SUBMISSION TO GOD THROUGH THE HANDS AND HEARTS OF MEN Yesterday, we delved into the connection between submission and perception. This is a very vital subject when it comes to accessing Divine Provision, and discovering Divine Purpose. It is very dangerous to resist or rebel against authority and ordinances of man or God. The following scripture even stresses the need to submit to the ordinances of man for the Lords sake. It warns us against using liberty as a cloak for vice. Ultimately we are to honor all people, love the brethren, fear God, and honor the king. Therefore SUBMIT YOURSELVES to EVERY ORDINANCE of MAN for the LORDS SAKE, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not USING LIBERTY as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. (I Peter 2:13-17 NKJV) The church on earth (the Church is both visible and invisible, but the same church), has appointed and recognized Eldership, Oversight, and Ordinances for the sake of orderly fellowship and spiritually healthy community. The following scripture indicates that we all have someone appointed over us to watch out for our souls, and when we cooperate with that order it is profitable for us. Conversely, it is unprofitable to resist that set order. This is why many spiritually gifted people are never profitable in their relationships, health, finances, or other aspects of daily life. It makes not sense to curse that which has the power to bless you. Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:17 NKJV) We, in the Community of Christ are to submit to one another as well as the appointed ELDERS in our life who serve as OVERSEERS, not as lords but as examples of being faithful servants. The elders who are AMONG YOU I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is AMONG YOU, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. (I Peter 5:1-4 NKJV) The key words in the above scripture is AMONG YOU and SERVING as OVERSEERS. The submission to oversight is not for the purpose of manipulation, lording over, or unrighteous control spiritually, it is for the synchronization and continuity of community health, growth, and life. Willful submission to spiritual authority creates and atmosphere for the birth of new believers and the growth and maturity of sons of God in the Holy Faith. Healthy submission to spiritual oversight provides heavenly provision for the members of the Body of Christ in this transitory world. Christianity is a community concept instituted by God, delivered by Jesus, and administered by His apostles from age to age. As St. Paul taught, we are all members of one body and includes the benefit of identified leadership, oversight, and servanthood. Self-serving Christianity is not Christianity at all, it is in community we learn to depend on the gifting and presence of Christ in one another for the good and well being of all. A little over a year ago I personally discovered that healing, both physical and emotional, is also tied to recognition of and submission to spiritual authority and Divine Order. A close investigation of the scripture verses below were an awakening for me, in fact, I believe they saved my life. I had been diagnosed with heart failure after my return from my last South African trip. My heart was enlarged, the valves were leaking, and I was arterial fibrillation. My cardiologist was shocked at my initial exam and surprised that I had not just dropped dead on the pavement. After an ultra sound of my heart we discovered my ejection fraction (Thats the amount of blood that pumps out of your heart back into your body to supply your vital organs and tissues with oxygen) was 18% and normal for a man my age should be 55%. I was devastated at my condition, my wife and I called everyone we knew and asked them to pray for my healing. I had to go on blood thinners, beta blockers, blood pressure medication to slow down my heart, stop eating salt, exercise, eat raw fruits, raw vegetables, and raw nuts, drink distilled water. It was like being put into a prison and my attitude was, If I have to live like this, then Lord just take me home! I didnt have enough energy to walk up and down the stairs let alone from a golf cart to a tee box on a golf course. Everything I enjoyed and loved to do was affected, mostly my fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ was hindered and very limited. I kept asking God if I would ever have a normal life again and that is when the Holy Spirit brought the St. James instruction regarding healing of the sick to my memory. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:14-16 NKJV) After I meditated on this scripture I was awakened to what needed to be done. I realized just having people pray for me was not fulfilling the ordinance of God or biblical truth regarding the healing of my heart. I needed to call for the ELDERS of the church and let the pray over me, anoint me in the name of The Lord. I needed to go to confession, which revealed allot about the condition of my heart both physically and emotionally. I believe our physical health is a prophecy of our spiritual condition and this was vital to my faith. And above all, I had to believe that this biblical order was how The Lord would raise me up. I did just what the scripture commanded, I called for the Elders, I called for my community, both local and from other cities, and on a Saturday morning in my office, I fell to the floor in submission to Gods word and order and asked them to fulfill the scripture in my life. They anointed me, prayed, I confessed my weaknesses. Five months from the day of my diagnosis I went in for a for another ultra sound exam and a angigramj. My ejection fraction was almost 60% (it was 18% at first diagnosis), my heart valves were normal, my irregular heart beat had returned to normal sinus rhythm, my heart was healthy. Today I have regained my full strength, and more, I have a renewed energy for the vision of God and I am thankful for the experience that was entrusted to me. It was order and submission to authority that activated the healing of my body. I can honestly say looking back that submission to authority has never caused me harm or permanent damage in any way. All things work together to the good of those who love The Lord and are the called according to His purpose, especially submission to the ordinances of God provided through the hands and hearts of men. His Ways are higher than our ways, but they work!
Posted on: Sat, 18 Jan 2014 10:00:54 +0000
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