For you are created in His image! No longer in the first man’s image but the last true and Righteous man that walked the face of this Earth. Jesus is seated at the Father’s right hand waiting for you to take up His banner. The banner of Victory! No longer a slave or in fear but a Blood covered walking and speaking Spirit man declaring Righteousness wherever you are as stated; “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but (the Spirit) of Power, and of Love, and of a Sound (stable, balanced, strong) mind.” - 2 Tim. 1:7. The mind of Christ! That is your heritage for accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior and not just Salvation; but the very Power and Dominion as stated to; “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the Earth, and subdue it and have dominion” - Gen. 1:28. Yours is the heritage of Priesthood, Heirship, and Stewardship.
May 5, 2019.
Arise!
No matter what the world or for that matter we do. The pardon of sin is forever declared for Righteousness. This is so because God’s Kingdom stands on His Word; that is Jesus. Being born of God, and being the very essence of God’s rule. Jesus is the first Heir of God; who is the Son of God and completely indivisible from the person of God. God who is Spirit in both the spiritual and physical realm; is manifested in the many spirits of His sons and daughters. And as God is love so is His lineage is not by subjugation but by free will.
This is the heritage of Heirship. That once covered by the insignia of Jesus’ Blood; no longer are we Christians alienated from God’s Kingdom and will. Yet, never by coercion but by the free will given does God urge us to become and act as a true and Righteous Heir of His Domains. We have to learn, appreciate and apply God’s infallibility; first to ourselves and next, to others. We are to learn to become Righteous! The Spirit sent is our aid and counselor, not our jailer. Any heir of any lineage is, not an heir until he acts in accordance with the king's mindset. The heir is an extension of the king’s hand. Not everyone born of the king is promised to inherit the king’s kingdom but by proving themselves they receive the king’s attention for his kingdom; just as stated; “show yourself approved to God” - 2 Tim. 2:15.
Do you know why the eyes see? Because light illuminates what is otherwise deep, dark and dense containers like a hole dug in the ground. He, satan blocks or refracts the light of God lest the “Gospel of Christ” “should shine unto them”; illuminating and convicting the darkness with the Righteous Truth. How is satan able to do this as stated; “(but with) the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other (worldly) things (concerns) entering (stressing) in, choking the word, and it becomes unfruitful (unable to gain root)” - Mk. 4:19. He makes your concerns about this passing world more critical than the very Spirit sent to help you navigate it to receive the Blessings that come with not the crucified but the Resurrected Christ. Like a person in the dark who does not use the flashlight given to them, will forever stumble through this life in confusion, disarray, and fear.
Spiritual Awakening
How do you have Victory in this world? You become Christ! Whoa; did I just lose some of you? Consider this! When Jesus walked among men; He was recognized to have the Glory of God working through Him. And when He ascended; after Pentecost; not only the Apostles but Disciples of His teachings and examples were hailed to have the Glory of God working through them. Not the Glory of Jesus. Now, before some of you start throwing stones at me and saying this is blasphemy. Jesus demonstrated God for three plus years but Paul and others did this for over four times that number of years. So much so that many treated them as gods and forgot about Jesus and needed to be reminded as stated after Paul healed the cripple in Lystra; “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless (unfruitful) things to the living God” - Acts 14:15. This happened despite the light shining on them; all the while clinging to myths and hearsay rather than acknowledging the evidence before them. They canalized the Spirit’s move with vain imaginations rather than as stated; “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the Knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience (Righteousness) of Christ” - 2 Cor. 10:5. To have the mind of Christ is to be Christ is all things! This is so to allow God's Glory to work through you because now His Spirit by Jesus' Blood is free and legally authorized to manifest in what was but a dead spirit of flesh.
