Radical Disciples – A Remnant Revolution

In this Interpretation I will attempt to clarify some of the workings of the anointing of God as well as the distinction between being drawn by the Father and being drawn by the Father and then making the conscience choice to abide in Jesus (John 15:4). I will also offer information on how the choice to abide in Jesus (or not) does not affect the drawing process of God or the power of God in the life of the believer (Isaiah 45:7). In an effort to bring wisdom I will further clarify how it becomes the believer’s choice whether to abide in Jesus or to misuse the anointing of God for selfish purposes. I do this to clarify how we might one day learn to prosper within God’s anointing. We can only do this by obeying God the Father’s will which is to abide in His Son Jesus Christ.

It is God the Fathers desire to anoint men for His purpose so that the power of the Holy Ghost can draw men unto Himself (John 6:44). It is the power of the Holy Ghost, and not any tactics from man, that saves the soul (Matthew 16:13-18).

Many people right now are seeking God through His anointing because in their minds the anointing seems to be the focus. They are seeking the power of God but the question is are they seeking God’s will for their lives? I will begin laying a foundation for this interpretation by explaining it is the process of sanctification (abiding in Jesus), and not the process of seeking God’s anointing, that God seeks to honor in the life of the believer (Matthew 7:16, 20, 1 Thessalonians 4:3).

Sanctification

2 Timothy 2:20-21

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor

If sanctification is wholly completed upon our confession of Christ, and no more sanctifying work needs to be done in us, then why would God scripturally admonish (in the present tense) to walk in sanctification and honor? The answer is simple. Sanctification power comes upon us at salvation but once it is given we must continually walk in it. The fact is, once we get saved and filled with the Holy Ghost, we as Christians still have plenty of wood and earth hidden deep within our hearts. It is our job to confess and repent and to seek God in sanctification so that we, by the power of the Holy Ghost, can become cleansed and meet for the master’s good use (Romans 6, 7). The process of walking in the Spirit and casting off the flesh (abiding in Jesus) is a sanctifying process…which Christians now have access to because Christians are now in Christ. If we choose not to seek God through this sanctifying process after we get saved, then we choose to abide off the vine (John 15:1-8), and thus… imperfections will remain.

1 Corinthians 3:12-17

Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

This specific verse above is referring mostly to the work that ministers will accomplish in the life of the believer but its wisdom is universal; especially when aligning it with 2 timothy 2:20-21. We must abide in Jesus in an effort to purge ourselves of these fleshly affections within our members (Revelation 3:18, Romans 6, 7, Galatians 5:24). Gold and silver and precious stones will withstand the fire… but the wood, hay and stubble will be consumed. These verses demonstrate that even though we are in Christ, we have plenty of work to do beyond salvation. The Bible says to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Not to work for but to work out. Workouts are tough. They make you sweat… but workouts also whip you into shape. God wants to spiritually whip us into shape by having us walk in the Spirit so we do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

Galatians 5:22-25

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

We eventually gain the fruits of the Spirit when we crucify the flesh (through a process, we allow the Holy Ghost to burn up the wood, hay and stubble on earth). Please explain to me how any physical fruit is begotten separate from a process. It’s impossible. In order for fruit to bloom, a process is required… and also changes in seasons. Spiritual fruit in the life of the believer is no different at all; it is begotten through a process as well as changes in seasons. This is the sanctification process in us and it is hard work to say the least (Romans 7:14-25, Hebrews 12:11), but nonetheless, it is what is necessary in order for us to gain Christ like character (spiritual fruit). Once we have settled into a habitual attitude of crucifying the flesh, then the fruits of the Spirit (equivalent to the gold, silver, and precious stones/vessel of honor/good tree) will become apparent. Over time, as we learn to abide in Christ more fully (John 15:1-8), these fruits will become more consistently manifest in our lives during our fiery seasons.

The above explanation of sanctification is what God is seeking to do in His people. God wants us to build Christ like character but this is only done when we abide in Christ and thus crucify the flesh and attempt to walk in the Spirit. The consistent and mature way for a Christian to abide in Christ and walk in the Spirit is to obey the Bible and to obey the leading of the Holy Ghost (the Holy Ghost bearing witness of Jesus – John 16:13-14, 14:26), but for this interpretations purpose, and for edification… I am going to reveal how God will sometimes allow intensity in our lives, even above and beyond our biblical obedience, in order to force us to walk in the Spirit (Hebrews 12:3-11).

When we walk in the Spirit, we are immediately buffeted by the world and its principalities (Ephesians 6:12). It is within this buffeting process that we learn to perfect our love, practice patience, forgiveness, gentleness and non- judgment toward others. Walking in the Spirit will actually bring about a demonic attack and sometimes God will allow these demonic attacks to intensify in our lives (Job 1,2) so that we will be forced to consistently walk in the Spirit and thus eventually gain the fruits of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:11-18). God will also use sicknesses and illnesses in an effort to force us to walk in the Spirit (and crucify the flesh). Below is an example of how Paul the apostle experienced this struggle.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

A messenger of Satan buffeted Paul. I believe this buffeting was a continual demonic attack that came primarily through the Jews who were trying to hinder Paul’s every move (Acts 14:8-19). Paul stated that through this buffeting process (abiding… sanctifying process), God was able to bring Paul the apostle low… arranging his life and gearing it towards spiritual submission. This process forced Paul to rely upon God and yield himself over to walking in the Spirit. When this happened, God was able to work perfectly through Paul in his weakened and humbled state.

The message is simple. God the Father wants us to rely on Him and it is when our flesh is made weak and humble through this sanctifying/abiding process that He is able to become strong inside of us. This process results in us crucifying the flesh and thus, we maintain and gain the fruits of the Spirit. Trust me, if Paul had not initially decided to abide in Jesus by walking in the Spirit then this messenger of Satan would have never come. The messenger came because Paul made a choice to submit by abiding in Jesus and as a result, submit his vessel fully upon God’s sanctifying alter (Romans 12:1-2). This decision by Paul allowed God to do an even greater work through him… so that God’s purposes could be manifested (Genesis 45:8 – half of the books of the NT).

A concise way of understanding God’s will in sanctification is this. Salvation will cost you nothing… but sanctification… will cost you everything. It is true that once we become Christians we are sanctified in Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:2). The point is our sanctification is not just faith in Jesus or belief in Him. Sanctification is the process of perfecting holiness within the life of the believer. Sanctification involves almost every characteristic and spiritual unction within the life of the believer. Whether it is prayer, reading the word, meditation, fasting, obedience, suffering, walking in the Spirit, crucifying the flesh, abiding in Jesus (read Sanctification 101 located in Volume 3). All of these spiritual processes together become sanctifying in the life of the believer. Holiness is the end goal of the believer but sanctification becomes the spiritual vehicle that gets you there (the narrow path if you will). The Holy Ghost’s continual working in the life of the submitted believer yields sanctification (or holiness) within that believer.

The pearl of great price talked about in the Bible is likened to Christ (Matthew 13:45-46). The pearl itself is Christ likeness (which only comes about through sanctification). The pearl is the only gemstone which is created by the agitation of a living organism. What does this mean to Christians? We are called to abide in Jesus. This abiding process, and consequent pruning by the Father (John 15:1-8), is the agitation process that yields Christ likeness in the Christian (the pearl). We abide in Jesus (this begins the process). God the Father prunes us (heavy agitation against our flesh). In time, we begin bearing spiritual fruit (we gain Christ likeness or the pearl). This comparison is easy to understand. The process of walking in the Spirit and not fulfilling the lusts of the flesh is agitating. The process of receiving pruning via the Father is extremely agitating (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). This agitating eventually creates Christ like fruits within us. The Christ like character and spiritual fruits we gain from this abiding process is likened to a pearl. Thus, the pearl of great price becomes Christ likeness within us (holiness)…

Philippians 1:29

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

The way I like to envision the process is to understand that once we are saved, we now have a uniform in which to participate (Holy Ghost). Without salvation in Jesus’ name, there is no uniform. Now, uniforms don’t solely win games. Participation (while wearing the uniform) is what wins games. Once we are saved and have been given the uniform of sanctification, it now becomes our burden to participate in accordance to that uniform. Paul the apostle said it like this:

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

When you see a police officer wearing a uniform, do you expect that officer to walk contrary to that uniform? No… of course not. That officer will uphold the integrity of that uniform (or he’ll be stripped). Upon salvation, Christians are given the uniform of sanctification to walk therein (Holy Ghost). Once we have been given that uniform, it becomes God’s absolute will that we walk in it, thus upholding the integrity of that uniform. Those who choose not to uphold the integrity of sanctification after becoming saved become guilty of not abiding on the vine (John 15:4, Hebrews 6:1-6)… these people bear no spiritual fruit and can do nothing (Matthew 7:15-23, Matthew 12:30).

I trust I have made it clear that once God the Father draws us to Himself, He expects us to abide in Jesus Christ so we will yield consistent spiritual fruit. With this understood, I would now like to discuss the mistakes we make when we covet the power of God and His anointing.

Anointing

We are all anointed because the Holy Ghost lives in all believers (2 Corinthians 1:21).

1 John 2:20,27

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth…

As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit–just as it has taught you, remain in him.

Because the Holy Ghost is inside us at all times He is clearly our strength throughout the sanctification process. The Holy Ghost helps us stay calm, helps us stay determined and helps us to stay prayerful and watchful. The Holy Ghost’s anointing is clearly our direction reminding us of Jesus (John 16:13-14, 14:26). But the anointing of God is also the power of God (Isaiah 10:27) to break up, to bind up, to loose and to cast down and to scatter. There is no doubt the power of God rests with His anointing. But is the anointing of God our goal? What should be our attitude towards God’s anointing?

It is unwise for us to seek or rest in the anointing of God without first submitting to His process of holy sanctification in our lives. I would like to carefully explain the difference between being drawn (Called) and anointed of God the Father and being drawn (Called) and anointed of God the Father and then choosing to submit and abide in Jesus… thus making Him your Lord. You see, there is a difference. Some people have the first experience, but then choose not to perform the second. These people are called but are not chosen (Matthew 22:14)…

1. They are indeed drawn (Called) of God the Father and enlightened with the Holy Spirit (anointed – Hebrews 6:4)

2. But they disobey the enlightenment (Holy Spirit) they have received and never make Jesus their Lord (they are not Chosen)

The Bible declares clearly that a person is drawn (Called) by God the Father (John 6:37, 44-45, 65, 8:42, Matthew 16:17). This person drawn receives the light of life and the knowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Now, this process is wholly orchestrated by God the Father (not by Jesus Christ). Once this person is empowered by the Father (is given the Holy Spirit) and has consequently become the light of the world (Matthew 5:14), this person is now (by the same anointing) commanded to obey God the Father by choosing to abide in Jesus (which is the Fathers will). If they obey the unction of the Spirit and abide in Jesus, they will become like the 11 apostles (a good tree – Matthew 7:17). If they disobey and abide not in Jesus, they will become like Judas (a corrupt tree – Matthew 7:17).

You see… God in his infinite wisdom has allowed a process of submission whereby a persons fruits will bear witness as to what kind of tree they are. The interesting aspect of all this is there is a void or separation between Jesus’ participation and God the Fathers participation within this drawing process. God the Father is responsible for drawing people to Jesus (John 6:37, 44-45, 65, 8:42, Matthew 16:17). Once this drawing (Calling) process has occurred, it is now up to the person to surrender to the Holy Ghost’s leading and make Jesus their Lord. It is entirely possible (and very common) for someone to be drawn (Called) of the Father and even become enlightened with the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 6:4), but to consequently never surrender to the Holy Spirit’s leading to abide in Jesus Christ. On the Day of Judgment, the Holy Ghost within them will fully testify that this person never once listened to instruction and Jesus will concur by telling these people, “I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity (Matthew 7:23).” These people were drawn (Called) of God the Father but they never chose to make Jesus their Lord. This is very common and is why there are so many who are deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13, James 1:22). These, “so called Christians” are just like the angels who kept not their first estate (Jude 1:6). They are indeed believers (James 2:19) who do not submit to God the Father.

