Saturday, 7th October, 2023
By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17 KJV).
An important question to ask after reading our opening verse is: What was Jesus like when the Father sent Him? The Bible gives us a description in Hebrews 1:3 “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
Two phrases to notice in this verse are: “the brightness of his glory” and “the express image of his person.” Jesus was the brightness—the effulgence or the outshining—of God’s glory. Each time He stepped out, He was also the express image of the Father’s person.
If you wanted to know what God was like, you looked at Jesus. He was the absolute description of the Father, and His life was endlessly glorious. Now, Jesus says, “…as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (John 20:21). Then 1 John 4:17 tells us that as He (Jesus) is, so are we in this world.
This means that just as Jesus is the brightness of God’s glory, you’re the brightness of Jesus’ glory. You’re the express image of the Father person as Jesus. This is too lofty for the religious mind to grasp, but it’s one of the truths of who we are in Christ and what He’s made us. He sent us to go into all the world and express His love, kindness, nature and character.
Remember what He said in John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches…” That means we have the same life. He’s also given us His Name, so we have the same name. What belongs to Him belongs to us; we’re“…heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ…” (Roman’s 8:17). Even now, declare with absolute confidence, “I’m the express image of the Father’s person. I reveal and unveil His glory.” Hallelujah!
PRAYER/CONFESSION
"I’m an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ. I possess the same life and bear the same name as the Lord Jesus. Therefore, I manifest His love, kindness, nature, and character to the world around me, and as a vessel, His glory shines and is revealed through me with greater intensity. I bring the reality of this truth to many, and they accept the salvation that’s in Christ Jesus. Amen."
FURTHER STUDY
Romans 8:17 KJV; 2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV; 2 Corinthians 4:6 KJV
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Colossians 1:1-23 & Isaiah 44-45
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 4:19-29 & 1 Kings 13