The Spiritual DNA of the Believer

Posted on by Rev. Karen Gaithers

DNA

DNA

ˌdē ˌen ˈā/

noun

deoxyribonucleic acid, a self-replicating material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information.

  • the fundamental and distinctive characteristics or qualities of someone or something, especially when regarded as unchangeable.

 

To best understand this biological constituent of the human body as a spiritual dynamic, I believe it is necessary to review how Jesus illustrated this complex concept to a man named Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee and a member of the council in Jerusalem. Note: Nicodemus would be considered in his generation a respected, wise and devote religious man.  Indeed, an insightful man he was.  In this passage we see he was wise enough to realize that there must be something deeper to the walk of faith he was currently experiencing which consequently, prompted him to seek after Jesus.  In his dialog with Jesus, Nicodemus discovers how Jesus identifies who God’s spiritual people truly are.  This story is found in John3:1-21.

Nicodemus said to Jesus, “No one could do the miraculous signs that you do unless God were with him.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  Nicodemus said to him, “how can a man be born a second time, can he?”  Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth unless a person is born of water and spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God. What is born of the flesh is flesh and what is born of the spirit is the spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, “you must be born from above.”  The wind blows wherever it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going.  So it is with everyone who is born of the spirit.”  Nicodemus replied, “How can these things be?  Jesus answered, “You are a teacher of Israel and yet you don’t understand these things?”  I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know and testify about what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony.  If I have told you people about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?  No one has ascended from heaven, except the Son of Man.  Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert (Num. 21:9, John 3:14), so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 

There are 14 important points Jesus emphasized in answer to Nicodemus:

  1. To know God, you must be born from ABOVE (born of God).
  2. Being born from above enables you to “SEE” the Kingdom of God
  3. Being born from above enables you to be like Jesus
  4. Being born from above will cause God to be with you
  5. The process of being born of God is a different process to that of being born of the Flesh.
  6. Even though Nicodemus was a respected teacher of Israel and seated on the council (experts in religious truth) he STILL did not understand the concepts of the spirit on how to become a child of God.
  7. Jesus shows us that if he taught the religious leaders about the practical things of the world and they “chose” not to believe him, how will they believe him if he told them about spiritual things?  Therefore, you shouldn’t be surprised if people don’t readily receive your message.
  8. After being Born Again, in order to be like Jesus, you must expect to be rejected by men for no good reason or unrighteously judged by them. This might include those who deem themselves religious, even some religious teachers.
  9. To be Born Again is to recognize that Jesus is the ONLY way to know the true living God and he must be lifted up (worshiped) if we are to be delivered, healed and made alive in Christ.
  10. The reality of birth in the spirit is essentially “another” experience of  walking in a New Life.
  11. Like the wind, the Spirit is not something you can see, however, it is something you can feel.
  12. The Kingdom of God can only be seen after being born of the spirit (spiritual sight).
  13. To be born of water and spirit is to be reborn in the heart (mind) and in spirit (nature/character)
  14. The signs of being Born Again are
  • A spirit born of God (through faith in Jesus Christ)
  • Supernatural gifts
  • Godly wisdom
  • Divine revelation
  • Grace to stand strong against mainstream religious thought
  • Faith that believes in Christ ALONE for the sake of establishing God’s light and truth in the earth
  • Like Jesus, having a spiritual mandate that is aligned with God’s will and salvation plan.
  • A renewed heart and spirit fostering a godly character and lifestyle, as a distinction among men

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The people of God first and foremost is a “New Creation,” in essence, they are “Prophetic Beings,” born of water and spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:5).  The term, “Human Being” denotes a person being born from human DNA; in contrast, a “Prophetic Being” is a person being born of spiritual DNA.  This new creation is prophetic because their new found awareness of the kingdom allows them to testify of things that were, is, and is to come by divine insight and understanding imparted through the spiritual DNA of their Heavenly Father – through Jesus Christ.  As Prophetic Beings, we have been given supernatural gifts by the spirit of God (1Cor. 12:1-29).