Many are drawn (Called) by God the Father into the fellowship of the Spirit (Philippians 2:1, 3:10). I assure you, not all these people choose that “fellowship of the Spirit.” They actually chose not to follow Christ, neither do they make Him their Lord… (though His name is never far from their lips).

Some might say… it’s impossible for someone to be drawn (Called) of God the Father but to not be known by Jesus. This is ignorance of the scriptures. Jesus Christ has nothing to do with the drawing process. Jesus is Lord and we are to surrender to His Lordship once we have been drawn by God the Father into the fellowship of the Spirit… the thing is many don’t. Many are drawn by God the Father but then chose to never have any kind of fellowship with Jesus Christ through the Spirit. This is why Jesus declares He doesn’t know them…

Matthew 7:21-27

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (Matthew 22:1-14). Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them (2 Timothy 2:20), I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not (2 Corinthians 11:15, Matthew 7:16-20), shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

The above verse describes a person who is drawn (Called) of God the Father but who never follows the Holy Spirit and makes Jesus their Lord. They’re not Christian. They’re called but not chosen. They do not gather with Jesus but they scatter abroad (Matthew 12:30). Yes… they have the authority to cast out devils and to prophesy because they have been drawn (Called) by God the Father and have become partakes of the heavenly gift (Holy Ghost) (Hebrews 6:4), but they are not with Jesus because they rebelliously and willfully do their own thing. These are men and women of unclean motives and deceitful ambitions (Jude 1:5-13) who have never surrendered to the authority of the anointing (Spirit) within them. The authority which empowers them they do not obey… mostly because they choose to do their own thing by not dedicated themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ according to His purposes. They do not build the Father’s kingdom on earth as Jesus did… but build their own kingdoms according to their various desires. These men and women are known of God the Father, but they are not known of Jesus Christ because they never surrendered to Him. They have never obeyed the spiritual promptings of the Holy Ghost which empowers them to follow Jesus Christ. They are Judas’, drawn by God the Father (John 6:70) but who have clung on to the name of Jesus for their own reward (John 12:4-6); and God the Father, in His infinite wisdom and understanding (Psalm 147:5) is going to allow this for His kingdom purposes and to declare to the world that He indeed is the one who will judge the quick and the dead according to Christ (Proverbs 16:4, Isaiah 45:7). Notice above what Jesus Christ says right after condemning these men. He gives an example saying if a man did the things He preached (chose to abide on the vine – John 15:1-8) then he would have a strong foundation, if he didn’t… then his foundation would be destroyed (Matthew 7:24-27).

The unmistakable will of God the Father (once you’ve been drawn (Called) by Him) is to (surrender) and make Jesus Christ your Lord (abide on the vine – John 15:1-8) and to fully surrender to the unction of the Holy Spirit (Whose job it is to testify of Jesus – John 16:13-14, 14:26). It’s all about Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:16)… this is God the Fathers will regarding every person drawn of Him. Notice the scriptures declare it is by a man’s actions or choices which determines whether he stands or falls (Acts 1:25).

Romans 9:20-23

Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

It is our choice whether or not we want to be a vessel of honor or dishonor (2 Timothy 2:20-21, 1 Peter 2:7-8). Notice the above passage says nothing regarding the choices we make, that’s because it is our choice to decide what kind of vessel God will eventually mold us into, and God has ordained that He will leave that choice in our hands. It is God’s Will to allow human beings to exercise their self will. Remember this verse:

2 Timothy 2:20-21

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

You see, it’s our choice to make Jesus our Lord and follow Him wholly. We must remember that God knew before the world began if we would surrender to Jesus’ Lordship (Romans 8:29-39). It was this choice that determined what kind of vessel or “lump” God would eventually mold us into. Please notice the word “fitted” in Romans 9:22. To fit is not to choose the kind of garment someone will wear… to fit is to make snug or complete the garment one has chosen to wear. God does not dress us up and then fit us… He fits what we have already chosen to dress ourselves with. Both the Romans verses and the Timothy verses imply the same thing. They don’t imply that God makes our choices and then molds us into what He wants us to become. They imply that God looks at what we have chosen to become and then according to those choices, completes us “fits us” according to the vessel’s that will fit His purposes. Do you think that Pharaoh in the Old Testament had no shot at ever serving the one true God? No, that would be totally unbiblical (Daniel 4). If God could change Nebuchadnezzar’s heart through chastening then He could have done the same thing with Pharaoh. God simply observed (1 Samuel 16:6-7) the bad choices Pharaoh consistently made and then according to those bad choices God decided to mold Pharaoh into a particular vessel of dishonor (Exodus 9:16-21, 10:1). Bad choices became their undoing (2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Emphasis on V. 15, Acts 1:25). Actions which revealed these people to clearly be vessels of dishonor.

What we need to understand regarding a man’s choices in the Lord is that God has given man the freedom to choose according to self will (Joshua 24:15). God will not disrespect any man’s right to choose. But once a man does choose, in choosing, he places himself upon God’s potter’s wheel. Once this happens, God has full power and authority to mold this man into whatsoever vessel He deems appropriate according to His overall plan of salvation for mankind. This is what God did with Pharaoh who chose evil (Exodus 9: 19), this is what God did with Paul who chose Christ (2 Corinthians 12:7-10), and this is what God will do with you… whatever you choose (Matthew 7:24-27 + 2 Timothy 2:21 + 2 Corinthians 11:15 = Romans 9:20-23).

Judas

It’s obvious Judas was drawn (Called) of God (John 6:70) and was even chosen as an apostle (John 6:70). God knew though that Judas would chose to transgress (John 6:70, Acts 1:25). But… God numbered him with the twelve and he obtained part of the ministry (Acts 1:17). A lot of people might ask, “Wait a second? If God knew Judas was going to transgress then why would He choose him?”

It is clear that when Jesus Christ sent the twelve out with power that Judas was among them. It says in the Bible that the twelve cast out many demons and that they anointed many with oil and healed them (Mark 6:7-13). Let me ask you a straightforward question… after Judas betrayed Jesus and consequently hung himself, do you think the very people whom Judas laid hands on and healed, or those whom he cast out devils, returned to their old estate? Do you think that just because Judas transgressed that those whom he helped automatically reverted back into their bondage? No, they didn’t. In fact John, in the book of John, tells us that Judas was a thief, and that he would steal what was in the money purse (John 12:6). This means that while Judas was numbered with the twelve, and while he was healing and prophesying and exercising power over unclean spirits according to God’s will, that he was stealing as well. Yet God still used him.

I am going to repeat myself again (Philippians 3:1).

Matthew 7:21:23

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

I have already clarified in the last section that fellowship with the Holy Spirit (making Jesus your absolute Lord) is a separate act from God the Father drawing you. Many are called but few are chosen. The parable of the sower explains that some receive the word with joy but are offended when asked to suffer for His names sake (Matthew 13:8-23, Philippians 2:1, 3:10). We have the example in John 6:66 where many of Jesus’ disciples “walked with him no more” just because Jesus said that His body was the bread from heaven. The scriptures even say these disciples were “offended” and could not bear His saying (John 6:60-61). Making Jesus your Lord is no joke… and God has determined that the drawing process would be the initial unction (communion with the Spirit) but then making Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior would become the submissive act to be born by the believer alone (some do this with their lips, but not with their hearts). This is the reason many of Jesus’ apostles made many mistakes and even self will choices after they were drawn to Jesus by the Father. The drawing process was a sure thing but subsequent from that, choices made and hearts manifest became the burden of the apostles alone (God the Father and Jesus Christ have no power over these). If you are truly honest with yourself and you’ve understood this interpretation thus far, then you understand the reasoning fully. Jesus Christ’s first coming was a test to mankind… to manifest true hearts (Luke 2:35). Were you willing to worship a bleeding and bruised suffering savior… rather than an all powerful King? Make no mistake about it… God the Father drawing you is the wooing process and making Jesus Christ your Lord and savior is your consummation of that drawing process.

Here’s a good question you might ask yourself at this point… did Jesus know Judas? You might say, “Well of course Jesus knew him, he was one of his disciples.” Yes, this is true. But did He really know him?

Here’s an example. If you were married, and you and your wife had been married for over five years then you would say that you knew your wife pretty well. You knew the little things about her. When she got up, what she liked to eat, how she liked to play little games or to make a fuss. You knew the basics about her. But what if she had another life, one you didn’t know about? What if someone came to you one day and told you that your wife had been having an affair ever since before you were married? That she was meeting with this individual at least three times a week for the last seven years. What would you say about knowing her? You would be speechless, and you would declare, “I was married to this woman for 5 years and I never even knew who she really was. She had another life going on, one that I was completely unaware of. All I can say is that every day I looked at a woman who was living a totally different life than the one I thought she was living. As I look back now, and remember the look in her eyes, I realize the things she was thinking about, and the things I was thinking about, were totally different.”

Even though you clearly knew things about your wife, there were other things she hid from you. These things you knew nothing about. The fact that these things were hid from you made you feel as though you didn’t even know your wife at all.

If the Lord were to judge Judas and He were to say… “I never knew you, depart from me, you who work iniquity.” Then Judas might say, “But wait Lord, you did know me. We hung out for three years, we slept under the same stars, we ate from the same dish and we walked down the same roads.” And Jesus would reply, “Yes you’re right, we did all of those things, but I still never knew you.” And Judas would say, “What do you mean?” And Jesus would say, “For three years I thought I knew you, I thought we had a camaraderie, I thought we believed in the same things… but all the while you were a thief. You had a part of your life that was hidden from me, (unconfessed and separate). I knew the outside of you Judas, the shell of you… but I never knew the real you, the inside of you. This you hid from me Judas, and I clearly never knew the real you.

Do you understand? If Jesus Christ can have this kind of response toward a person who physically walked with him for three years… what kind of response might Jesus have toward someone who never made Him their Lord? A person who was drawn of God the Father and Called, (like Judas) but who refused to acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ in their life (John 10:29). This is no game. The Bible says even the demons believe, and they tremble (James 2:19). The Bible also says to be a doer of the Word, and not a hearer only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22). Trust me, I am not in the business of ministering a condemnation gospel. I am not in the business of trying to oppress or burden anyone. It is blatant ignorance that people want to believe lies regarding the holy scriptures and do not want to rightly divide the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). There are many…many in and around the church who have never surrendered their lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:22 – emphasis on the word many). Jesus even says in the scriptures, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Luke 6:46). If you abide in Jesus and do as He says, your good fruits bear witness that Jesus is your Lord. If you do not abide in Jesus and you do not do as Jesus says, your corrupt fruits bear witness that Jesus is not your Lord (Matthew 7:17-18, 1 Timothy 4:1-5).

At this point one might say, “I kind of understand… but I am still confused as to why God the Father has to resort to using wicked men. Why does God the Father Call them at all. Why doesn’t He just Call men who are going to surrender to Jesus’ Lordship fully?” This question seems valid… but when we discern the scriptures in relation to God’s ordained relationship with man, we find the question is rooted in ignorance. Let’s look at this next verse.

Mark 9:38-39

And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.

Here was a man who was “seemingly” doing the work of God the Father. We can’t know everything about him, but we do know what Jesus’ attitude was regarding him. Jesus advised that the man be left alone to do the work he felt he was obligated to do. Notice that this man had the anointing of God, he was casting out devils… and Jesus himself also adds that no man doing a miracle in my name can lightly speak evil of me. This obviously means that no man using the anointing of God in Jesus’ name (and seeing that it works) is then going to turn around and speak evil of the same name which results in such power (Jesus Christ). But here’s the question, does that necessarily make the man a minister of righteousness? It is interesting according to the information I have thus given regarding the Father drawing a person (and Jesus Christ having no opinion on the matter) that here Jesus clearly… has no opinion on the matter. You can even say regarding the above example, Jesus is leaving this person “in the Fathers hands.” Now I personally believe if this person came to Jesus and asked for guidance, that Jesus would teach accordingly. What is interesting is this person doesn’t come to Jesus. The interesting aspect is that Jesus doesn’t go after him, He reserves his opinion regarding the man. That is, until the judgment (Acts 10:42). What is so interesting is that Jesus just leaves this person… “in the Father’s care,” fully trusting that God the Father might still be calling this person to a more intimate revelation of who He is. Jesus clearly leaves it all… in the Fathers capable hands. Actually, the man Apollos comes to mind (Acts 18:24-25).

