1 John 4:15-19 – “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 19 We love, because He first loved us.” NASB

In these few verses, there are several life-changing truths that I want to highlight and discuss briefly:

• The Way to God – – “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.”
• God Is Love – – “We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us.  God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”
• As He “is,” So Are We IN THIS WORLD – – “By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.”
• Love Defeats Fear – –“There is no fear in love; but perfect love cast out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.”
• God’s Love Draws Us to Him – – “We love because He loved us.”  The New King James says it better – “We love Him because He first loved us.”

Today, we will look at item number three – “As He ‘is” So Are We IN THIS WORLD.”

 For almost endless ages, we have sung in Church, “When we all get to heaven,” as somehow being the time when we will become “like Jesus.”  But if you consider the teachings of our Lord and this passage, you will come to a completely different view and realize something dynamic.

For too long, we have justified our failures and lack of demonstration of God’s love, mercy, grace, and power by saying, “Well, I’m only human, and there was only one perfect one.”  Both are true, but He “lives in us.”  The life that we now live in the flesh, we live by the faith “of” and “in” the Son of God. 

Jesus said in John 7:38-39 something incredibly revealing and powerful – “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”  39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” NKJV 

Consider that statement and this verse that we are reflecting upon.  Jesus said that as believers, there are “rivers” of living water flowing from our innermost being through the work of the Holy Spirit.  That “living water” can and will touch everything around it and bring life wherever it touches. 

My question is not “How WAS Jesus” when He walked on Earth but “How IS Jesus NOW?”  Has He not overcome the devil?  Does He not have direct access to the Father?  Is He not more than a conqueror over all the power of the devil?  Then, HOW ARE WE?  According to this passage, we are the same as He IS!  If we are not, I must ask why.

I believe the answer lies in our expectations and beliefs.  Consider what Jesus said in John 14:12-14 a most revealing, penetrating and powerful truth – “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.  13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” NKJV  

• Are we “doing” Greater Works? 
• Are we doing Comparable Works? 
• Are we doing Any Works? 

Or have we relegated that to some bygone era and dismissed it without taking into account the words, desires, or promises of the Lord?

We have made “Canaan” heaven, but I suggest that “Canaan” was the Place of Promise and is a picture of living here on Earth in Victory.  It was a land flowing with “milk and honey,” but there were “giants” in the land and people “occupying” the land that had to be “dispossessed.”  That is not a picture of Heaven.  We will not have to defeat the enemy once we get there, for he will not be there.  Therefore, all the powerful weapons of Spiritual Warfare and the Promises of God for overcoming are for NOW!

We need to settle in our hearts that “AS HE IS, SO ARE WE in this present world.” 

May God be with you as you go through your day!  Tomorrow, we will consider number four – “Love Defeats Fear!”