Scripture: Acts 3 v 6: "Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."
Matthew 9 v 2 - 6: "And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house."
Until we meet Jesus and receive Him in our hearts we are spiritually paralyzed, and need the faith of others to share their testimonies of salvation and healing so our faith can come to life.
When we are baptised in the Holy Spirit we can then give gifts of miracles and healings to those who are lame, ill or in difficulty. We have authority from our Father in Heaven to use the name of Jesus to change the lives of those who are oppressed, depressed or possessed.
We don't have to have special training to be used of God, we just have to be available and obedient. Jesus is our Leader and we are all followers, whether we are apostles, prophets, pastors or lowly members of his body. We all follow the Lamb.
We all start out as the lame man at the beautiful gate who begged for money. We are poor, blind, naked and compromised by the world of sin. Someone walks by with Godly authority and says forget the money, rise up and walk.
Suddenly we become a new creation in Christ Jesus. We are connected to the Highest power in the Universe. God has come alive in our hearts and we are forever changed. Our needs are met, our hopes have come alive, our destination is solid gold. We need to rise up and walk in newness of life.
Let us throw off the shackles of the world and move into the higher life of Jesus. Our eternal life began the moment we were born again, we just need to find out what that really means. We are now upgraded to the full stature that Adam had before he fell and caused every person born between him and Jesus to be diminished by sin.
Jesus was the second Man, Adam was the first Man, created in God's spiritual image, which is the full stature. Jesus was the last Adam, ie the last of the old creation. Jesus became the first of the New creation. 1 Corinthians 15 v 45-49. Everyone born before the resurrection of Jesus was of a lower spiritual and mental stature than that which Adam had.
When we follow Jesus we identify with his death so that the wages of sin which is death, dies with Him. In baptism we lose the old sinful nature and gain the nature of Jesus, that hates sin. Coming up out of the water we identify with His resurrection. We are then ready for the Holy Spirit baptism which completes the transformation into the new creation.
Now we can rise up and walk in full stature to be a witness of the way the living Jesus within us has changed us to be like Him. You cannot serve two masters so if the sinful world still appeals to you it can suck you back in and you have gained nothing but guilt and shame.
So stand tall and walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Shun the lure of worldly pleasure for a life of love, peace and joy every day of the year. This walk is not some stroll, or here today gone tomorrow. This walk is a lifestyle that follows the lifestyle of Jesus. It is not an act of kindness or giving here and there but a continual flow of love and mercy to exalt the One who dwells in our hearts.
Prayer: Father God we appreciate You and the abundance of gifts you give us to bless those who need a touch from Your hand. Let us perceive our changed stature and walk in it to experience Your life flowing through us to others. Let no pride or disobedience block Your salvation message. In Jesus' name. Amen.