We do know from Matthew 7 that someone can prophesy and cast out devils and yet still the Lord will say to them… “I never knew you.” These actions by themselves will never make any man a minister of righteousness. It will make him a vessel of dishonor that the Lord might be forced to use (2 Timothy 2:20) due to God’s ordained relationship with man… but also due to man’s fickleness. But it doesn’t make him a minister of righteousness. We know from the above verse that Jesus Himself will not stop a man from “seemingly” doing the work of the Lord (take that to heart Christian… God has not called you to defend Him, just to protect yourselves). We do know from Matthew 7 that any man “seemingly” performing the work of the Lord will be judged… and he won’t be judged by the miracles which he preformed, but by the character of his heart (did he surrender to Jesus’ Lordship – Matthew 7:21). Though you still might not get it…

What we have to remember, even to the utmost, is that man is in charge of man’s relationship with God… not God. Let’s try an example. There is a certain businessman. This businessman has made 20 million dollars. He has basically satisfied himself by attaining all the goals he felt he needed to achieve during his lifetime. He also feels quite secure. Then, about five years later, he gets depressed. The man has no goals left to achieve… but interestingly enough, he still has a certain zeal for life. He goes to a revival and catches a glimpse of the power of God. He sees the ministers and prophets working powerfully and at that exact moment he’s pricked (Acts 2:37) because he realizes there is a lot he hasn’t accomplished. He’s filled with purpose. He decides that he is going to accomplish in God. As a result, the man humbles himself as much as he’s able, and bowing his head he asks a minister to pray for him. The Father from heaven draws him (John 6:37, 44-45, 65, 8:42, Matthew 16:17). God the Father has met the man where he is at.

This man, like Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:18-24), has humbled himself… probably for all the wrong reasons. Not to mention, God can only use the men who are currently at the revival (maybe not the cream of the crop when it comes to truth or integrity). You might ask, “Well… then why did God draw him there, if God knew he humbled himself for the wrong reasons? Why did He draw him at all?” You’re looking at it entirely from the wrong perspective. At the moment when the businessman humbled himself and asked God to use him… there was no God’s request to man but only man’s request toward God. Don’t you remember when James and John requested to sit at the right and left hand of Jesus Christ in His Glory? Well… they ended up getting much more than they bargained for (Mark 10:38-39). You might say, “Well that’s true but what about this businessman? He is rich and wayward and now he’s been drawn by God into confusion… whose price is that?” Without Jesus as his savior, the price will be his soul (Matthew 7:21-23, Romans 9:20-23). Do you think he’ll end up in a better place not being drawn by God to Jesus? Even if it is in confusion? God loves mankind, and He will use many different means (and diverse characters) to draw souls unto Himself. There are many different avenues which we critically judge as being too “risqué” for God to work with but God is desirous to save the soul and He is not grieved to use sinful mankind in various ways in order to give man an opportunity to become saved. This revival where this businessman went might not be the most God honoring place in terms of God’s purposes but God is certainly willing to meet him there (by His Holy Spirit) in order to draw him into the kingdom (1 Timothy 2:3-4).

Just for clarification. In some cases God will not disciple someone even though they desire it (Mark 5:18-19, Exodus 33:19). Maybe the person was frail, wounded or simply didn’t possess the proper gifts to be called into a respective ministry. It is common for this to happen, but if a man comes to the Lord and is eager to be called and fits certain God ordained criteria (Leviticus 21:16-24, 1 Timothy 1:11-13) then trust me when I say that the Lord will be hard pressed to walk away from such a request. There is far too much for God to lose. You might say, “What do you mean, for God to lose.” Lets say this businessman came to the alter and God suffered him but then turned him away in terms of being drawn. This man, for the rest of his life, would question and reason within himself exactly why God didn’t give him an opportunity, and in heaven he would ask, “Lord, why didn’t you anoint me to serve you and your church, I would have done a good job with all my gifts?” And God would simply say “Because.” Now let me ask you a question, do you think this is a sufficient answer from God? This is clearly not a relationship answer. If you asked a good friend a serious question and their answer was “Because”, then you would probably sneer at them for their insincerity. This is common sense, and for this reason God will usually allow a man the opportunity he requests or feels he deserves. That way, in heaven, God becomes blameless, and such men will then say, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in thy name, did we not cast out devils… did we not do many miracles in thy name?” And Jesus will say, “I never knew you.” Do you understand the concept? If a man makes a request at the alter, and there is really nothing technically standing in the way of God drawing him through the Holy Ghost… then because of the relationship God the Father has ordained between Himself and man by faith, and because of God the Fathers concept of choice which establishes itself through accountability, then God will almost always take a man at his word. This is called relationship, and relationship involves choices and repercussions of choices. God is not afraid to give a man the chance to fail, and God is not afraid to give a man the chance to succeed. Make no mistake about it… it was the businessman who fell at the alter and told God he would be a good servant. If God were never to give him the chance to fail, then how would that businessman ever really know who he was? (I clarify more on this in the later section titled Holy Ghost Witness)

How many of us have heard stories of pastors who say that they were a minister for 16 years before they even surrendered their life to Jesus’ Lordship. Some might even speak of healing ministries and of casting out devils during their first 16 years. This is the exact example I am referring to. These men were never properly serving the Lord… but because these men exalted themselves (Mark 9:38-39), and because God knew others would rely upon them for council including specific direction for their lives… then God basically became forced to helped them as Shepard’s over their respective congregations during those first 16 years. What? Do you think God is going to allow an entire congregation to perish because of mans ignorant self-exaltation and self-gratification, especially when the entire congregation of God is relying on that pastor? I think not. God will use these men as vessels of dishonor… not to their honor of course, but because these men exalted themselves and now their entire congregation is looking to them for spiritual direction (you can apply this to prophets and evangelists too). Don’t be deceived; many times in the Old Testament there were wicked kings over Israel and Judah. These kings made a choice to do evil, and God, because of His Namesake, mercifully put up with them. You can be sure He mostly put up with these wicked kings because all of Israel was looking to them for direction and support… and God used these wicked kings in order to uphold His people Israel and to make sure that He Himself was never left without a witness (Jeremiah 38:14-21, 52:9-11, 1 Kings 16:30, 20:13-14, Acts 14:17). So He used these wicked kings… not for their own sake or honor, but for His Namesake and for Israel’s sake. So it is also for His own Namesake (Mark 9:38-39) and for the sake of the congregations of God (body of Christ) that God will put up with wicked ministers (Matthew 13:28-29). But also because of the accountability process God has ordained with man… and for choices’ sake (Judas), because this indeed is how the hearts of men are tried (1 Corinthians 1:29, Luke 2:35).

I know there still might be some lingering questions as to what I have discussed at length, but I hope the next sections are able to clarify some doubts concerning God’s usage of unconsecrated ministers (who don’t surrender themselves to Jesus’ Lordship) and how the process of choice as well as the consequences of those choices (accountability) become an integral part of God’s plan regarding His relationship with man.

Vessel of Dishonor

We need to seek God for the right reasons and with the right temperament, or we can find ourselves being used… but being used as a vessel of dishonor (Romans 9:20-23). It can happen. The Devil is smooth and would rather destroy you without you even knowing it (2 Timothy 3:7,13). You might be prophesying in his name, or even casting out devils, but your heart might be far from Jesus’ purposes on earth. People who have made this undiscerning choice have become seduced and have gone the way of Balaam (Jude 1:11), seeking God for their own reward (gain) and for His power (1 Timothy 6:5). Because of their deep and hidden selfish motives they have quickly become led astray and far away from Jesus Christ’s purposes for His church. They have ignorantly coveted God’s power and His Spirit to quickly and have became thoroughly blinded in the process (1 Timothy 3:6). It is true they have fallen before God the Father in repentance, but then have quickly coveted to reap reward blessing and exaltation at the cost of Christ’s sacrifice for His church (Acts 8:18-24). This is an ignorant mindset and can easily be defeated by the correct council (Hosea 4:6, Acts 8:22) God then willing to pardon such offenders because of his great mercies sake (Acts 8:22, Joel 2, 1 Kings 21:27-29, Jonah 3:5-10, Isaiah 43:22-28).

In fact the Lord gave us the latter end of parable Matthew 7:22-27 because He is faithful to forgive. It says in the Bible that all scripture is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). God gave us this parable because it can instruct in what is right. If you analyze the parable, then you can see there would be no edifying reason to teach it other then to expose the ignorance it counters as well as for helping those who were in desperate need of it’s teaching. That is why Jesus immediately gives advice on what a man should do in order to have a healthy relationship with the Lord. If there were no chance for such men to be forgiven… then there would have been no reason for Jesus to give instruction through the later end of this parable.

Therefore in order to be perfect (Matthew 5:48, 19:21) within God’s Holy Spirit (anointing), God desires that you are sanctified and walking in the fear of the Lord with the fruits of the Spirit evident in your life. It is absolutely impossible to do this without first surrendering your life over to the Lordship of Jesus Christ (John 15:1-8). Jesus said, “deny yourselves, take up your cross, and follow Me (Matthew 16:24).” Follow Him!!! If you are not ready to surrender everything to Christ, then you are in danger of setting yourself up as a vessel of dishonor. The Lord Jesus Christ is not a taskmaster, but His desire that you surrender all is not negotiable. Remember, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” When you surrender all to Jesus you will find life abundant (John 10:10). When I surrendered everything to the Lordship of Jesus Christ He eventually brought me a beautiful wife. Surrender your life to Jesus Christ, because when you do… the Father will be pleased and He knows how to give good gifts (James 1:17, Matthew 7:11). When you obey and make Jesus your Lord, you will have defeated any condemnation of being exalted too quickly (because Jesus won’t exalt you too quickly) and you will further purge yourself from any dishonoring materials (2 Timothy 2:20). In doing this, any anointing (Holy Spirit) resting upon you (Isaiah 42:1, Matthew 3:16-17) will be ready to do a tremendous work once the Lord hath wrought a completion in you (Daniel 11:32-33).

The sad part is… a lot of vessels of dishonor have not surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ and are creating enormous damage in and around the church today. These men and women do not have any Christ likeness in them because they are not of Christ at all (nor have they ever been). They have no fruits of the Spirit evident in their lives whatsoever (Matthew 7:15-23 Emphasis on V. 20). They are walking around with God’s gift and they’re breaking stuff because they are not building God’s kingdom (Hebrews 6:4). Our misunderstanding of this situation is not the Lords will and is rooted in ignorance… but we must always remember that God indeed works within our decisions (remember… vessels of honor/vessels of dishonor). God has chosen to work in spite of us (Matthew 25:26), even within our ignorance and sinfulness (Psalm 81:11-12, Romans 8:28, Jonah 1:15-16). This becomes the Devil’s accusation of faith against the Called, and this becomes the Devil’s accusation of relationship against the Called (Job 1:9-11).

