CHAPTER 9
THE PLAN
For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to
be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be
the firstborn among many brethren.
This final verse in our study is really the key; the overall
plan; the will of God. It is the desire of God the Father,
indeed the requirement, that we be formed in the image of His
Son. This works in tandem: first, God must see us as He sees
His own Son if we are to fellowship with Him intimately.
Secondly, for any of God's promises to be effective, the Devil
must also see us as though he were seeing Christ. This principle
actually reveals the meaning of "foreknowledge" and
"predestination."
Much time could be spent attempting to explicate these
doctrines, Romans 8:29 easily interprets itself, however, so we
need not spend much time doing so. "Foreknow" simply means
(known before hand). Certainly the conscientious Bible student
recognizes that God the Father knows us from before our
existence. Since our God is omniscient, and knew us before we
existed, He chose to "predestinate" - predetermined - that we, as
His offspring, should look like [resemble] His only begotten Son.
This is, in fact, literally what Romans 8:29 proclaims: "For
whom He did foreknow [before hand], He also did predestinate
[predetermine] to be conformed to the image of His Son." Our
concern, therefore, should not be predestination, but our
resemblance to Christ.
CONFORMED
The Greek word for "conformed" in Romans 8:29 means (jointly
formed). It comes from two words; (union) and (together). Thus,
(harmony) or (to harmonize) would be a proper rendering. The
Greek usage actually comes from a word which means in (shape) or
(nature). Thus, we who are "the called" are [have been]
predetermined to be formed or shaped in the "image" of Christ.
IMAGE
The Greek rendering of "image" in our verse simply means "in
likeness," such as a statue or profile. It comes from a base
meaning (to resemble). God, of course, created man in His own
"image,"1 and likewise we are new creations,2 made to
(resemble) Christ our Lord.
Some may assume we began to resemble Christ when we were
born again; such, however, is not the case. For the born again
Believer, spiritual death occurred with Christ upon the cross
which is when, and where, we "crucified the flesh with the
affections and lusts."3 It is because of the cross we begin to
resemble Christ who gave His life for us. Keep in mind, however,
that Romans 8:29 confirms that this resemblance was
"predetermined" before creation.
An excellent comparison to this doctrine is that of David's
explanation of conception in the mother's womb. He confirmed
that before actual conception, our existence; even our form I.E.
physical measurements, intellect, personality etc., were all
known and recorded by God.4 Such is likewise true of salvation.
God has before ordained that we should resemble His eternal
nature in His Son once born into His kingdom. Additionally, as
Christ was the image of God,5 so we now have been given the
image of His Son according to Romans 8:29.
"Why," one might ask, "do we not resemble Christ as much as
we ought?" The answer is revealed in the mystery of prayer as we
partner with the Holy Spirit. His ministry is to "help" us when
we pray. One might find it interesting to note that part of the
word translated in the King James Version as "helpeth" in Romans
8:26 is also found in the Greek word rendered "conformed" in
verse (29) of Romans 8. In another words, the Holy Spirit
harmonizes with our prayers to "make intercession" which is in
agreement with God's will and plan. His ministry, therefore, is
one of bringing unity in the spirit through prayer. If we are to
interpret Romans 8:29 correctly, we must conclude that a lack of
prayer promotes less resemblance, less profile, less likeness.
If we will pray with, and in, the Spirit, however, it will
produce a greater resemblance to that of our Lord Christ. Such
is the plan [will] of God.
IMITATORS
My dad had ligaments severed through an accident on the ring
finger of his right hand as a youth. The damage had never been
repaired. Consequently the finger pulled inward, shortening it,
and although he had full use of the finger and hand, the middle
knuckle was always raised about a half an inch when all the other
fingers were stretched flat. I always tried imitating the
likeness of my Dad's hand by trying to bend my finger. It took
practice, but I managed to accomplish it some of the time. Why
did I do it? To be like my Dad, of course!
