Today’s gospel seems a far cry from the one that the apostle Paul taught about when he was writing to the church in Rome. He talked about a gospel that, when applied, transformed the human heart so radically that he used a unique word to describe it: “Metamorphosis.” The idea he is trying to convey is that when Christ comes into your heart and soul you are completely changed from what you were to what God intended. Transformation takes time but it starts when your heart yields to the Lordship of Christ.

In this study I have proposed a few key attitudes and behaviors that gain favor with God. In the first article we learned that having favor with God is developed and acquired through choice and discipline. Proverbs 12:2 states that “A good man obtains favor from God.”  In other words, our choices and conduct affect our standing, either good or bad, with God.

This is the last in this series on who takes the initiative in seeking to either do God’s will or to attempt a God inspired event or act, God or Us. All too often we fail to take the initiative and often believe that if God wants us to do something he would tell us. If you haven’t read the first three articles, please do so before reading this last one.

In these articles on “Who Takes The Initiative” I have been trying to build a case for not waiting for God to command us to do something but rather to take the initiative in desiring God to approve what we see is a current or pending need. I have encountered many believers who have come to the false understanding that if God wants us to do something he will tell us. The point I made in the second article was that God created us to be like him and therefore he gave Adam the first task of naming the animals. God wanted us to take the initiative in creating and managing the world we are in. If you haven’t read the first two articles please do so before proceeding. 

As Christians, we want God to move in our lives on a daily basis, not just when we respond to Jesus’ offer of being born again.  The problem: who is suppose to initiate? Is God suppose to tell us when he plans to move or are we suppose to ask him to move? Truthfully, I think it is both!

Recently, I started to teach a six-week class at church on the book of Colossians and was reminded of the disconnect many Christians have regarding who they are meant to be a believers. I have often heard pastors and teachers say we are “Sinners” saved by grace in one sentence and then move on without giving an explanation of what they meant by that statement. For the average Christian believer, they get a “Mind Set” that that’s who they are and will always be until either Jesus returns or they die and go to be with the Lord. This, however, is far from the truth and often cripples the believer to always live in either a guilt ridden state or a weakened resolve to live as Jesus intended, which is free from a sinful lifestyle.

When I was a kid I never liked walking in the dark, especially alone. Something about not knowing what was out there caused my imagination to run wild. Fear would rise inside my chest even though I knew there was nothing “real” to be afraid of but we all know that fear is often not about facts and reality.

In my first article on “Are We Living Like Orphans” I wrote about how so many believers live with the mindset and behavior of being an “Orphan” rather than thinking and acting like God is our loving Heavenly Father. I wanted to reveal what a lie and deception Satan has introduced into the body of Christ that keeps us at a distance from our creator rather than learning to being intimate with him as our Heavenly Father who loves us dearly. If you haven’t read part one please do so before continuing with part two.

Previously, I wrote about how so few believers in the body of Christ today demonstrate the kind of transformation that the apostle Paul wrote about in 2 Corinthians 5:17.  Today’s preaching and teaching tends to be about how God can help us overcome obstacles more than our privilege and opportunity to build an intimate relationship with Him.  This is often due, in part, to our culture promoting a self-centered lifestyle, which the church has bought into.  Also, many fathers desired to give their kids what they didn’t have as kids, which caused being a provider to supersede the importance of actually fathering their children. Even those who grew up with a loving and nurturing father figure also had authority figures in their lives that distorted their ability to develop healthy trust with those in authority, be it fathers or bosses.

The premise of this study is based in part on John 14:18 where Jesus said he would not leave us as orphans. The disciples had to be worried that Jesus was leaving and they had learned to trust and rely on his presence and his spiritual and practical leadership. Jesus was trying to comfort them by saying that he had already planned for his departure and it would include a “helper” who would follow Him.  This helper would guide them throughout their lives as they listened and obeyed him just as they had Jesus. There is the catch though. He reveals that they ( the disciples ) needed to “Obey” his instructions so that they could live in an ever deepening way.

John 14:18-21                                                                                                                                                                         

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. [19] “After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. [20] “In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. [21] “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” 

Jesus reveals that the purpose of their discipleship was not just to do good and obey rules, but to be intimate with our Heavenly Father. Obeying Christ’s commandments was an “Indicator” that we were living a loving relationship, just as the Father and Jesus were experiencing. Obeying rules don’t make us adopted sons and daughters.  Instead, they demonstrate our trust of the one who made them. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross opened the door for this relationship and bonding. When we chose to surrender to Christ for forgiveness we automatically start being transformed day by day into loving sons and daughters. However, if at any time we stop trusting Jesus the transformation stops as well. John 15 illustrates this perfectly and this was said by Jesus right after his promise that we would not be left to fall like orphans.

John 15:4-5                                                                                                                                                                       

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. [5] “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 

This is a key principle for our walk as sons and daughters rather than as orphans. He emphasizes that the ongoing relationship with God as our Heavenly Father is through choosing to abide. The responsibility comes on our part to want and choose relationship. This growing intimacy means the longer we grow in the Father’s love the more we understand Him and his ways. Ultimately, it is seeing the character of God that our love is meant to deepen and our relationship grows because we have great understanding of who He truly is.

The goal of our Christian life is to be centered around loving God as our “Abba”, not a distant creator. Paul brings this whole concept of chasing and enjoying intimacy with our Heavenly Father as Jesus did.

Romans 8:12-17                                                                                                                                                                       

So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— [13] for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. [14] For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. [15] For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” [16] The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. 

I remember older Christians in my young days of walking with the Lord who consoled young believers that they needed to stand on and confess they were children of God.  It seemed odd to me to have to be assured of their relationship by confessing this truth. It seemed to me if they were having conversations with their Heavenly Father and reading scripture they would be confident of this fact rather than trying to convince themselves of their confession.

Everything Jesus did for us as our savior was to make available an intimate relationship with God. It wasn’t just to forgive.  It was meant to break down the barriers.  As we continue with this topic of overcoming an orphan spirit I hope you realize how much your Heavenly Father desires to be the father you always wanted.

Questions:

1. Do you feel like God is good but distant? Maybe you have adopted and “Orphan” mentality and settled for less than Jesus intended. Seek him with all your heart and you will find him close and intimate.

2. Are you walking in the security of Christ’s forgiveness yet have not loved him in return? John 15 illustrates that if you

don’t abide in His love you will wither and die in your relationship. Confess your wandering soul and return to the one who

loves you.

Loving God and pursuing a deeper walk.

Pastor Dale

I recently preached a sermon on how many believing Christians have what I believe is an “Orphan Spirit” that hinders them from trusting and truly enjoying an intimate relationship with their Heavenly Father. Jesus said that he came to give us “Abundant Life” and he did so because of the Father’s love. Yet,  it seems few believers experience such a life. Far too often professing Christians talk about what they believe without actually experiencing the reality of what they strongly agree biblically.

My “Life Experience” has always been affected by my curiosity with how and why things work the way they do. In my life path I quickly discovered that life doesn’t get better just because I introduce “New Things” into my life but also and, more importantly, because I learn to treasure and maintain what I have already been blessed by.