Consecrated Anointing

If God has a man who is willing to walk down the road of sanctification with Jesus as the head and is obedient to walk in the maturity of the fruits of the Spirit then God will actually turn this persons anointing inward. This inward direction of the anointing will proceed to break the yokes within that specific man, but not show itself toward those who are around him (Isaiah 10:27). In other words, this person will not appear to be anointed at all. But this is actually false… this person is anointed but the anointing is pointed inward in God’s effort to crucify the self. This process crucifies the self will as well as the desires of the flesh. It prepares the specific man for the master’s good use (2 Timothy 2:20). At certain times, and in certain situations, God will allow the anointing (Holy Spirit) to manifest itself outwardly (Acts 15:12-16, 19:11-12) but for the most part that person must do without. This is so the person will learn to seek God in the strength of commitment and in the Spirit of suffering (1 Samuel 30:6-8) as did Jesus, and not within God’s present witness and manifestation of the anointing. This process will wean the person off the necessity of a consistent exposed anointing. Then, when God’s anointing is really needed, this person will be prepared. This person will be mature within the anointing and will not seek to use the anointing for any carnal or selfish purposes. A man who is weaned off the necessity of the external manifestation of the anointing of God will one day become a man who can accurately and honorably abide within God’s consecrated anointing. Paul the apostle became such a man (1 Corinthians 4:18-21, 2 Corinthians 10). The two witness in the book of Revelation will become such men (Revelation 11).

Why would God give His heavenly gift (Holy Ghost) this quick and easy if He knew men would rebel (Hebrews 6:4)?

Luke 9:51-56

And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of Spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

We have to remember that the Holy Ghost of God is not conditional. Our Calling with God and our gifts are established (Romans 11:29). What is conditional however are the choices we make in the Lord. The Lord has no power over these. All the Lord can do is permit us with His gifting and believe we mean what we say. Beyond this, the accountability is fully on us (Romans 14:12, 1 Peter 4:5). This is how the Lord has ordained it, and on an even deeper level, this is how the hearts of men are tried (Proverbs 17:3, 1 Thessalonians 2:4).

Holy Ghost Witness

I addressed this a bit in the other section but I need to bring more clarity… but also with regard to the consecrated anointing. God the Father is not grieved to call and impart His Holy Ghost upon man because of His desire to save people. God, in His infinite wisdom (Romans 9:20-23, 11:33-36), will use what is at His disposal and will work in association with a man’s choices and desires. This is why I stated earlier that the Lord would be hard pressed to walk away from the businessman’s desire to be used. I stated that there would be far too much for God to lose. More men evangelizing and prophesying means more opportunities for souls to be saved (Mark 9:38-39). You might say, well, that’s not fair… why would God make this man fall by distributing the Holy Spirit? God is not making any man fall. It is our own selfish motives and our unconsecrated hearts that make us fall (James 1:13-15), God’s Holy Spirit is never going to change that. God will expose our sinfulness and He’ll even use His Holy Spirit to do it, and at the same time… in His infinite wisdom, He’ll save souls in the process (Philippians 1:15-18). But referring to what God will allow. What about quick marriages, or even hasty business arrangements? Or even someone being ordained to quickly in a church (1 Timothy 3:6)? God clearly cautions us against all these things… yet they still happen. Sometimes God is forced to anoint us just to keep us level with our mistakes. The final result of a man falling within such a process is not as big of a problem as it would seem. God really doesn’t have a problem with a man falling (2 Samuel 24:1, 1 Chronicles 21:1, Psalm 37:23-24); in fact it is this falling process that inspires the opportunity for a cleansing work. It humbles a man and it gives a man the chance to repent and cry out to God. God is not ashamed of us when we fall; He is ashamed of us when we are too proud to admit that we can fall (Luke 18:9-14). For God the Father to impart His Holy Spirit on a man is really a win/win situation. Basically, beyond common sense reasons, the only time God will withhold The Holy Spirit from working externally in a man’s life is by that man’s own permission… when someone (by their actions) is willing to allow the Lord to do a deep work inside of them (Galatians 1:16-24). God will direct the Holy Spirit inwardly on this person so He can train them up properly (Hebrews 12:11). God the Father will conform this man into the image of His suffering Son, then… when the person becomes full mature, God will direct the Holy Spirit outwardly in order to break the yokes on those who are burdened all around him (Luke 4:18-19).

Anointing’s Defense

There is nothing wrong with the gift of God (Holy Ghost – John 4:10, Acts 2:38) or the calling of God (Romans 11:29); it is how they are misused that is the problem. We are ignorant regarding their purposes (in terms of God and man). We don’t understand God’s perspective in the matter and we play games regarding man’s accountability. We do this because we are far away from Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:7-13). God is not going to Call a man through the Holy Ghost and then take it away from him (Romans 11:29). Our God is a consuming fire. He is an intimate God. He wants our heart and He wants our devotion. A God who anoints us with Himself is a God who wants fellowship with us. As I stated before, God will anoint a man just to prove to a man how truly sinful he is. God knows the choices that a man will make but the Holy Ghost just magnifies those choices and brings about a consequence (which we are probably in need of). If God were not to anoint a man then that man would still be yearning to make those same mistakes… but because the Holy Ghost was withheld, that man will never come to the realization of how sinful he would have become within the Holy Ghost (within God). We are all teachable within God’s Spirit according to the revelation of Christ (1 John 2:27) and sometimes God will use His Holy Ghost to show us how truly rebellious we are, and He’ll even get souls saved in the process (Philippians 1:15-18, Romans 8:28).

Don’t think even for a second that God will withhold His Holy Ghost just because people wouldn’t deal correctly with it. If God were to only impart His Holy Ghost to those who would never fail then no one would get it. The Devil would also have about 1000 accusations in heaven against the Called… and they would all stick (Job 1, 2). The Holy Ghost is imparted to those who raise their hands, but not all who raise their hands know the correct answer… even though they will be Called upon (Matthew 22:1-14, emphasis on V. 14). The Lord will allow tests in our lives. The Holy Ghost of God is undoubtedly one of the burdensome temptations for man, and the Devil loves to have it so.

What we can do and learn

People right now who are called by God the Father and who are graced with the Holy Ghost and who are not being wise accordingly should repent immediately and make Jesus Christ Lord of their lives. You must follow Jesus… and only Jesus. You must be wholly surrendered to Him. The most important verse for people who need to get right with God is this… Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me (Matthew 16:24). Notice Jesus says… “if any man will come after me.” This is a polite way of saying… “for without me you can do nothing (John 15:5).” Jesus Christ is not asking for your opinion. His statement is deliberate and absolute… “for without me you can do nothing (John 15:5).” This verse is the crux of all Christianity at the moment. We are a sick church because we have not made Jesus our Lord (The body is not aligned with the Head – this causes incredible sickness). We think because we’re called and have the Holy Ghost that everything is fine. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are not fine, and the world doesn’t see Jesus in the church (we are no witnesses). If you truly surrender to Jesus then the Holy Spirit will inspire you and convict you towards crucifying your flesh and it’s desires (asking God to turn the anointing inwardly) (John 16:7-11, Galatians 5:19-24). Jesus will then reign in your life. He will be the head, you will be the body. This is the only way it works. God the Father has a desire to restore all of us (Acts 8:22, Joel 2, 1 Kings 21:27-29, Jonah 3:5-10) but this restoration must come by way of obedience toward the Father. And how do we obey the Father? We believe in the one whom He sent… and we surrender to Jesus and to His Lordship fully (John 5:38, John 6:29, Luke 6:46-49). Once our surrender is real and unconditional, the process of sanctification in our lives will yield about a Christ likeness within our members. We will become a matured body and we will yield the fruits of the Spirit in our fiery seasons (Revelation 19:7, Ephesians 5:27). The world will finally see Christ in you (Colossians 1:27). I assure you, this is the only revival possible. Christ in you.

Please read this last scripture slowly. It sums up much of what I said during this entire interpretation. I assure you… for the final time, without Christ’s Lordship over you… Holy Ghost or not, you can do nothing.

John 15:1-8

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

It’s interesting that John the Baptist of all people would ask if Jesus is the coming one (Messiah) or not. Why would he doubt that all of a sudden? Wasn’t it John who saw the Heaven’s open for Him? Wasn’t it John that believed HE that should be baptized by Jesus not the other way around? Wasn’t it John who declared, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”. So why all of a sudden did John doubt?

Well, John was in PRISON, he was suffering, going through hardship, and just like John, when trials arise and we find ourselves in the bondage of fear, doubt, or whatever else holds us captive (prison), many also may find themselves questioning their faith. Why, you ask?

Because many “Christians/Muslims/Buddhists/Jews/etc” have been sold a lie. But let’s focus soley on CHRISTIANITY as a whole. There is so much division in this one world religion, that it should be obvious, that not everyone has been taught the TRUTH. Perhaps, the TRUTH has been taught with an excess of confusion, lies, and tradition. Interesting enough, the word “Babylon” means “Confusion with Mixture.”

But here we are, Christendom. And in this faith, there are major flaws. A majority have been taught that once they verbally accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior that riches and prosperity will follow. Many “Christians” have been taught, that if they go to church enough times, sow their proper tithe and give their proper offering to the Lord, which they pay of course to their Man made “Church”, that God will open up the heavens and pour out his blessings. They believe when they say a few choice words “Jesus be my Lord and Savior” that their troubles will go away. But that is not the case.

We need to do more than believe on the LITERAL NAME of Jesus (Yeshua) – We need to believe on his NATURE/TRUTH – Which is what the meaning of the word “name” is. It is not just saying “Jesus be my Lord and Savior” it is becoming ONE with the TRUTH that is CHRIST.

This is why JOHN began to doubt when troubles came. He believed in the literal Man Jesus, as do I, but that doesn’t free him, it is only the BELIEF and KNOWLEDGE of the CHRIST WITHIN that frees us from the prison of life’s trials and torments.

The reason, many “Christians” today suffer, and doubt, is because their faith is not built on the ROCK (Christ/Truth), but on sand (people’s beliefs and traditions).

They, like John, know Jesus after THE FLESH and not after the SPIRIT. They believe their salvation comes from declaring their worship to a man from thousands of years ago, that will come again, a man that is in a galaxy know as heaven, far, far, away. They do not know the TRUTH of CHRIST WITHIN. That Christ has never left, nor forsaken us… So, when the storms beat them down, they start to doubt. They scream, “I thought things were supposed to be easy! Where is that promise land? Why are my kids still on drugs, why am I still sick, why am I broke, why, why, why, I thought YOU were supposed to make everything better… ARE YOU THE CHRIST OR AREN’T YOU?”

Why wouldn’t they question their faith and have doubts in salvation? If they have been told, do this and do that, and God will abundantly give to you.

Many have been taught by ”Blind Guides” that God doesn’t want them to suffer, that sickness is for the unbeliever, that Jesus and his disciples were loaded/rich and that God wants them to have the same wealth. And when these “followers” find themselves in the “prison” of their trials they find these promises to be empty. And then, when, and if, they question their sandy beliefs they are told by their “Blind guides” it is because of their lack of faith. They don’t see that their whole belief system is corrupt, and based on lies.

What many churches and religions promise today is NOT Christ, they are selling Greed and Lust. Remember it is not ALL churches and denominations in Christianity, there are many wonderful churches, charities, Christian TV shows and stations, preachers, priests, and pastors, who mean well and truly seek the WORD OF GOD… But many, many more do not.

Matthew 7:14
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

For many, they enter Christianity, as one would enter a market to buy a lottery ticket. It has sadly become like spiritual lottery for them. “You got to be IN it (Babylon) to win it.”

Here’s how it goes down. People are going through hard times they may flip through the channels and find preachers making grand promises, meet someone handing out a flyer at the train station, hear a message on the radio, or even have someone dressed up nice come knock at the door. Those that are hurting are looking for the way out. And these blind guides seem to offer a very easy one. Some say, You need to step out in faith and give! That the reason you haven’t experienced abundance is because you haven’t given enough.

Now, for those hurting, this itches their ears real good. It is exactly like the lottery. So they, in their error and greed, GIVE… because they WANT MORE. This has nothing to do with knowing the Lord of Hosts. This has nothing to do with Christ. This is what is wrong with Religion today.

