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Submission is not the Same as True Relationship

Submission is often highly emphasized in the church today, is it not? Submission to leadership is essential and will enable you to yield to what you do not understand, or are willing to admit may be beyond your ability. Submission does protect you from moving outside your designated authority. But the Word of God makes it clear that much more is required for true community than just submission. Authentic, effective unity is not possible without agreement. "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3) Since such commonality is only possible through relationship, the Lord is also making it clear that true relationship with Him is not possible without agreement. "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"

The Heart & Life of God Defines those Who Walk in Agreement

The ultimate for many today is in reaching agreement in thought or principle. In our culture and throughout the world, the report or show of an "agreement" is the highlight of the "dog and pony show," the crest of the multimedia wave, or the apogee of political posturing. When nations rise against each other, if it ends with an "agreement," then people consider it a resolution. When politicians vie for control of a situation to either increase or insure their continuing power, any outcome or compromise is confirmed through an "agreement."

When a man and woman come together in marriage, they must enter into an agreement. When one buys property, purchases on credit, or takes out a loan, there is always an agreement. When a person goes to work for an employer, or even if one obtains a cellular phone, there is an agreement. Even when an order from a menu is made in a restaurant, there is also an agreement of sorts.

In the church, agreement plays a tremendous role in defining who we are as well as guiding what we do. Because of Christ's covenant, we are His. Through the Father's love, Christ was sent and became the price for our sin. We have been purchased through His sacrifice. Therefore, we are no longer our own master (1Cor.6:20; 7:23). That means we are not the Captain of our own ship, or the leader of our own army. In reality, the New Covenant of Christ's blood means we are no longer our own "god."  We can no longer worship ourselves by setting out to fulfill our own will.

Instead, we are being redesigned by Christ's indwelling presence. This is so that our entire life demonstrates worship of God, represents Christ in the earth, and completes the purpose of the Father in sending Jesus. This agreement is not just one of doctrine and principle, but heart and life. Heart and life: those are the terms of the Divine Agreement; the bond which we are called to through Christ's shed Blood. Whether or not we realize, confess, teach, or hold each other to it? those are the terms of the New Covenant, available only through receiving the grace and faith purchased for us by Christ's obedience (Eph.2:8-10; Ro.8:31-32). Such a Covenant agreement is immeasurably more than an adherence to doctrine or similarity of mind. It is totally beyond because we place our heart and life in God's hands so that Christ can live through us by the Holy Spirit. 

The Body is Called to Walk in Agreement with God & Each Other

Since the Church is the corporate assembled Body of Christ's Headship, the congregational unit must also be a fellowship which manifests an abiding, continuing and truly felt atmosphere of heart and life agreement with God and one another. But for this to take place, persons must have come into personal, individual agreement with God. Only such a commitment can provide opportunities for the parts to have real fellowship with one another. This is because only those who are in agreement with God are truly submitted to Him and have an authentic basis for relationship with each other by the Holy Spirit.

Leaders must (above all others) be in "heart and life" agreement with God, because their spiritual condition is imparted to everyone. If their conscience, confidence or consistency is compromised, for whatever reason, they will transmit what is corrupted within them to others. This is because both corporately and privately, not only the anointing flows down to others, but also an impartation of mind, will and emotions (Psa.133). Such transfers of "heart and life" are established by a leader's personal choices and example even more than by their public function or "success." This is because the heart and life of God are what determines whether or not we are authentic. Doctrine, mind, and even evidence of the supernatural will never be able to substitute for the heart and life of God (Mt.7:15-23). Neither will personality, prosperity or power that are devoid of Christ's nature and purpose (2Pe.2:1-22). 

Disunity Begins Within an Individual, then it Manifests & Spreads

There may be more than a few leaders today who need a cleansing in their walk with God before continuing to occupy the office they've been called to. God knows…I do not. Perhaps some others need to step back so that God can not only restore them, but also heal and renew those they've led into various impurities. Again, God knows. Whether honest with themselves or not, many who are in need will want to maintain that the "work of the ministry" is more important than their own spiritual condition. I would say that if you truly are walking in obedience, that can be the case certain times. One can become tired and in great need of a fresh touch from God, with no relief in sight and no one to take their place. But that is different from preaching and trying to lead others into that which you are not yourself living. 

Some maintain that "God's Word stands good on its own." Although that may be true in principle, the New Testament gives us both teaching and example of ones needing to be cleansed and restored, with the chaos their maladies loosed throughout the church. In the Covenant Jesus established, our personal life with God counts more for determining our status as being either "true" or "false" than does our productivity, effectiveness, or influence in ministry (Mt.7:21-28). So whatever is lacking in heart and life agreement with God will show up as we minister and lead: either through us, among us, or in our effect on others. But as long as one prefers visible effectiveness to personal authenticity, those who sense the call to rise will do the same when they have opportunity.

Agreement is Only the Beginning of "Go"

All things being equal, they are not, really. We tend to see agreement as the ultimate (& it is absolutely essential). But agreement? even at the highest level of true submission of heart and deference to God for glorifying Him? is only the beginning. So when the deal is done, you've only just begun.

What do I mean? When the show business personality, or the actor, the athlete, or CEO, etc., enters into their agreement, THEN they are expected to produce. When the nations which once rose against each other resolve it in agreement, THEN they must begin to live differently in regard to the other. When politicians compromise to form an agreement, THEN they must live up to it or be seen as people who prostitute words in the name of "representation." When one buys property, purchases on credit, or takes out a loan, THEN they must fulfill the contract or lose what they have obtained as well as their expectation to be eligible for entering another similar agreement.

When a man and woman come together in marriage, THEN they must live it out when it doesn't go well, they don't understand each other, they don't "feel" like they once did, or the grass looks greener in another pasture. When a person goes to work for an employer, THEN they must fulfill their obligations to their employer. And if they are Christians, they are both called and equipped to do so joyfully (Col.3:16-17, 22-24).

Don't allow yourself to believe that just because you had an awesome moment with God, it means your challenge is over. Rejoice, because in that moment God revealed the victory Christ won for you. Receiving it as yours, you must THEN  strengthen your confidence by taking the staircase of steps that bring you closer to what was revealed, through a continual walk upward into all He has promised. That will make His victory yours as well. For you to truly win, you must think in terms of continuing to take steps upward, not in terms of having been given a personal key to a private elevator. Think steps with your feet, not pushing buttons with your fingers.?

That's what I mean by "now that the deal is done, you've just begun" (Philippians 3:12-16).

Bill Click

rpm5clicks@juno.com