These are interesting days indeed! Wouldn’t you agree? Our society seems to be in turmoil over so many issues. We have the “right to life” issue weighing heavily on us, and we have same-sex marriage/transgender conversation going on. So many moral issues are hanging in the balance for the Church.
Jesus tells Peter in Matthew 16 that the gates of hell can’t stand against the Church.
Matthew 16:18 (ESV) “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
What a great promise given to the Church, from Jesus Christ Himself.
Yet the Church seems divided. The greatest dividing point is, in my opinion, what we hear God saying. I want to talk to you a minute about hearing God and our role that we play in hearing God. There is so much emphasis now in hearing God and obeying. And while I believe that, I do believe that there are some boundaries that need to be followed as well.
Jesus, Himself, said that we need to follow authorities…
Matthew 22:21 (NASB1995) “They *said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He *said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
I agree wholeheartedly with Jesus on this point. We need to follow authority. The question is…how do we follow authority? Is it man’s authority or is it God’s authority that we follow?
This has long been an issue especially for Pastors. As Pastors, we have been mantled with the authority of the Church. Just as Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 16...“upon this rock I will build My church”. Upon the rock of what? Upon the rock of the revelation that Christ is the is the Son of the Living God! So, the Church is built upon the rock of revelation that Christ is God!
My question to you is…do you listen to God or do you listen to your pastors or those around you with spiritual authority? This question may sound easy but honestly it is very complicated. 1 Corinthians 13 talks about seeing things as a child and seeing things as an adult. In verse 12 is says: “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.” I believe the interpretation of this scripture is that we only know in part the ways of God.
Paul said that we are all a part of each other. In Ephesians 4:16 it says,
“from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”
I believe the ultimate interpretation of this verse is that we need each other. We need to hear and listen to each other. We are held together and the enemy separates, he loves to separate us.
So many times, people exempt and isolate themselves and say that “God told me this…or God told me that.” While this may be valid, Paul is saying here in Ephesians 4 that there is power in the togetherness of the Body. In what Body? In the Body of Christ. We are to build ourselves up in love. How can we do that if we are splintered and isolated? I believe that God never meant for us to be alone or isolated.
Have you ever noticed that one who is caught up in sin tends to isolate themselves? I believe that this is a ploy of the enemy. If the enemy can isolate us or draw us unto himself, he can whisper all kinds of notions into our head. We must, as the healthy Body of Christ, stand against this!
As pastors of Fullness in Christ Church, we submit ourselves to our local elder body. We do this because we cover ourselves and keep ourselves under the protection of our elder body. If we should step outside our authority realm, our elders are quick to speak to this issue. It is so healthy to walk with others and submit to others…why? Because many times, in our isolation, we can listen to the wrong voices. Many times, these voices are our own reasonings…remember we see in a mirror dimly. When we share our thoughts with others that we are submitted to, wisdom can bring us out of isolated thought and into the heart of God. I believe Paul knew this when he talked about how we were connected with each other.
My mother studied Quantum Physics/Quantum Mechanics before she went to be with the Lord. One of the theories expressed in Quantum Physics is the Law of Entanglement. This law states that two particles can remain connected while separated by large distances. What does this mean to us as Christians? I believe that it means that we are all connected, and we should remain connected during good times and bad times.
I have noticed that during bad or troubling times, people tend to separate and make separate decisions based on biases. I do not believe that is God’s will for us as the Church! Remember, the gates of hell shall not prevail against us! So, when we get in trouble or trouble comes our way, the Church should stand united and should support each other. If there is sin in the camp, we should deal with it and move forward. But so many times we reject those with sin and move forward without each other.
Church! We can do better. Let’s move together. Let’s help each other when they say “I’ve heard God…” Let’s help them with…”Have you really heard God or are you just reacting?” Let’s insert ourselves into the issue and help bring a unity of spirit. And remember that the “Gates of hell shall not prevail” against us!
Jesus tells Peter in Matthew 16 that the gates of hell can’t stand against the Church.
Matthew 16:18 (ESV) “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
What a great promise given to the Church, from Jesus Christ Himself.
Yet the Church seems divided. The greatest dividing point is, in my opinion, what we hear God saying. I want to talk to you a minute about hearing God and our role that we play in hearing God. There is so much emphasis now in hearing God and obeying. And while I believe that, I do believe that there are some boundaries that need to be followed as well.
Jesus, Himself, said that we need to follow authorities…
Matthew 22:21 (NASB1995) “They *said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He *said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
I agree wholeheartedly with Jesus on this point. We need to follow authority. The question is…how do we follow authority? Is it man’s authority or is it God’s authority that we follow?