“You have turned my Father’s house into a marketplace”

market

And boy is it. You don’t have to go far to see that MANY are “buying and selling” the sacrifice (Jesus) is many mega churches, events, concerts, conferences, and more. Just like in Jesus’ day.

Revelation 13:17
And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Now, not all, try and buy that sacrafice. The WISE VIRGINS were prepared, it was only the FOOLS that went out to purchase the precious oil (wisdom) needed to light the way.

So, the same is true for today, as it was in Jesus’ day.

LET’S COMPARE

The OUTER COURT where they sold doves, oils, sheep, goats, and exchanged money is alive and well today in the FOYER of many mega churches, or conferences. You enter in and as far as the eye can see, there are books, dvd’s, cd’s, oils, tambourines, streamers, key chains, tee shirt, hats, and more, for sale. (Now, look, there is nothing wrong with merchandise and I am not condemning such behavior, but CONDEMING the belief, that ANY OF THESE PRODUCT can bring you closer to God. You are not getting the OIL OF GLADNESS when you purchase “Olive Oil” whose label reads “Oil of Gladness” you are getting a PRODUCT. The problem is, just like in Jesus’s day, most don’t know the difference.

Moving on:

In the INNER COURT the Pharisees always saved the choice seats for the so called “important” people and inside these Churches today, the same is true. Whether those seats are for family, friends, or visiting pastors, celebrities etc… they rope these seats off in many congregations as they did in Jesus’ day and before.

At the ALTAR we see long prayers made as well as those in charge of the service making bold proclamations about how much they tithe and give. The same as Jesus’ day and before.

Matt 6 2Therefore when thou give thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men

Matt 65And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.

bullhorn1

You see, not much has changes at all. The Pharisees are still alive and well today in many “Christian Circles” and they are still making their converts twice the sons of hell (ignorance/suffering) that they are. This is why they rejected Christ. They didn’t understand the TRUTH of the Gospel (good news) nor could they receive it. Because they were baptized INTO DARKNESS which is why they hate the LIGHT.

But when CHRIST is in the midst, these lost SHEEP are brought back into the fold. When, and IF, they HEAR (understand) His Voice (The Truth).

But those, like JOHN who are called LESS than the LEAST in the KINGDOM do not know what is TRUTH or what is LIE when trouble comes. “Are you the Christ?”

Let’s be real, no one wants to suffer. We all want things to go as smoothly as possible. We don’t want difficulty, pain. We don’t want struggle. And, when things don’t go our way, even those like JOHN, who seem so enlightened, and who spend day after day condemning people of their sin, may complain and whine and even doubt their faith.

You see what I am beginning to do here is paint a picture of WHAT kind of believer JOHN the BAPTIST really was. A true Believer never doubts CHRIST.

But JOHN wasn’t a true believer, he was LESS THAN THE LEAST in the KINGDOM. Which means people… He NEVER entered into the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN that was WITHIN HIM. John, like many religious today, are focused on the outward, on the ceremony, fasting, proclaiming, condemning, etc, etc, but when the rubber meets the road, they don’t even know who CHRIST IS.

4Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

The Truth sets us free. Now what you ask, does the TRUTH set us free from? …. The LIE!

You see many of us have been sold this lie of religion. And what this LIE does is it binds us, it traps us, it condemns us, it kills us, and it keeps us IN PRISON, as John. And in this PRISON of the LIES we were force fed it is hard to see the TRUTH. But for those who do, for those who understand the HOPE OF GLORY IS CHRIST IN YOU, not coming OUTSIDE OF YOU on a white horse, you are SET FREE.

Where once you were blind (ignorant) you see (have understanding). You begin to understand the TRUE POTENTIAL that is inside us all, that EVERYTHING is made by the son, for the son, through the son… which “Thou Art That”

“Born not of flesh and blood, but of the SPIRIT.” And as SONS (Children of God) we are set FREE from the LAW OF DEATH that JOHN and his cronies set before us.

“I set before you good (truth) and evil (error) chose this day which you will serve (believe/know/walk in).”

tworoads

Let me explain JOHN the BAPTIST a bit more. He LIVED in the WILDERNESS (the place of temptation/trying) he did not LIVE in the promise land. He ATE WILD (not tame) HONEY and LOCUSTS (destroy the harvest). JOHN is the perfect picture of the RELIGIOUS MINDSET that even CHRIST allowed to be BAPTISED from. Just as many of us did.

We believed that RELIGIOUS was the way to go. We wanted freedom from the world, we wanted to know God… so we went to one we believed would lead us there…. And believe it or not, JOHN as ignorant as he was of the TRUTH (Christ) in his captivity, still was God’s messenger, who prepared the way… HOW, you ask? … Well, isn’t the LAW our schoolmaster that drives us to CHRIST?

7And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

Now this is the best part, when we take the whole story in context a mystery begins to unfold before our eyes. We realize what it is exactly that Jesus is trying to tell those about JOHN. What Jesus is trying to tell us about THE RELIGIOUS MINDSET.

Like I wrote earlier, today, many preachers, NOT ALL, but many are “itching the ears” of their blind and abused flock. They make all these promises, but life for 99.9 percent of them only gets worse. Because now, they have the same troubles, the same trials, the same sickness and death, but before RELIGION they didn’t feel so bad about having a drink, or dating, or whatever else they did without condemnation before hearing JOHNS VOICE “REPENT, REPENT”

Paul said, “I was alive once before the LAW came and then I DIED”

You see before bad religion gets its hooks in us and convinces us we are sinners damned for eternal torture, life was alright. But after JOHN baptizes you, you find a ton of guilt, shame, and rules and regulations heaped up on top of your already screwed up life. You find you are more bound than ever.
“ARE YOU THE CHRIST, OR WHAT?”

Well, why wouldn’t you worry. You were sold a line of DUNG. Which is what PAUL called everything RELIGION taught him, and he was the KING OF RELIGION.

Religion teaches, do this, do that, and you’ll be blessed, have faith. However, in Christ there is a humbling. That RELIGIOUS man needs to be put to death.

His HEAD (authority) needs to be chopped off, as JOHN’S head was, for CHRIST’S true ministry to begin!

So now Jesus speaks to the multitude and he says. “PEOPLE what exactly was it that you ran into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?”

When we wanted to learn the Truth? Did we expect to learn ONE TRUTH that is unbending, uncompromising, and firm? Did we expect to walk the straight and narrow path that is so very hard to find that few shall find it? Did we expect to be taught by ONE TEACHER who says THIS IS THE TRUTH and there is no BENDING IT, there is no SWAYING from it, there is no OTHER WAY then this way?

And what is the WIND this REED sways from… DOCTRINE. We can’t be tossed to and fro without WIND OF DOCTRINES. Take a second to look up how many denominations there are in Christianity today… Yet there is ONE SPIRIT, ONE TRUTH, ONE BAPTISM, ONE GOD THAT IS IN ALL!

Did we expect that we could believe what we want and throw away what we didn’t? Did we expect that AS CHRIST SUFFERED SO MUST WE? Did we remember that the SERVANT IS NOT ABOVE HIS MASTER and if they HATED HIM THEY WLL HATE US? Did we expect to be PERSECUTED, HATED, ACCUSED, TORMENTED, AND MADE HUMBLE? …

OR did we expect TO SEE A REED SHAKEN BY THE WIND?

The walk that God has prepared for his elect is NOT an easy one. It is meant to break us down and humble us. It may even be a road of pain and suffering, but it most definitely is a road of PERSERVERANCE and TRUST. It is designed to get you to love the most horrible of people and to forgive the most foul of crimes. This straight and narrow path is NOT one that we can veer off from time to time, because the WIND is blowing in another direction. And believe me, the TRUTH is not popular today. The ANTICHRIST/Man’s EGOCENTRIC system is popular today.

We saw how many turned away from Christ when the going got tough, or how many called him a heretic when he explained…

“Eat my FLESH and DRINK my BLOOD” or you can’t have the kingdom.

The reason? Because they believe in the LITERAL INTERPRETATION of scripture and not the ALLEGORICAL REVELATION of God’s word through scripture and experience.

You see to EAT SOMETHING, means you ASSIMILATE IT (become ONE with it) If you eat and APPLE, the APPLE soon BECOMES YOU.

This is what CHRIST was teaching, this is a great truth. TO EAT the Flesh and Drink the BLOOD of Christ is to allow the Flesh and Blood of Christ to become YOUR FLESH AND BLOOD.

“That day you shall know that I am in the FATHER, the FATHER in ME, and I in you” ==== We are ONE in CHRIST. There is no SEPERATION in Christ.

You don’t, and can’t, SEE (understand) Christ as being something far away from you, when THE AUTHORITY of the RELIGIOUS man is severed, you see CHRIST IN YOU, AS YOU, WITH YOU, FOR YOU, BY YOU, IS YOU!

“Know you not that you are the BODY OF CHRIST” “Until Christ be Formed In you” “It is No Longer I that Live, But Christ”

8But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.

Did you come out into the wilderness to find a set of COMFORTABLE BELIEFS? Did you expect to receive riches and luxury? Did you expect to inherit literal riches, or to inherit the TREASURE OF THE TRUTH that you are IN FACT a CHILD OF GOD?

Indeed, most of us went out into the wilderness for a better life. We wanted an easier walk, a bigger house, better car, no more money problems, no more family problems, better health… WE WANTED TO LEARN ABOUT COMFORTABLE THINGS! And when that doesn’t happen, if we are of the MINDSET that is JOHN (RELIGIOUS LAW), we doubt.

But here was John’s problem to begin with. He was LOOKING outside himself for a SAVIOR. But the SAVIOR is not found without, but within.

Where we ARE the SAVIOR IS, “Greater is HE that is IN me, than HE that is of the WORLD (carnal man’s ego)”

Christ asks us and important question, “WHAT IS IT that we went out to see?” What do we want? Do we want the TRUTH? Or do we want what the LIES the WORLD is offering?

JOHN represents the LAW and the PROPHETS. These TWO WITNESSES do indeed come before Christ. Many of the SONS OF GOD will first humbly allow themselves to be baptized by this RELIGIOUS SYSTEM know as JOHN. (The Law and Prophets) these are the tutors and governors we are under until the time appointed by the Father. Than we, like CHRIST are driven deeper into the wilderness and we are TEMPTED… But IN CHRIST we overcome. And JOHN is not CHRIST, JOHN offers death, Christ offers life… He may be THE GREATEST AMONG MEN… BUT MAN is A LIAR!

11Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Sure John is the GREATEST AMONG MEN. And the GREATEST MAN doubts the TRUTH. The GREATEST of MEN doesn’t even know CHRIST to begin with. The GREATEST OF MEN, still END UP IN PRISON. Until, the authority of the GREATEST OF MEN (liars) end.

Religion is NOT THE WAY. Religion simply sets the stage and prepares the WAY. The Law and the Prophets are the first TEACHER that we ARE subject to. And, like Salome’s Mother we grow tired of hearing the Law and Prophets tell us WHAT SINNERS WE ARE! John is our taskmaster, the one meant to bring us to Christ, to bring us to A NEW AND BETTER WAY!

Now I know what your thinking. Are you saying John is somehow NOT HOLY? Well, that is not what I’m saying it is what CHRIST JESUS SAID.

“He that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

Christ tells us that the LAW AND PROPHETS are the LEAST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

And do you know who Jesus also says is the least in the Kingdom of Heaven?

Matthew 5:19, ANYONE who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus says the LEAST IN THE KINGDOM are those that say FOLLOW THE LETTER OF THE LAW and THEY THEMSELVES CANT DO IT! That in a nutshell is who JOHN is, a hypocrite and a liar. The RELIGIOUS SYSTEM is as the field that is filled with dead mans bones… But praise God all it needs is Christ to breath LIFE back into them all.

12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

And the days of JOHNS are still here. They still teach DO THIS AND DO THAT and CANT DO IT THEMSELVES!

This is why the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN has suffered violence UNTIL CHRIST!