Paul commanded us to "be "followers" of Christ."6 The
Greek word translated "followers" in Paul's epistle to the
Ephesians is literally (imitators). Somehow we have gotten the
idea that such conduct would indicate spiritual illegitimacy.
Yet clearly we are commanded to imitate our Lord. Stranger yet
is our Lord's revelation that if we were to believe in Him, not
only would we be able to do the works which He did while upon
earth, but even greater works would we do, because He, Jesus, was
going to the father.7 Lest He be misunderstood, He went one
step further; confessing that if we would ask any thing in His
name, that is, (as we went about doing His works), He would do it
that the Father might be glorified in the Son.8 If we plan to
obey Him, apparently Jesus knew we would be imitating Him in the
process of doing His works.
The results of imitating my Dad were first: identity; I
looked like my Dad. If you didn't think so, just ask Mom; she
said so. Having identity with my father was personally rewarding
because he was well liked, had many friends, and was respected by
others. To be identified with him, therefore, afforded me the
same; to a lesser degree, but the same nonetheless. It felt good
to hear someone say, "That's Willie's kid...just like his Dad,
isn't he?
A second benefit of imitating my Dad was intimacy. When I
hear my children repeating word-for-word something I have said,
or rehearsing a joke they heard their Dad tell, I become more
sensitive since I know they are listening; watching; doing. This
results in personal fondness and draws me to them intimately. As
they imitate their Dad, I see myself in them and thus I responde
affectionately. I am sure my Dad felt the same way, too, as I
imitated him.
In a very real sense, it is also true with our Heavenly
Father. When we identify ourselves with Him - act, talk, think,
work - as He does, intimacy results. The Father hears His
children talking - saying the same words - as He has proclaimed
in His Word and He listens. he sees us walking in His ways and
He desires to walk with us in fellowship. When such occurs,
spiritual intimacy flows. This is the true meaning of "Submit
yourselves therefore to God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee
from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you."9 We
need to be careful whom we imitate, however. We need to be
absolutely sure we are indeed imitating Him and not another;
another preacher, another teacher, another man, another friend.
To imitate the wrong "One" - resemble the wrong "image" - would
produce something far different than spiritual intimacy with God.
If we are going to walk as Jesus walked, talk as Jesus talked,
and live as Jesus lived, in order that we might experience
spiritual intimacy with Him, we need to make sure we know who
Jesus is.
PERSON
For one claiming to be a "Bible Believer," we willingly and
eagerly acknowledge our Lord's deity, Sonship, second personage
in the Godhead, eternality, sovereignty, and we reverence Christ
as Creator God. In light of such doctrine, it sometimes becomes
difficult to simply acknowledge Him as a real person; yet He is.
He did not come to earth to function as God, although He was and
is God; but He came as a man and lived as such upon earth.
PROPHET
For years I believed and taught that Christ performed His
miracles - the healing of the blind and deaf, the raising of the
dead, the feeding of the five thousand, the walking on water -
because of His deity I.E. God. If such were true, why did he
wait till the age of thirty to begin doing miracles? There is
even one other haunting question which made me uncomfortable when
attempting to explain this dilemma. We are told that Jesus did
not do many mighty works in His own country because of their
unbelief.10 If our Lord ministered on earth as God, why would
such perfidy have negated His miracle working power? The only
logical, and Scriptural answer, is that He did not function as
God upon earth, although He was, but rather as a Spirit led,
Spirit filled Prophet.
The office of a prophet was highly respected; and revered,
especially in Old Testament times. They spake both words of God
and words from God inspirationally. Miracles were likewise
performed by prophets. They experienced visions and witnessed
Heavenly manifestations. Their position and authority was
greatly honored. Such was still the case during New Testament
times. Our Lord walked in such an office as He ministered upon
earth.
When the Pharisees were perplexed by the practice of
baptism which John the baptizer was employing in his ministry,
they sent priests and levites to question his unorthodoxy.
