the dead so that we would have access. We do acknowledge the truth of what Jesus has done, but don't really experience it, and we have been satisfied with that position. This needs to change.
The excerpt below is from a recent book titled "Releasing the Power of Jesus". He says it so well, that I am sharing it here. You can find this along with other very meaningful insights on www.bjm.org. Does it challenge you to want to begin to spend your inheritance?
Understanding our inheritance begins with discovering the deeper purpose for our salvation. Many new believers stay immature because they never progress beyond the revelation that they are sinners saved by grace. By progress I don’t mean “to leave behind,” but “to build upon.” Those who progress are those who understand that God’s highest purpose for the Cross was not merely to forgive us of sin. It was so that, by forgiving us on the basis of Christ’s blood, He could invite us back into an intimate family relationship with Him, our Heavenly Father. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (emphasis mine). This legal standing of relationship to God as His sons and daughters is precisely what gives us an inheritance. Romans 8:14-17 explains this simply:
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
The fact that we are heirs of God is mind-boggling. But we must not be content to read these verses and be awed by them. They prophesy our potential, a potential that we must pursue throughout our entire lives. John 1:12 says we have the right to become the children of God. When God invites us into relationship with Him, He is inviting us into a process of becoming, of transformation. This transformation can be measured in our lives because in Jesus Christ we have the model of who we’re becoming as the children of God. We see it later in Romans 8:29: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” We have the right to become like Christ, our Elder Brother. We are destined to be fully restored to the image and likeness of God, in which we were originally created.
Through salvation we are also restored to our original purpose—the purpose that flows naturally from our restored identity and relationship with God. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Works cannot save us, but without the fruit of good works in our lives, we lack the evidence that identifies us as a new creation in Christ. Just as God’s nature is revealed in what He does, the evidence that we are being transformed into His likeness is that we reveal His nature in what we do.
What are these good works? It’s too easy to reduce Jesus’ teaching to what is humanly possible. While we love to feed the poor, clothe the naked, and visit those in need (such acts of kindness are essential expressions of the Christian life), we refuse to let them satisfy that internal drive for effective service. He specifically used the term “good works” to describe the miracles, signs, and wonders He performed. Jesus modeled these works for us. He didn’t design a new hearing aid or train a Seeing Eye dog. He healed the deaf and the blind. This overwhelming conclusion about “good works” comes from a thorough study of the Gospel of John. These good works not only reveal Jesus to be the Anointed One, the Christ, they also reveal the specific nature of His relationship with His Father, as He explained in John 14:8-12:
Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us."
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
It can’t be stated more plainly. Those who believe in Him will demonstrate signs and wonders. But even more so, His declaration implies that those who believe will walk in the same kind of relationship with the Father and possess the same anointing of the Spirit as He did. That is, we are called to minister as Jesus ministered because, through His death and resurrection, we have access to everything He had available to Him to do good works. He prophesied this to His disciples and to us when He said, “As the Father has sent me, I also send you” (John 20:21).
Excerpts from Release the Power of Jesus, portion of Chapter 2
by Bill Johnson
The excerpt below is from a recent book titled "Releasing the Power of Jesus". He says it so well, that I am sharing it here. You can find this along with other very meaningful insights on www.bjm.org. Does it challenge you to want to begin to spend your inheritance?
Understanding our inheritance begins with discovering the deeper purpose for our salvation. Many new believers stay immature because they never progress beyond the revelation that they are sinners saved by grace. By progress I don’t mean “to leave behind,” but “to build upon.” Those who progress are those who understand that God’s highest purpose for the Cross was not merely to forgive us of sin. It was so that, by forgiving us on the basis of Christ’s blood, He could invite us back into an intimate family relationship with Him, our Heavenly Father. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (emphasis mine). This legal standing of relationship to God as His sons and daughters is precisely what gives us an inheritance. Romans 8:14-17 explains this simply:
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
The fact that we are heirs of God is mind-boggling. But we must not be content to read these verses and be awed by them. They prophesy our potential, a potential that we must pursue throughout our entire lives. John 1:12 says we have the right to become the children of God. When God invites us into relationship with Him, He is inviting us into a process of becoming, of transformation. This transformation can be measured in our lives because in Jesus Christ we have the model of who we’re becoming as the children of God. We see it later in Romans 8:29: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” We have the right to become like Christ, our Elder Brother. We are destined to be fully restored to the image and likeness of God, in which we were originally created.