Finding out what the Kingdom of Heaven is makes it easy to understand this scripture more clearly. For the Kingdom of Heaven is NOT EAT OR DRINK. It is not a life of LUXURY AND PARTYING. It is RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY in the HOLY GHOST!

The Kingdom of Heaven is a PLACE OF REST in GODS SPIRIT! And when we were under the influence of the LAW AND PROPHETS that Peace, Righteousness and JOY was STRANGLED AWAY.

Jesus compares the prisoners of BAD RELIGION as children screaming “Look at all I have done and you haven’t given me anything, I’m still hurting, I’m still broke, ” They cry “Look at our tears, I’m crying because of how hard my life is and YOUR NOT HELPING ME!”

But now it is time to put away childish things and move unto maturity. We will never be free, nor will we know the TRUTH of who we are, until the HEAD OF JOHN is cut off!

We have to stop condemning ourselves, we have to stop condemning others, when we ourselves can’t get it together. We have to stop expecting an easy ride and stop worrying if the Truth doesn’t line up with what everyone else believes. We have to STOP ACTING LIKE CHILDREN crying WHY HAVENT YOU DONE ANYTHING FOR US LORD!

Today is a new day, it is the Last day! It is the Day of the Lord!

A Day that is terrible and great indeed. There may be suffering and pain. But without pressure a DIAMOND would never be formed. Without the winepress the Wine would never become a SPIRIT. Without the trials in our lives we would not grow strong AT ALL!

This is why we are told to COUNT IT ALL JOY. When these trials come upon us. This is why we are called BLESSED when we are persecuted, and tormented. Because without it the FRUIT of ETERNITY would never blossom.

We did not go into the wilderness to see a REED SHAKEN BY THE WIND.

We went into the WILDERNESS (our journey to the promise land) to have ETERNAL LIFE. And “THIS IS ETERNAL LIFE”

To know God the FATHER and Christ Jesus that is WITHIN!

Jacob
http://www.JacobIsrael.org
“The Truth Will Change You”

1. At the height of His earthly ministry, Jesus was approached by two
disciples of John the Baptist – Mt 11:1-6
a. John was in prison, and had sent the two disciples to Jesus
b. Perhaps troubled by his own imprisonment, he wanted affirmation
that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, the Coming One
c. Jesus pointed to His works, and spoke of the blessedness of those not offended because of Him

2. Jesus used this opportunity to tell the multitudes about John the
Baptist – Mt 11:7-10
a. That he was not some easily shaken reed or man in soft clothing,
but a prophet
b. Indeed, he was the prophet foretold by Isaiah and Malachi – Isa
40:3; Mal 3:1; 4:5

3. But then Jesus made two remarkable statements – Mt 11:11
a. First, that no one had been greater than John the Baptist
b. Second, that one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he!

4. It is the second statement that has perplexed many…
a. For the kingdom of heaven is the church that was about to be
established
b. And in the church there are many people who do not seem to
measure up to a man like John the Baptist!

How can any of us be greater than he?

[When we know the answer, it should fill us with humility and
gratitude, and encourage us to greater dedication in our service to the Lord. Before we consider the answer, let’s review…]

I. THE GREATNESS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

A. HE WAS GREAT AS A MAN…
1. Enduring a life of austerity, with voluntary simplicity
– Lk 1:80; Mt 3:4
2. He showed courage before king Herod, condemning his unlawful
marriage – Mt 14:3-4
3. He possessed humility, showing deference at the height of his
own ministry to a New Comer – Jn 1:19-37; 3:22-30

B. HE WAS GREAT AS A PROPHET…
1. His influence brought people throughout Judea into the desert
– Mt 3:1-2,5
2. They were moved to be baptized and confess their sins – Mt 6:6
3. Yet He did not weaken his message to accommodate his audience
– Mt 6:7-8

C. HE WAS GREAT IN PREPARING THE WAY FOR CHRIST…
1. Such was his particular mission – Mt 3:3; 11:9-10
2. And when Jesus came, he pointed people to Him – Jn 1:29,34-36; 3:30,36
a. “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
world!”
b. “I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
c. “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
d. “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life…”

[In light of his mission, and the faithful manner in which he carried
it out, no one had arisen greater than John (not even Moses, Elijah,
etc., though they might be consider “as great as” John).

But again, Jesus says that the least in the kingdom is “greater” than
John. How can that be…?]

II. THE GREATNESS OF THOSE IN THE KINGDOM

A. WE ENJOY GREATER KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST…
1. John’s limited knowledge of Christ is implied by his question
– Mt 11:2-3
a. He had not seen what Jesus’ disciples had seen
b. He had not heard what Jesus’ disciples had heard – cf. Mt
13:16-17
2. Through the further teaching of Christ and His apostles…
a. We know the wonderful story of the cross!
b. We know the nature of the kingdom, its establishment, its
future glory!
c. We know “many things” which even Jesus Himself had not
taught His apostles until after the Holy Spirit was sent!
– cf. Jn 16:12-13

Even “he who is least in the kingdom” knows things about Jesus and His church that John did not know!

B. WE ENJOY A GREATER STATION IN THIS LIFE…
1. John was not in the kingdom of heaven (or church) during his
life
a. He proclaimed it was “at hand” – Mt 3:1-2
b. Jesus and His apostles were still preaching it as being
“at hand” – Mt 10:7
c. Jesus would later speak of building His church – Mt 16:18
2. But with the establishment of the church, those who are in
it…
a. Have been translated into the kingdom of God’s Son – Co
1:13; cf. Re 1:9
b. Have been made a royal priesthood and holy nation – 1 Pe
2:9

John lived under the Old Covenant; even “he who is least in
the kingdom” lives under the New Covenant with its better
sacrifice, hope, and promises – He 7:9; 8:6

C. WE ENJOY GREATER PRIVILEGES…
1. John certainly enjoyed wonderful privileges
a. He was filled with the Spirit from his mother’s womb – Lk
1:15
b. Who certainly helped him fulfill his mission
2. But Jesus offers things which John did not have; e.g…
a. A gift (or measure) of the Spirit that was not given until
after Jesus was glorified – Jn 7:37-39
1) Something other than inspiration or miraculous powers,
for many had enjoyed that before Jesus was glorified
(ascended to heaven)
2) Because of the outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost,
all who are saved have experienced “the washing of
regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” – Tit 3:5-7
3) John was born of woman, but those in the kingdom are
“born of the Spirit”! – cf. Jn 3:5
a) We therefore receive “the gift of the Spirit” – Ac
2:38
b) A gift that helps deliver one from the power of sin
– cf. Ro 8:11-13
c) A gift not enjoyed by those under the Old Covenant
– cf. Ro 7:14-8:4
b. The fellowship of the church, the body of Christ – Ro 12:5
1) Remember that John spent his life in the desert, and
then in prison
2) He did not enjoy the blessings of fellowship available
to the “least” in the kingdom
3) As promised by Jesus, we have a “hundred-fold” family
members in this life, something John never had – Mk 10:
28-30
— Many other privileges peculiar to the New Covenant could be
mentioned, all of which are enjoyed today by “he who is
least in the kingdom”!

1. In at least three ways, then, we are “greater” than John the
Baptist…
a. In our knowledge of Jesus Christ
b. In our station of life by being in Christ
c. In our privileges offered by Jesus Christ

2. As per J. W. McGarvey: “We find from this passage that all true
greatness arises from association, relation and contact with Jesus
Christ” (The Fourfold Gospel)
a. As the forerunner of Christ, John was as great as any other
teacher, prophet, priest, lawgiver, and king
b. As the beneficiaries of Christ, even the least of those in His
kingdom are greater than he

3. Should this not fill us with humility, gratitude, and a desire to
greater service?
a. That Jesus would bestow such great blessings upon us?
b. That we ought to be more dedicated in our service to Christ?
1) Producing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives
2) Nurturing and enjoying the fellowship of the family of God
3) Proclaiming the gospel of Christ and the kingdom in its
fullness

If John was so faithful in that which is less, should we not be more
diligent when we have that which is more?

“For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be
required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they
will ask the more.” (Lk 12:48)

It is those who radically sold out to Christ and obeying all that He has taught us that shall walk in the “Greater” as Jesus proclaims in Matt 11:11. Those who lives are but that of a bond-servant, sold out to their God in the humble walk He call us too.

Are you radical enough to be the “Least of these”?

Between the Kingdom of Christ and Wacky Land, By Ken Cluck

As we look at scripture and the commands to obey the traditions of the apostles, knowing where to draw the line is just as confusing as it is important. Years ago, in the Army, during DMZ patrols in Korea, we were warned about the Demarcation Line, the actual border between North and South Korea. The signs on this line were in English and Korean on the south side and English and Chinese on the north side. We were told stories of patrols thinking they were on the wrong side of the border because the North Koreans had turned the signs around. Units that didn’t take time to verify their position could run across the border into what they thought was safety, only to find themselves taking North Korean fire on the wrong side of the border. The same applies to New Testament practice. Knowing what side of the line is binding tradition and what side of the line is simply cultural norm is just as important as knowing the safe side of an international border. It is very easy to find ourselves “majoring on the minors” and off into dangerous territory.

Recently, I attended a house church conference in which the New Testament model was being presented to denominational and church leaders. During the final session in which apostolic tradition and its binding nature were being expounded one person asked about the holy kiss. “If meeting in homes, Lord’s Supper as a meal, servant leadership, consensus decisions and interactive meetings were all binding parts of apostolic tradition, why isn’t greeting each other with the holy kiss also binding? This question threw us all for a loop and, considering the other questions this person asked, it was easy to chock it up to contentiousness. But after thinking about it I saw it as an important question, just the sort of question that I had to answer for myself when studying house church.

My own search for God’s model for church was on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana. For over a century efforts to reach these people were thwarted because being a Christian was equated with acting, speaking and dressing like a white person. I began to wonder what church would look like if Christ had come to the Cheyenne: the Church and Christianity devoid of anything that was simply European and Middle Eastern culture. What parts of his church model would be binding even if they started in other regions and cultures? Such things as clothing, greetings, marital ceremonies, furnishings and home styles are cultural. Accepted practices of one culture when planted among different people, in different locations, speaking different languages, can be problematic. For example, in the days of Paul, dining was done on a triclinium, three couches around a small table. Diners would lean on their left elbows and lift food to their mouths with their right hands. Is this room arrangement binding? Was it ever? Perhaps the room arrangement is not, but what about reclining to eat? How about utensils? The fork had not been invented, so are we forbidden by apostolic traditions from using forks or even chopsticks? These questions may seem petty or that I am picking on some, but I wrestled with them during my search and I have met others who ask the same questions. They must be answered.

Anyone accepting house church as the New Testament model has probably accepted the binding nature of apostolic tradition found in the following scriptures:

1 Corinthians 11:2NIV, “I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings (traditions), just as I passed them on to you.”

2 Thessalonians 2:15NIV, “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.”

Another passage, equally beneficial, is Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians to follow the practices accepted among the other churches:

1 Corinthians 14:36-38NIV, “Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. If he ignores this he himself will be ignored.”

This last one should not be confused with the Catholic doctrine that Mother Church has the power to define doctrine and salvific belief. This is recognition that the Corinthians are part of the universal church, not the whole of it. Neither are the previous two verses an apology of the false doctrine in which the long held practices of the church are seen as equal to scripture. The traditions spoken of are the accepted standard practices of the churches. They were modeled by the apostles and the earliest churches and their practice is to continue.

So how do these apostolic traditions and cultural practices interact? How do we know where the line is? The line becomes much more obvious when we look into what practices defined them. For example greeting with a kiss was practiced by many of the ancient cultures but in many others a kiss would be highly offensive. The point for us to take from it is that we greet each other as family. A kiss was a greeting of kin, it showed either true family or a what is called a fictitious kin relationship—unrelated people seeing each other as brethren because of their group identity (Jews, Christians and many other groups for example). It is important to take away from this, not the method of greeting, but the familial identity—to greet each other as true brothers and sisters rather than as strangers. If I find myself in a cultural setting where a kiss is the accepted greeting among brethren then a kiss is appropriate, but if I find myself in a setting where a kiss is going to offend, cause discomfort and divide then I should greet in another way.