This has long been an issue especially for Pastors. As Pastors, we have been mantled with the authority of the Church. Just as Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 16...“upon this rock I will build My church”. Upon the rock of what? Upon the rock of the revelation that Christ is the is the Son of the Living God! So, the Church is built upon the rock of revelation that Christ is God!
My question to you is…do you listen to God or do you listen to your pastors or those around you with spiritual authority? This question may sound easy but honestly it is very complicated. 1 Corinthians 13 talks about seeing things as a child and seeing things as an adult. In verse 12 is says: “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.” I believe the interpretation of this scripture is that we only know in part the ways of God.
Paul said that we are all a part of each other. In Ephesians 4:16 it says,
“from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”
I believe the ultimate interpretation of this verse is that we need each other. We need to hear and listen to each other. We are held together and the enemy separates, he loves to separate us.
So many times, people exempt and isolate themselves and say that “God told me this…or God told me that.” While this may be valid, Paul is saying here in Ephesians 4 that there is power in the togetherness of the Body. In what Body? In the Body of Christ. We are to build ourselves up in love. How can we do that if we are splintered and isolated? I believe that God never meant for us to be alone or isolated.
Have you ever noticed that one who is caught up in sin tends to isolate themselves? I believe that this is a ploy of the enemy. If the enemy can isolate us or draw us unto himself, he can whisper all kinds of notions into our head. We must, as the healthy Body of Christ, stand against this!
As pastors of Fullness in Christ Church, we submit ourselves to our local elder body. We do this because we cover ourselves and keep ourselves under the protection of our elder body. If we should step outside our authority realm, our elders are quick to speak to this issue. It is so healthy to walk with others and submit to others…why? Because many times, in our isolation, we can listen to the wrong voices. Many times, these voices are our own reasonings…remember we see in a mirror dimly. When we share our thoughts with others that we are submitted to, wisdom can bring us out of isolated thought and into the heart of God. I believe Paul knew this when he talked about how we were connected with each other.
My mother studied Quantum Physics/Quantum Mechanics before she went to be with the Lord. One of the theories expressed in Quantum Physics is the Law of Entanglement. This law states that two particles can remain connected while separated by large distances. What does this mean to us as Christians? I believe that it means that we are all connected, and we should remain connected during good times and bad times.
I have noticed that during bad or troubling times, people tend to separate and make separate decisions based on biases. I do not believe that is God’s will for us as the Church! Remember, the gates of hell shall not prevail against us! So, when we get in trouble or trouble comes our way, the Church should stand united and should support each other. If there is sin in the camp, we should deal with it and move forward. But so many times we reject those with sin and move forward without each other.
Church! We can do better. Let’s move together. Let’s help each other when they say “I’ve heard God…” Let’s help them with…”Have you really heard God or are you just reacting?” Let’s insert ourselves into the issue and help bring a unity of spirit. And remember that the “Gates of hell shall not prevail” against us!
_____________________________
Robin and her husband Jonas Bohlin Pastor Fullness in Christ Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Robin is a prophetic writer for “What the Lord is Saying Today”. She has been in ministry most of her life. She is an author, a conference speaker and a seasoned Bible teacher. She is also a worship leader whose main calling is to teach others how to have intimacy with the Father.
She holds a degree in Psychology with an emphasis on Family Studies from Western Baptist College (now Corban University). She is committed to helping families be healthy and whole through pastoral counseling. She and her husband also serve as Clergy with the Fort Worth Police Department. She has three wonderful adult children and eight spectacular grand-children. Her book “GENERATIONS, Passing on Your Spiritual Inheritance” is now available on Amazon.com. Robin is a lifelong believer in mentorship and is an active member in church and in public schools. She started a mentoring program in a local elementary and middle school called “T2”, taken from 1 Timothy 1:2. She also started “People Reaching People” a city outreach program.
Robin and her husband Jonas Bohlin Pastor Fullness in Christ Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Robin is a prophetic writer for “What the Lord is Saying Today”. She has been in ministry most of her life. She is an author, a conference speaker and a seasoned Bible teacher. She is also a worship leader whose main calling is to teach others how to have intimacy with the Father.
She holds a degree in Psychology with an emphasis on Family Studies from Western Baptist College (now Corban University). She is committed to helping families be healthy and whole through pastoral counseling. She and her husband also serve as Clergy with the Fort Worth Police Department. She has three wonderful adult children and eight spectacular grand-children. Her book “GENERATIONS, Passing on Your Spiritual Inheritance” is now available on Amazon.com. Robin is a lifelong believer in mentorship and is an active member in church and in public schools. She started a mentoring program in a local elementary and middle school called “T2”, taken from 1 Timothy 1:2. She also started “People Reaching People” a city outreach program.
