GOD’S PLAN (written in 1989)
Dear Beloved in Christ,
The Lord spoke to me about 9 months ago that my wife, Lisa, and I would have a baby. In the weeks that followed, the Lord also promised us a son, what we should name him and when he would be born, May 7th.
There were many skeptics as Lisa and I shared our faith in these promises that God had given us concerning the baby. Sad to say that Christians doubted as much as unbelievers. Certainly we had a 50/50 chance on guessing the sex of the baby, but the sex AND the date of birth?
We rested in faith knowing that, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise…” (2 Peter 3:9) and, “…He is faithful that promised.” (Heb 10:2)
Praise God! On May 7th, Lisa gave birth to a son we named Aaron as directed by the Almighty. Aaron was born exactly 40 weeks from conception.
What does mom go through during this 40 week period?
- First, a time of going through a wilderness experience, wandering lost and without direction in a barren desert. Time slows down and drags on endlessly; a time of waiting and wondering, pondering about things to come. Only the hope of what lies ahead helps moms to be patient and endure the waiting.
- Next is labor. Before there can be any birth there is always a time of labor. Labor before the delivery of a baby can be a long and difficult struggle. Contractions are painful and seem to never end. Only the hope of giving birth gives moms the strength to get through the pain.
- Finally a new baby is born! All of the time spent in waiting, filled with anxiety and feeling alone is worth it. The struggle and the pain of labor is forgotten. The realization of mom’s hope is all that matters. When a mother beholds her baby there is nothing but joy!
It is no coincidence that GOD made it 40 weeks for the new birth of a baby. There are many 40 day, week and year periods in the Bible before new births.
Noah was 40 days in the ark. He was delivered through water and birthed into a new life and newborn earth. The Isrealites labored 40 years in the desert before crossing the Jordan River and being delivered into the promised land. They were birthed into a new life in a new land. After Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, He labored 40 days in the wilderness before being birthed into His ministry upon the earth. Jesus was birthed into a new life in the Spirit.
Before a new birth, whether it be natural or spiritual, there is waiting, labor and delivery.
This is the cycle even for us as we are…..
“BEiNG born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” (I Peter 1:23, capitals mine)
Most Christians believe that to be born again is a one time thing as if to say that once you believe in Jesus you have all there is. Surely it is a lie from satan, telling us we have arrived to stop us from seeking God and entering into all that He has for us.
It is certain that there is at least two births that take place as outlined by JESUS!
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except that a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3-5)
First Jesus said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot SEE the kingdom of God.” There is a “seeing” that takes place after believing in Jesus. The Bible starts to make sense and there is an understanding of the things of God. Only after believing can the kingdom of God be SEEN.
Jesus then said, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” When you believe and are water baptized (born of water) you can SEE the kingdom of GOD. There is also an ENTERING INTO the kingdom that takes place after you are born of water AND of the Spirit.
Paul said, “My little children of whom I travail in birth AGAIN until Christ be formed in you.” (Gal. 4:19, caps. Mine) I am sure that we all believed Paul to be born again, yet he said, “I travail in birth AGAIN.”
Giving birth to Christ is an on-going process within all Christians. Only the hope of Christ being fully formed in us drives us on. This is our hope of glory and the mystery of the gospel. Not only did Jesus die to save us from a devil’s hell, but also that we may be where He is.
“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that WHERE I AM, THERE YE MAY BE ALSO.” (John 14:2,3 caps. Mine)
This is the gospel (good news)!
When a man knows his wife there is a union formed between them and they become one flesh. This close face to face contact results in the seed of the man being placed in the woman. The seed will grow in her during her pregnancy until she goes into labor and a child is born.
The verses in Ephesians chapter 5 are used often for sermons about husbands and wives. What Paul was really talking about is in verse 32, “This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Paul was comparing husbands and wives to the mystery of Christ and His bride.
God’s purpose is not only to save or fill with His Spirit, but God longs to know us as a man knows his bride. When God comes unto us by His Spirit and loves us, He places His seed within us. The result of this is:
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” (Isa 9:6)
The result is sons. So what does is mean to be a son of God?
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)
If we are led by the Spirit, then we are the sons of God. This is the point where most people jump up and say, “Blasphemer! Heretic! There is only one Son! You are claiming to be God!” No I am not. I am hoping to know what Paul meant when wrote,
“And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Eph 3:19)
My hope is to comprehend the love of God, for God is love. (I John 4:8)
“BEHOLD, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.” (I John 3:1,2)
It is written of Jesus,
“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.” (Heb 1:15)
To be a son is to be the image or expression of the invisible God. If God (God is a Spirit, John 4:24) were to possess a human body and express Himself though that body, He would act just like Jesus. In truth, Jesus is the Son of God, or God in the flesh. Not only does God possess a body in the case of Jesus, but God’s Spirit possesses us when we believe in Jesus. God is still taking flesh, yours and mine. Anyone that does not believe that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of the spirit of antichrist.
“Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist wherof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” (I John 4:2,3)
These verses say IS COME in the flesh, not DID COME. Jesus Christ is still coming in the flesh, though He is seldom recognized.
“He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:11-13)
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8:29)
Jesus is referred to as the, “firstborn among many brethren.” If He is the firstborn, then there must be more!
When God comes unto us and knows us by His Spirit the seed of Christ is placed in us and we become spiritually pregnant. As this seed grows in us, we become more and more lead by His Spirit.
With labor comes the struggle to completely submit ourselves unto the will of the Father. We will go through our own Gethsemene where we must say to the Father, “…nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.” (Luke 22:42) We can’t even do this on our own as it is contrary to our nature to die to our own will. Yet if we choose to be fully possessed and lead by the Spirit, then we must, “…press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:14); and thus, we too are the sons of God.
Jesus was TOTALLY led by the Father which is what it takes to be a son. If we are led by the Spirit, then we are the sons of God!
Only when God opens our eyes by His Spirit, can we say as the songwriter, “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the LORD…” and, “In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me….”
Jesus was a manifested son of God on the mount of Transfiguration. The voice of the Father even called from heaven, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matt 17:5)
This seeing or understanding of the mystery of the gospel cannot be learned or taught. It is given by God just like salvation.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the GIFT of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph 2:8, 9 capitals mine)
There are many that the Bible says are, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Tim 3:7) Only when God GIVES us the understanding of the mystery of the gospel, can we comprehend the hope of glory which is CHRIST IN YOU. (Col 1:27)
So for what purpose is all this sons of God stuff for? The answer lies in Romans 8:18, 19 and 22;
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”
In that day all creation will be set free. All of creation is still groaning and travailing; laboring and waiting for a new birth. Even now we feel the groaning of the Spirit within us as we wait for the manifestation of the sons of God. In that day, not only will Jesus Christ bodily appear from heaven, but He will also be revealed in His saints. In that day the glory of God will shine out from the Christ, the Spirit of God that is even now forming within us. This will be the Son of God being birthed out from us. In that day we shall, “say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!” (Isa 40:9)
In that day we will fully understand what it means to be born of the Spirit, born from above, and born again!
God Bless and keep you in His eternal love.