jesus is enough

We are experiencing a time when many people leave the Christian faith to pursue other religions. There is an increase in trends that involve mixing religions or professing spiritualism while disassociating or denouncing a connection to any denomination that identifies with biblical ideals. There are various reasons for these movements. One cause extends from the belief that Christianity alone does not have the power to transform lives and or address many of the problems currently presented in our society. This belief supports the current idea that Christianity is an ancient religion that no longer applies to how we live today.

             For some, choosing a different religion is done because the practice of Christianity does not condone their person’s lifestyle choices. Other reasons for the split from the faith are due to individuals experiencing wounding from someone who professed Christianity or having a negative experience at an assembly or other Christian events. Some are searching out other means of connecting with what is described as their “higher power” because they have unanswered questions or prayers. Social and cultural beliefs have also influenced the exit of many belonging to specific cultures, adopting ideas that suggest that Christianity does not provide favorable ideals for their race or nationality.

            For those of us who have made a public declaration of our Christian faith, we have been bombarded with comments citing Christianity as the “white man’s religion,” or “a patriarchal religion which believes in keeping women down” or one of the most quoted statements, “Christians are judgmental and intolerant.” These statements have taken root in the hearts of many and have caused countless people to leave the Christian faith. Does this current movement render Christianity ineffective? Certainly not.! It is simply a demonstration of how much we don’t understand about the Gospel message, Christ’s love for us, or the practice of biblical application from a societal lens.

            For too long, we have needed more understanding about the sonship inheritance we received upon salvation. The privileges provided through sonship are specifically for those who have received salvation through Jesus Christ and have been adopted into the Body of Christ. This inheritance has made it possible for us to receive wholeness, healing, joy, peace, purposeful daily direction, wisdom, understanding, and knowledge from the scriptures, designed to provide safety, answers, and guidance. The sonship inheritance ensures that we have everything we need to navigate every situation we face in this life. Yes, we have every gift and tool we need. JESUS IS ENOUGH!

James 1:17 (AMPC)

Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].

 So, what have we gained through sonship?  The biblical references of sonship rights and privileges are found in 2 Corinthians 1:22, Galatians 4:4-7 and Ephesians 1:5-14 and are provided below. 

·         Your freedom was purchased.

·         You have been adopted into the family of God.

·         You are recognized as a son/daughter of God.

·         You have the presence of the Holy Spirit in your hearts.

·         Your position has been replaced from a slave (bond servant) to a son.

·         You have gained a position as an heir in the family of God.

·         You have received favor and mercy.

·         You have been redeemed through the shed blood of Christ.

·         You have received the remission (forgiveness) of sins through Christ.

·         You have wisdom and understanding.

You will receive the revelation of God’s will and purpose.

·         You are God’s heritage.

·         You have gained an inheritance through Christ.

·         You have the promise of all things being worked out in agreement with the Lord’s will.

·         You were designed to live for the praise of God’s Glory.

2 Corinthians 1:22 (AMPC)

 [He has also appropriated and acknowledged us as His by] putting His seal upon us and giving us His [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as the security deposit and guarantee [of the fulfillment of His promise].

Galatians 4:4-7 (AMPC)

4 But when the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born subject to [the regulations of] the Law,

5 To purchase the freedom of (to ransom, to redeem, to atone for) those who were subject to the Law, that we might be adopted and have sonship conferred upon us [and be recognized as God’s sons].

6 And because you [really] are [His] sons, God has sent the [Holy] Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba (Father)! Father!

7 Therefore, you are no longer a slave (bond servant) but a son; and if a son, then [it follows that you are] an heir by the aid of God, through Christ.

Ephesians 1:5-15 (AMPC)

5For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]— 6 [So that we might be] to the praise and the commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor, 8 Which He lavished upon us in every kind of wisdom and understanding (practical insight and prudence), 9 Making known to us the mystery (secret) of His will (of His plan, of His purpose). [And it is this:] In accordance with His good pleasure (His merciful intention) which He had previously purposed and set forth in Him, 10 [He planned] for the maturity of the times and the climax of the ages to unify all things and head them up and consummate them in Christ, [both] things in heaven and things on the earth. 11 In Him we also were made [God’s] heritage (portion) and we obtained an inheritance; for we had been foreordained (chosen and appointed beforehand) in accordance with His purpose, Who works out everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His [own] will, 12 So that we who first hoped in Christ [who first put our confidence in Him have been destined and appointed to] live for the praise of His glory! 13 In Him you also who have heard the Word of Truth, the glad tidings (Gospel) of your salvation, and have believed in and adhered to and relied on Him, were stamped with the seal of the long-promised Holy Spirit. 14 That [Spirit] is the guarantee of our inheritance [the firstfruits, the pledge and foretaste, the down payment on our heritage], in anticipation of its full redemption and our acquiring [complete] possession of it—to the praise of His glory. 15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints (the people of God).