Con’t from front…..

domination of God and the authority of God, even and especially through leadership on Earth in His Church. While church leaders also still see themselves as an “authority” over all those “subjects” underneath them. Many church leaders feel it is there responsibility to “lead” by setting in rules and regulations we all must follow in order to obtain favor or some degree of acceptance by which we can advance in this so-called Kingdom of churchianity. Ever since the original Pentecost where the church was birthed in the upper room, many stipulations were put into place immediately. People cried out, “what are these, drunk?” “Can we really be hearing words in our own languages from those who are not from our nations?” And so the legalism in the church began. And so the church began immediately to answer to those who would question the modes, methods, and displays of the Holy Spirit working His will and way through the church. The seeds of legality, brought in from prior ranks of authoritarian leaders in the Temple, were planted and have been growing through the ages into the modern day church. Now, we’ve mostly ended up with what was in existent before Christ came to Earth. A legalistic, authoritarian, and disseminated church based on traditions, color, acts, and misunderstandings between its members. Am I wrong? Look at the church worldwide. How many denominations are there? How many different segments within even those denominations are there? How many “independent” parts are out there settling into their own groups ranging from a few to tens of thousands. Finally, how many single minded individuals are running about complaining about the other parts and never getting plugged into the corporate body because they can’t exist next to another human being for very long without either getting hurt or wounding someone else who is so thin skinned they can’t stay in the rain too long for fear of drowning by osmosis! No, I’m not saying every Christian is a bad person. Of course, you and I are exempt! It’s always the “other” guy. They’re the ones who aren’t doing their part. They’re the ones who don’t do things the way we see it should be done. It’s always “them” who can’t understand how to treat me or my family and friends. Sounds of cynicism? What do you think? Sarcasm? Remember the beam? Too busy checking for specs? As a leader in the church I have the opportunity to see things in a much broader perspective. I see the actions and reactions of a cross section of people. These are things I see consistent across many groups.

Now let’s look and see how the world sees all of us. Just as I described previously we have many wrinkles and many spots. The world is very talented at not only pointing these things out to the organized church but actually using them to take advantage of us! How do you think so many laws get passed, permitting ungodly things, pertaining to homosexual education, same sex marriages, and so many other things like abortion? Why, it is because the church cannot be unified! Why not? Because its members are so unorganized, unattached, uncoordinated, and so easily led apart by emotions, confusion, and mostly lack of love for one another. What you see is the rise of large groups, mega-churches, and small groups, home bodies, that are all on their own mission to fulfill their own accord, and impervious as to how to bring their gifts and talents to one another in one accord. Does this represent a homogenous body of Christ the King? Do we look simply like one huge group with one huge mission? If so, what mission? All I see is individual efforts to raise funds for individual recognition and purpose. Even Soteria has gotten so caught up in the battle for Asheville and what God has called us to here, we have gotten “burned out” from being so closely focused.

Where is the Kingdom? The bible says we are to preach the gospel, or good news, of the Kingdom of God and when this Kingdom has been preached across the world, the end will come. The return of Christ to the Earth will happen when His Kingdom has been preached and every creature has been reached, or touched, by his Kingdom. What will it take to bring this Kingdom come? It will take every single person to begin to look like the leader of the Kingdom in all their ways. If you and I love each other, as members of this Kingdom, as the King Himself loves us, without recourse, or levels of acceptance, and treat each other as Holy, the Kingdom will begin to form on the Earth between each person. Nothing will be able to break the bonds of each person’s love for each other. We will all die for each other, if necessary, in order to preserve the love we have for one another. It is that important. It is the King’s way! He set the example. We can never reach the maturity of the full knowledge of Jesus Christ, our King, until we’re ready to die for one another. We can never bring Jesus back for His spotless and wrinkleless bride until we look like our King. Let’s be sure to crown our KING and begin right now to look only like HIM! Seek first the Kingdom and all these things will be added...

            

 

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Pastor  Ernest H. Hays         pastor@soteriaministries.org  

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