As He Is, So Are We In This World

Temple Baptist Church - 3-18-2015

1 John 4:13-19

 

Introduction:

 

A.  This passage of Scripture has always intrigued me and, when I got a grasp on it, it thrilled my soul to know just how much the Lord loves me and what He did for me over 38 years ago. 

 

B.  “As he is” is a direct reference to the Lord Jesus Christ in both His person and this present time in which we live.  “As he is…so are we” in this world.  I want you to see the implications of this verse this morning.

 

C.  I, like most—if not all—of you, know what I am.  I find nothing in my person or actions that would cause the Lord to even give to me the time of day.  First of all, I want to say, “Thank God for grace!”  If you are working your way to heaven or trying to maintain your salvation through works, you are the most deceived of all people.

 

D.  This is the point that I will strive to make: we see what and who we are and it causes our spiritual perception of self to be tainted.  We have a natural problem discerning the difference between positional salvation and practical salvation.

 

1.  Positional Salvation is what we are in Christ Jesus.  It does not involve or rest upon personal merit but rather upon the finished work of Jesus Christ (death, burial, and resurrection).  Salvation depends upon what He did, not what we are doing.  This is why life must be eternal in Christ!  We are hid with Christ in God and already seen as seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

 

2.  Practical Salvation is what Jesus Christ does through us and involves both a conversion—which brings about the new creature—and either obedience or lack of obedience to God’s Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit.  It is difficult for us to realize just how secure that we are in Christ!  Nothing that we do can separate us from the love of Christ!  (Romans 8:38-39)

 

E.  Verse 17 says that we may have boldness in the day of judgment (Judgment Seat of Christ found in 2 Corinthians 5:10) because we will stand before God positionally perfect: dressed in the righteousness of Christ alone (2 Corinthians 5:21.) 

 

F.  As He is right now, seated at the right hand of the throne of God—making intercession for us, so are we right now!  Not, “so will we be when we get to heaven,” but SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD!  In a sinful world, in a sinful body, and with all of our spiritual imperfections!  Hallelujah, What A Saviour!!!

 

G.  Let us look at some of the things that we have in common with our Lord:

 

1.  We Have The Same Heavenly Father - John 20:17  Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.  (My earthly father loved me, protected me, fed me, clothed me, sheltered me, guided me, and cared about my complete well being. God cares about me and for me infinitely more that my earthly dad!) 

 

2.  We Have The Same Eternal Life - John 14:19  Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.  (Our Lord is not talking about our physical life here.  The disciples lived physically regardless of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.  He is speaking of a life with no end.)

 

3.  We Have The Same Nature - 2 Peter 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.  (By way of resemblance and likeness, the new man or principle of grace, being formed in the heart in regeneration, after the image of God, and bearing a likeness to the image of his Son.  We are changed from glory to glory because of the Spirit that lives within!)

 

4.  We Have The Same Position - Ephesians 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  (In God’s infinite wisdom, we are already seated with Him in Heaven.  Just as if you were already home!)

 

5.  We Have The Same Peace - John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Isaiah 32:17  And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.  (The child of God not only has peace with God, he or she has the peace of God.)

 

6.  We Have The Same Love - 1 John 4:7  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

Romans 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  (When we get saved, we love as God loves!  One of the greatest changes that take place in our lives is that we love what and who God loves!  Too many people say that they are saved and yet do not love God, God’s house, God’s word, God’s people, or sinners!)

 

7.  We Have The Same Comission - John 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.  (We receive power through the Holy Ghost and we have commandment to go into all the world and give the gospel to every creature.)

 

8.  We Have The Same Glory - John 17:22  And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.  (We, in this world, are as perfect and pure as Jesus Christ.  It is because we have the righteousness of God in Him!)

 

Conclusion:  We should do the best that we can do in this world, but—in spite of our best efforts—we are miserable failures in the flesh.  Do not be too hard on yourself though.  While not condoning sin, God sees us through the blood of His Son and—therefore—sees us in all of His perfection, not our imperfection!  Well Glory!