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The Establishment of His Government
by Karin Paparelli
The effects of God establishing His kingdom here on earth have been felt
by many throughout the world . For His own, the refining process has been
very intense at times and yet there is still more to come. It is not news
that we, the body of Christ, have been in a state of both preparation
and anticipation. The Lord himself is establishing His government inside
His church (IS 9:6-7). Before He ushers in this last great revival His
church will operate according to His plan, not man's.
During the upheaval some may become fearful, looking to place blame with
Satan. It is vital that we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. This tearing
down must occur in order for the Lord to rebuild His body, His way. You
can't revive something that is still breathing, and so too the church
and it's religiousness must die. Man's ways must give way to divine order
(Prov 16:9).
What can we expect from this restructuring?
We can expect a reordering of church leadership as the Lord appoints
to leadership those He has been grooming for these positions (1Sam 16:1-13)
. His chosen will have spiritual authority that will be evident by their
fruit. The qualifications for leadership will rest solely on godly characteristics
and heart attitudes, not former position or worldly accomplishments (1
Sam 16:7). They will be Davids; molded by the hand of God in the dry,
rocky places(1 Sam 24:16-21). Those who may have seemed too mild, too
gentle, too quiet will soon take their place as the meek inherit the earth.
At the foundation of His government will be this scripture "God resists
the proud but gives grace to the humble"(Prov 3:34). True humility
will be the benchmark of God's appointed leadership (Luke 22:26, Phil
2:5-11).
We can also expect divine order to be established in our homes. Many have
already experienced this reordering in their homes. Right relationships
must return to the home (1Tim 3:1-7); the foundation of our society. The
primary relationship in families, that of husband and wife, will be conformed
to the standards outlined in the Word of God. Men who take their rightful
position as head of the household and priest of their homes will prosper
(Eph 5:23,25-33, Col 3:19-21). In response, their wives will honor them
and their children will obey and respect them. As men assume the godly
role of servant/leader in all areas of life, God's order will be established
both in the home and in the church. Wives who fully submit to the authority
of their husbands as to the authority of the Lord will also enjoy the
unconditional love of their husbands and the obedience of their children
(Eph 5:22,24,Col 3:18, Prov 31,Titus 2:3-5, 1Peter 3:1-6).
Women will also receive greater freedom and liberty as they acknowledge
their husbands as God's chosen leaders of the home and church. Prayers
will go unhindered when disobedience to the Lord's standards are removed
(Ps 32:3-5, 34:15, 1Peter 3:7, Is 59:2,12). Those who will be obedient
to the Word concerning submission and respect, will prosper and will lead
many into the kingdom. Authority will come only as we submit, both men
and women, to the Lord. Reformation must take place in our daily living
as well (Ja 4:4). Our lives must reflect the image of the Savior (1Peter
1:15, Eph 5:1,8-10, 15, 16). All who call themselves Christians (of Christ)
shall seek to promote Christ and His kingdom in every facet of society;
be it the workplace, the neighborhood, school, or church (1 John 2:6,
Col 3:12-17). The Lord is seeking those who will stand up for the truth
of His word and no longer be conformed to the image of the world. The
world's standards will not have any place in the lives of a Christian.
The ism's of this world (feminism, materialism, commercialism, racism,
etc) must be removed from our homes and churches, if we want the Holy
Spirit to have full control.
As the bride of Christ is being purged and cleansed, there will also be
a simultaneous outpouring of grace to the unsaved. This holiness manifested
in the body will not repel unbelievers rather it will attract them to
the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Real grace will replace pity. Holiness
will replace self righteousness. Just as Jesus, though without sin, attracted
even the most vile sinner by His love and compassion. All of this will
pave the way to the great harvest we have been anticipating.
The way we do church must change if we are to be effective in this season.
This is a season of teaching, of discipling, of discerning, but also of
evangelism (Mark 16:15-18)! Jesus warned us to keep watch. It is important
that the church be equipped to minister to the multitudes that will be
coming into salvation (Eph 4:11-14). The harvest is ripe but the lost
will not come banging down our doors. We must learn to take the church
to the streets. It is time to bring our preaching, worship, teaching,
praying, counseling and children's ministries outside the church walls
and into the community (Matt 25:31,Is 58:6-12,61:1-3). We need to go out
to gather in the harvest! This is not a word for just a few but for the
whole body. Every child of God should have a hand in the harvest of souls.
When our homes and then the church are reordered, the Holy Spirit will
be poured out upon us as the book of Joel prophesied. The church will
rise up in great power only when she has fully submitted to the Lord's
government. I know many have been experiencing trials on every level.
Do not despair. The trials you are now facing are indeed preparing you
for service (Heb 12:2-7, Ja 1:2-4). Submit yourselves under the mighty
hand of God and He will lift you up in due time (1 Peter 5:10,1 Peter
5:6). All of this requires careful attention to the Holy Spirit (1 John
4:1). He will lead us into all understanding (John 16:13). Soak in the
presence of the Lord daily. He will equip us for all He is calling us
to do. Are you ready? Then let the revolution begin!
May you walk in His grace. Thy kingdom come!
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