2007

This month concludes the subject of “all things,” used in Scripture to give us a comprehensive picture of God’s eternal purposes worked out in Christ and in you. We started with Jesus’ control – all things were made by Him; all things were made through Him; all things were made for Him; all things are held together by the Word of His power. From eternity past, Father delivered all things into His hand. In eternity future, Jesus will collect all things “according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.”

We then looked at the place of the church in the eternal plan of God and our need to walk by faith. “And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church.” We do not yet see all things made subject to Him (the son of man), but we see Jesus, crowned with glory and honor. Our part is to recognize that “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.” In Christ, we are “a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God.” In Christ, “He who did not spare His own Son… how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

As we walk by faith, we learn that God will continuously grow us, “that we should no longer be children… but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ.” “Speaking the truth” means agreeing with God, whose life is in us as seed wanting to grow. Paul said to the Philippians, I “count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ (3:8). …I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned… I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (4:12-13).

The seed-life in us grows as we learn. Like Paul, we discover that with God, all things are possible and with Christ in us, we can do all things. Paul knew this learning progression needed to be exercised with determination and faith. Thus, he wrote to Timothy, “Be watchful in all things” and to Titus, “In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works.” He wanted them to finish their race as he had finished his – victoriously!

Revelation 21 says that he who overcomes shall inherit all things as God’s son. It says Heaven and earth pass away, but He makes all things new for those who were in faith. John explains this: “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5).

God has made you to overcome. As you walk by faith, knowing that He is in control will be an inner growing light, an ongoing and growing consciousness and discovery. You will have greater victory and will overcome as you allow God to remove “the cloak of childhood.” This comes with the rite of “adoption.” This does not mean you are not already family; it is not taking an orphan in. It is an official ceremony moving growing family members out of childhood into adulthood.

"Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Gal. 4:1-7).

Where are you today? Are you born again? This defines a “babe in Christ” (“brethos”). Are you a child of God? This defines a toddler or a pre-pubescent youngster (“nepios”, “paidion”). Or are you somewhat mature, but not of full age (“teknon”)? Are you a son (“weos”)? This is one who has achieved maturity and is therefore ready for adoption (“weos-thesia” meaning “son-placement”).

It is this Spirit of Adoption in you who will remove childhood and install the “toga virilus,” the cloak of manhood. Paul stated it well in Gal 2:20, saying, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Paul knew self was controlling him until he called on the name of the Lord and God changed his spirit, his heart, and what his body was being used for.

God sent the Spirit of His Son, the spirit of son-placement, into Paul’s heart and he could say, “Daddy, I know you are in control.” We, too, must know God is in us to will and to do, thus making us overcomers. As we find His willing, we find His doing and will achieve son-placement and inherit all things!

-Walt Healy, Senior Pastor