For the flesh it is easier with the familiar than to come out of the comfort zone into the new and unknown as stated; “My people are destroyed for lack of Knowledge” - Hos. 4:6; and “Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition” - Mk. 7:13. The biggest challenge for man is change. Yet; only by change can the newly saved become mature to truly and Righteously be as Christ in this crumbling and corrupt world. It will be of no profit or benefit to use unfruitful, dark and rational thinking to become Righteous unless as stated; “I can do all things through Christ (by His example) which strengthened (supports, upholds, completes) me” - Phil. 4:13. Despite Jesus’ Resurrection; the Earth is dying under the weight of sin and death as opposed to being like Goshen as stated; “the best of the land make your (Joseph) father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen” - Ex. 47:6. Goshen represents God’s provision for peace and prosperity; first with Joseph during the famine in Egypt where Pharaoh (the world) grants the twelve tribes to settle in. Secondly; Goshen is the safe haven for the chosen people during the fire and hail in Egypt prior to the Exodus as stated; “And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth” - Ex. 8:22. And thirdly; Joshua after entering the Promise land took as stated; “all the land of Goshen” - Jos. 11:16.
Goshen generally means to “draw near” or “be close to” as in God is near you or you are in the Throne room of God or presence of God. And by this come peace, prosperity, protection, and provision. But what is significant is this Blessing of God of being near is usually associated with trials and tribulations of having the enemy surrounding, persecuting or instilling fear on you; and makes the reference as stated; “You (God) prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies (and) You Anoint my head with oil; my cup runneth over” - Ps. 23:5. This is so; so that God’s Glory is revealed under duress because when this happens; He alone receive all the recognition. It also indicates God isn’t shy in demonstrating His goodness in mockery towards His and our enemy; satan. God often sticks it to satan; as if to say; “Can’t touch this”!
Jesus could have claimed the accolades from the people and so could have Paul and others. But they kept the vision, cause, and purpose of God central to their spirit, mind, and body. They rose up from a dead purpose of survival to one of living in the moment for God’s Glory. It must give all Christians pause with Jesus’ statement of; “many are called but few chosen” - Matt. 22:14. This is not to say God is biased but out of many who want Salvation very few actually embodies the Christian walk. If this does not irritate you but you go placidly along waiting for the Master’s return then may I suggest you are not imitating Christ.
Any true leader for whatever field would rather have one committed disciple rather than hundreds of wannabe followers. Someone who will take up the charge of the leader with the same sacrifice, ambition and passion. To make the leader worthy of his goal and purpose. For Christ, it is the will of the Father and by His leadership, it is ours also. The Body of Christ is His legacy and as such we ought to take up what has been given to us by God’s Grace. That is Christship!
Jesus abandoned His Spiritual Kingdom to establish a new kingdom that consists of the best of both physical and Spiritual aspects of the Heavens and the Earth. This is what an heir does! He expands the kingdom that he belongs to. He seeks to dominate for his kingdom sake and this is stated by Jesus as; “Your Kingdom come Your will be done” - Matt. 6:10. A true Heir of God’s Kingdom only seeks to take the ground of His enemies and those opposed to God.
This is the heritage of Stewardship. That the work done is for the purposes and will of God. Jesus outlined this as stated; “make you fishers of men” - Matt. 4:19. Which He reiterated just before He left; leaving the fields to His disciples as stated; “make disciples of the world” - Matt. 28:19. Just like one who goes traditional fishing; there is no set location to harvest but with determination, desire and effort otherwise called Faith. The persistent fisherman often reaps his net of fish in the most unexpected or unfamiliar places. Stewardship only requires obedience to the Master’s directions, which is given by His Spirit and is received by eager, receptive and willing servants.
It matters not where you are in your Christian walk. What matters is having the Master’s mindset for a harvest of souls. For this is when equiping starts. It is the Master who determines where each steward will serve Him best to not only be effective but also to become skilled to teach others and grow into different aspects of the harvest. He knows the kind and quality of harvest He desires. Jesus Christ, the man was not the ideal steward of God’s Kingdom. For He had neither title nor credit that the world attributes to importance and recognition. A son of a carpenter. A working-class laborer was His carnal heritage. But by the Spirit of God, He recognized His true heritage; answering the call as stated; “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole Earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him” - 2 Chron. 16:9. And by obedience to the voice of God, His entire life revealed as stated; “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” - Lk. 2:52. Jesus, despite the dead heritage of the flesh, rose up beyond its grave into His heritage of Kingdom Glory. Arise! For your King has trampled your enemies as stated; “And having spoiled principalities and powers, He (Jesus) made a show (mockery) of them openly, triumphing over them in it” - Col. 2:15.
