Peter. Luke 22:31-32( NIV) reads,“ Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Notice Peter already was a believer, and called a disciple of Christ. Jesus was challenging Peter to a new level of relationship with Him. According to Jesus, His friend, Peter, who was walking with Him for almost three years, was not converted yet. Believers and disciples have their focus for the most part on themselves. But when you rise to the level of convert, your focus and concern turns towards others. True converts of Christ want to help others become strong in their relationship with Christ. When your attention gets off self and on to others that is an indication that you are progressing in your relationship with Jesus. Let us progress to biblical conversion and begin to strengthen others.“ Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others”( Philippians 2:4, NIV).
As we progress in relationship with Christ, from a believer, to a disciple, to a convert, we are now ready to step into stewardship. A steward is one who has been entrusted by God to oversee and lead people, places or things. A steward is responsible and accountable to God and those whom God sets over them. Stewards who oversee and lead God’ s entrusted people, places and things treat them as their very own, yet remain aware they have been entrusted with them by God. 1 Corinthians 4:2( NIV) says,“ Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” Believers believe, disciples follow, converts strengthen others and stewards are faithful overseers to whom and what they have been charged with. Stewards are individuals who are selfless, sacrificial people deep in their relationship with the Lord. God feels comfortable entrusting and empowering them with His precious commodities. Can God trust you with such precious cargo? Are you faithful in the small so that God can trust you with more?
I believe God wants to bring us to a final revelation of relationship with Him, to the point of the understanding becoming co-heirs. Romans 8:17( NIV) says,“ Now if we are children, then we are heirs— heirs of God and coheirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” When we walk in that kind of relationship, knowing we are co-heirs with Jesus, we become more Kingdomminded, more Holy Spirit directed, more soul-saving conscious, and more Godpleasing. Jesus came to do the will of His Father and to please Him( John 8:29). If we are co-heirs, we also are co-laborers with Christ( 1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 6:1).
Our relationship with the Father should be such that when we wake up in the morning, we are very aware of the fact that we are sons and daughters of God, and even greater, that we are co-heirs with Jesus Christ. As Jesus was determined to say what the Father wanted Him to say, go where the Father wanted Him to go, and do what the Father wanted Him to do, we too would have that kind of desire, determination and dedication to do the will of the Father and all of Heaven’ s requests. May we all progress to that level of revelation of relationship that we are about our Father’ s business( Luke 2:49) and seek through our obedience to please Him by doing His will daily( John 4:34).
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Joe Arminio is the Senior Pastor and founder of Abundant Life Whippany in New Jersey, Executive Director and Overseer of Renovation House( drug / alcohol rehab for men), Executive Director of Renovation House for Women, Chancellor of Abundant Life Christian School( K4-12th Grade), Founder of Abundant Life Bible Institute Ministry Training Center, Founder and CEO of ROC( Recreational Outreach Center) Gym, Founder and CEO of Kings Kids Day Care Center( infant to PreK3), Executive Overseer of Abundant Life Ministries International, church planter, author, husband, father and grandfather. Learn more at abundantlifewhippany. com.
SMG Solutions 13