Terry Casales - March 4, 2020
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
John 8:12 - (NKJV)
Jesus is the most unique Person in all of human history. Jesus is unlike anyone else who has ever existed on earth. He spoke and acted differently from everyone else. He did not fit the mold of the world’s definition of what a man was and how He was expected to function and who He was supposed to be.
Jesus never compared Himself with anyone else because He knew who He was the entire time He was on earth. Jesus understood the assignment His Father had given Him and He understood that He came from somewhere else completely different. He came from a place that is completely different from the earth in every way! The place where righteousness, peace and joy operate, where there is no limitation — where all things are possible!
Jesus did not fit into the culture and mindset of the day. Everything Jesus stands for is diametrically opposed to the definition of the world system. While He functioned in the world, having worked in a trade as a carpenter and master craftsman, he did not allow His identity to be defined by this role and His life experiences, which is how the world defines people. Jesus’ origin is not of this world:
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” - John 18:36 (NKJV)
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The world assigns worth to an individual by the career he/she has, the car he/she drives, the amount of money he/she has in his/her bank account, the house he/she lives in and his/her social status. In the world, most seek acceptance and self worth from how they are perceived and evaluated by others.
In the current time we are living in, with the advent of social media, it is all too easy for one to define himself/herself and the state of the life he/she is living as insignificant when compared to the lives of others they see on display. It is important that we realize that social media does not portray the every day life struggles of the human condition — it only shows the “highlight reel” of a person’s life. It shows all of the perceived blessings, privileges and positive milestones, but none of the behind the scenes of a person’s daily life — the messy parts — the suffering, the failures and the losses. It shows the successes but none of the “in-between” life events that one must go through to get to those pinnacles.
Another thing that social media portrays on the surface is the perfect “Stepford” family - the family that seems to have everything together where life is good all the time. The photos show them as living very happy and fulfilled lives without a care in the world.
We must take note that this is all an illusion the enemy continually uses to make the rest of us believe our life is not good enough because there must be something inherently wrong with us, because we do not possess the same blessings these “Stepford” families seem to be enjoying. The reality is that not everything in life is perfect and not everyone has it all together all the time! Anyone who has ever lived on this planet has gone through trials at some point in their lives. No one is immune to the valleys of life! If you are living and breathing on earth long enough you will inevitably go through trials in one form or another! It should be noted that this is not even taking into account the other trials which are caused by others through relationships. Pretending that everything is “honky dory” is an illusion because we are all each carrying battle scars. Thank God that we have the privilege of knowing the One who can help us navigate through life and bring healing from past hurts and traumas — Jesus the hope of glory!
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33 (NKJV)
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As long as sin is in the world there will be trials — sickness, suffering, death and mourning!
Even if someone has lived with every material blessing and privilege this life has to offer, and, even, for the sake of argument, every relationship in his/her life has been good, they are still missing the most important relationship of all — a personal relationship with Jesus! He/she will still be just existing — without the revelation of their true identity as a son/daughter of the Family of God he/she was created to be! There will always be a void that is in us that only God can fill because we were intentionally created to be in relationship with Him!
For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? - Matthew 16:26 (NKJV)
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Without becoming a new creation in Christ, a person only lives a half-life. Even worse than that, he/she is condemned to live spiritually dead for all eternity!
so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. - Romans 5:21 (NKJV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:23 (NKJV)
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We were all created to be part of the Family of God! We were all created to live a life from the realm that is unseen by the natural eyes! The reality is that we are not of this world as we were created in the image of our Creator God, born from His heart!
We were all created, not to fit in, but to stand out, to shine, just like Jesus!
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. - Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” - John 8:12 (NKJV)
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light - Ephesians 5:8 (NKJV)
“No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lamp stand, that those who come in may see the light. - Luke 11:33 (NKJV)
Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. - Isaiah 60:1 (NKJV)
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Each of us is a unique expression of the image of God! Like a snowflake, each of us is beautifully designed to be “different” by our Master Craftsman — Jesus!
We were never meant to look like or to act like the world because we are not of this world. Each of us has been given a unique assignment by God since before the foundation of the world!
just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, - Ephesians 1:4 (NKJV)
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. - Romans 11:29 (NKJV)
who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, - 2 Timothy 1:9 (NKJV)
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. - Psalm 139:14 (NKJV)
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When we receive the revelation that we are each a unique expression of God, comparison is completely taken out of the equation. The only One who truly defines your worth is God and God alone!
As God’s sons and daughters we are valued! And, just like Jesus, He is so pleased with us, just because of who we are!
Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” - Mark 1:11 (NKJV)
You are God’s beloved!!
Jesus left us His perfect blueprint on how to live different through His life and ministry on earth!
We are called to live the “different” life of Jesus as His followers because we are the righteousness of God and co-heirs with Him! We are different just like Jesus because, as new creations in Christ, as He is so are we! In Christ, we have the fulness of God inside of us, just like Jesus had here on earth!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. - 1 John 4:17 (NKJV)
to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. - Ephesians 3:19 (NKJV)
Then He who sat outsiden the throne said, “Behold, I make all things need w.” And He said to me, that “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” - Revelation 21:5 (NKJV)
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It’s time to celebrate and to live the “different” Kingdom life you were created to live as the beautiful new creation that you are!!
Delight yourself in the Lord for He delights in you!!