The Difference Jesus Makes, Makes Us Different – Emmanuel, God With Us, Our Hope
What difference does having Jesus living within you make for you in a world of pain and chaos?
What is the point, really, if in life we face constant battles?
Today may you know in the depth of your soul,
May grace (spiritual blessing) and peace be given you in increasing abundance [that spiritual peace to be realized in and through Christ, freedom from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts]. (John 14:27). Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [Born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, Who are being guarded (garrisoned) by God’s power through [your] faith [till you fully inherit that final] salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time. [You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations, without having seen Him, you love Him; though you do not [even] now see Him, you believe in Him and exult and thrill with inexpressible and glorious (triumphant, heavenly) joy. [At the same time] you receive the result (outcome, consummation) of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:2-6, 8-9 AMPC
For,
Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation Colossians 1:15
He is “the exact representation” of God on Earth to man – being both the Son of God and the Son of Man. Hebrews 1:3
As such, in and thru Him all things are held together.
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross. …He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. Colossians 1:17-20, 22-23 NIV
So, there is our Hope.
In a world where the natural proclivity is to move toward chaos, destruction, disaster and death, it is Jesus that brings light, life, order, sustenance, renewal, new birth…Peace. Jesus defeated sin and death. He brought victory.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
For, the nourishment and satisfaction He provides is permanent
I am the bread of life. John 6:35
And, His light is a constant guide to us.
I am the light of the world. John 8:2
Even greater…He illumines us.
.John was a lamp that kept on burning and shining to show you the way and you were willing for a while to rejoice in his light. John 5:35
Yes, Jesus shows constant care and devotion to His flock, watching over them and protecting them from predators. For,
I am the good shepherd. John 10: 11, 14
Be alert, then, the Door is open for you, heed His call.
I ASSURE you, most solemnly I tell you, he who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way (elsewhere, from some other quarter) is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. When he has brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will never [on any account] follow a stranger but will run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize their call. So, Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that I Myself am the Door for the sheep. I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely] and will find pasture. The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep. [Ps. 23.] The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand. My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all [else]; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are One. John 10:1-2, 4-5, 7, 9-11, 27-30 AMPC
For,
He is the Lord of all life and has the power to raise the dead. Death, therefore, is not the final word because all in Christ will live forever.
I am the resurrection and life. John 11:25
Jesus is the only way to the Father. He is the source of all truth and the source of all knowledge. He offers spiritually dead people the very life of God.
I am the way the truth, and the life. John 14:6
Yes,
.. the testimony which I have is far greater than the testimony of John; for the works the Father has given Me to finish – the very same works [that is, the miracles and proofs of my deity] that I am [now] doing – testify about me, [by providing evidence] that the Father has sent Me. ..You do not have His word (Scripture) abiding in you [actually living in your hearts and minds] because you do not believe in Him whom He has sent. You search and keep on searching the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; yet it is those [very Scriptures] that testify about Me; and still you are unwilling to come to me, so that you may have life. I do not receive glory and approval from men; but I know and recognize that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. I have come in my Father’s name and with His power, and you do not receive Me, [because your minds are closed]; but if another comes in his own name and with no authority or power except His own, you will receive him and give your approval to an imposter… (John 5:36, 38-43).
For those of you who do believe, who fully Rely on Him, for all,
You are already clean because of the word which I have given you [the teachings which I have discussed with you]. Remain in me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [ bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me. John 15 :3-4
Therefore, abide in the vine, allowing His life to flow in and through you, enabling you to bear fruit for Him.
I am the true vine. John 15: 1,5
There is nothing more we can add to that. God’s sacrifice covers completely the sin of mankind in this broken world. Our complete and full reliance is on the sufficiency of His great love and mercy. It IS He that holds us together, literally, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
Our response to Him then is with thankfulness, worship, and adoration.
I urge you brethren, by the mercies of God to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Romans 12:1
So what difference does Jesus make in your life? EVERYTHING! There is a fire burning. For we have this light residing inside of us. In it the Truth of the Word walks alongside us daily, it’s promises wrapping around us like a warm blanket.
God be praised. You are worthy of our love Jesus!
A blessing:
( Your name) I bless you with a deep consciousness of sin and knowing that God has provided an acceptable sacrifice. I bless you with understanding that your Father wants excellence from you, but not as a way for you to earn a position of favor or acceptability with Him. That price has already been paid. There is nothing left for you to earn in His heart. You can do nothing to make Him love you more, and you can do nothing to make Him love you less. Jesus already paid that on the cross. Your best would never be good enough to prove your love for God. I bless you with knowing profoundly that God is love, and also with experiencing deep gratitude for the price he paid with the life of his Son for you to be His. At the same time, I bless you with being willing at all times to give Him everything you are and all you have as an act of love and submission. — Blessing Your Spirit, With the Blessings of Your Father and the Names of God by Sylvia Gunter & Arthur Burk
Amen and God be praised.