The Power of Advancement (continued)
Once again, our blueprint verse goes on to state, "...toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast." (Joshua 1:3-4) I believe that the "going down of the sun" could speak of fading light and approaching darkness. Seems like we hear a lot about this in Christianity these days. There might be darkness around us, and possible darkness on the horizon (we really don't know), but that never inhibits the Kingdom from advancing! Father's emphasis is never on darkness, His emphasis is on His glory shining on, in and through a people; "Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you--rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and dense darkness [all] peoples, but the Lord shall arise upon you, and His glory shall be seen on you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes round about you and see!" (Isaiah 60:1-4 Amplified Bible) Much of what we perceive as "fading light," in other words corruption and sin in the church, leaders failing, etc. is really just a revealing of that which has been there all along but hidden. I believe that Father is bringing hindrances from His purpose into the light so that they can be set right and reconciled. The "territory" of the "Christian" mindset that assumes that things are supposed to keep getting worse, that darkness will overtake everything, must be conquered. Remember, there were two ways to look at the Promised Land- an unconquerable land full of giants, or a land that flowed with milk and honey.
Perhaps the phrase, "toward the going down of the sun" could also speak of a Western mindset, since the sun sets in the West. The more I travel, the more I realize that Christianity in the West is extremely influenced by the Western mindset. The Western Christian mindset tends to be very compartmentalized, allowing there to be the possibility of a great disconnect between what is "believed" and what is actually "lived." This allows people to have a "spiritual life" and a "regular life," or at least they think they do... So, how's your "spiritual life?" Friend, the only life you have is a "spiritual" one! Father did not create us to be spiritual schizophrenics.
The Western Christian mindset tends toward much analysis, logic and human reasoning. We need more synthesis than analysis... more practical living out, less pontificating of pristine principles! Rather than postulating about how wonderful the Promised Land will be someday (in the sweet by and by), let's go take it! Let us quit relying on our literal interpretations based in our natural senses, get "heaven" out the sky somewhere and bring "heaven to earth" in our lifestyle and actions.
Current Day Advancement
Remember, once the children of Israel came into Agreement with the two who originally agreed with God, and Aligned themselves with God's purpose, they Advanced!
In our current day quest toward Kingdom Advancement, I am finding an interesting phenomenon. With the onset of the internet and instantaneous worldwide communication, something odd is happening in the church world. There seems to be a proliferation of "experts" on how "church" is to be done and not to be done... websites, blogs, articles, vlogs abound. Now then, there is certainly nothing wrong with websites, blogs, articles and vlogs on how "church" is to be reformed, as long as they are based in some kind of real-life experience.
I remember when a certain lovely girl (who became my wife) and I were heading towards marriage many years ago. We thought it wise to have some sort of marriage counseling. In retrospect it is a bit humorous, and I certainly mean no disrespect, but we received our marriage counseling from a Catholic Priest. I think perhaps you are beginning to get my point. I love theories and new ideas, however I wonder how many of our "gurus" of church reform are not, and have not been involved in a local fellowship for years? Many have seen the flaws and been wounded by religion, and tossed the baby out with the bathwater. I had lots of theories before I began serving a local fellowship... most of which I discovered were so much "fluff in the wind."
Perhaps part of the issue at hand lies in one word that is so often overlooked- UNTIL! "[That it might develop] UNTIL we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him." (Ephesians 4:13 Amplified Bible)
Most of the "gurus" of church reform write from two basic assumptions. One is what I will call a "Finished Work" position, with the assumption that we have already attained oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the full and accurate knowledge of the Son of God, that we have arrived at really mature manhood. The other is what I will call an "Apostolic Reformation" position, assuming that by changing the "wineskin" or the outward structure of the church, it will result in us attaining oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the full and accurate knowledge of the Son of God, that we will arrive at really mature manhood. I probably came into serving a local fellowship with more of the "Finished Work" position.
Personally, I love the idea of church and ministry that is what I will call "organic." In other words, when particular ministry needs to happen in a local fellowship, somebody sees it and automatically, "organically" takes initative and does it. This concept is very popular among those who espouse what might be called Third Day/ Present Truth/ Kingdom/ Home Church principles. The unfortunate reality is that although these types of fellowships might be very deep in spirituality and doctrine (we sure can talk good!), they generally have minimal impact in their communities. A strong belief in the Sovereignty of God almost proves to be a paralyzing factor... after all, "If God really wants it done, He will do it!"
On the other hand, what I will call "Apostolic Reformation" churches tend to be so intricately structured (generally with lots of titles to boot) that one has to ask permission to even pray for somebody (I am utilizing a bit of hyperbole here). "Apostolic Reformation" types are often suspicious of "organic" types, thinking that they are just rebellious anarchists... and "organic" types tend to think that the "Apostolic Reformation" is a return to Papal Imperialism! Both positions fail to recognize that, like it or not, we are for the most part still in the UNTIL! Perhaps there can be an intentional, incremental, thoughtful and progressive blending of these ideals that will truly bring forth maturity. All structure is not the Whore of Babylon, and all organic ministry is not anarchy!
Doug Fortune
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