How This Election Cycle is Challenging the Identity of The Church
Pilate came to Jesus in the hall of judgement to question Him about His Kingship.
“Are you The King of the Jews?”, he said.
Jesus answered Pilate with this often-quoted passage:
“My kingdom is not OF this world. If it were, my servants would FIGHT to prevent my arrest…but now my kingdom is FROM another place.” (John 18:36)
So often in controversial and election cycle seasons, we hear this tossed around in Christianity and out of context as to why believers shouldn’t be focused on political matters or how even if we don’t get the leader/law we are praying for, Jesus is still King. Of course, Jesus is still King. He is unrivaled.
Still, in the fear of God, I don’t believe we should ever lean on this phrase in order to cover up for our lack of righteous earthly management.
If my boss sends me on a task and I don’t complete it, I wouldn’t dare go tell all the other members of the company….” Well, our boss is still in charge!” … even though I just lost the biggest account of the season. He is still in charge, but that doesn’t lessen the fact that I have abdicated my responsibility.
Here are some truths I am discovering:
- OF this world does not mean God’s Kingdom isn’t to be manifested here or that we have any excuse as believers to quit taking ground. It means that the legislative rule of law and the order of God’s Kingdom doesn’t ORIGINATE here. Therefore, I must know the pillars of heavenly law (what is allowed and not allowed by God) in order to bring that order of rule into my country. No, it didn’t originate here, but I’m commanded to bring it here if I am a believer. On earth as it is in heaven.
- The context of Christ’s statement is within the moments leading up to His necessary death sentence. He had to die according to the will and covenant promise of God that the world might be saved. In these moments, Jesus was still ruling because He was legislating death to an old testament through the act of obedience as a Son and the shedding of His own blood, according to the legal order and will of Heaven for the appointed time. Therefore, this conversation cannot be taken out of context and into every sector of society as a way out of influencing people (I must lay down my life) when we as believers aren’t yet sure how to engage and release heaven in largely corrupt areas. Jesus took upon Himself our sin and He died as us. We are dead to sin, not to the commission to disciple nations. He gave us Holy Spirit and His authority to continue His ministry, not to be silent and allow whatever may come to come.
- The word FIGHT is the Greek word “agonizomai”, where we get our word “agony” and “ago”. It was the “agon” in Greece where they assembled to watch the naked and competitive fights of the religious Olympic games, in dedication to Zeus and other false gods. Agon also includes the idea of a place of assembly for the purpose of trial and legal action. So, this statement Jesus is making is about the kind of fight his servants would engage in… which would not be a physical fight or an antagonizing attempt to free him physically. Suffering is a forgotten part of God’s Kingdom. Jesus’ servants were however, commanded to assemble and to fight. They just wouldn’t be in naked, competitive, and physical fights. For we war not against flesh and blood. They would be clothed in power, in unity, in worship, in fellowship, in the breaking of bread, in the study of the Word, in petitions, in spiritual battles and legislative decrees, in discipling, in equipping, and in commissioning. They would go forth to have influence, have a voice in political matters, and to speak directly to rulers. Never would they do it from an antagonizing position, but always from Christ’s position of legal victory in heavenly places. Establishing truth in culture is always the church’s role.
- FROM means there must be a toward recipient. If I send a letter from my house there has to be a receiver unless; a) I don’t follow proper protocol for sending, or b) there is interference and the manifestation of my intended message never arrives. So, The Kingdom of Heaven is intended to manifest through the messengers of God when the proper protocols are followed. Unless and in spite of the interference, we should see evidence of the King’s Message and His works destroying darkness in every sector of culture.
I believe we are in a great test as to whether or not the church will abdicate her responsibility to rule or rise into the kingly role she is called to.
In appointed times, some things must be put on the backburner. We have lots of plans until God steps in and changes them. Not one of us imagined the season we find ourselves in and many things which were planned now must wait in light of the appointed time and the call to prayer and worship and governmental engagement. We must recognize the appointed time, shift gears if necessary, and engage.
It is Satan that questions our sonship role, but it is a political spirit that will question our God-given authority.
Satan (accuser of the brethren) says to the sons of God, “You aren’t good enough or powerful enough to be loved. Prove yourself.” (Matthew 4)
Pontius Pilate (the political “spear of the sea”) says to the mature apostolic sons, “You may be a son, but you are arrogant to think you are an ambassador or ruler sent by God to legislate heaven on earth. You have no place here. Truth is relative.” (John 18:38)
Lucifer (fallen light-bearer) is behind both deceptions. If he can convince you to abdicate your identity as Sons, Priests and Kings, he can snuff out the light of the world.