In a society where garments similar to apostolic times is the norm, wearing such would be appropriate, but preaching on main street dressed like John the Baptist would not be. It would do more harm than good because the way it is delivered and the package through which it comes is as important as the words we use. Hudson Taylor was despised by older English missionaries but loved by the Chinese for his practice of wearing Chinese clothing. Sadhu Sundar Singh, when called to preach throughout India, Nepal and Tibet clothed himself in the traditional saffron robes of an itinerant holy man to open the people to his message. The apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9:20f, speaks of practicing similarly: “To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.”

If a practice of the early church is defining then it is binding. If it is not defining then liberty is the rule. The early church meeting was meant to be an interactive time where everyone contributed, within certain limitations, to mutually edify one another. To take this away redefines the purpose of the meeting. The Lord’s Supper was a full meal shared among the body to demonstrate certain facts of the Lord’s first advent, current presence and promised return. To strip away all but a swig of juice and a crumb of cracker is to change its purpose and to hide these beautiful demonstrations. Servant leadership shows the priesthood of the believer—every believer serving God and ministering to a lost, hurting world. To take this away and impose an authoritarian structure with clergy over the laity is to redefine church leadership and rob God’s people of a gift second only to salvation—universal coequal priesthood.

Greeting with a kiss, how we dress, reclining to eat, and what we eat rather than defining us are reflections of culture. These can be weighed and utilized or laid aside as the local body sees fit. What is important to keep in mind about is that we are to treat each other as family, that we are attired appropriately to our culture and that we value times of fellowship together with a meal.

Servant Leadership

Just as Christianity influenced the Roman Empire, the Greco-Roman world also affected the course of Christianity. Citing pagan influences on early Christianity, Kenneth Scott Latourette–renowned church historian and professor of Christian missions–states that the Roman concepts of power and rule corrupted the organization and life of the early churches. He observes that “the Church was being interpenetrated by ideals which were quite contrary to the Gospel, especially the conception and use of power which were in stark contrast to the kind exhibited in the life and teaching of Jesus and in the cross and the resurrection.” This, Latourette goes on to say, proved to be “the menace which was most nearly disastrous” to Christianity.

I believe it is more accurate to say that the conceptual and structural changes that occurred within the church during the early centuries of Christianity proved to be disastrous. Christianity, the humblest of all faiths, degenerated into the most power-hungry and hierarchical religion on earth. After Emperor Constantine elevated Christianity to legal religious status in A.D. 312, the once-persecuted Christians fiercely persecuted all their opposition. An unscriptural clerical and priestly caste arose that was consumed by the quest for power, position, and authority. Even Roman emperors had a guiding hand in the development of Christian churches. The pristine character of the New Testament church community was lost.

When we read the Gospels, however, we see that the principles of brotherly community, love, humility, and servanthood are at the very heart of Christ’s teaching. Unfortunately, like many of the early Christians, we have been slow to understand these great virtues and especially slow to apply them to church structure and leadership style.

New Testament, Christlike elders are to be servant leaders, not rulers or dictators. God doesn’t want His people to be used by petty, self-serving tyrants. Elders are to choose a life of service on behalf of others. Like the servant Christ, they are to sacrifice their time and energy for the good of others. Only elders who are loving, humble servants can genuinely manifest the incomparable life of Jesus Christ to their congregations and a watching world.

A group of elders, however, can become a self-serving, autocratic leadership body. Thus Peter, using the same terminology as Jesus, warns the Asian elders against abusive, lordly leadership: “. . . nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3). Peter also charges the elders, as well as everyone else in the congregation, to clothe themselves in humility just as Jesus clothed Himself in humility: “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5b). With similar concern, Paul reminds the Ephesian elders of his example of humility. In Acts 20:19, he describes his manner of “serving the Lord with all humility” and implies that they, too, must serve the Lord in the same manner. Because of pride’s lurking temptation, a new Christian should not be an elder: “And not a new convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil” (1 Tim. 3:6).

In addition to shepherding others with a servant spirit, the elders must humbly and lovingly relate to one another. They must be able to patiently build consensus, compromise, persuade, listen, handle disagreement, forgive, receive rebuke and correction, confess sin, and appreciate the wisdom and perspective of others–even those with whom they disagree. They must be able to submit to one another, speak kindly and gently to one another, be patient with their fellow colleagues, defer to one another, and speak their minds openly in truth and love. Stronger and more gifted elders must not use their giftedness, as talented people sometimes do, to force their own way by threatening to leave the church and take their followers with them. Such selfishness creates ugly, carnal power struggles that endanger the unity and peace of the entire congregation.

The humble-servant character of the eldership doesn’t imply, however, an absence of authority. The New Testament terms that describe the elders’ position and work–“God’s stewards,” “overseers,” “shepherd,” “leading”–imply authority as well as responsibility. Peter could not have warned the Asian elders against “lording it over those allotted to your charge” (1 Peter 5:3) if they had no authority. As shepherds of the church, elders have been given the authority to lead and protect the local church (Acts 20:28-31). The key issue is the attitude in which elders exercise that authority.

Following the biblical model, elders must not wield the authority given to them in a heavy-handed way. They must not use manipulative tactics, play power games, or be arrogant and aloof. They must never think that they are unanswerable to their fellow brethren or to God. Elders must not be authoritarian, which is incompatible with humble servanthood. When we consider Paul’s example and that of our Lord’s, we must agree that biblical elders do not dictate; they direct. True elders do not command the consciences of their brethren but appeal to their brethren to faithfully follow God’s Word. Out of love, true elders suffer and bear the brunt of difficult people and problems so that the lambs are not bruised. The elders bear the misunderstandings and sins of other people so that the assembly may live in peace. They lose sleep so that others may rest. They make great personal sacrifices of time and energy for the welfare of others. They see themselves as men under authority. They depend on God for wisdom and help, not on their own power and cleverness. They face the false teachers’ fierce attacks. They guard the community’s liberty and freedom in Christ so that the saints are encouraged to develop their gifts, to mature, and to serve one another.

In summary, using Paul’s great love chapter, we can say that a servant elder “is patient . . . kind . . . not jealous; . . . [a servant elder] does not brag . . . [a servant elder] is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly . . . does not seek [his] . . . own . . . [a servant elder]is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; [a servant elder] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor. 13:4-7).

BIBLICAL EVIDENCE FOR PASTORAL LEADERSHIP BY THE PLURALITY OF ELDERS

Christians who profess the Bible to be God’s infallible, all-sufficient Word agree that they must establish their church practices and doctrines on the teachings of the Bible. Many contemporary scholars say, however, that the New Testament is ambiguous or silent regarding the topic of church government and conclude that no one can insist upon a biblical model of church government (by elders or anyone else) for all churches because the Bible doesn’t. George Eldon Ladd, author of A Theology of the New Testament and former professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, expresses this view most concisely: “It appears likely that there was no normative pattern of church government in the apostolic age, and that the organizational structure of the church is no essential element in the theology of the church.” Although this is a widely held view among scholars today, it must be challenged because it simply does not fit biblical evidence.

In its major features, local church leadership (or government) by the plurality of elders is plainly and amply set forth by the New Testament writers. J. Alec Motyer, former principal of Trinity College in Bristol, England, captures the true spirit of the New Testament when he writes, ” . . . it is not as much as hinted in the New Testament that the church would ever need–or indeed should ever want or tolerate–any other local leadership than that of the eldership group.”

Not only does the New Testament record the existence of elders in numerous churches, it also gives instruction about elders and to elders. In fact, the New Testament offers more instruction regarding elders than it does regarding such important church subjects such as the Lord’s Supper, the Lord’s Day, baptism, and spiritual gifts. When you consider the New Testament’s characteristic avoidance of detailed regulation and church procedures (when it is compared to the Old Testament), the attention given to elders is amazing. “This is why,” writes Jon Zens, editor of the journal Searching Together, “we need to seriously consider the doctrine of eldership; it jumps out at us from the pages of the New Testament, yet it has fallen into disrepute and is not being practiced as a whole in local churches.”

A Consistent, New Testament Pattern

To hear some scholars speak, you would think that the Bible doesn’t say one word about church elders or church government. But that is not true. The New Testament records evidence of pastoral oversight by a council of elders in nearly all the first churches. These local churches were spread over a wide geographical and culturally diverse area–from Jerusalem to Rome.

Examples of Eldership: Consider, as recorded in the New Testament, the consistent pattern of plural leadership by elders that existed among the first Christian churches.
·Elders are found in the churches of Judea and the surrounding area (Acts 11:30; James 5:14, 15).

·Elders governed the church in Jerusalem (Acts 15, 21).

·Among the Pauline churches, leadership by the plurality of elders was established in the churches in Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch (Acts 14:20-23); in the church in Ephesus (Acts 20:17; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; 5:17-25); in the church in Philippi (Phil. 1:1); and in the churches on the island of Crete (Titus 1:5).

According to the well-traveled letter of 1 Peter, elders existed in churches throughout northwestern Asia Minor: Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (1 Peter 1:1; 5:1).
There are strong indications that elders existed in churches in Thessalonica (1 Thess. 5:12) and Rome (Heb. 13:17).

Instruction About Elders: Not only does the New Testament provide examples of elder-led churches, it includes explicit instructions to churches about how to care for, protect, discipline, select, restore, and call the elders. The apostles intended these instructions to be obeyed, and they should be regarded as normative teaching for all Christian churches at all times.

James instructs those who are sick to call for the elders of the church (James 5:14).
Paul instructs the Ephesian church to financially support elders who labor “at preaching and teaching” (1 Tim. 5:17, 18).
Paul instructs the local church about protecting elders from false accusation, disciplining elders who sin, and restoring fallen elders (1 Tim. 5:19-22).
Paul instructs the church regarding the proper qualifications for eldership (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).
To the church in Ephesus, Paul states that anyone who desires to be an elder desires a “fine work” (1 Tim. 3:1).
Paul instructs the church to examine the qualifications of prospective elders (1 Tim. 3:10; 5:24, 25).
Peter instructs the young men of the church to submit to church elders (1 Peter 5:5).
Paul teaches that elders are the household stewards, leaders, instructors, and teachers of the local church (Titus 1:7, 9; 1 Thess. 5:12;).

Instruction and Exhortation to Elders: Besides giving instruction to churches about elders, Paul, Peter, and James give these instructions directly to elders:

James tells elders to pray for the sick and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord (James 5:14).
Peter directly charges elders to willingly pastor and oversee the local congregation (1 Peter 5:1, 2).
Peter warns elders not to be too domineering (1 Peter 5:3).
Peter promises elders that when the Lord Jesus returns they will receive “the unfading crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:4).
Peter exhorts elders to be clothed in humility (1 Peter 5:5).
Paul reminds the Ephesians elders that the Holy Spirit placed them in the church to be overseers and pastor the church of God (Acts 20:28).
Paul exhorts elders to guard the church from false teachers (Acts 20:28) and to be alert to the constant threat of false doctrine (Acts 20:31).
Paul reminds elders to work hard, help the needy, and be generous like the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:35).

Promotes the True Nature of the New Testament-Style Local Church

The local church’s structure of government makes a profound statement about the nature of the local church and its philosophy of ministry. The local church is not an undefined mass of people; it is a particular group of people that has a unique character, mission, and purpose. I am convinced that the elder structure of government best harmonizes with and promotes the true nature of the local church as revealed in the New Testament. We will consider four ways in which the elder structure of government complements the nature and theology of the local church.

