“Think you can, think you can’t. Either way you are probably right” is a statement that has been attributed to Henry Ford. The profound truth of this statement is that our thoughts either liberate or imprison us. This truth is applicable to all areas of our lives: relationships, education, careers, hobbies and spirituality. How I think, will determine my level or intensity of engagement: am I capable or incapable? Worthy or unworthy?
Limiting thoughts or beliefs produce strongholds that dictate our lifestyles. These strongholds are carefully crafted arguments that are used to justify or support our underlying limiting beliefs. Each time something happens that supports one of these arguments; it is adding another brick to the walls of our stronghold, further solidifying the “truth” of the underlying belief.
One arena where strongholds are so prevalent is within “the church.” Much of Christianity is built around a certain set of beliefs that are considered sacred and unchangeable. These strongholds affect the way we do church and includes such things as service structure, type of music, programs of ministry and organizational structure. The unfortunate aspect is that many of these beliefs are the traditions of men and not the truth of the Word of God.
To me it is interesting that Jesus first message was “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 4:17). The word here “repent” means to “think differently.” Jesus came to a society stifled with a system of religious legalistic conduct: his first words were to change your thinking.
It is my opinion that today, the Jesus is still proclaiming the same message: “Repent, change your thinking because the Kingdom of heaven is here!” It is His desire for us to dismantle the strongholds of limitations and step into the dominion He has provided for His people.
For a more detailed discussion of the limits of tradition, see chapter 2 of Apostolic Authority, Every Believer's Privilege. It can be ordered from Apostolic Missions Inc.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
God's Understudy
In the world of theater, most of us are familiar with the understudy. This is the individual who is to learn a particular role and be prepared to step up and replace the main actor if necessary.
There is another definition of understudy, it is: one who is trained to do the work of another. To me, this concept goes well with the biblical idea of image and representation.
Representation: the action or fact of one person standing for another so as to have the rights and obligations of the person represented Miriam Webster On line Dictionary
Adam, as the image of God, was to act as His representative to creation. Adam was to stand in for God, if you will, in regards to the interaction with creation. Doing such, Adam was given the same basic rights as God.
For instance, God brought the animals to Adam for him to name them. In the biblical sense, naming was a demonstration of authority over something. So Adam was exercising a God given authority when he spoke the names of the animals. Which brings us to the next point: how did Adam demonstrate this authority from God? He spoke.
In the creation process, God exercised his power by speaking; “let there be” and it happened. As God’s representative (standing in with the same rights) Adam exercised his God given authority by acting just like God did – he spoke it.
In Gen 2:19 tell us “and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.” The idea here is more than just what they were called, but it is a defining of them. In the original text, “the name there of” is one word and it speaks of being placed in a conspicuous position, a brand or putting something in its place. By speaking, Adam defined or established the identity of these animals; he was acting as God’s representative.
Being born again, we have been renewed after the image of the one who created us, Col 3:10, therefore our responsibility is the manifestation and the representation of the one who created us. We are to make Him real and have been authorized to act on His behalf in this world. This is the essence of apostolic authority: we have been sent by Jesus to operate by His authority to continue His purpose(Jn 17:18).
Paul tells us in 2 Cor 5:18-20, that we have been given the “ministry” & “word of reconciliation.” It is our privilege and responsibility to represent the Kingdom of heaven and affect the reconciliation of man to God. It is when we are actively involved in this purpose, we will see the power of the Kingdom revealed in our lives.
There is another definition of understudy, it is: one who is trained to do the work of another. To me, this concept goes well with the biblical idea of image and representation.
Representation: the action or fact of one person standing for another so as to have the rights and obligations of the person represented Miriam Webster On line Dictionary
Adam, as the image of God, was to act as His representative to creation. Adam was to stand in for God, if you will, in regards to the interaction with creation. Doing such, Adam was given the same basic rights as God.
For instance, God brought the animals to Adam for him to name them. In the biblical sense, naming was a demonstration of authority over something. So Adam was exercising a God given authority when he spoke the names of the animals. Which brings us to the next point: how did Adam demonstrate this authority from God? He spoke.
In the creation process, God exercised his power by speaking; “let there be” and it happened. As God’s representative (standing in with the same rights) Adam exercised his God given authority by acting just like God did – he spoke it.
In Gen 2:19 tell us “and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.” The idea here is more than just what they were called, but it is a defining of them. In the original text, “the name there of” is one word and it speaks of being placed in a conspicuous position, a brand or putting something in its place. By speaking, Adam defined or established the identity of these animals; he was acting as God’s representative.
Being born again, we have been renewed after the image of the one who created us, Col 3:10, therefore our responsibility is the manifestation and the representation of the one who created us. We are to make Him real and have been authorized to act on His behalf in this world. This is the essence of apostolic authority: we have been sent by Jesus to operate by His authority to continue His purpose(Jn 17:18).
