Chapter 9 The Plan

Chapter 9 The Plan

CHAPTER 9

THE PLAN 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.

This final verse in our study is really the key; the overall plan; the will of God. It is the desire of God the Father, indeed the requirement, that we be formed in the image of His Son. This works in tandem: first, God must see us as He sees His own Son if we are to fellowship with Him intimately. Secondly, for any of God’s promises to be effective, the Devil must also see us as though he were seeing Christ. This principle actually reveals the meaning of “foreknowledge” and “predestination.”

Much time could be spent attempting to explicate these doctrines, Romans 8:29 easily interprets itself, however, so we need not spend much time doing so. “Foreknow” simply means (known before hand). Certainly the conscientious Bible student recognizes that God the Father knows us from before our existence. Since our God is omniscient, and knew us before we existed, He chose to “predestinate” – predetermined – that we, as His offspring, should look like [resemble] His only begotten Son. This is, in fact, literally what Romans 8:29 proclaims: “For whom He did foreknow [before hand], He also did predestinate [predetermine] to be conformed to the image of His Son.” Our concern, therefore, should not be predestination, but our resemblance to Christ.

CONFORMED

The Greek word for “conformed” in Romans 8:29 means (jointly formed). It comes from two words; (union) and (together). Thus, (harmony) or (to harmonize) would be a proper rendering. The Greek usage actually comes from a word which means in (shape) or (nature). Thus, we who are “the called” are [have been] predetermined to be formed or shaped in the “image” of Christ.

IMAGE

The Greek rendering of “image” in our verse simply means “in likeness,” such as a statue or profile. It comes from a base meaning (to resemble). God, of course, created man in His own “image” (Gen. 1:27), and likewise we are new creations (II Cor. 5:17). made to (resemble) Christ our Lord.

Some may assume we began to resemble Christ when we were born again; such, however, is not the case. For the born again Believer, spiritual death occurred with Christ upon the cross which is when, and where, we “crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts” (Gal. 5:24). It is because of the cross we begin to resemble Christ who gave His life for us. Keep in mind, however, that Romans 8:29 confirms that this resemblance was “predetermined” before creation.

An excellent comparison to this doctrine is that of David’s explanation of conception in the mother’s womb. He confirmed that before actual conception, our existence; even our form I.E. physical measurements, intellect, personality etc., were all known and recorded by God (Psalm 139:14-16). Such is likewise true of salvation. God has before ordained that we should resemble His eternal nature in His Son once born into His kingdom. Additionally, as Christ was the image of God (Col. 1:15), so we now have been given the image of His Son according to Romans 8:29.

“Why,” one might ask, “do we not resemble Christ as much as we ought?” The answer is revealed in the mystery of prayer as we partner with the Holy Spirit. His ministry is to “help” us when we pray. One might find it interesting to note that part of the word translated in the King James Version as “helpeth” in Romans 8:26 is also found in the Greek word rendered “conformed” in verse (29) of Romans 8. In another words, the Holy Spirit harmonizes with our prayers to “make intercession” which is in agreement with God’s will and plan. His ministry, therefore, is one of bringing unity in the spirit through prayer. If we are to interpret Romans 8:29 correctly, we must conclude that a lack of prayer promotes less resemblance, less profile, less likeness. If we will pray with, and in, the Spirit, however, it will produce a greater resemblance to that of our Lord Christ. Such is the plan [will] of God.

IMITATORS

My dad had ligaments severed through an accident on the ring finger of his right hand as a youth. The damage had never been repaired. Consequently the finger pulled inward, shortening it, and although he had full use of the finger and hand, the middle knuckle was always raised about a half an inch when all the other fingers were stretched flat. I always tried imitating the likeness of my Dad’s hand by trying to bend my finger. It took practice, but I managed to accomplish it some of the time. Why did I do it? To be like my Dad, of course!

Paul commanded us to “be followers of Christ” (Eph. 5:1). The Greek word translated “followers” in Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians is literally (imitators). Somehow we have gotten the idea that such conduct would indicate spiritual illegitimacy. Yet clearly we are commanded to imitate our Lord. Stranger yet is our Lord’s revelation that if we were to believe in Him, not only would we be able to do the works which He did while upon earth, but even greater works would we do, because He, Jesus, was going to the father (John 14:12). Lest He be misunderstood, He went one step further; confessing that if we would ask any thing in His name, that is, (as we went about doing His works), He would do it that the Father might be glorified in the Son (John 14:13). If we plan to obey Him, apparently Jesus knew we would be imitating Him in the process of doing His works.

