We're in Luke, chapter 1.
The focus of this study is Zacharias and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist. “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist...”
Luke 1:5 “There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.”
In order to be in the priesthood you had to be a member of the tribe of Levi.
V6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
Imagine The Holy Spirit inspiring someone to write about you that you are righteous before God, walking in all of His ways, blameless.
Zecharias and Elizabeth were prepared for the birth and upbringing of one of the greatest men ever born because their condition was blameless before God.
Blameless in this context means the same as a “Not guilty” verdict in a court room. It doesn’t mean you’re innocent, it just means you’re not judged & condemned.
I am not innocent, but my sins are paid so I am found not guilty before God!
John 15
1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
V7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
The reason that God has not saved you and then immediately delivered you into His Heavenly Kingdom is that He has a purpose for us here.
We are here to reflect the character and nature of our Lord, by the life of the Holy Spirit, within.
Whether you know it or not, this is ultimate fulfillment of all you long for in this world. No matter what you think would make you happy - “if only I had” are a deception. The only thing that truly satisfies the human spirit soul and body is to fulfill God’s call on our lives. Otherwise there will always be a hole you will try to fill.
How can we possibly reveal this perfect divine nature? In the life of the believer, it is strictly to abide. Nothing happens outside of that one fact.
1 Cor 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
How do I operate in the love of God? Only by abiding in Him and having His Word abide in me. Everything else doesn’t mean a thing without abiding in Him means abiding in His love.Many of us live in compromise, believing that grace entitles us. It’s not true.
In John 13, Jesus washes the apostles’ feet and says though we have been cleansed by Him we still need our feet cleaned. We walk in the filth of the world and we need to be pure to be vessels unto honor.
If you have mud on your shoes, you’re still a member of the family but you’re not welcomed inside until your mud problem is fixed.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Let God have His way and see the abundant life!
John 7:38
“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
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