Kingdom Misconceptions (Part 2)
2 – Christian Misconceptions Concerning the TRUE IDENTITY of the King
The Jews did not, and do not, recognize Jesus as the Son of God or the Savior of All. Christians seemingly do recognize Jesus as such, so the issue can presumably be laid to rest. Unfortunately it cannot be laid to rest. While it is true that Christians are considered Christians precisely because they recognize Jesus as the Son of God and their Savior, there are too many who fail to apprehend Jesus as Lord.
Scripture does not make a distinction between Jesus as Savior and Jesus as Lord. From God’s perspective He is both. From the Ekklesia’s perspective He is both. But the Church constantly reinvents Jesus whenever convenient. Since salvation is considered mandatory, the Savior is universally recognized in Christendom. But Lordship is increasingly seen as something optional; that is to say, you can accept Jesus as Savior, and later on (if and when you get really committed), you can confess Him as Lord.
How do these things get started? It is impossible to say for sure just how this idea crept in, but it is the result of a religious system intent upon appealing to the largest possible number of people by any means necessary. If that means compromising the message, or leaving parts of it out so as not to create too much of an obstacle for people, then so be it. I have talked to many pastors who justify the spiritual immaturity of their congregation on the grounds that “they aren’t perfect, just forgiven.” No, they aren’t perfect. But they aren’t growing, either. Spiritually stagnant, lacking discernment, cold, dead, self-centered, self-absorbed � but believing that because they have “prayed the Sinner’s Prayer” they are on their way to heaven, and that’s all that matters.
The Church system is a business, and its product is not salvation, but the false assurance of salvation. It is certainly attractive to think that you can have Jesus as your Savior and ignore every requirement of discipleship that the Savior expects. An easy Gospel produces easy converts who accept an easy Jesus � but is this the same Jesus that the Bible talks about, or is it another Jesus that we have created as a carnal extension of ourselves, effectively making God in our own image?
Remember that God’s goal is the preeminence of Christ. It is impossible for Him to have the preeminence in a person who claims Him for salvation but refuses Him as Lord, Master, Teacher, and Example. The King and His Kingdom are all-inclusive. Yes the King offers salvation, but He also expects obedience: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”[1] To the masses of people who refer to Jesus as “Lord,” He asks, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord’ but do not do what I say?”[2]
Paul did not say, “If you confess with your mouth the Savior Jesus… you will be saved.” He said, “If you confess with your mouth the LORD Jesus� you will be saved.”[3] If you are saved it is because you are submitted to the Lordship of Christ, not the Saviorship of Christ. Lordship includes Salvation, but there is no Salvation apart from Lordship. He is “Savior of All,”[4] but He is also “Lord of All.”[5] I cannot find a Scriptural justification for claiming half of Him while putting off the other half for later. Either He is Lord of all or He is not Lord at all.
3 – Christian Misconceptions Concerning the CHARACTER of the Kingdom
The carnal pursuit of fleshly power and control is just as prevalent in Churchianity as it is anywhere else in the world. Jesus said, “It must not be so among you,”[6] but we are obliged to confess that it is so among many who claim to be His people. Apart from acute self-righteousness, there is little discernable difference between people in the world and people in the religious system. The Church is merely an extension of their own carnal and fleshly desires for power, prestige, and privilege. Many people, unable to make a name for themselves in the world, find Religion an easy venue for self-promotion. They discover that most of the people are superstitious, easily manipulated, and easily deceived.
The speed with which a person can ascend to the leadership of a Christian church is astounding, and the damage they can cause is equally remarkable. Scriptural admonitions and qualifications are mostly ignored or overlooked as the ambitious, the charismatic, or the influential simply assume positions of authority by default.
For example, the Bible says that “the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle to all.”[7] If we were to take that one single requirement seriously � gentleness � we would be compelled to disqualify the vast majority of elders, deacons, ministers, apostles, evangelists, bishops, reverends, cardinals, popes, prophets, pastors and teachers in the Church. On that one point alone most of them fail to meet the qualifications of a servant. Some may even appear to be gentle, but once you become a perceived threat to their authority you will discover something other than gentleness coming forth. Some cannot even bear to be questioned without taking offense and becoming hostile. That kind of leadership may be acceptable within the construct of Organized Religion but “servants” like that are unfit for service in the Kingdom of God – never mind the rest of the qualifications!
Hi Chip and my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ,
Hmmm, Kingdom misconceptions.
I was talking to a friend yesterday. I was telling her that I cannot be around people “manifesting” any more. She was asking why I don’t go to a meeting place where there is always alot of this.
She said I was being judgmental.
Where is the line? I did not mention any names. I too have manifested in the past.
It just seems to me that much of it seems to be the flesh. It seems to call attention to self. It seems to be saying, “Look at me, I am so spiritual”. I’m not saying that about every situation, but I think in general, this seems to be the case.
I’ve seen instances where people “manifested”, and then walked out of the meeting, and immediately were very unkind.
I haven’t noticed a correlation between “manifesting” and fruit in people’s lives. Some people who do are very godly people, and some do not appear to be. It truly seems to be a “mixed bag”.
Sometimes I think God touches us powerfully, and boy, does that feel good. But then we carry it on in the flesh. We want to feel that again and again. What was meant to be a one-time thing, or something for a season, has now become “what we do” every time we are gathered with other believers.
Now, am I being discerning, or judgemental? I am not naming names, or saying this is always the case. I am saying that I believe this is often the case.
Can we address problems, if we refuse to see them.
Can we avoid pitfalls, if we are so afraid of judging that instead we say everything is alright? Isn’t that part of the reason that the body is in the state that it is in?
The last time I went to one of these meetings (which I’ve known these people for a long time and love them by the way), everyone around me was “manifesting”. A man I was sitting next to said, “You should go up for prayer”. I rarely do,ever since I had a very bad “prophet encounter” years ago, but I did go up. The speaker was praying, and “manifesting”, and everyone around me was, and suddenly he realized that I was just standing there. His countenance changed, and he said, “In a year you will be completely different”. I knew what he meant was- in a year you will be “manifesting”.
Well, that was a couple of years ago, I haven’t been back since. I know I am judged for not “manifesting”. Even though at one time I “fit right in there”, now I am a “fish out of water”.
I think as long as we are so tied up with outward “manifestations”, rather than inward growth, we are missing Him. There is a season for “feeling good” in the Lord. But ultimately, He is calling us to be conformed, not “drunk”. I feel its time for the Body to get past adolescence, and go on to maturity. And THAT WILL MANIFEST IN THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT, which will point to Jesus, not to self.
There are many addicted to “touches from God”, but as you say Chip, is there any fruit, or any growth? If there is, then halelujah! If not, we must question whether these “touches” are from Him, or our “wanting” them to be from Him.
I don’t mean to judge my brothers and sisters. I know we go through different seasons. And I know we are all in different seasons.
Lord, just open our eyes to areas where we’ve gotten “stuck”. Help us all to press onward toward the goal of knowing You. Help us to move on toward maturity.
God, is it right to see things and point them out, especially when specifically asked,or is that sin?Or is it sin to see things and not to say anything. I feel Lord, You are saying it all depends on the heart. Is it done for love for You and love for others? Is the Spirit leading me? Sometimes I have trouble discerning You Lord. Help me to know when You are leading me, and when I am speaking out of the flesh. When it is of You, it will be good. When it is the flesh, it will profit nothing.