January, 2009

 

Fulfilling Your God-given Destiny!

Dr. Jeff Thompson

  

7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Hebrews 5:7-10

             It is fitting at the inception of this New Year that each of us remembers that God has an awesome plan for every one of our lives. No matter who you are or what your background, God has a tremendous purpose for you. And His Plan for you far exceeds what you could ever have planned for yourself.

            The Apostle Peter said that Jesus Christ is our example (I Pet. 2:21). Christians the world over are confident in their conviction that Jesus did indeed fulfill His Divine Destiny. The writer of Hebrews gives us four “keys” that will help us fulfill the calling and destiny on our lives as well.

1. The key to fulfilling the “call” lies in “becoming.”

            Never forget that God is more concerned with what He does IN you than He is in what He does THROUGH you. God is more concerned with “making” you than He is with simply “using” you. Certainly all of us who love the Lord want Him to “use” us in whatever way He wishes. However, when Jesus called the Twelve, He did not say, “Follow me and I will use you.” Rather, He said, “Follow me and I will MAKE you…” And actually, if we will allow God to do all He desires to do IN us, we will see much more of lasting importance for the Kingdom of God accomplished as He works THROUGH us.

2. The key to “becoming” lies in “maturity.”

            The Greek word translated “perfect” could be rendered “mature.” Although He is God from all eternity, in His earthly walk, Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and favor (Lk. 2:52). Jesus was born, grew and matured. And through the “maturing” was brought forth the “becoming.”

3. The key to “maturity” lies in “obedience.”

            One of the greatest tests of character we will ever face as humans is the test of how we relate to those in authority over us in various areas of our lives. Jesus declared that a Roman centurion had great faith, because that officer demonstrated a great understanding of authority (Matt. 8:6-10). And obedience is something that must be “learned.” Jesus learned obedience through what He “suffered.” This does not mean that Jesus suffered sickness or disease. The Greek word translated “suffered” actually refers to any life experience, positive or negative, which impacts us in some way. You see, every experience in life impacts us, but we must decide which of life’s experiences we will allow to “shape” us or to “define” us. Through all of life’s experiences, Jesus was determined to obey and fulfill the will of the Heavenly Father. We can make the same determination by faith.

4. The key to “obedience” lies in the “fear of the Lord.”

            Jesus asked, “Why do you call me Lord and yet don’t do the things I say?” (Lk. 6:46). The Psalmist declared that the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Ps. 111:10). The “fear of the Lord” is not a morbid, terrifying, tormenting fear. Rather the word the writer of Hebrews uses means “reverence.” If I “fear” the Lord, then I “reverence” Him, I am in awe of Him, and I set what He says as the highest and final authority in my life. Regardless of what some folks may say, people who deliberately and blatantly disobey God are people that really, in their hearts, do not fear Him.

            Let us make a fresh commitment in 2009 to honor and fear the Lord Jesus Christ, revering and recognizing His Word as our highest and final authority.

Please join Sis. Linda and me at our next monthly Healing and Miracle Service, Saturday, February 6, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. at Word of Truth Church, Highway 6 West, Many, LA.