Besides asking if he, John, were Christ or Elijah, and finding
his answers unacceptable, they desired to know if he were "that
prophet;" a reference to Christ.11 Furthermore, our Lord was
called a prophet throughout His entire ministry by many. His own
testimony, however, of operating in the office of prophet is
recorded in three of the four Gospels.12 Two of our Lord's
disciples also confessed Him, Jesus, as being a prophet after His
resurrection while they walked through the countryside.13
Jesus functioned on earth as a prophet; a Spirit filled prophet,
but a prophet nonetheless.14
PREACHER
Jesus also came to preach and teach God's Word. He began
His ministry at the age of twelve by teaching in the
synagogues.15 We even gain insight as to what Jesus
continually preached and taught throughout the synagogues: "The
Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to
preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent me to heal the
brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and
recovering sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are
bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord."16
Immediately following this reading of Isaiah's prophesy, Luke
records: "And He began to say unto them, This day is this
Scripture fulfilled in your ears."17 If, therefore, Jesus
"began" to say these things, it would be safe to assume He
continually said such throughout the balance of His ministry.
Indeed, Jesus read from Isaiah's prophesy exactly the message He
was sent to bring; that is, [(1) The Spirit of the Lord was upon
Him; (2) He was anointed to preach the Gospel to the poor; (3) He
was sent to heal the brokenhearted; (4) He was to preach
deliverance to the captives; (5) He was to bring recovery of
sight to the blind; (6) He was to set at liberty the bruised; (7)
and He was to preach the acceptable year of the Lord]. This was
His Gospel and He preached it pertinaciously.
PRIESTHOOD
The levitical priesthood was a select group of men who
served the needs of the people by maintaining the tabernacle.
They were assigned various tasks including preparing and offering
of sacrificial offerings for the people, tending to the inner
court, and generally interceding for the people. As has been
mentioned earlier, once a year the high priest sacrificed a lamb,
carried its blood behind the thick vail which separated the Most
Holy Place from that of the inner court [The Holy Place-
sanctuary] and poured the blood out upon the mercy seat [ark of
the covenant].18 This mirrored the ministry of the prophesied
Messiah. Jesus our Lord became both our High Priest and
sacrifice for sin; entering once behind the vail, by rending it
from top-to-bottom, to offer His life and blood that we might be
eternally one with God the Father.19
PASTOR
The pastoral ministry of our Lord is not generally
emphasized or even recognized. This may be do to the absence of
a church? Yet Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone of the
Church.20 Furthermore, Christ is confirmed as the "Head" of
the Church [Body].21
Although we recognize Jesus as The Prophet, as The High
Priest, as The Apostle,22 as The Teacher, and even as The
Evangelist - one who brings good tidings - we often overlook our
Lord as The Pastor. The Greek word for "pastor:" "And He gave
some, apostles; and some; prophets, and some, evangelists; and
some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for
the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of
Christ,""23 is actually translated (shepherd). Our Lord is
even called "The Chief Shepherd."24 The nature, personality,
character, and responsibilities of a shepherd is well known and
thus we perhaps can gain a better understanding of our Lord's
ministry as He was upon earth. He ministered to the multitudes
as a pastor and yet had time for the individual. Such is His
ministry yet today.
POTENTATE
The wise men of the east came to Herod looking for the "King
of the Jews."25 As He fulfilled prophesy by riding into
Jerusalem on a colt, He was thus being honored as "King."26
Although His nature and personage is that of King, He came first
to serve.
APPLICATION
We are cut, stamped, formed in the image of Christ. As He,
our Lord Christ, functioned upon earth, He did so as a real
person. He did not appear as a ghost a mystical apparition, a
moral creed, religious philosophy, or even as a life style, but
as a person who demonstrated personal interest in real people.
Often today this aspect of ministry is overlooked by the busyness
of the ministry itself. Even individuals forget and forsake the
personal aspect of ministry. We are sent to the world to
minister as one, that is, individually, and as "one" Body in
unity. Such unity is achieved by first imaging the person of our
Lord.
Jesus walked as The Prophet. Such men were those who spoke
inspirationally. If we are in His image today, we, too, must
speak accordingly. Our speech must resemble that of our Lord's.
