“I can of My own self do nothing; as I hear, I judge, and My judgment is just because I seek not My own will, but the will of the Father who has sent Me” (John 5:30).

Judge (Def): (Gr.): Krino: To distinguish, decide, determine, perceive, discern

From our text the statement of Jesus is one of profundity that simply amazes the soul. Jesus, the Son of God Incarnate said that, “I can of My own self do nothing.” The Kenosis (emptying) of the Incarnation is shown to be complete by this saying. It is the supreme statement and example to us as to how we are to live before God.

Live Prophetically is the command to us as to how we are to live in Christ. Jesus lived as the Son of God in human form by one simple formula, live by what you hear from the Father. Jesus said:

“As I hear, I judge”

Live Prophetically and as you do you will hear from the Father. As you hear from the Father you will make decisions, you will judge, i.e., you will determine, perceive and discern God’s will. This is how Christ lived His life in this world, on earth as a man. In essence if you live as Christ lived, you will live by the word of the Lord.

“But Jesus answered and said, ‘It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word (rhema) that proceeds out of the mouth of God'” (Matthew 4:4; cf. Deuteronomy 8:3).

It was a simple statement from Satan to Jesus, “Command that these stones be made bread” (Matthew 4:3b). Jesus had the power to do just that. He could easily have turned the stones into bread. It was not a matter of ability, it was a matter of hearing. Jesus heard what Satan said, but He heard nothing from the Father. The Scripture says, “When the tempter came to Him, he said” (Matthew 4:3a). Turning the stones to bread was a temptation. Jesus had just finished a forty day fast.

“And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward hungry” (Matthew 4:2).

The fact of the forty day fast magnifies Christ’s self denial, self-discipline, and His absolute obedience to the Father to live prophetically.

A great example of a life lived prophetically is the Prophet Elijah. Elijah lived by the word of the Lord.

“Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As the Lord God of Israel lives before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years but according to my word’. And the word of the Lord came to him saying, ‘Go from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan'” (I Kings 17:1-3).

Elijah committed his life to live prophetically. Elijah spoke the word of the Lord he received, as the Lord commanded. He prophesied drought, he went to the brook Cherith by the word of the Lord. When the brook dried up, he went to Zarephath, to the widow there, whom the Lord commanded to sustain him (cf. I Kings 17:7-9).

After these things Elijah went to Mt. Carmel by the word of the Lord and called fire down from Heaven in the sight of all the people (I Kings 18:19-39).

Then Elijah failed. After Elijah killed the prophets of Baal, Jezebel threathened his life and Elijah ran away. The Lord did not tell the prophet to run away. Elijah ran away out of fear. After running into the wilderness of Beersheba, he was sustained by an angel. He then ran for forty days to Mt. Horeb and sheltered in a cave. Then the word of the Lord came to him at the mouth of the cave.

“After the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire, and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him and said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?'” (I Kings 19:12-13).

So, the question is, what are you doing where you are? Are you where you should be by the word of the Lord? Are you there because you live prophetically? Or, are you where you are because of natural circumstances, because you decided to do it, because you were afraid, because where you are makes you happy. There is one reason we should be where we are, and that is because we heard the word of the Lord.

Sadly, there are few who live prophetically. Maybe we think this is just for prophets. No, this is for all the saints (true believers). This is not just for Pastors, this is for doorkeepers, janitors, drivers and cooks. This is for you, my brother, my sister. Yes, this is a challenge. This is an exhortation. This is the word of the Lord.

Live Prophetically. Begin today. Get before the Lord and surrender your will to His will. He will speak to you and let you know His will. Jesus said,

“I seek not My own will, but the will of the Father who has sent Me” (John 5:30).

Let the Father send you to your destiny. Arise, go where He sends you and live prophetically today.

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