Trust in the LORD

Our Commission

With all the complexity of life and the business that it entails, as Christians we have got to ask a few serious questions. As warriors of His Great Kingdom, we need to embrace the Great Commission that we have been given.

Mark 16:15 NKJV

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

This was Christ’s final request before ascending to our Sovereign Father. As stewards of God’s grace, Christians ought to be about the Father’s business. Jesus lived devoted to fulfilling the Father’s will.

Indeed, in the flesh, Jesus stated that it was not His decision as to who will sit at His left and the right hand side.

Matthew 20:20–23 NKJV

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”

Clearly, James and John were not yet in a position to receive the crown. Their Mother asked Jesus to give her boy’s a crown without a cross. Jesus immediately responded by asking them whether they wanted the Cross - to drink from the baptism that He was baptised with. In their fleshly state, they acknowledged that yes they wanted such a life that glorified God. In the end James was martyred and John was exiled to Patmos. Had they counted the cost? Even so, Jesus still stated that to sit on the throne next to Christ could only be orchestrated through the Father.

Jesus and the Father

When Jesus fathomed His death on the cross he prayed to the Father.

Matthew 26:42 NKJV

Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”

Jesus acknowledged that He realised what was at stake at the Cross. However, in His body, Jesus was asking whether there was another way in which God could atone for and reconcile sinners back to a loving God?

When Jesus was pursuing His ministry on the Earth, He acknowledged His mission to please and obey His Father. He stated that His parents and brothers were in fact those who did the will of The Father.

Matthew 12:48–50 NKJV

But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

We live in the Church that will become the perfect Bride of Christ Jesus. Each and everyone has been given ability and gifting from the Father. Motivation and purpose is fueled from the power of Heaven. Once we discover our mission, we can enter into the will of the Father. In other words those who abide in the Spirit of God are the Children of God.

Reality of the Cross

Hang on, but how do we know what is the Father’s will? What motivation do we possess? This is a very serious concern that we must question.

Isn’t it funny that when we read God’s word we render an enemy that distracts us? Why do we not question our motivation until we read that Word. The Word of God brings life and is sharper than a two edge sword - a book of love. Seriously, anyone who becomes besotted for the truth will bump into a serious enemy. If we are not troubled on this Earth by opposition, then perhaps we are not being that effective. Satan does not fire arrows at people unless they are affecting his territory. If we are pushing forward the gospel message, Satan will retaliate but how can he retaliate without giving his identity away?

Why is that? Well, we live in a fallen World run by an evil imposter who hates God, Heaven, Angels and Christians. Why? Because he lost the war to overthrone our Creator. Lucifer coveted God and became sick and tired about being second fiddle. He wanted to be worshipped like God. An angelic war in Heaven must have broken Heaven’s core in a heated rebellion of Lucifer and his angels.

Thankfully, Michael the archangel throws Lucifer and God’s traitors out of Heaven.

Isaiah 14:12 NLT

“How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world.

Motivation of Satan

Satan wanted to be God so in a way Satan was given restricted powers to be the god of this World. What he hates most is when his plan for mankind is foiled with by God. Imagine being meddled with in your plans for a person’s destiny. Satan grooms people for the World and then God takes that person out of the World to follow Him. What a serious implication and what a great impediment to the kingdom of darkness. If you were groomed for the World by the enemy, be aware that there will be serious resistence and temptation from the Kingdom of darkness. Satan wants you back and he will fight and challenge our faith to come back to him.

Thankfully, in the finale depicted in Revelation, Michael and Heaven’s troops will defeat the dragon and his kingdom. What a glorious moment that will be.

Revelation 12:7–9 NLT

Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.

Satan’s Destiny

Satan may have enjoyed restricted reign on the Earth as a vessel of false light. He has much enjoyment in blinding people away from the oracles of true light in the gospel and Christ alone. However, in times and seasons that look towards the end of this age, Satan is well aware that Christ is drawing the final finale where He will reign forever and ever. Therefore, Satan will be like a roaring lion as he assesses his destiny in the pit of hell, out of Gods way for good, taking vessels planned for dishonour and destruction with him.

Revelation 12:12 NLT

Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.”

Everything will conclude in a twinkling of an eye. We will rejoice with our Saviour, living to please Him and worship Him in Spirit and truth. The agents of Heaven will never again cross the Father and the God-head, knowing all too well the punishment that rebellion brings within the Hevenly hosts. Adam gave us access to the fallen World as Satan usurped authority from Him only to be reconciled back to the Father by Christ’s victory on the cross - the second Adam.

God’s Redemption and Purpose

God has never abandoned us. He is just as alive as ever, seeking people for His own. God chooses us on our merits. He has orchestrated your journey motivated by Heaven, as we come to grips of what the origin and purpose of life is all about. Christian, are you following the Great Commission? If you are, your life is on show and your rewards are Heaven bound. Do not just go to Church but live out your faith, be guided by the Father and perform exploits for God. Can you write? Can you sing? Can you preach or teach? Work out how to reach your World and be bold and courageous, working out your faith with fear and trembling to a reverent God.

Ensure you are planted by God and do not allow God to uproot you. Make sure you are destined with God and not rooted in deception to fall into a ditch.

Division

In contemplating our walk with God, we have to realise that by sharing Jesus, we will lose people and be persecuted. This is natural as we must choose Christ over our family and friends. People do not know the Christ who has been presented to us. Our conviction will infuriate people who we are close to and love. Do not be surprised when our faith is challenged by people close to us. This describes the conflict between two mutually inclusive Kingdoms. The World despised Jesus and will most certainly hate us as well. We are not part of the World any more. We are redeemed and shaped for Heaven. We are direct enemies of the Kingdom of Darkness. If we are not being persecuted we have to ask are we being effective. Why? Because we are all promised persecution. If we are of the World then the World will love its own. Expect an attack and be gallant in your resolve against evil. Acknowledge Christ and Jesus will acknowledge our path and lead us to the Father.

Matthew 10:32–35 NLT

“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. ‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

We have to make a choice - our dreams in the World or our destiny in Christ alone. Job’s faith was chellanged and so will ours. Will you do the honourable thing and be for Christ or will you beat around the bush and not challenge your peers and family?

Be the one who shares Christ to a dark World. Do not be selfish and hide the powers of redemption in dark and lost World. By reaching out and sharing Christ, you are saving people from a multitude of sins and possibly a wide destruction to hell.

Conclusion

Are you a warrior? Do you act heroically in doing what is right? Do you bring the Great Commission to the forefront of your life?

We are all challenged in our faith as we continue to face opposition. But Jesus is the answer to everything. If you are mourning a death of a loved one or have contracted a serious disease, take heart - Jesus has overcome the World and knows exactly what you are going through.

Be encouraged - whether we live or die, we are the LORDS! We are all destined to die and ultimately, God takes us home when He is ready. Ironically, it is best that we depart and be with Christ forever. However, as Paul states, should the Lord have us tarry, then there is a job to be done! What opportunity awaits us who are alive with the Saints.

Soldier, march on, serve your King and be an advocate on His behalf. There is a war going on and the enemy is on guard as he does not want you to damage him further by allowing God to pluck people up from the World and give them a new heart - a new mission.

We do not want to become a slave to the World ever again. We all know the works of darkness. The World loves its own. Do not be startled with that. Be of good courage and press on towards the goal. Finish your calling and be light to this fallen, cruel World.

Amen.