“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”(Jim Elliot)
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Cor. 5:20)
All around the world God is raising up ambassadors that walk in Kingdom power and authority. The Holy Spirit of truth (John 15:26) is moving in a remnant of followers willing to lay their lives down for the cause of True Love–the very person, Yeshua. I sense a new renaissance, as it where, set forth by the early ekklesia. Are you willing to be counted?
I believe Christ already established His Kingdom 2000 years ago (Lk. 22:29). Most of society failed to recognize the King, Christ the Suffering Servant because they where looking through a carnal lens. “We have no king but Caesar” the people decried. Yeshua did not come with the power of the natural sword to be a conqueror, like the Caesars of old–He came with the sword of His Word to transform hearts. (Heb. 4:12) It was extreme times when the church–a royal priesthood–a holy nation (1 Pet. 2:9) was birthed at Pentecost. Idolatry and pantheism was rampant, corruption and deception wide spread, and the followers of The Way were oppressed under the heavy hand of religious zealots and Roman tyranny.
There is nothing new under the sun; the same spirit is at work today. I believe it takes extreme lovers of God to impact an extreme society. Extreme love was clearly modeled by Christ who laid down His life on the cross to redeem humanity. Yea, He rose again victoriously! This is the example given as a blue print to the first apostles and us today. Their devotion to the resurrected Christ was so extreme they were persecuted and killed for what they believed. Their impact is still experienced 2000 years later.
Passivity will never advance the Kingdom of God in this generation.
Why extreme? You may be thinking about the question of balance and moderation, which I’m all for, but what does that really mean? I have found in most cases it’s covert language for, “Don’t be too radical–don’t be too passionate, it makes me feel uncomfortable.” I understand, but without passion it’s like running out of gas before you get to your destination. I agree with a preacher who once said, “I will take wild fire rather than no fire at all!” Amen. I define “balance” as that holy yearning to live with extreme devotion to Christ yet embrace contentment in the current reality of our humanity. I trust that the Holy Spirit will help us in the tension and keep us balanced.
Truth be told, the early followers lived their lives balanced on the “bleeding edge”–literally. Most of the apostles died a martyr’s death to give us this glorious gospel of the kingdom. They were passionate people full of the Holy Spirit, boldness, and unrelenting obedience. Despite Roman and religious oppression, when the apostles spoke, the authority of the Kingdom was released to transform souls and dispel demonic darkness. Thus, accomplishing what Caesar could not. Christ transforms lives from the inside out not outside in. He establishes His rule of love in the hearts of men resulting in their fidelity. Rome appeals to men’s carnality with “free bread and circuses” or controls by the sword resulting in despotism. That same satanic spirit exists in the world today vying for control.
Beloved, it’s our watch now may we be sober and vigilant. Boldness, patience and trust is necessary to BE the solution in our generation. Rest assured, the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. It starts out small and seems to be insignificant but give it time, with obedience, and it will grow in dominion. It becomes an extreme Kingdom ruled by extreme love. (Mark 4:31-32, Matt. 13:33) We need to boldly stay the course of faith–Humbly loving people, living a righteous life, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and making disciples. I believe, according to the law of the “mustard seed,” the kingdom will grow and influence every soul who has “ears to hear what the Spirit says…” Don’t give up, you are God’s workmanship created for good works. You are part of the solution in Christ. Keep following Him NO MATTER THE CONSEQUENCES! Remember, love conquers all. “We are labourers together with God…”(1 Cor. 3:9)
“The earth belongs to you. Whatever happens to this planet is our responsibility… ‘What you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, what is looses on earth is loosed in heaven…’ heaven can’t do anything on earth without the permission or access through those that God gave authority to. If something is not happening on earth it’s because we are not allowing it to happen… Prayer is constantly giving God permission to interfere in the earth… God could do anything! But he could only release what you allow… That is why Jesus said, ‘men ought always to pray, and not to faint.’” (The late Dr. Myles Munroe, Sr. Pastor of BFMI)
“Prayer is strange, it seems as if without God we cannot and without us God will not.”(John Wesley)