We need to identify ourselves with Him by the way we talk and
what we say. As we begin to speak His Word, we will function as
preacher and our message will be His Gospel.We also must never
neglect His works in order that others may see Christ in us.
In our imitating of Christ, we must not forget our
responsibility as interceding priests. As kings and priests of
Christ, we need to fulfill that mediator aspect of our Lord's
person in order that others may be ministered to in His name.
"There is one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ
Jesus."27 If others cannot see that image in us, then we are
not exercising Scriptural conformity.
As Jesus ministered in a pastoral capacity, showing personal
care and concern for not only the multitudes but the individual,
we need to maintain this image in our service for Him as well.
If we forsake individuality, we loose the image of His person and
thus loss of effectiveness in ministry.
Finally there is the matter of kingship. We need to walk in
the power and authority of our Lord's image as King. Often many
serve the Lord and do everything discussed thus far, only to
forsake the image of "King." We must rule, therefore, our lives
by the power and authority of His Word in order that the world
will see His likeness in us.
POWER
As noted in this chapter, our Lord did not exercise power
because of His deity but because He came as an anointed prophet.
He was our example that we might do even greater works than
he.28 We need to consider the answers to three questions
therefore: What was the origin, nature, and method of execution
of His power?
HEAVENLY
Early in His ministry, He began choosing the twelve who
would follow Him. In John's Gospel, He was introduced to
Nathanael and informed him that He, Jesus, was aware of his,
Nathanael's, Godly character. Nathanael was shocked by this
revelation and immediately confessed Jesus as the Son of God; the
Messiah.29 Apparently Jesus had seen Nathanael in the Spirit
and revealed his thoughts to him personally in more detail than
is recorded; thus Nathanael's astonished response. Such personal
revelation is, of itself, an indication of the power Jesus had
in (word of knowledge) manifestation. Jesus continued by
confessing that Nathanael would see greater works as the heavens
were opened and angels would decent and ascend upon Him.30
Thus, by this statement, Jesus confirmed His power was from
Heaven.
Our Lord continually confirmed His power was heavenly in
origin throughout His ministry. For example, He confessed He was
Himself come from Heaven,31 that He in fact came from
"above,"32 and what He had seen and heard [implying from His
Father in Heaven] of such He would testify.33 He even
confirmed that He was sent from Heaven to do God's will.34 His
power, therefore, was authoritative because of its Heavenly
origin.
HOLY
I know it seems superfluous to say that the power of Christ
was "Holy" in nature, but we do need to differentiate between
that of God's eternal power and that of His Son's. Although the
Scriptures clearly identify Christ as God, He, Jesus, functioned
upon earth as God-Man I.E. The Son of man. His power, therefore,
was not acquired, shared, or given by God. It was in fact the
nature of Christ, as God, at work on earth through the ministry
and manifestation of the Holy Spirit.
The virgin birth of Christ is the first Scriptural
indication of our Lord's innate power, since His birth was of the
"Holy" Ghost.35 Strangely enough, even demons confessed Jesus
to be the "Holy One of God."36 His name is Holy,37 He is at
the right hand of the Father exalted,38 and the angelic
seraphim [six winged creatures] ever minister in His presence
crying "Holy, Holy, Holy."39 Such evidence, therefore, is
indisputable; the innate power of Christ was [is] Holy by nature.
HOLY SPIRIT
In focusing on the power of Christ as He ministered upon
earth, we must conclude His power was a manifestation of the
Holy Spirit of God. We know,. for example, the Holy Spirit came
in the form of a dove and rested upon Him.40 Likewise, the
apostle John confirmed that the Holy Spirit was not given by
measure unto Christ.41 Our Lord was led of the
Holy Spirit,42 He was full of the Holy Spirit,43 He went
forth in the power of the Holy Spirit,44 and Isaiah prophesied
that God would put the Holy Spirit upon Him.45 Jesus even
claimed that He cast out devils [demons] by the Holy Spirit.46
One might ask if our Lord could have done His works without
the Holy Spirit. To do so would have negated His claim as
Messiah; for Messiah would come anointed of God with the Holy
Spirit.47 As we saw earlier in this book, the Holy Spirit was
present and functional during the creation of the universe, the
virgin birth of our Lord, the inspiration of the Scriptures, the
regeneration of the sinner, and even the resurrection of our
Lord. For Christ to have ministered outside of the Holy Spirit
would have been evidence that He was a false christ. His power,
therefore, was manifested through the ministry of the
Holy Spirit.