Through salvation we are also restored to our original purpose—the purpose that flows naturally from our restored identity and relationship with God. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Works cannot save us, but without the fruit of good works in our lives, we lack the evidence that identifies us as a new creation in Christ. Just as God’s nature is revealed in what He does, the evidence that we are being transformed into His likeness is that we reveal His nature in what we do.
What are these good works? It’s too easy to reduce Jesus’ teaching to what is humanly possible. While we love to feed the poor, clothe the naked, and visit those in need (such acts of kindness are essential expressions of the Christian life), we refuse to let them satisfy that internal drive for effective service. He specifically used the term “good works” to describe the miracles, signs, and wonders He performed. Jesus modeled these works for us. He didn’t design a new hearing aid or train a Seeing Eye dog. He healed the deaf and the blind. This overwhelming conclusion about “good works” comes from a thorough study of the Gospel of John. These good works not only reveal Jesus to be the Anointed One, the Christ, they also reveal the specific nature of His relationship with His Father, as He explained in John 14:8-12:
Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us."
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
It can’t be stated more plainly. Those who believe in Him will demonstrate signs and wonders. But even more so, His declaration implies that those who believe will walk in the same kind of relationship with the Father and possess the same anointing of the Spirit as He did. That is, we are called to minister as Jesus ministered because, through His death and resurrection, we have access to everything He had available to Him to do good works. He prophesied this to His disciples and to us when He said, “As the Father has sent me, I also send you” (John 20:21).
Excerpts from Release the Power of Jesus, portion of Chapter 2
by Bill Johnson
Tags: anointing, authority, believer, faith, good, grace, inheritance, salvation, signs, wonders
Comment
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Comment by Marion Clark Ingram on April 17, 2009 at 2:15pm -
Hi Carolyn. Yes, often I use the Bible when I fellowship with the Lord, but at other times I do not for one reason or the other. I believe John 1:1 with all of my heart..." In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Therefore, I went on to do as David did and "hid the Word in my heart that I may not sin against Him." Sometimes I seek Him when I'm sitting in the park reading something else, or when I'm enjoying classical music or jazz, or even while I'm watching the news. So often the Spirit of God comes upon me when I am watching the news or some other program and gives me insight or revelation about some totally unrelated matter. I am open to Him always; so He comes when He pleases because he knows that He is ever welcome in my life. He speaks to me in very precise thoughts, or He impresses me with a particular Bible story, or a specific verse, or a vision, or the memory of a past experience as the answer to a situation. He also gives me instructions and directions in like manner. I am not afraid to say that I hear Him speaking to me because "His sheep Know His voice.
Of course, I pray and speak in other tongues. It is a gift and a calling assigned to the prophetic office that I administrate. It is so important that I hear and teach others to hear by the spirit from the Spirit because many false voices are speaking today, even our own thoughts.
When I commune/fellowship with Father, I praise and worship Him, and speak His Word forth, and pray in tongues. I can feel the "pump being primed" for some real intimacy and communication which never fails. it's the same when we are in group/corporate prayer. Words of knowledge and wisdom and prophesy come forth while we are praying. Some receive answers through visions and songs, and these answers and "words" have been or are being fulfilled. We experience and obtain so much in His presence because we don't run in and run out, but we tarry with Him unencumbered. Sometimes, it takes time to move through the realms, but the fellowship, itself, is worth its weight in gold!
I have found that "when we draw nigh to Him, that He always draws nigh to us."
Blessings!
Marion
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Comment by Carolyn on April 16, 2009 at 3:20am -
Marion, there are so many that claim to know him, and to hear him, but yet have no power operating. That isn't the way its supposed to be.
Its refreshing to hear that the Lord is still working the way he did from the beginning of the church. Your word's remind me of Smith's words, "Only Believe"... and its as simple as that.
I assume this comes out of your special time spent with the Lord. When you do fellowship with him, do you use your Bible? How does he speak to you thru it?
Do you pray or speak to God in other tongues? How do you find that experience operates in you? Do you mind sharing?
You are a bessing! Carolyn
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Comment by Marion Clark Ingram on April 13, 2009 at 7:37am
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I have not always had the luxury to wait for the corporate body to decide if it believes that God does or will heal and deliver in desperate situations; so I go ahead and pray the prayer of faith and declare God's will and watch Him manifest. He has given each of us "the measure of faith," and I dare not waste it.
Once again, I have received several reports of healings (spiritual, physical, emotional) that occured at my home on Good Friday after I was led to read Hebrews 4 and to pray. The Lord revealed to me that if I would bring the group into an anointed prayer time that He would destroy the yokes that prolonged counseling and therapy had not accomplished in some situations. "Healing is the children's bread" which is to be received by faith. From the beginning of the year, individuals from this group have been receiving promotions, new job offers, starting new businesses with a flourish, and initiating new groups. We simply practice what Jesus taught, and we encourage others to do the same...be it corporately or individually. As we enter into the rest of the Lord, we see Him move. We have procrastinated far too long concerning the promises of God.