After Jesus endowed the 12 with power, He said, “And you shall “ago” (lead at an appointed time, move as forces and influences on the mind) before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.” (Matthew 10:18)
Later, Timothy pieced it all together when he wrote,
“Agonizomai (enter into the danger), the good agon (the assembly of battle) of faith, lay hold on (in addition, take) eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Jesus Christ, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession.” (1 Timothy 6:12)
What was Christ’s confession?
“You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.” (John 18:37)
Why do we take on Christ’s sonship identity (we are the sons of God) but not His kingly identity (we are the kings and heirs of God)?
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
Meek isn’t the opposite of rulership. It is the opposite of self-interest. I’m not legislating my will. I’m legislating God’s will. It is ruling in such a way that we wholly rely on God’s strength rather than our own to defend against injustice. It is a complete trust in God’s goodness. It isn’t of the human will. It is a work of the Holy Spirit. Young sons aren’t being given the whole earth here. Mature sons who have learned how to manage and be standard bearers of truth apart from selfish ambition are becoming kings who rule the earth.
So, God charges and quickens His church in this hour to overcome the voice that says we don’t have a place in government and politics. The church is God’s government. We rule in meekness, but we rule and reign.
“For the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent (in spiritual warfare and faithfulness) take it by force.”
Jesus and the ministry of the Holy Spirit make it possible for us to obey and to be God’s witnesses in whatever measure we are able.
There are two huge legal leadership issues that stand as direct affront or agreement to what God allows in heavenly places that will be found on every ballot on November 3, 2020 by the positions of each candidate for Presidency. Many things are up for discussion, but these legal standards do not change with the times. They are in the foundational law (Torah) given to the special people of God to build their lives upon. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever and He isn’t swaying His opinion on these matters.
While I can’t and don’t agree with either candidate on everything, I must always make my decisions based on the foundation of God’s Word. After God gives the first five commandments to Moses regarding how we are to love and honor Him, the next three commandments given in regard to how we are to love humanity are being challenged in the face of my generation.
- Abortion rights: Thou shalt not kill. No murder or death is allowed in heaven. Therefore, abortion is illegal by heaven’s standards. No believer should be forced to fund an action deemed forbidden by God if their conscious and core values tell them otherwise. Anyone who has had an abortion can be forgiven and healed through repentance. However, upon God’s righteous and just foundation and legally speaking, it is disallowed in God’s country. Joe Biden and the democratic party are for abortion at every single stage of development, including full term. Deflecting and saying what about ________? does not change the increase in the covenant of death that will be enacted upon this country through national agreement if he becomes leader and perpetuates a false covenant over the womb of this nation. Though the fight for life must go further than national law and must be localized(state, city) in its real application, it would be anti-Kingdom legislation from the highest office if not stopped. No believer should allow this as a sent one reflecting the Kingship of our home country.
- The Nuclear Family Unit & Homosexual Marriage: Honor your Father and Mother. Don’t commit adultery. These commands were given within the context of a people who knew that God ordained the marriage covenant between one man and woman and the boundaries around and within that agreement for intimacy and family government. No homosexual unions are allowed in heaven. No dishonor toward parental authority is allowed in heaven. Though there is no harm or manipulative behavior allowed or enacted in response to those who choose that lifestyle outside of God’s will on earth, there are both natural and spiritual consequences. Anyone can be forgiven and transformed if they choose, but there is no legal right for an unholy union to exist in heavenly places or for children to be robbed of the right to honor their father AND mother. Joe Biden and the democratic party are for legalizing homosexual unions, dismantling God’s order in family, transgender operations, perverse sex education, and for separating the child from the family government in order that they may decide for themselves on gender identity. No believer should allow this standard as a sent one reflecting the Kingship of our home country.
Will the Ekklesia rise and disallow these things through assembly in prayer, voting, equipping, and commissioning the saints to take back territory and disallow these illegal rights?
I believe that the remnant church is rising and will pass this test. We are humbly and boldly (sonship) approaching the throne of grace (priesthood) and we are moving into the maturity of ruling (kingship) with the key of David in the midst of our enemies. For this cause we also were born. For this cause we have come into the world. That we should bear witness to the truth. It only requires a remnant.
Declaration: We shall “Arise, for this matter is [our] responsibility. [Others] also are with [us]. [We will] be of good courage and do it.” (Ezra 10:4) We will pray and act. We will enter into the danger of worship and the confession truth in the battle of faith. Not in our own interests, but according to the foundation of The Word and the will of God for the nations.
❤️ Jamie
JSMinistries 