The results of imitating my Dad were first: identity; I looked like my Dad. If you didn’t think so, just ask Mom; she said so. Having identity with my father was personally rewarding because he was well liked, had many friends, and was respected by others. To be identified with him, therefore, afforded me the same; to a lesser degree, but the same nonetheless. It felt good to hear someone say, “That’s Willie’s kid…just like his Dad, isn’t he?

A second benefit of imitating my Dad was intimacy. When I hear my children repeating word-for-word something I have said, or rehearsing a joke they heard their Dad tell, I become more sensitive since I know they are listening; watching; doing. This results in personal fondness and draws me to them intimately. As they imitate their Dad, I see myself in them and thus I responde affectionately. I am sure my Dad felt the same way, too, as I imitated him.

In a very real sense, it is also true with our Heavenly Father. When we identify ourselves with Him – act, talk, think, work – as He does, intimacy results. The Father hears His children talking – saying the same words – as He has proclaimed in His Word and He listens. he sees us walking in His ways and He desires to walk with us in fellowship. When such occurs, spiritual intimacy flows. This is the true meaning of “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (Jam. 4:7-8). We need to be careful whom we imitate, however. We need to be absolutely sure we are indeed imitating Him and not another; another preacher, another teacher, another man, another friend. To imitate the wrong “One” – resemble the wrong “image” – would produce something far different than spiritual intimacy with God. If we are going to walk as Jesus walked, talk as Jesus talked, and live as Jesus lived, in order that we might experience spiritual intimacy with Him, we need to make sure we know who Jesus is.

PERSON

For one claiming to be a “Bible Believer,” we willingly and eagerly acknowledge our Lord’s deity, Sonship, second personage in the Godhead, eternality, sovereignty, and we reverence Christ as Creator God. In light of such doctrine, it sometimes becomes difficult to simply acknowledge Him as a real person; yet He is. He did not come to earth to function as God, although He was and is God; but He came as a man and lived as such upon earth.

PROPHET

For years I believed and taught that Christ performed His miracles – the healing of the blind and deaf, the raising of the dead, the feeding of the five thousand, the walking on water – because of His deity I.E. God. If such were true, why did he wait till the age of thirty to begin doing miracles? There is even one other haunting question which made me uncomfortable when attempting to explain this dilemma. We are told that Jesus did not do many mighty works in His own country because of their unbelief (Matt. 13:58). If our Lord ministered on earth as God, why would such perfidy have negated His miracle working power? The only logical, and Scriptural answer, is that He did not function as God upon earth, although He was, but rather as a Spirit led, Spirit filled Prophet.

The office of a prophet was highly respected; and revered, especially in Old Testament times. They spake both words of God and words from God inspirationally. Miracles were likewise performed by prophets. They experienced visions and witnessed Heavenly manifestations. Their position and authority was greatly honored. Such was still the case during New Testament times. Our Lord walked in such an office as He ministered upon earth.

When the Pharisees were perplexed by the practice of baptism which John the baptizer was employing in his ministry, they sent priests and levites to question his unorthodoxy. Besides asking if he, John, were Christ or Elijah, and finding his answers unacceptable, they desired to know if he were “that prophet;” a reference to Christ (John 1:21). Furthermore, our Lord was called a prophet throughout His entire ministry by many. His own testimony, however, of operating in the office of prophet is recorded in three of the four Gospels (Matt. 13:57, Mark 6:4, Luke 4:24, Luke 13:33.). Two of our Lord’s disciples also confessed Him, Jesus, as being a prophet after His resurrection while they walked through the countryside (Luke 24:19). Jesus functioned on earth as a prophet; a Spirit filled prophet, but a prophet nonetheless (Luke 4:1).
PREACHER

Jesus also came to preach and teach God’s Word. He began His ministry at the age of twelve by teaching in the synagogues (Luke 4:16-21). We even gain insight as to what Jesus continually preached and taught throughout the synagogues: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18). Immediately following this reading of Isaiah’s prophesy, Luke records: “And He began to say unto them, This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears” (Luke 4:21). If, therefore, Jesus “began” to say these things, it would be safe to assume He continually said such throughout the balance of His ministry. Indeed, Jesus read from Isaiah’s prophesy exactly the message He was sent to bring; that is, [(1) The Spirit of the Lord was upon Him; (2) He was anointed to preach the Gospel to the poor; (3) He was sent to heal the brokenhearted; (4) He was to preach deliverance to the captives; (5) He was to bring recovery of sight to the blind; (6) He was to set at liberty the bruised; (7) and He was to preach the acceptable year of the Lord]. This was His Gospel and He preached it pertinaciously.

