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Major Kingdom/Apostolic Articles
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Relational Engagement - By Ron McGatlin
The church of the new kingdom emphasis age is a spiritual living network. A living organism of cells fitted and connected together by relationship. The natural flow of supernatural sustenance flowing through connecting joints strengthens, encourages, and orders the entire church as one Body. (1 Pet 2:5)
Eph 4:16: From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Love is the supernatural substance of God that flows strength and living waters of encouragement through the supernatural network of relational engagements. Love is both the motivating and the restraining force of the Spirit of God. Because of love as directed by the Holy Spirit we reach out and engage others and spiritual connections are formed. The same love of God restrains us and we do no harm to others. Love causes us to despise evil and turn from it. Thus the kingdom of God is generated, sustained, structured, ordered and continues to increase by the love of God. Gal 5:14, Col 2:2, Eph 5:23, Col 1:18
The love flowing from the cross of Jesus is bringing forth the worldwide kingdom of God. The resurrected life of the King of kings and the Lord of lords flowing through the Holy Spirit is implanting the character and nature of Christ in His people. Truly we abide in Christ as we connect to the Spirit of Christ in one another through "throne room connections".
All nerves in a natural body lead to and connect in the head. In the true Body of Christ all connections come together in the throne room of Christ the Head of the Body. Remaining in His manifest presence supernaturally activates the connection of hearing from the Head and speaking to Him.
The networking of the Spirit brings unity as each part does according to the instruction from the throne room and all work together in unity as they go about carrying out the desires of the Father. Thus the King of all receives His rightful place as King of kings and Lord of lords and delivers the kingdom to Father God 1 Cor 15:24.
The Nicolaitan type hierarchy of the institutional church was and is an attempt by men to flow supernatural networking of God through human organizational structure to lead the church. Organization and church authority are primary in this structure and relationships are secondary. The relationships that do exist are usually based on titles and positions designated by the hierarchy. This law based structure has value for corralling immature Christians who are more focused on natural life than spiritual living. However, it is near impossible for those under such a structure to ever grow up into mature spiritual beings and the system of clergy and laity is perpetuated. Rev 2:15
Mark 10:42 - 43: But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you.
In the maturing kingdom emphasis age church, the priesthood of the believer is becoming a reality and not just a doctrine 1 Pet 2:9. The improper distinction between clergy and laity is dissolving as believers are maturing to fulfill their calling and gifting is small and large groups of the Body.
Spiritual networking is relational not organizational. The hierarchy of human rule and church authority is replaced by the true headship of Christ and true Spirit authority. A generation of kings and priests are being formed on the earth through the empowerment and leadership of the Holy Spirit. A generation networked by love and destined to rule and reign on earth with Him.
The Joel's Army type of people will demonstrate the real power of love as they walk in unity of purpose and action led by the Holy Spirt - restrained and empowered by love. All great works begin by abiding in Him, in His manifest presence and receiving the endued power of love from the highest order - the creator of all - God of whom it is said, "God is love".
Pursue love - it never fails.
Ron McGatlin |
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