The power of God that we see in the lives of those who simply believe is amazing! Yes, actions still speak louder than words.
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Comment by Ron Kellington on April 12, 2009 at 10:59pm - Thanks for the well wishes, Carolyn.. I appreciate your wisdom and insight. .. and the things you share. There have been many times the things you shared have stirred my inner man. Keep turning into Him... He is enough.
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Comment by Carolyn on April 12, 2009 at 10:42pm
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There is a good point in this that can be missed when we read scripture. English uses you as both plural and singular, and sometimes we need to read it in the plural sense rather than the singular. These things of the kingdom of God seem to be more powerfully manifest in the corporate setting or the corporate agreement.
However there is an application of them quite available to the believer alone. Andrew Wommack has a good teaching ministry. He is not as "corporate" focused as Bill Johnson, but his ministry in the power of the word in a believer results in the miraculous in individual operation that sometimes isn't manifest even in the corporate prayers of the body of Christ.
Its interesting how that works, because sometimes a person is called to stand alone against everyone and everything else they have received, and hold to what is revealed to them from scripture concerning the things promised in the word to them. Andrew's website www.awmi.net has a link to "Healing Testimonies" on the left side of the page. They are short videos that dialogue some dramatic events especially in ministering healing for one's little children.
I know Ron, that you are finally having some success at gathering a body of believers together there. I pray that you all will enjoy the journey into the inheritance of the kingdom as you grow!
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Comment by Ron Kellington on April 12, 2009 at 10:18pm
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I fear that some reading Bill J's article there will be reading through a typical western set of mind filters...
which are usually based on an independent, individualistic lifelstyle.... like I can do this on my own, by myself. .. wrong... it can only happen corporately.. Our Lord's Body is Corporate.. we, each of us, you
and me, are but members individually in this glorious Body in need of one another. The point he makes
is very true.. but it needs to be applied correctly...corporately, and by means of His Life living in us corporately.
Ps.24:6 Ron
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Comment by Carolyn on April 12, 2009 at 9:40pm
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Amen to both of you, Catherine and Marion! Thank you for sharing your views. The reason we need power is because we have an enemy... our soul has an enemy who comes to destroy peace and prosperity and bring distress and pain.
I love the prayer of Jabez for its focus on being at once a prosperous person of increasing influence and at the same time not causing pain. These riches are not built on the backs of those who have been taken advantage of.and oppressed. The prosperity of his servants is found in peace.
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Comment by Marion Clark Ingram on April 12, 2009 at 5:52pm
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Yes, Carolyn, these are the works that those of us in the Kingdom who have any measure of maturity should be doing on a daily basis. We should be doing the works of Jesus because "Christ in us is the hope of glory."
I agree with the reflections by Bill Johnson that possibly our modern technologies and inventions ( hearing aids and seeing eye dogs) have hindered the need to manifest the works of the Father. All things are good in their place and time, but when will the children of God shew forth the power of God? Jesus' calling card was healing. Whenever He showed up healings and miracles were the order of the day. Mark 16:20 says, "And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following." The signs that followed Jesus' ministry were masses being brought into the Kingdom; the dead were raised; blind eyes came opened, the deaf were made to hear; the lame walked; the dumb talked, demoniacs were set free. We name the name of Jesus, but we expect our miracles from the surgeons, and psychologists, and psychiatrists, and physicians, and therapists, and counselors, and "life coaches."
Father, please help us to reclaim our inheritance!
The reason that I never hold a meeting of any kind without allowing the Spirit of God to manifest the works of the Father is because all of these years one of His reiterations to me has been I Corinthians 4:20 "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." God is faithful when we expect Him to be. I have seen more/greater works through children than I have seen through adults. Go figure?!
We teach and preach, theorize, philosophize, dissect, interject, translate and even interpret and reinterpret the Word of God, but where are those that are allowing these very words to come alive as Jesus did. Of course many are doing so, but many more are not. They are just having a "Wordfest." The world rejects powerlessness, as it should. But the body of Christ should not be categorized as such because there is still power in the Blood.
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Comment by Catherine Howell on April 12, 2009 at 9:18am -
He really does work, through us. The enemy of our souls would have us believe that we are powerless. We are, but The Lord is not. He is The Mighty King!
Thank you for sharing this, Carolyn.
catherine
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