Everyone places a value on things based on some criteria, whether friendship, intimacy, or one’s pursuits in life. These values often change based on circumstances, sometimes to one’s benefit or detriment. Regardless, they are variable and cannot be adhered to flawlessly.

God has a value system that is one of perfection and is based on the worth of a Person, Jesus Christ … “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased” (Matt 3:17 KJV). Thus, the standard established by God for the Son during His earthly ministry, becomes that which is expected and attainable by each individual who has placed their faith in the saving Work of Christ on the Cross. Whatever God mandates necessitates that He provide the means of execution.

The Apostle Paul expressed in his prayer for fellow Christians God’s divine intent and provision… “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Col 1:9-10 NIV).

It is necessary to examine the life of Christ which the believer is to imitate. While His mission was unique in that of going to the Cross and making it possible for any individual to have relationship with the Father through faith in Christ, it was accomplished using the same Divine operating assets and provisions that enable every Christian to fulfill God’s plan for their life.

The Gospel of Luke records the enablement provided by God for Christ to fulfill the Father’s Plan. It was the provision of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Note how effectively Christ functioned in these two Divine power systems. “Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness” (Luke 4:1 NKJV). The humanity of Christ, sinless and always functioning within the will of God, had continuing fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Thus, He was responsive to the leading of the Spirit.

Another component was evident as Christ dealt with Satan’s efforts to render void God’s redemptive plan of salvation through the Work of the Cross. Christ effectively utilized the Word of God three times in rebuffing Satan’s temptations. “The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread. Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone’” (Luke 4:3-4 NIV). A second time, in response to Satan’s desire to be worshipped … “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only’” (Luke 4:8 NIV). Thirdly, when Satan misquoted a Psalm … “Jesus answered, “It [Scripture] says: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test’” (Luke 4:12 NIV).

Jesus rebuked Satan in the filling of the Spirit and by His use of the Word of God. The Scriptures state that … “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside” (Luke 4:14-15 NIV). The words of Zechariah had found lodging in the mind of Christ … “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty” (Zech 4:6 NIV).

The filling of the Spirit and the Word of God which were available to the humanity of Christ, are the same power systems provided to every believer in order to walk worthy of the Lord. The filling of the Spirit is a grace provision available when there is no unconfessed sin in the believer’s life. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NIV). Effective use of the Word of God requires knowledge of the Scriptures. Therefore … “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 NIV).