At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I will reiterate God's mindset for this dispensation:- It is about the Kingdom.
''And this Good News about the Kingdom will be announced throughout the whole world as a witness to all the Goyim (Nations). It is then that the end will come.'' Matthew 24:14 CJB
The Lord has promised to ''...carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality'' (Romans 9:28 NIV). He has given us the work of preparing the believers (The Church) and the world by announcing the Good news of his present grace (and favour) to all. However, ''it is not by strength that a person prevails'' (1 Samuel 2:9 CJB). YHWH's focus is not on us labouring in our ability, his focus is on us growing in oneness with himself such that our labour is the outworking of his holy Spirit in us. This is the acceptable sacrifice.
The message the Lord gave me to reiterate is this:
He (the Lord) is not a means to an end for us. He is not a tool we use to prosper in health, wealth or recognition. While he freely gives us those as well, He is the end (goal) itself. The real goal is not the fulfilment of his assignments, the real goal is oneness with him.
As the Master himself said:
'' Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.'' John 15:4-6
Anything we achieve that is of our own effort without a oneness with his spirit burns up on the day of his account. The fruit matters only if it got its life from Christ the vine, not from the human flesh. He is not just populating churches, he is building his spiritual Temple. He is building his Kingdom of Priests.
''...To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.''Revelation 1:5b-6
And this understanding is vital for us to share with him as his co-labourers. Because can two walk together except they are in agreement? [Amos 3:3]
For the work not to be hindered by differing motives and mindsets, we must work with this kingdom mindset of Jesus Christ our Leader.
In like manner, to achieve unity, oneness in activity and collaboration is not our first goal. The initial goal is a shared mind. And the mind we share is the mind we were all given when we came to Jesus - the mind of the Christ. A mind controlled by the Holy Spirit and the word of God is our primary goal.
''I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.''1 Corinthians 1:10
When we are all subject to the word of God as individuals, unity will not be something to strive for - it is the fruit of a united mind. When God's words and ways become our primary identity and we yield to his ways, we will walk as one. The goal remains the same: -
'' Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.''John 15:4
I pray we as we read this, we read with the eyes of the spirit as he carries out his transmutation in us.
''In other words, do not let yourselves be conformed to the standards of the ‘olam hazeh [this world]. Instead, keep letting yourselves be transformed by the renewing of your minds; so that you will know what God wants and will agree that what he wants is good, satisfying and able to succeed.' Romans 12:2 CJB
“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.'' Zechariah 4:6
''He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.'' Colossians 1:28-29
''for,
“Who has known the mind of the Lord
so as to instruct him?”
But we have the mind of Christ.'' 1 Corinthians 2:16
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