APPLICATION
If we are in His image, and Romans 8:29 confirms that such
was ordained before time began, we must do His works, as
imitators [followers] of God. We must first, therefore, be
careful our works are heavenly in origin. It is easy to function
by rule and regulation; thus to more easily judge our
spirituality. To do so, however, is fleshly - carnal.48
Since we have been given a new nature in Christ, we thus
should imitate our Lord with "Holy" works. Such is not always
the case, however. Often a Christian will find himself walking,
performing, exercising, heavenly works but as a form and not as a
(faith) - conviction. When our imitations image that of our
Lord's naturally, that is, supernaturally; power will result.
This, therefore, becomes the manifested mystery of the
Holy Spirit in partnership prayer.
Finally there is the Spirit filled life. If we can see from
Scripture that our Lord functioned, operated, ministered, and
walked in the power of the Holy Spirit, how can we, His
imitators, forsake such Biblical truth? "And you shall receive
power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you."49
PRACTICE
Although the dictionary defines "practice" in a multiplicity
of ways, I liked the following: (actual performance and
application of knowledge - distinguished from theory).
Conforming to the image of Christ is not simply "practice makes
perfect," but rather "perfect makes practice." We are in the
image of Christ as joint heirs. In covenant relationship with
Him, we share all things common including His nature. Thus as He
is perfect, we are likewise perfect in the eyes of God. I
practiced looking, acting, and talking like my Dad because I
already carried his likeness. In another words, since I already
looked like him, I wanted to practice being like him rather than
like another. We thus practice the image of Christ, not because
we desire to look more and more like Him - indeed we do - but to
appear less and less like the world; thus fulfilling the plan
[will] of God I.E. to conform to the image of Christ. We must
consider, therefore, how do we practice His image?
ASSOCIATION
In chapter 1 we looked at "Partnerships." I used the word
"association" to define an aspect of a true partnership and said
it was the (closely joining together of persons with a common
purpose). We closely associate ourselves with our Lord because
we look like [image] His very person and personality. Close
association even implies similarity in nature, or, that at the
very least, one desires similarity.
When first meeting my wife, Sandy, we began calling each
other every day; sometimes many times in a single day, thus
establishing regular and consistent communication. Before long,
of course, we made direct contact by dating. We associated by
calling, by communicating, and by direct contact. Such should be
the nature of practicing the image of Christ. We must call upon
Him continually, regularly, and consistently. The establishment
of such practice results in perpetual communication giving us
direct contact with Him as Lord of our lives. This practice is
the performance, or application, of the knowledge that we indeed
already possess His likeness - nature.
ARTICULATION
A common spiritual disease among Christians often is the
idea that one can remain a "silent partner." Jesus said if we
did not confess Him before men, He likewise would not confess us
before His Father."50
In music, (vocal) means that which has been written in
relation to, performed by, or arranged for, the human voice in
contrast to instrumental. The Christian practice is likewise
"vocal." We must articulate our likeness by the sound of our own
voice. The natural world and the spiritual world must hear us
sounding like [resembling] our Lord in order that His likeness
might be recognized and revered.
ACTUATED
I have chosen the word "actuate" to represent the "practice"
of the image of Christ because it has a stronger meaning than
just "action." One dictionary definition of "actuate" is (to
incite to action) or to (move). Our practice, imaging, of Christ
should incite, not simply be, to action. In another words, we
need to be about our Fathers business. Such is a matter of
discipline which, in fact, is practice. Such activity of "doing"
and "discipline" results in development; development of Godly
character, thus to be more identifiable [recognizable].