PRIESTHOOD

The levitical priesthood was a select group of men who served the needs of the people by maintaining the tabernacle. They were assigned various tasks including preparing and offering of sacrificial offerings for the people, tending to the inner court, and generally interceding for the people. As has been mentioned earlier, once a year the high priest sacrificed a lamb, carried its blood behind the thick vail which separated the Most Holy Place from that of the inner court [The Holy Place-sanctuary] and poured the blood out upon the mercy seat [ark of the covenant] (Heb. 9:1-10). This mirrored the ministry of the prophesied Messiah. Jesus our Lord became both our High Priest and sacrifice for sin; entering once behind the vail, by rending it from top-tobottom, to offer His life and blood that we might be eternally one with God the Father (Heb. 9:11-12).

PASTOR

The pastoral ministry of our Lord is not generally emphasized or even recognized. This may be do to the absence of a church? Yet Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone of the Church (Eph. 2:19). Furthermore, Christ is confirmed as the “Head” of the Church [Body] (Eph. 1:22, Eph. 4:15, Col. 1:18).

Although we recognize Jesus as The Prophet, as The High Priest, as The Apostle (Heb. 3:1), as The Teacher, and even as The Evangelist – one who brings good tidings – we often overlook our Lord as The Pastor. The Greek word for “pastor:” “And He gave some, apostles; and some; prophets, and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ”” (Eph. 4:11-12), is actually translated (shepherd). Our Lord is even called “The Chief Shepherd” (I Peter 5:4). The nature, personality, character, and responsibilities of a shepherd is well known and thus we perhaps can gain a better understanding of our Lord’s ministry as He was upon earth. He ministered to the multitudes as a pastor and yet had time for the individual. Such is His ministry yet today.

POTENTATE

The wise men of the east came to Herod looking for the “King of the Jews” (Matt. 2:2). As He fulfilled prophesy by riding into Jerusalem on a colt, He was thus being honored as “King” (Matt. 21:5). Although His nature and personage is that of King, He came first to serve.

APPLICATION

We are cut, stamped, formed in the image of Christ. As He, our Lord Christ, functioned upon earth, He did so as a real person. He did not appear as a ghost a mystical apparition, a moral creed, religious philosophy, or even as a life style, but as a person who demonstrated personal interest in real people. Often today this aspect of ministry is overlooked by the busyness of the ministry itself. Even individuals forget and forsake the personal aspect of ministry. We are sent to the world to minister as one, that is, individually, and as “one” Body in unity. Such unity is achieved by first imaging the person of our Lord.

Jesus walked as The Prophet. Such men were those who spoke inspirationally. If we are in His image today, we, too, must speak accordingly. Our speech must resemble that of our Lord’s. We need to identify ourselves with Him by the way we talk and what we say. As we begin to speak His Word, we will function as preacher and our message will be His Gospel.We also must never neglect His works in order that others may see Christ in us.

In our imitating of Christ, we must not forget our responsibility as interceding priests. As kings and priests of Christ, we need to fulfill that mediator aspect of our Lord’s person in order that others may be ministered to in His name. “There is one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus” (I Tim. 2:5). If others cannot see that image in us, then we are not exercising Scriptural conformity.

As Jesus ministered in a pastoral capacity, showing personal care and concern for not only the multitudes but the individual, we need to maintain this image in our service for Him as well. If we forsake individuality, we loose the image of His person and thus loss of effectiveness in ministry.

Finally there is the matter of kingship. We need to walk in the power and authority of our Lord’s image as King. Often many serve the Lord and do everything discussed thus far, only to forsake the image of “King.” We must rule, therefore, our lives by the power and authority of His Word in order that the world will see His likeness in us.