Flush it Out! - Arise!
Did Jesus die? Is He in the grave with the dead? And is He overpowered by death itself? Then why do many in churches moan and wail over what is a passing world for the next Spiritual Kingdom to come. I tell you why as stated; “In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” - 2 Cor. 4:4. Some say this passage is for the unsaved. That would be correct but inaccurate. It is especially for the Christian! Consider this! There are three considerations here in that verse. The first is the “god of this world” which is satan. Then, there is “Gospel of Christ” and finally; “should shine unto them”. For satan to blind you; means the ground for acceptance would be infertile. But to be a Christian means the seed of Salvation has already taken root; but needs nurturing for the seed to grow, blossom and eventually become as stated; “(The small mustard seed) when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof” - Matt. 13:32. Just like a politician who knows the truth of a matter but is blinded by his own selfish ambitions. Many Christians remain in the dark as to what has been given to them for Victory.
The “god of this world” is he who is the anti-Christ seeking only to steal, kill and destroy with no consideration or partiality. Like a bomb, his wrath is not discriminating of those who are for him as opposed to those who are for Christ. But his aim is precise. Kill one Christian while maiming hundreds of unsaved people. His fury will not be quenched until Jesus returns. So if you profess to be a Christian don’t be surprised by the persecution of the body, mind, and spirit as stated; “Yes, and all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” - 2 Tim. 3:12. The sooner this is accepted; is the sooner to be effective as a Christian and not just passive as dead weight just like a soldier who does not shoot his weapon.
Without the “Gospel of Christ” there cannot be Hope, Love, and Faith for Salvation, family, peace, and prosperity. God not only gave His Son to be a man but to be an example of a true and Righteous man with all the exposure of sin orchestrated by the “god of this world”. Although not recorded; Jesus experienced temptation more than just the three times in the wilderness. He experienced it daily for His three-plus years of ministry, but especially on the cross; and in the grave. For all His flesh by carnal sensations was subjected to excruciating pain, and would naturally seek relief. Yet; His spirit remained intact and by the Spirit; He was able to fulfill the cross. Jesus experienced temptation not only from those opposed to Him but even those closest to Him as stated; “He (Jesus) rebuked Peter, saying, Get you behind Me, satan; for you savourest (tempt with) not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men” - Mk. 8:33. Peter thinking by the flesh; satan's device becomes a conduit for tempting Jesus. Just like a friend who teases you to try a drug just once; and before you know it, it is now an addiction. The most dangerous vices are usually by gateway temptations. Without Christ, there is no example of Righteousness for us to emulate to be in perfect obedience to God.
God doesn’t make junk! And despite the sin effect; God always is able to overcome and find a way for His original purpose to be fulfilled. For as stated; “for (man) I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your (God’s) works; and that my soul knows right well (evidence of)” - Ps. 139:14. We not only know but acknowledge this; because of Faith. That substance or evidence to that is invisible but becomes visible. That invisible Faith is the visible evidence of Christ! What and how is this evidence of Christ? The Glory of God in the healings, casting out of demons and His miracles. Christ only reflected and administered God’s Glory! How was He able to do this? Not by being born of a woman who had the inherited scars of sin. But by the Anointing of the Holy Spirit! Without the Anointing; anyone including Jesus would be subjected to the effects and influence of sin; that is the world. That is how Jesus remained sinless and uncorrupted; enabling Him to be the perfect, unblemished and pure Blood sacrifice for the atonement of our sins. That for; the excruciating hours being hung on the cross; He by Faith took on and carries (not carried) the past, present and future sins of all of God’s image both saved and unsaved for all eternity. This is why Grace is made available to aid our walk after accepting the Blood. There is no switch to become just like Christ. But by God's carefully orchestrated method of redemption; we are recognized as Christ by His enemies of unrighteousness.