PERFECTION
Jesus commanded that we should be perfect as our Father in
Heaven is perfect.51 God the Father, therefore, is our
standard. His Son, on the other hand, is our model, our example,
the image of such perfection. One might protest that it is
impossible to be a "perfect" Christian. I might point out that
Jesus did not command for us to be "God;" the command is simply a
statement; be perfect as God. As we have thus studied, Jesus is
that image we are to mirror. Romans 8:29 confirms that God's
will is for His offspring to look like [image] His own Son. If
such is His plan, it must not only be carried out but it must be
possible. What is a "perfect Christian?" A perfect Christian is
one who continually matures in His walk and relationship with
God. "How is such maturity accomplished?"
Jesus taught in the parable of the sower, that the seed
which fell among thorns went forth - grew - but because of the
cares of this world, riches, and worldly pleasures, were choked;
bringing no fruit to "perfection."52 The word used for
"perfection" in this case is translated (mature). Thus, Jesus
said, although they began to grow [bear fruit] they did not
mature in their relationship with God. Why? They were choked;
literally, strangled by the things which were secular in nature.
Thus, if one desires to maintain spiritual maturity in his
relationship with the Lord, he must conform to the image of
Christ.
The writer of Hebrews addressed the subject: of perfection
- maturity- "To make you perfect thoroughly in every good work to
do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing -
agreeable - in His sight, through Jesus Christ."53 This
amazing verse teaches that we are made perfect - the Greek word
is (complete) - through works [His works], it is His will that
such works be carried out, and that His "working" in us is "well
pleasing" in His sight. The statement is concluded; "through
Jesus Christ." Often, however, our problems begin as we try to
perfect ourselves - mature - through the doing of works rather
than the offering of them. If such works are carried out in the
image of His Son, it will be "well pleasing" - in agreement - or
harmony with His nature I.E. perfect. If you are still uncertain
about your perfection before the Lord, let us consider a few
areas which confirm we are already "Complete in Him."54
RESURRECTION
For those who have confessed Jesus as Lord, there is
resurrected life. We were "planted" [grown along with] the death
of our Lord in likeness. Similarly, we were raised in that
likeness - resurrection likeness - and walk in newness of
life.55 We were buried with Him and raised by God as Christ
was so raised; all of our sins forgiven.56 Furthermore, sin
has no dominion over us for we live as one risen from the
dead.57 Such is the symbolic representation of water baptism
by emersion as an act of obedience by a Believer. We thus
identify ourself with the buried and resurrected Lord of our
life. Such resurrection life is perfect, spiritually matured,
conformed to the image of Christ.
RIGHTEOUSNESS
Such resurrected life is the nature of God I.E. eternal
righteousness. This nature of God is not afforded one by works
of (right--ness) which is performed, but according to mercy.58
As we walk in the fullness of the fruits of righteousness which
are by Christ, we thus resemble the nature of God through the
image of His Son.59 The righteousness which is of God is the
righteousness of His Son and is only obtained by faith.60
Since it is of God, it is then, perfect, fully developed, fully
grown, and resembles His Son. If we thus reflect this image, we
walk in spiritual maturity.
REWARD
As heirs of God and joint-heirs of Christ, we have an
inheritance. This inheritance is total, full, and complete. It
does not need improvement, restructuring, or to be spiritualized.
It encompasses secure fellowship with God, righteousness, peace,
full joy, personal provision, forgiveness of sin, redemption,
abundant life now, and eternal life to come. The inheritance,
therefore, is our reward. We have obtain this reward
[inheritance] through predestination and the counsel of His own
will in order that we should be to the praise of His glory.61
Furthermore, Paul said his prayer was that God's people would
have the eyes of their spiritual understanding enlightened, so
that they might know [understand] the hope of His calling, and
the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and
that the heirs would likewise know [experience] the exceeding
greatness of His power toward those who believe in that inherited
reward.62 We must therefore learn to understand this reward,
we must practice it, we must rightly discern its application, and
we must tenaciously affix ourself to its provisions. If we do
so, we identify ourself with its perfection; demonstrating full
growth and maturity.
