We are not little gods, and God is not some unknowable force.

We are not little gods, and God is not some unknowable force.

Jesus told His disciple Philip, “’Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.’” (John 14: 11-12) Jesus had just finished telling Philip that the Father, who dwelt in Jesus, did the works. Now, Jesus is telling Philip that those who believe in Jesus will do greater works than He did. How can this be possible? Just as God’s Spirit indwelt Jesus, God’s Spirit indwells believers today. If you are a spirit born believer of Jesus Christ, then God’s Spirit is your constant companion. Through the power of God’s Spirit, a believer can do God’s work. To minister to others is to use the spiritual gifts that God has given you. It teaches in 1 Corinthians – “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” (1 Cor. 12: 4-11) Since the Day of Pentecost when God sent His Holy Spirit to indwell believers, millions of believers have used their spiritual gifts. This is taking place today, all over the world. God is working through His people.

Jesus then told Philip – “’And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.’” (John 14: 13-14) During Jesus’ time on earth, the veil in the temple in Jerusalem represented  separation between God and man. After Jesus was crucified, the veil of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. This signified how Jesus’ death opened up the way for men and women to enter into God’s presence. The writer of Hebrews taught the Jewish believers – “Therefore , brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Heb. 10: 19-22) Under the New Covenant of grace, we can take our requests directly to God. We can pray to Him in Jesus’ name. What we ask in prayer should be according to God’s will. The closer we come to Jesus, the more we will understand what His will for our lives is.

Both Mormonism and the New Age movement teach that man has a Divine self that can be enlightened toward godhood. However, we are all born with a fallen nature into a fallen world. No secret knowledge will awaken any divinity within us. Satan’s lie in the garden to Eve was that she could be like God, if she listened and obeyed him (Satan). How important it is to realize that we are spiritually helpless to bring ourselves salvation. Only trusting in what Jesus did on the cross can give us eternal redemption. Won’t you give up your quest toward self-salvation and turn to Jesus Christ. He alone is a faithful mediator between us and God. He is an eternal High Priest who endured the sufferings of this life. He alone can be trusted with our eternal life.