POWER

As noted in this chapter, our Lord did not exercise power because of His deity but because He came as an anointed prophet. He was our example that we might do even greater works than he (John 14:12-14). We need to consider the answers to three questions therefore: What was the origin, nature, and method of execution of His power?

HEAVENLY

Early in His ministry, He began choosing the twelve who would follow Him. In John’s Gospel, He was introduced to Nathanael and informed him that He, Jesus, was aware of his, Nathanael’s, Godly character. Nathanael was shocked by this revelation and immediately confessed Jesus as the Son of God; the Messiah (John 1:47-50). Apparently Jesus had seen Nathanael in the Spirit and revealed his thoughts to him personally in more detail than is recorded; thus Nathanael’s astonished response. Such personal revelation is, of itself, an indication of the power Jesus had in (word of knowledge) manifestation. Jesus continued by confessing that Nathanael would see greater works as the heavens were opened and angels would decent and ascend upon Him (John 1:51). Thus, by this statement, Jesus confirmed His power was from Heaven.

Our Lord continually confirmed His power was heavenly in origin throughout His ministry. For example, He confessed He was Himself come from Heaven (John 3:13), that He in fact came from “above ()John 3:31., and what He had seen and heard [implying from His Father in Heaven] of such He would testify (John 3:32). He even confirmed that He was sent from Heaven to do God’s will (John 6:38). His power, therefore, was authoritative because of its Heavenly origin.

HOLY

I know it seems superfluous to say that the power of Christ was “Holy” in nature, but we do need to differentiate between that of God’s eternal power and that of His Son’s. Although the Scriptures clearly identify Christ as God, He, Jesus, functioned upon earth as God-Man I.E. The Son of man. His power, therefore, was not acquired, shared, or given by God. It was in fact the nature of Christ, as God, at work on earth through the ministry and manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

The virgin birth of Christ is the first Scriptural indication of our Lord’s innate power, since His birth was of the “Holy” Ghost (Matt. 1:18-20). Strangely enough, even demons confessed Jesus to be the “Holy One of God” (Mark 1:24). His name is Holy (Luke 1:49), He is at the right hand of the Father exalted (Acts 2:33), and the angelic seraphim [six winged creatures] ever minister in His presence crying “Holy, Holy, Holy” (Rev. 4:8). Such evidence, therefore, is indisputable; the innate power of Christ was [is] Holy by nature.

HOLY SPIRIT

In focusing on the power of Christ as He ministered upon earth, we must conclude His power was a manifestation of the Holy Spirit of God. We know,. for example, the Holy Spirit came in the form of a dove and rested upon Him (Matt. 3:16-17). Likewise, the apostle John confirmed that the Holy Spirit was not given by measure unto Christ (John 3:34). Our Lord was led of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 4:1), He was full of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1), He went forth in the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:14), and Isaiah prophesied that God would put the Holy Spirit upon Him (Matt. 12:18). Jesus even claimed that He cast out devils [demons] by the Holy Spirit (Matt. 12:22-32 ).

One might ask if our Lord could have done His works without the Holy Spirit. To do so would have negated His claim as Messiah; for Messiah would come anointed of God with the Holy Spirit (Matt. 12:28). As we saw earlier in this book, the Holy Spirit was present and functional during the creation of the universe, the virgin birth of our Lord, the inspiration of the Scriptures, the regeneration of the sinner, and even the resurrection of our Lord. For Christ to have ministered outside of the Holy Spirit would have been evidence that He was a false christ. His power, therefore, was manifested through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

APPLICATION

If we are in His image, and Romans 8:29 confirms that such was ordained before time began, we must do His works, as imitators [followers] of God. We must first, therefore, be careful our works are heavenly in origin. It is easy to function by rule and regulation; thus to more easily judge our spirituality. To do so, however, is fleshly – carnal (Rom. 8:1-8).

Since we have been given a new nature in Christ, we thus should imitate our Lord with “Holy” works. Such is not always the case, however. Often a Christian will find himself walking, performing, exercising, heavenly works but as a form and not as a (faith) – conviction. When our imitations image that of our Lord’s naturally, that is, supernaturally; power will result. This, therefore, becomes the manifested mystery of the Holy Spirit in partnership prayer.