Our supernatural gifts are activated by faith and of the sovereign will of God. Their born again nature is identified by the “Fruits of the Spirit” perpetuated by the love they have for God and their fellow men (Matt. 22:36-40).  This spiritual fruit is authenticated by a love that mirrors the love, mercy and sacrifice found in Jesus Christ (1John3:16-20, John 15:13, John 14:15).  We are warned that without this love, we will become a religious, powerless, elegantly dressed, noisy expression of godliness (1Cor. 13:1-2). We discover here that the prophetic people of God were meant to be a godly distinction among unsaved people in the earth serving as a witness to Jesus Christ and ministers of his message.  The prophetic people are essentially Kingdom Ambassadors (2 Corin. 5:20).  An Ambassador is a high-ranking officer who represents his or her own government while living in another country; they are an authorized representative or messenger.

The people of God are not only ambassadors, they are also spiritual warriors (Eph. 6:10-18), and an army of ranking commissioned officers that are capable of governing, protecting, defending, discerning and policing the activities and influences in the heavenlies that influence the earth.  The prophetic people of God are a body of believers who walk in daily awareness of their spiritual DNA while diligently monitoring their fallen soul, filtering every thought, idea, and suggestion through the word of God (Rom. 12:2).  The Holy Spirit lives inside their mortal bodies serving as a place of residence and sacred temple for him to dwell. (1 Corn. 6:19).  The prophetic people of God like Jesus, live to accomplish the will of their Heavenly Father in the earth (John 5:19, Matt. 6:10) and now look to Jesus as their Commander and Chief in this effort (2 Tim. 2:3-4, Eph. 2:20).

The prophetic people of God are not a people perfect in nature as you would think but instead, they are a people who faithfully walk after the perfect will and ways of God in an effort to be transformed into Christ’s likeness.  This is a “Perfecting Work” and those who are truly the people of God are intentionally yielding themselves to this process DAILY.   This miraculous transformation is only achieved through a growing love and respect for their Heavenly Father and Lord, Jesus Christ, God’s one and only flesh born son.  The prophetic people of God walk circumspectly in the earth realizing the earth is not their home – it is the land of their military assignment with a spiritual mission they are to carry out both individually and corporately (Matt. 28:16-20, 2 Corn. 10:3, 2 Tim. 2:3-4).  The prophetic people of God as mentioned previously, are purpose minded and assignment driven.  They are Apostolic in nature and militarily structured as a spiritually gifted, commissioned people of God. They are a spiritual nation and also a spiritual army.

Apostolic simply refers to the ministry of the apostles as being “Sent Ones.”  The word apostle is a Greek word “Apostolos,” meaning a delegate, an ambassador of the gospel, an official commissioner of Christ, and a messenger that He has sent.  Mark 16:15-16 suggest that every believer has been sent therefore, the overall ministry and mission of every child of God is an “Apostolic” one; establishing God’s kingdom in the earth and formed in the same way Jesus groomed His disciples to carry out His will in divine purpose, presence, and power.  Together they are unified in their mission.  They are a people ever striving by faith towards unity and maturity in Christ and they are individual practitioners in loving – God’s Way (Eph. 4:14-16).  The prophetic people of God is the Bride of Christ and she is powerful and glorious when she is properly dressed and it is this bride that Jesus (the Bride Groom) is coming back for despite popular opinions, other religious doctrines or personal beliefs (Rev.19:7-9, 21:1-2, Eph. 5:25-27).

 

Discussion

 Are you truly an Ambassador of God’s Kingdom?  Review the signs, points 1-14.  Are you clear about your assignment as Christ Ambassador?  Review the following passages (2 Corin. chapters 5, 6, 7:1, Mark 16:15-16, Matt. chapter 10, 5:13-18).  In what areas of your life are you being challenged in this mission?  List your challenge areas and exactly how these areas are weighing on you (family, finances, health, relationships, school, work, church ministry, etc.). This might become a special prayer list.  How does social media deplete you (contaminate your character) in this call?  How does social media contribute to this call?  What might be a good balance?  How does your church or fellowship groups support your development in this call?  What are your personal endeavors and disciplines to cultivate growth in this area?  Journal your thoughts.

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