WHERE DO WE FIT INTO GOD’S WILL FOR HIS KINGDOM?
Sakkie Parsons
Someone who has a few issues with the church writes and says, among other things, the following to me:
“Responsibility to the Kingdom and God’s vision for the Church of Jesus Christ should take precedence over that of the church.”
This person made a few other statements to me as well, and I would like to share my response with you.
I would like to begin with your first statement to me, but adjust it slightly as I would phrase it:
“Responsibility to: firstly, God’s vision for the Kingdom should take precedence over that of—only then, secondly—the denominations in the church of Christ.”
I also remember that in everything I preach, God should come first above everyone and everything.
Regarding your question to me:
“Where do we fit into God’s will for His Kingdom?”
I share the following with you:
Firstly we read:
Matthew 28:18–20
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.
20 And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.
First of all, you and I are disciples of Jesus: Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”
At some point, someone came to you, led by our Lord, and through His loving grace made you a disciple of Jesus.
After you repented, you were baptized—if you followed the correct order as we find it in the Word:
Acts 2:37–39
37 When they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the other apostles, “What shall we do, brothers?”
38 Then Peter said to them: (first) “Repent, and (second) let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and (third—you then have this assurance) you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are far off—as many as the Lord our God will call.”
Now, after I have repented, been baptized, and received—the Holy Spirit (which is a promise)—if I have done all this in full sincerity, I am now a disciple of Jesus. This means: I am a child and part of the divine family and a co-heir with Jesus of heaven:
Romans 8:16–17
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (while remembering that as long as we are on earth, it will not be all sunshine and roses), if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Now, throughout my life I must mainly strive to do two things:
To glorify God:
Mat 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
John 15:8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
1 Cor 6:20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Cor 10:31–32 31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—
So, if you strip it down to the core, my pursuit must be to glorify my God:
1 Cor 10:31 Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
If I do all this and do not promote myself in the name of the gospel, as if I am something in this world, then I am beautifully following Jesus, who set the example for me:
Hebrews 5:5
In the same way, Christ (who was God Himself in the form of a human being).”
did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,
“You are my Son; today I have become your Father.”
I mentioned that first we must glorify God through our lives, and secondly: we must love our neighbor as ourselves.
I have written a “Thought from the Word” about what this love for my neighbor should look like, which I will also share with you if you would like to read it—but let us briefly look at what the Word says in a few places about this love:
Matthew 5:43–45
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. ..
Matthew 22:36–40
36 Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said: “You shall (this is a command, not an option) love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like it: You shall (this is a command, not an option) love your neighbor as yourself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
See how Paul summarizes this command:
Romans 13:9–10
9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” [a]“You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.Finally:
I help people become part of the Bride of Christ, and I leave the Bride—the church—in the safe hands of the Bridegroom.
Because I know this one thing for certain:
Jesus will come when His Bride is completely ready, and everyone who must be part of the Bride will be there.
In the meantime, I and all who feel called do our part to help this happen as soon as possible.
In other words:
I bring, support, and teach people to come to Jesus and help them accept Him as their Lord and Savior, and He will take care of the rest—as He does for me.
Put differently: I carry out the command I received from Jesus:
Matthew 28:19–20
19 Go [a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [b]Amen.
Sakkie