RELATIONSHIP
When we begin to walk in resurrected life, manifesting the
righteousness of God as we do so, and hold fast to our reward of
inheritance, such constitutes a perfect [matured] relationship
with God the Father. As we practice the knowledge of such, we
not only will please Him but will be shaped and formed in the
image of Christ the Son whose image we are.
SUMMATION
The will of God, the plan, is for each of His children -
likenesses - to be cut in the image of His eternal Son. To do so
we must become imitators of His Son. As we thus imitate and
image Christ, we are demonstrating we have identity with God - in
His glory. We must practice His person to experience His power.
We must practice His will to maintain perfection - maturity. We
must keep in mind, however, that we, as His offspring, are not
reflections of His image; we are the image likeness. In another
words, we are not reflecting Christ, as in a mirror, when we
walk, talk, and work as He did; we are demonstrating likeness,
form, shape, image, I.E. His image. The Lord was our example as
He ministered on earth, but all such is impossible without the
ministry of the Holy Spirit. We are back, therefore, to the
absolute necessity of harmonious partnership with the Holy Spirit
of God.
As we consider our feeble attempt at imaging our Lord, we
must quickly recognize our total dependency upon the Holy Spirit.
The power of the Holy Spirit does not come from the laying on of
hands but through prayer. If one carefully studies the Gospel
writers, it can be seen clearly that Jesus ministered in the
power of the Holy Spirit because He spent time in partnership
prayer with Him. Often Jesus spent entire days preaching and
healing the sick; only to withdraw Himself to spend all night in
prayer. Most of us fail as Christians because we do not have the
power of the Holy Spirit. We do not have the power of the
Holy Spirit because we fail to pray. It is time we who are the
called of God dedicate ourself to prayer in order that we might
do the works of our Father which is in Heaven; such is His plan.
FOOTNOTES FOR CHAPTER 9
1 Gen. 1:27
2 II Cor. 5:17
3 Gal. 5:24
4 Psalm 139:14-16
5 Col. 1:15
6 Eph. 5:1
7 John 14:12
8 John 14:13
9 Jam. 4:7-8
10 Matt. 13:58
11 John 1:21
12 Matt. 13:57, Mark 6:4, Luke 4:24, Luke 13:33.
13 Luke 24:19
14 Luke 4:1
15 Luke 4:16-21
16 Luke 4:18
17 Luke 4:21
18 Heb. 9:1-10
19 Heb. 9:11-12
20 Eph. 2:19
21 Eph. 1:22, Eph. 4:15, Col. 1:18.
22 Heb. 3:1
23 Eph. 4:11-12
24 I Peter 5:4
25 Matt. 2:2
26 Matt. 21:5
27 I Tim. 2:5
28 John 14:12-14
29 John 1:47-50
30 John 1:51
31 John 3:13
32 John 3:31
33 John 3:32
34 John 6:38
35 Matt. 1:18-20
36 Mark 1:24
37 Luke 1:49
38 Acts 2:33
39 Rev. 4:8
40 Matt. 3:16-17
41 John 3:34
42 Matt. 4:1
43 Luke 4:1
44 Luke 4:14
45 Matt. 12:18
46 Matt. 12:22-32 (28)
47 Matt. 12:28
48 Rom. 8:1-8
49 Acts 1:8
50 Matt. 10:32
51 Matt. 5:48
52 Luke 8:14
53 Heb. 13:21
54 Col. 2:10
55 Rom. 6:4-5
56 Col. 2:12-13
57 Rom. 6:12-14
58 II Cor. 5:21
59 Phil. 1:11
60 Phil. 3:9
61 Eph. 1:11
62 Eph. 1:18
End Of Chapter 9
PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT
BY
PHIL SCOVELL
Copyright 1989/2004
By Phil Scovell
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