In my last few posts I have talked about Impartation as a concept, how we Position ourselves to receive an Impartation, the role of Discernment in Impartation and now I want to talk about the primary Purpose of Impartation. I referenced the first verse below in my post defining impartation, I raise it again because it is so significant in the Lord’s purposes.
19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, Galatians 4:19 (NKJV)
18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV) 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. Romans 8:28-30 (NKJV)
This is Jesus goal, to see Himself reflected in our lives. The Father purposed prior to the foundation of the world that all that come to Him would be “conformed to the image of His Son.” The Father is not looking for good works or great attitudes from us, He is looking for Jesus in us. This is why Paul wrote the following.
16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, Galatians 1:16 (NKJV)
Paul’s point in the phrase above is that Jesus was revealed in him so that Paul could preach Him. Jesus revealed Himself to Paul (then Saul) on the road to Damascus (see Acts 9) and subsequently revealed Himself through (in) Paul. That is the goal of the gospel. An inner transformation that becomes an outward reality. This is what Paul is referring to in the first verse above, Christ being formed in us! Paul saw Jesus revealed in and through his own life and the rest of his apostolic labour was twofold, to see others encounter Jesus and then see Jesus formed in and revealed through them.
The verses above all speak to the goal of impartation, the revelation of Jesus in us. Does the rest of the New Testament support this concept? See the scriptures below.
20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21 (NKJV)
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4 (NKJV)
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-11 (NKJV)
2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 1 John 3:2-3 (NKJV)
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 1:20-21 (NKJV)
The above verses all refer to maturity, growth and completeness. They capture the same concept that Paul addressed, the need to grow in Christ to a place of maturity, the revelation of Jesus through us. The key question, is this growth automatic? Will it happen just like natural growth? The testimony of scripture is that the forming of Christ within us requires our cooperation. In another teaching I did I referenced John warning about us being ashamed before Jesus at His return.
28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 1 John 2:28 (NKJV)
The same concept is in the passages below.
21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight – 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. Colossians 1:21-23 (NKJV)
10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:10-11 (NKJV)
The qualifier to spiritual maturity that Paul and Peter provide is that we “continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel.” If we want impartation to strengthen us to grow we must pursue it. If we pursue this noble goal of having Jesus character formed in and revealed through us we are assured that in time we can reflect with awe, wonder, and satisfaction on what Paul wrote.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
May we each labour and travail for one another to build one another up so that together we see Jesus radiantly shining throughout His body!