The Christian is instructed to imitate Christ. Christ is not divisible but holistic. He embodies God! When a new Christian is born, he tends to grovel before God seeking the mercy seat for past sins and reprieve from the fears of this life. By these actions, he is not yet a disciple of Christ or a true reflection of being a Christian. He has taken up the Blood’s redemption into his priesthood. Christ’s mission was and still is priesthood as stated; “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek” - Heb. 7:17. Christ as a man could not be redeemed by the imperfect man but by becoming blemished He submitted His flesh to the judgment of God who having been pleased by His obedient body, mind, and spirit; God applied His Grace and Power for His resurrection of the new man as stated; “that He (Christ) might be the firstborn among many brethren” - Rm. 8:29.
This is the heritage of Priesthood as laid down by Christ. To recognize the need and want for a higher power beyond the flesh; and as John accurately states; “He must increase, but I must decrease.” - Jn. 3:30. As Christians, we ought to be in a constant state of sacrifice whether it is this body, mind or spirit. Very often it is all three aspects that need to be offered up to God for His Spirit to redeem us from the carnalities of this world into the Spirituality of His Kingdom. God paved a way for us who by birthright were condemned to death by sin and by Christ’s offering we too now have redemption and Salvation. Only when we are not influx to God’s Grace of His hand in our lives. Before we sacrifice for others; we have to sacrifice our self.
God knows we are no longer perfectly made as when Adam was first born, but by rebirth with the untainted Blood of Jesus as our advocate; identity and authority; are we adopted into His Kingdom not as wards but as Heirs with His promises and the weight of that Glorious Kingdom. This is why Jesus’ example of how we pray states; “Your Kingdom come. Your will be done in Earth, as it is in Heaven” - Matt. 6:10. He gave this when they were still sinners; corrupted by the world; but by His perfect example; He planted a seed of a Righteous vision for a better, sacrificial and perfect world. A world free of sin and filled with justice. A Righteous world! For as stated; “The Lord (God) loves Righteousness and Justice; (and) the Earth is full of His unfailing Love” - Ps. 33:5.
Jesus is not physically here! But He is coming back. What should be the vision for the church (the Body of Christ) today? Not sin; not Grace; but accountability! Sin will always be in the Earth! And so will Grace! For one cannot occur without the other covering it. For if Jesus is coming as stated; “that He (Jesus) might present to Himself the church (Body) in all her Glory (God’s light), having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be Holy and blameless” - Eph. 5:27. Who is He presenting this perfected church to? God! Why? To account for His example as a son of man; fulfilling God’s statement of Him; “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” - Matt. 3:17. God’s words transcend the past, present, and future; a prime evident of His omnipotent and immutability just as prophesy is like having value in the muti-dimensionality of time.
Jesus example for us is embodied in the offices of Kingdom commission. As there are many parts to a body so is the church. But never think or be satisfied with where you are in the Body for as stated by Jesus; “make disciples of the world” - Matt. 28:19. The very nature of discipleship is to progress from one office or role into another whether this is lateral or upward in responsibility and not status. Let's be clear! There is only one man who earned to be the head and shepherd of the Body and that is Jesus Christ. Everyone else is a steward of His example and headship.
Jesus was not only gentle but He was also aggressive with God’s agenda which was to clarify commission and start the church. To bring into alignment all that challenged His reign. This is the role of any Christian worth their salt; a commodity at that time was worth its weight in gold. It's like when a battle was won and the enemy vanquished. The warriors would be given reprieve but ultimately they were given marching orders onto the next battlefield until the war was won. Following them in their wake were people who tended to the wounded; made sure none of the enemies survived to fight again and retrieved from the battlefield anything of value like weapons, metals, and treasure including gold. This is what an army consists of working together to defeat, supply and equipment each other for another day of battle because they know sooner or later they will have to confront the enemy as stated; “satan roams about to see whom he can devour” - 1 Pet. 5:8.