Paul tells us in 2 Cor 5:18-20, that we have been given the “ministry” & “word of reconciliation.” It is our privilege and responsibility to represent the Kingdom of heaven and affect the reconciliation of man to God. It is when we are actively involved in this purpose, we will see the power of the Kingdom revealed in our lives.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Get Real!
There are many theologies and philosophies in the world that men ascribe to. Wars have been initiated and continue to be propagated over these various beliefs. It is interesting to note, however, that many of these ideologies have overlapping “truths” which ultimately become confusing to the “outsiders.” A frequent comment of individuals is “How do you know that is true?” That is an honest question. Usually, the reply to this is rhetoric of “sacred” words that the adherent believes would convince the other of the “rightness” of their ideology: which to many brings more confusion. How is one to know?
Image
Adam was created in the image of God: Jesus came as the visible image of an invisible God; and we have been renewed after the image of the one who created us. The common thread here is God is seeking an image of Himself to reveal creation. This idea of image has two concepts contained within its definition; the first one I want to address here and that is manifestation.
Manifest: to provide evidence for, stand as proof of, to make to appear distinctly
Since God is a spirit and does not have flesh and bone, from the beginning of creation He has sought a way to make Himself distinctly apparent. It has been His idea for us to have an intimate and obvious relationship with him. Unfortunately, the self –willed actions of Adam forfeited this privilege: thus Jesus and his purpose. Now it is up to you and I, the church, His body to continue the manifestation of God to the world.
However, we find the weakness of modern Christianity is that we have not made our King and his kingdom distinctly evident or plain from other beliefs. We are good and theological rhetoric, but short on manifestation.
Making Jesus evident or distinct is not about our buildings, programs or size (although there is nothing inherently wrong with them) it is about presenting Him in a way that is distinct from other ideologies.
Jesus came authentically, shaking up the religious thinkers of his day. He went beyond a religious check list and demonstrated an authentic truth of a love relationship. Everywhere he went, things happened. We see such things as:
As born again believer’s we are to continue the manifestation of Jesus. We have been sent* into the world with the same commission as Jesus (Jn 17:18, 20:21). We are told we will do greater works than what He did (Jn 14:21). It is by our actions that God is glorified (Mt 5:16). Our purpose for being renewed in the image of God is to make him plainly real to a world in darkness. This requires putting our words into action, placing some skin our theology.
Food for thought: How are you proving He is real?
*sent: this is from the Greek apostello (ap-os-tel'-lo;; set apart, i.e. (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively: (Strongs). This is the word that apostolos is derived from which is translated apostle. These two words form the basis for our presentation of the concepts of apostolic authority. See blog Defining Apostolic
Image
Adam was created in the image of God: Jesus came as the visible image of an invisible God; and we have been renewed after the image of the one who created us. The common thread here is God is seeking an image of Himself to reveal creation. This idea of image has two concepts contained within its definition; the first one I want to address here and that is manifestation.
Manifest: to provide evidence for, stand as proof of, to make to appear distinctly
Since God is a spirit and does not have flesh and bone, from the beginning of creation He has sought a way to make Himself distinctly apparent. It has been His idea for us to have an intimate and obvious relationship with him. Unfortunately, the self –willed actions of Adam forfeited this privilege: thus Jesus and his purpose. Now it is up to you and I, the church, His body to continue the manifestation of God to the world.
However, we find the weakness of modern Christianity is that we have not made our King and his kingdom distinctly evident or plain from other beliefs. We are good and theological rhetoric, but short on manifestation.
Making Jesus evident or distinct is not about our buildings, programs or size (although there is nothing inherently wrong with them) it is about presenting Him in a way that is distinct from other ideologies.
Jesus came authentically, shaking up the religious thinkers of his day. He went beyond a religious check list and demonstrated an authentic truth of a love relationship. Everywhere he went, things happened. We see such things as:
- fellowshipping with sinners
- commuting death sentences (woman in adultery)
- touching the outcasts of society (lepers)
- visiting the least popular in the neighborhood (tax collectors)
- demons were cast out
- sick were healed
- dead brought back to life
- his dream team was made up of hillbilly fishermen (no slam intended), a tax collector AND a traitor. (needs to work on his recruiting strategy here)
As born again believer’s we are to continue the manifestation of Jesus. We have been sent* into the world with the same commission as Jesus (Jn 17:18, 20:21). We are told we will do greater works than what He did (Jn 14:21). It is by our actions that God is glorified (Mt 5:16). Our purpose for being renewed in the image of God is to make him plainly real to a world in darkness. This requires putting our words into action, placing some skin our theology.
Food for thought: How are you proving He is real?
*sent: this is from the Greek apostello (ap-os-tel'-lo;; set apart, i.e. (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively: (Strongs). This is the word that apostolos is derived from which is translated apostle. These two words form the basis for our presentation of the concepts of apostolic authority. See blog Defining Apostolic
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