I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Ps 32:8
February 14, 2021
Perspectives of Reality
People come from many different backgrounds and view life through many different filters of beliefs and circumstances. Their idea of truth is also viewed through those filters regardless of how misguided. To find truth we have to go beyond personal interpretations to the real truth. The real truth was established before my viewpoint or yours. Truth existed before this world was created. The Almighty God, who is perfect, existed before us and made the world that we view through imperfect lenses. It is He that made us and everything we perceive (Gen 1:1) who is able to truthfully tell us what truth is. It is this God, this Creator, who is perfect and the reality of truth. We can rely on His definitions and words because He made us and has our best interest at heart. To reveal Himself and correct our erred ways, He sent us an image of His ways, thoughts, desires revealed through the man named Jesus (Joh 1:14); who was the Son of God or God in the flesh. Through looking at Jesus in the Scriptures, through the preaching of the gospel and through our spirit man; we can get a better image of God, the Creator. God describes Himself through Jesus as: “the way, the truth, and the life…(Joh 14:6). God also described Himself as love. We and our world were formed from that love.
Reality and Truth
For all the good that we received from our God, there was an opposing spirit discovered in heaven among the servants of God. His name was Lucifer who we now call Satan, the deceiver and opposer of truth. Unfortunately, we make a choice whether to listen to and follow the God who loves us or the deceiver, Satan, who is hate. We decide who our leader will be and we are influenced by that spiritual leader’s ways, thoughts and deeds. Not only us, but our earthly leaders are led by one of two spiritual leaders, God or Satan, as lord and master. That is why it is so important that we individually become acquainted with the voice and ways of God.
Our journey with Christ, if we choose to accept Him, will show us where we are, how we got here, and how to get to the place He has destined for us in eternity with Him. We have to prevail above every implanted lie that Satan has sown in our hearts. We have to willingly release the lie and take on the truth. It is a process we know as being born again from above and joined in Spirit with our Creator. The cleansing and perfecting of our spirit, soul and body are necessary for us to live with God (1Th 5:23). We are told in Ephesian 4 that the whole church and its spiritual gifts are given to bring us to maturity, but few churches walk in the entirety of those gifts that are necessary to raise up the legitimate church of Christ. There is no failure in Christ who will lead the believer all the way from earth to heaven. It is from that maturity that we should go on to be true leaders who serve and do our work in the church or community. Those who fail to mature or get this development through Christ cannot faithfully serve in truth.
Our Path Through History
We note that in the body of worshippers under Moses, the family of Abraham was wholly cared for by the leadership of people chosen through their obedience and faith.
And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. Ex 18:20-22
The leaders that Moses set up represent the body of leaders that we today call judges, police, social workers, mayors, etc. These are leaders that were originally called to be people of faith that serve in the everyday non-religious needs of the people. They were not religious leaders but they were required to be people of faith to lead the general body. A leader is one who has been taught and empowered by a higher authority to administer a service to the people for that higher authority. This tradition was carried on through the New Testament apostles as they set up leaders to care for the people.
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Act 6:1
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Act 6:3
It was a tradition of the people of faith to choose believers in Christ for their leaders in order to have godly leadership over them. America rebelled against the leadership of Britain over abusive rule and taxation but it did not rebel against faith in God. The nation of America was formed with belief in God and as a “Nation Under God.” Our Constitution does not require all people or leaders to be declared religious or Christian but the declaration of a nation under God brings us into a covenant agreement of rule by God. Our God had already promised the patriarchs that He will hear the prayers of the righteous and give them righteous leaders. The Old Testament illustrates that God allowed evil rule by kings when His people refused to hear and obey Him.