Finally there is the Spirit filled life. If we can see from Scripture that our Lord functioned, operated, ministered, and walked in the power of the Holy Spirit, how can we, His imitators, forsake such Biblical truth? “And you shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you” (Acts 1:8).

PRACTICE

Although the dictionary defines “practice” in a multiplicity of ways, I liked the following: (actual performance and application of knowledge – distinguished from theory). Conforming to the image of Christ is not simply “practice makes perfect,” but rather “perfect makes practice.” We are in the image of Christ as joint heirs. In covenant relationship with Him, we share all things common including His nature. Thus as He is perfect, we are likewise perfect in the eyes of God. I practiced looking, acting, and talking like my Dad because I already carried his likeness. In another words, since I already looked like him, I wanted to practice being like him rather than like another. We thus practice the image of Christ, not because we desire to look more and more like Him – indeed we do – but to appear less and less like the world; thus fulfilling the plan [will] of God I.E. to conform to the image of Christ. We must consider, therefore, how do we practice His image?

ASSOCIATION

In chapter 1 we looked at “Partnerships.” I used the word “association” to define an aspect of a true partnership and said it was the (closely joining together of persons with a common purpose). We closely associate ourselves with our Lord because we look like [image] His very person and personality. Close association even implies similarity in nature, or, that at the very least, one desires similarity.

When first meeting my wife, Sandy, we began calling each other every day; sometimes many times in a single day, thus establishing regular and consistent communication. Before long, of course, we made direct contact by dating. We associated by calling, by communicating, and by direct contact. Such should be the nature of practicing the image of Christ. We must call upon Him continually, regularly, and consistently. The establishment of such practice results in perpetual communication giving us direct contact with Him as Lord of our lives. This practice is the performance, or application, of the knowledge that we indeed already possess His likeness – nature.

ARTICULATION

A common spiritual disease among Christians often is the idea that one can remain a “silent partner.” Jesus said if we did not confess Him before men, He likewise would not confess us before His Father” (Matt. 10:32).

In music, (vocal) means that which has been written in relation to, performed by, or arranged for, the human voice in contrast to instrumental. The Christian practice is likewise “vocal.” We must articulate our likeness by the sound of our own voice. The natural world and the spiritual world must hear us sounding like [resembling] our Lord in order that His likeness might be recognized and revered.

ACTUATED

I have chosen the word “actuate” to represent the “practice” of the image of Christ because it has a stronger meaning than just “action.” One dictionary definition of “actuate” is (to incite to action) or to (move). Our practice, imaging, of Christ should incite, not simply be, to action. In another words, we need to be about our Fathers business. Such is a matter of discipline which, in fact, is practice. Such activity of “doing” and “discipline” results in development; development of Godly character, thus to be more identifiable [recognizable].

PERFECTION

Jesus commanded that we should be perfect as our Father in Heaven is perfect (Matt. 5:48). God the Father, therefore, is our standard. His Son, on the other hand, is our model, our example, the image of such perfection. One might protest that it is impossible to be a “perfect” Christian. I might point out that Jesus did not command for us to be “God;” the command is simply a statement; be perfect as God. As we have thus studied, Jesus is that image we are to mirror. Romans 8:29 confirms that God’s will is for His offspring to look like [image] His own Son. If such is His plan, it must not only be carried out but it must be possible. What is a “perfect Christian?” A perfect Christian is one who continually matures in His walk and relationship with God. “How is such maturity accomplished?”

Jesus taught in the parable of the sower, that the seed which fell among thorns went forth – grew – but because of the cares of this world, riches, and worldly pleasures, were choked; bringing no fruit to “perfection” (Luke 8:14). The word used for “perfection” in this case is translated (mature). Thus, Jesus said, although they began to grow [bear fruit] they did not mature in their relationship with God. Why? They were choked; literally, strangled by the things which were secular in nature. Thus, if one desires to maintain spiritual maturity in his relationship with the Lord, he must conform to the image of Christ.

