UNDERESTIMATING JESUS!

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God…”

There is a definite need for us to intensely study the writings of Paul in order to fully comprehend exactly what it is that Jesus has done for us. Most Christians, because of a lack of study and subsequent acquisition of knowledge, never fully understand what Jesus did for us, and in us! Since we do not comprehend the work done for us, and in us, we do not grasp what he wills to do, and is able to do through us! Ephesians 3:20 describes His unique ability. “Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.” I can dream pretty big.

After 30+ years of my spiritual walk and growth, I am beginning to recognize the riches of His grace, the riches of His finished work, and the riches of His own Nature which He has imparted to us! Nothing can destroy faith and put a believer in bondage more quickly and surely than underestimating who Jesus is, and what we are because of our ties to Him.

When we underestimate and undervalue Him, His Word receives the same value and does not become productive in, or through our lives. Mark 7:13 states that we make “the word of God of none effect through your tradition.” We may say, “I believe the Word of God,” but when trouble comes, we instantly turn to our own strength and wisdom in order to escape the pressure.

When we pray for our troubled finances and worldly needs, we do not ask with the quiet confidence that we would have if some banker had given us his word in regards to our financial standing at the bank. There is an unconscious underestimation of the Word of God, because of our underestimation of the Author of this work, Jesus.

This all leads to weakness, doubt, worry and fear! The only thing that is able to change our position and thinking is begin to digest the revelations contained in the writings of Paul. As a result we will realize what He has done for us in His great substitution and in the new creation referenced above.

Let’s begin with three simple but awesome facts:

1) 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature…all things are of God…” You are now a new creation…something that never existed before. The old you has passed away and every single component of your makeup is now of God.

2) 1 John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life…” Know this: You are already living Eternal Life; the very life of Almighty God lives in you! It does not begin when you die; you are already living it.

3) 2 Peter 1: 4 states that God has “given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature…” You possess a Divine Nature and that Divine Nature is of God!

My friends, this is not a theological statement. This is not simply Paul’s philosophy. This is Father God’s declaration of what we are in His Son, Jesus! Now get into your Bible and learn what it says about who He is, and what He’s done for you!

Never underestimate Him again!