But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. 1Sa 8:6-7
It was never God’s desire to give believers a king (secular ruler) over them and even in Moses day, God directed the people through a spiritual leader who followed the voice of God to lead them. Moses was a religious leader or minister, not a secular leader over worldly matters. We note that Peter and the other apostles were religious leaders and they specifically set up other leaders for non-religious matters from among the believers. We note Paul’s expression of this practice in First Corinthians:
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 1Co 6:1-4
American Error
We saw in America that Christians, who knew from scripture the displeasure of God about establishing kings over His people, took that fear to its highest level by lifting the secular leader position above the religious leader and God, Himself, and submitted themselves under that secular leader or president. Religious and secular American civilians who promised to be “One Nation Under God”, set up a secular leader and brought all of their acts subject to that leader. This they declared was God’s will even though it opposed the God they promised their submission.
God sent Jesus into the earth to sacrifice and die so that the children born unto Adam could be restored to children of God and live in His favor. Through Jesus Christ, the church has the authority of Christ to rule the earth as Adam and Eve were first given authority but better because of the Holy Spirit. It is the responsibility of the church to establish the spirit of the kingdom in the earth. Satan is rendered defeated under the feet of the children of God who walk in the spirit of Christ. There are false leaders who have taught multitudes that they are the spirit-filled children of God and they have led immature believers to submit to them as rightful religious leaders of Christ. Unfortunately, young believers may be misled by religious leaders because they are incapable of discerning whether they are God’s servants or not. As mentioned above Satan has gained authority to rule in the earth and he sets up leaders in the earth for his rule. He has church leaders who follow him as the scriptures proclaim: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light (2Co 11:13-14)”. If those that are led by the enemy of God’s children gain leadership roles then they are able to subvert those that seek the Lord into false directions that deceive and endanger the soul.
In the nation of America during the last several years, we have seen the repercussions of spiritual warfare showing up in the natural as wrong leaders were selected to rule the community and church. Religious leaders were willing to bring their church under false spiritual leaders who insisted on leading spiritual affairs as they pursued material wealth, power, fame and prestige contrary to the word of God. They used their natural talents and religious titles to persuade seekers of God that they must be followed. Immature believers and churches followed because these false spiritual leaders seemed more knowledgeable and connected to God than they. Jesus had already compelled the believer to read and study the word of God: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls (Mt 11:29)”. Paul also gave the believer warning “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed (Gal 1:8).” Many people that failed to learn the word of God for themselves merely followed the leadership of their church into the error of false doctrine as they sought wealth instead of Christ. The Word of God clearly told us: “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1Ti 6:10).” Peter goes on to tell us that “And many shall follow their pernicious ways…(2Pe 2:2).”
Reconciling Error
The nation of America is in a period of trying to reconcile the upheaval that has occurred in religion, community and politics. We see them dealing with the legal ramification of the presidential guidance of Donald Trump. People have been physically, spiritually and mentally abused; brought to confusion; misled; displaced and spiritually broken by disruptive events and poor leadership. At the root of all the problems we have recently experienced is spiritual work by religious people and religious spirits that want to have their way. Some are misled by flawed efforts to follow Christ and others are empowered by Satan to divert events according to their desires. The secular community has had to deal with the repercussions of spiritual warfare in the heavens showing up in our day to day lives because religious and political leaders were duped. They may not had the knowledge of the believer or a spiritually mature church, but they had enough knowledge to know things were not right. They also had the power given to them by church failure to take authority in the physical realm and make legal and practical decisions about our rights. It was not the will of the Lord that the secular community would lead the church but the church has vacated its authority by setting up secular leaders in political authority. There is still heavy warfare and confusion going on in the spiritual realm as spiritual people for and against God fight to have their way. “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other… (Gal 5:17).” Stubbornness has prevailed in many Christian souls as they have refused to soul search or receive correction based on scripture. Not only is the fate of the Christian church in America at stake but also the state of our nation which was set up based on faith in God. If we cannot go forward to higher levels in God to follow Christ, then surely we will fall into the recesses of sin that even our predecessors and national peers would despise. Christians are always compelled to confess sin and receive Christ’s forgiveness because we all sin and come short of the glory of God. Only through daily confession of sin can we expect to stay in favor and fellowship with our God. Our loving God loves restoration.
