A New Reality for the People of Christ

Meditations for Seeking the Life in Christ

The Gospel of John 

September 20, 2024

A New Reality for the People of Christ

 “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.

But take heart, because I have overcome the world”

John 16:33

Jesus tells his followers that when he is through birthing God’s New Creation, his followers will have the very same standing with God the Father as he does. When our prayers embody the life of Jesus, our prayers are unimpeded as they ascend to God. Think of what that means! When we pray in the Life of Christ, we receive the full and undivided attention of God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

Jesus says that when we pray in his name, we are not going through him to God; we are speaking directly to God the Father. Jesus’ incredible promise is really hard to wrap our mind around, and that only becomes more difficult when you consider what he next told his disciples: “But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone” (John 16:32a). Jesus made his promise in the full knowledge that his followers, in their human frailty, would falter and not always remain faithful. Our prayers will not always fully embody the life of Jesus. Jesus knows all of the pitfalls that are in the pathways of his disciples and responds by making yet another incredible promise: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

My Takeaway You are God’s beloved child with whom He is well pleased, and upon whom His favor rests.  What is true for Jesus is true for Christianoi, the people of Christ. As a disciple of Jesus, you have unfettered access to God the Father. Yes, these promises of Jesus seem impossible for us to fully grasp. Even so, I invite you to join me as I take a leap of faith and choose to dwell in God’s new reality for the people of Christ. 

            Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

 

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2024 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.