The Church Is a Close-knit Family of Brothers and Sisters: Of the different New Testament terms used to describe the nature of the church–the body, the bride, the temple, the flock–the one most frequently used is the family, particularly the fraternal aspect of the family–brothers and sisters. Robert Banks, a prominent leader in the worldwide, home-church movement, makes this observation in his book, Paul’s Idea of Community:

Although in recent years Paul’s metaphors for community have been subjected to quite intense study, especially his description of it as a “body,” his application to it of “household” or “family” terminology has all too often been overlooked or only mentioned in passing.

Banks further comments on the frequency and significance of these familial expressions:

So numerous are these, and so frequently do they appear, that the comparison of the Christian community with a “family” must be regarded as the most significant metaphorical usage of all…. More than any of the other images utilized by Paul, it reveals the essence of his thinking about community.

The local Christian church, then, is to be a close-knit family of brothers and sisters. Brotherliness also provided a key guiding principle for the management of relationships between Christians (Rom. 14:15,21; 1 Cor. 6:8; 8:11-13; 2 Thess. 3:14,15; Philem. 15,16; James 4:11). Jesus insisted that His followers were true brothers and sisters and that none among them should act like the rabbis of His day who elevated themselves above their fellow countrymen:

“But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries, and lengthen the tassels of their garments. And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called by men, Rabbi. But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers” (Matt. 23:5-8; italics added).

In complete obedience to Christ’s teaching on humility and brotherhood, the first Christians resisted special titles, sacred clothing, chief seats, and lordly terminology to highlight their community leaders. They also chose an appropriate leadership structure for their local congregations–leadership by a council of elders. The first Christians found within their biblical heritage a structure of government that was compatible with their new, spiritual family and their theological beliefs. Israel was a great family, composed of many individual families. The nation found leadership by a plurality of elders to be a suitable form of self-government that provided fair representation to its members. The same is true of the local Christian church. The elder structure of government suits an extended family organization like the local church. It allows any brother in the community who desires it and qualifies for it to share fully in the leadership of the community.

The Church Is a Nonclerical Community: The local church is not only an intimate, loving family of redeemed brothers and sisters, it is a nonclerical family. Unlike Israel, which was divided into sacred priestly members and lay members, the first-century, Christian church was a people’s movement. The distinguishing mark of Christianity was not found in a clerical hierarchy but in the fact that God’s Spirit came to dwell within ordinary, common people and that through them the Spirit manifested Jesus’ life to the believing community and the world.

It is an immensely profound truth that no special priestly or clerical class that is distinct from the whole people of God appears in the New Testament. Under the new covenant ratified by the blood of Christ, every member of the church of Jesus Christ is a holy saint, a royal priest, and a Spirit-gifted member of the body of Christ. Paul teaches that a wide diversity of gifts and services exists within the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12), but he says absolutely nothing about a mystical gap between sacred clergy and common laity. If it exists, surely something as fundamental to the Church as a clergy-laity division should at least be mentioned in the New Testament. The New Testament, however, stresses the oneness of the people of God (Eph. 2:13-19) and the dismantling of the sacred-secular concept that existed between priest and people under the old covenant (1 Peter 2:5-10; Rev. 1:6).

Clericalism does not represent biblical, apostolic Christianity. Indeed, the real error to be contended with is not simply that one man provides leadership for the congregation, but that one person in the holy brotherhood has been sacralized apart from the brotherhood to an unscriptural status. In practice, the ordained clergyman–the minister, the reverend–is the Protestant priest.

Biblical eldership cannot exist in an environment of clericalism. Paul’s employment of the elder structure of government for the local church is clear, practical evidence against clericalism because the eldership is nonclerical in nature. The elders are always viewed in the Bible as “elders of the people” or “elders of the congregation,” never “elders of God.” The elders represent the people as leading members from among the people.

When establishing churches, Paul never ordains a priest or cleric to perform the church’s ministry. When he establishes a church, he leaves behind a council of elders chosen from among the believers to jointly oversee the local community (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). Obviously that was all he believed that a local church needed. Since the local congregation of his day was composed of saints, priests, and Spirit-empowered servants, and since Christ was present with each congregation through the person of the Holy Spirit, none of the traditional, religious trappings such as sacred sites, sacred buildings, or sacred personnel (priests, clerics, or holy men) were needed. Nor could such be tolerated. To meet the need for community leadership and protection, Paul provides the nonclerical, elder structure of government–a form of government that would not demean the lordship of Christ over His people or the glorious status of a priestly, saintly body of people in which every member ministered.

The Church Is a Humble-Servant Community: I am convinced that one reason the apostles chose the elder system of government was because it enhanced the loving, humble-servant character of the Christian family. The New Testament offers a consistent example of shared leadership as the ideal structure of leadership in a congregation where love, humility, and servanthood are paramount. When it functions properly, shared leadership requires a greater exercise of humble servanthood than does unitary leadership. In order for an eldership to operate effectively, the elders must show mutual regard for one another, submit themselves one to another, patiently wait upon one another, genuinely consider one another’s interests and perspectives, and defer to one another. Eldership, then, enhances brotherly love, humility, mutuality, patience, and loving interdependence–qualities that are to mark the servant church.

Furthermore, shared leadership is often more trying than unitary leadership. It exposes our impatience with one another, our stubborn pride, our bullheadedness, our selfish immaturity, our domineering disposition, our lack of love and understanding of one another, and our prayerlessness. It also shows how underdeveloped and immature we really are in humility, brotherly love, and the true servant spirit. Like the saints at Corinth, we are quick to develop our knowledge and public gifts but slow to mature in love and humility.

I believe that churches today desperately need a revival of love, humility, and the servant spirit. Such a revival must begin with our leaders, and biblical eldership provides the structure through which leaders learn to work together in mutual love and humility. Since the eldership represents a microcosm of the entire church, it provides a living model of loving relationships and servanthood for the entire body. Thus, leadership by a plurality of elders ideally suits the humble-servant church.

The Church Is Under Christ’s Headship: Most important, biblical eldership guards and promotes the preeminence and position of Christ over the local church. Jesus left His disciples with the precious promise that “where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst” (Matt. 18:20). Because the apostles knew that Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit, was uniquely present with them as Ruler, Head, Lord, Pastor, Master, Overseer, High Priest, and King, they chose a form of government that reflected this distinctive, fundamental, Christian truth. This truth was not a theoretical idea to the early Christians–it was reality. The first churches were truly Christ centered and Christ dependent. Christ alone provided all they needed in order to be in full fellowship with God and one another. Christ’s person and work was so infinitely great, final, and complete that nothing–even in appearance–could diminish the centrality of His presence among and sufficiency for His people.

So, during the first century no Christian would have dared to take the position or title of sole ruler, overseer, or pastor of the church. We Christians today, however, are so accustomed to speaking of “the pastor” that we do not stop to realize that the New Testament does not. This fact is profoundly significant, and we must not permit our customary practice to shield our minds from this important truth.

There is only one flock and one Pastor (John 10:16), one body and one Head (Col. 1:18), one holy priesthood and one great High Priest (Heb. 4:14ff), one brotherhood and one Elder Brother (Rom. 8:29), one building and one Cornerstone (1 Peter 2:5ff.), one Mediator, and one Lord. Jesus Christ is the “Senior Pastor,” and all others are His undershepherds (1 Peter 5:4).

To symbolize the reality of Christ’s leadership and presence over the local church and its leaders, one church places an empty chair at the table next to the chairman during all elders’ meetings. This is a visual reminder to the elders of Christ’s presence and lordship, of their position as His undershepherds, and of their dependence on Him through prayer and the Word.

Promotes the Protection and Sanctification of Spiritual Leaders

We come now to two, extremely significant reasons for and benefits of pastoral leadership by a council of qualified elders. First, the shared leadership structure of eldership provides necessary accountability protection from the particular sins that plague spiritual leaders. In turn, this protects the spiritual character of the local church and the testimony of the Lord’s name. Second, the eldership structure provides peer relationships to help balance elders’ weaknesses and correct their character, an essential component in the sanctification process of spiritual leaders.

Leadership Accountability: English historian Lord Acton said, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Because of our biblical beliefs in the dreadful realities of sin, the curse, Satan, and human depravity, we should understand well why people in positions of power are easily corrupted. In fact, the better we understand the exceeding sinfulness and deceitfulness of sin, the stronger our commitment to accountability will be. The collective leadership of a biblical eldership provides a formal structure for genuine accountability.

Shared, brotherly leadership provides needed restraint concerning such sins as pride, greed, and “playing god.” Earl D. Radmacher, chancellor of a Baptist seminary in America, writes, “Human leaders, even Christian ones, are sinners and they only accomplish God’s will imperfectly. Multiple leaders, therefore, will serve as a ‘check and balance’ on each other and serve as a safeguard against the very human tendency to play God over other people.”

It was never our Lord’s will for one individual to control the local church. The concept of the pastor as the lonely, trained professional–the sacred person presiding over the church who can never really become a part of the congregation–is utterly unscriptural. Not only is this concept unscriptural, it is psychologically and spiritually unhealthy. Radmacher goes on to contrast the deficiencies of a church leadership that is placed primarily in the hands of one pastor to the wholesomeness of leadership when it is shared by multiple pastors:

Laymen . . . are indifferent because they are so busy. They have no time to bother with church matters. Church administration is left, therefore, largely in the hands of the pastor. This is bad for him, and it is bad also for the church. It makes it easier for the minister to build up in himself a dictatorial disposition and to nourish in his heart the love of autocratic power.

It is my conviction that God has provided a hedge against these powerful temptations by the concept of multiple elders. The check and balance that is provided by men of equal authority is most wholesome and helps to bring about the desired attitude expressed by Peter to the plurality of elders: “. . . shepherd the flock of God among you, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:2,3).”

In addition to providing close accountability, genuine partnership, and peer relationships–the very things most imperial pastors shrink from at all costs–shared leadership provides the local church shepherd with accountability for his work. Church leaders (like all of us) can be lazy, forgetful, fearful, or too busy to fulfill their responsibilities. Thus they need colleagues in ministry to whom they are answerable for their work. Coaches know that athletes who train together push one another to greater achievement. When someone else is running alongside him or her, a runner will push a little harder and go a little faster. The same is true in the Lord’s work. That is one reason why the Lord sent out His disciples in twos.

Peer Relationships:One of the deep joys of my life has been to share the pastoral leadership of a church with a team of dedicated pastor elders. As partners in the work of shepherding God’s precious, blood-bought people, we have sharpened, balanced, comforted, protected, and strengthened one another through nearly every conceivable life situation. I do not hesitate to say that the relationship with my fellow elders has been the most important tool God has used, outside of my marriage relationship, for the spiritual development of my Christian character, leadership abilities, and teaching ministry. The eldership has played a major role in the sanctification process of my Christian life.

Shared leadership can provide a church leader with critically needed recognition of his faults and deficiencies and can help to offset them.. We all have blind spots, eccentricities, and deficiencies. We all have what C. S. Lewis called “a fatal flaw.” We can see these fatal flaws so clearly in others but not in ourselves. These fatal flaws or blind spots distort our judgment. They deceive us. They can even destroy us. This is particularly true of multitalented, charismatic leaders. Blind to their flaws and extreme views, some talented leaders have destroyed themselves because they had no peers who could confront and balance them and, in fact, wanted none.

When a single leader is atop a pyramidal structure of organization, the important balancing of one another’s weaknesses and strengths normally does not occur. Note the strong language Robert Greenleaf, author of the book Servant Leadership, uses to convey his observations:

To be a lone chief atop a pyramid is abnormal and corrupting. None of us are perfect by ourselves, and all of us need the help and correcting influence of close colleagues. When someone is moved atop a pyramid, that person no longer has colleagues, only subordinates. Even the frankest and bravest of subordinates do not talk with their boss in the same way that they talk with colleagues who are equals, and normal communication patterns become warped.

I believe that traditional, single-church pastors would improve their character and ministry if they had genuine peers to whom they were regularly accountable and with whom they worked jointly.