The True Leader
We were told from the beginning who was the True Leader. The True Leader is God, not a demigod, not man, but God. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth (Gen 1:1). As important as the patriarchs and Moses were, they got their guidance from God. They were His voice to the people. They knew the error of Adam and were forewarned of going off on their own. True leadership comes from our God for His children. Believers are compelled by scriptures to mature beyond physical leaders to responsibility for their own soul and guidance by the Holy Spirit: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (Ro 8:14). True church leaders as Apostles Peter and Paul were led by Christ’s spirit. When leaders submit to the leadership of the enemy as did Korah (Nu 16:32-33), Judas (Mt 27:3-5), Peter before the cross (Lk 22:60-62) and so many others; they disappoint God and lose precious privileges. True leadership comes to the person who submits to Christ for empowerment to fulfill the work appointed by Christ because they are only His stewards. Christ is our Savior, Intercessor, Near Kinsman, and One Who Is Touched by the Feelings of Our Infirmities. Christ has made the way for our forgiveness and return to the Father through confession of sins. The error of many of our leaders today as well as leaders of the past is that they desired to set up their own kingdom in their own way and with their own rules. All such kingdoms are as houses built upon sand that all fall over inferior foundations as they have throughout history. If we live our lives in accordance to God our Creator, we cannot fall (Mt 7:24). Abraham was led by the voice of God in the Old Testament and he became the father of those that believe by faith. Our leadership today can be surer through biblical examples, the Word the God and the Holy Spirit provided by a gracious Father who has forgiven, saved and empowered us through Jesus Christ, His Son.
The Lesson
Our nation made a 180 degree turn. The Founding Fathers all came from England during a time when basic education was derived from religious institutions of the Christian faith. The Founders were educated men well versed in the sciences and Christian faith. The Puritans built communities based on their Christian faith. The early American settlers included Quakers, Mennonites, Presbyterians Catholics and Baptists who formed the schools and universities that were Christian. Many of America’s best universities such as Harvard started from seminaries that became secular over the years and began to produce secular leaders. America’s oldest universities that now debate God’s existence once knew better. The early settlers and pilgrims came to America for freedom of religion, not dissolution of it. Religious organizations built facilities that took care of the people and community needs. Government was local with neighbor helping neighbor. Ministry was local and pastors helped to hold our communities together. Our whole society started out based on the knowledge of God but now wants to kick God out and do it on their own. These first leaders as was those Moses established leaders who had faith first and then went out to do work in education, science, health and government. Now that secularization has become full grown in America and brought us to the brink of destruction, it would be a good time to remember from whence we have come. My personal study of the history of America led to research of a group of people who over threw the Roman Empire, immigrated to Europe and became Englanders who also have migrated into American culture, producing our latest crisis. Their common characteristic everywhere they have lived is fight, conquer and overthrow and take over. We mined out their motivation as white supremacy. There is an important reason that we study history: so we do not repeat the mistakes of the past and so that we can learn from it. America has gone 180 degrees in the wrong direction. If in America, as every place, there is a battle between good and evil and God has taken His role in America as Covenant Leader seriously; wouldn’t He then defend His purpose of good and those that assist it. We may have won a battle, but the devil is not dead and will resurface. He cares nothing about parties, nations or people. God will never fail those that put their trust in Him. True Christians must learn from the lesson and rebound. We must discern what is of God and what is of evil. We cannot afford to walk in ignorance. Those that oppose those that walk in Christian love, oppose our Omnipotent God. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…” (Joh 16:13). Love is stronger and overcomes hate. It is the role of true ministers to help our nation throw off divisive hate ideologies and return to our foundation of love of God and neighbor, growing in wisdom from that knowledge to His ideal of community in Christian love. It would make a world of difference to all of us.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Joh 3:16-17
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Joh 13: 35
Truth and Life Ministries of Christ with Apostle Joyce Reba Payne 