The writer of Hebrews addressed the subject: of perfection – maturity- “To make you perfect thoroughly in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing – agreeable – in His sight, through Jesus Christ” (Heb. 13:21). This amazing verse teaches that we are made perfect – the Greek word is (complete) – through works [His works], it is His will that such works be carried out, and that His “working” in us is “well pleasing” in His sight. The statement is concluded; “through Jesus Christ.” Often, however, our problems begin as we try to perfect ourselves – mature – through the doing of works rather than the offering of them. If such works are carried out in the image of His Son, it will be “well pleasing” – in agreement – or harmony with His nature I.E. perfect. If you are still uncertain about your perfection before the Lord, let us consider a few areas which confirm we are already “Complete in Him” (Col. 2:10).
RESURRECTION

For those who have confessed Jesus as Lord, there is resurrected life. We were “planted” [grown along with] the death of our Lord in likeness. Similarly, we were raised in that likeness – resurrection likeness – and walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4-5). We were buried with Him and raised by God as Christ was so raised; all of our sins forgiven (Col. 2:12-13). Furthermore, sin has no dominion over us for we live as one risen from the dead (Rom. 6:12-14). Such is the symbolic representation of water baptism by emersion as an act of obedience by a Believer. We thus identify ourself with the buried and resurrected Lord of our life. Such resurrection life is perfect, spiritually matured, conformed to the image of Christ.

RIGHTEOUSNESS

Such resurrected life is the nature of God I.E. eternal righteousness. This nature of God is not afforded one by works of (right–ness) which is performed, but according to mercy (II Cor. 5:21). As we walk in the fullness of the fruits of righteousness which are by Christ, we thus resemble the nature of God through the image of His Son (Phil. 1:11). The righteousness which is of God is the righteousness of His Son and is only obtained by faith (Phil. 3:9). Since it is of God, it is then, perfect, fully developed, fully grown, and resembles His Son. If we thus reflect this image, we walk in spiritual maturity.

REWARD

As heirs of God and joint-heirs of Christ, we have an inheritance. This inheritance is total, full, and complete. It does not need improvement, restructuring, or to be spiritualized. It encompasses secure fellowship with God, righteousness, peace, full joy, personal provision, forgiveness of sin, redemption, abundant life now, and eternal life to come. The inheritance, therefore, is our reward. We have obtain this reward [inheritance] through predestination and the counsel of His own will in order that we should be to the praise of His glory (Eph. 1:11). Furthermore, Paul said his prayer was that God’s people would have the eyes of their spiritual understanding enlightened, so that they might know [understand] the hope of His calling, and the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and that the heirs would likewise know [experience] the exceeding greatness of His power toward those who believe in that inherited reward (Eph. 1:18). We must therefore learn to understand this reward, we must practice it, we must rightly discern its application, and we must tenaciously affix ourself to its provisions. If we do so, we identify ourself with its perfection; demonstrating full growth and maturity.

RELATIONSHIP

When we begin to walk in resurrected life, manifesting the righteousness of God as we do so, and hold fast to our reward of inheritance, such constitutes a perfect [matured] relationship with God the Father. As we practice the knowledge of such, we not only will please Him but will be shaped and formed in the image of Christ the Son whose image we are.

SUMMATION

The will of God, the plan, is for each of His children – likenesses – to be cut in the image of His eternal Son. To do so we must become imitators of His Son. As we thus imitate and image Christ, we are demonstrating we have identity with God – in His glory. We must practice His person to experience His power. We must practice His will to maintain perfection – maturity. We must keep in mind, however, that we, as His offspring, are not reflections of His image; we are the image likeness. In another words, we are not reflecting Christ, as in a mirror, when we walk, talk, and work as He did; we are demonstrating likeness, form, shape, image, I.E. His image. The Lord was our example as He ministered on earth, but all such is impossible without the ministry of the Holy Spirit. We are back, therefore, to the absolute necessity of harmonious partnership with the Holy Spirit of God.

As we consider our feeble attempt at imaging our Lord, we must quickly recognize our total dependency upon the Holy Spirit. The power of the Holy Spirit does not come from the laying on of hands but through prayer. If one carefully studies the Gospel writers, it can be seen clearly that Jesus ministered in the power of the Holy Spirit because He spent time in partnership prayer with Him. Often Jesus spent entire days preaching and healing the sick; only to withdraw Himself to spend all night in prayer. Most of us fail as Christians because we do not have the power of the Holy Spirit. We do not have the power of the Holy Spirit because we fail to pray. It is time we who are the called of God dedicate ourself to prayer in order that we might do the works of our Father which is in Heaven; such is His plan.