sjCohen
Member
In the Garden of Eden there was no hierarchy or chain of command within each respected species; both humans and animals served God. Every thing was perfect. Though man had dominion over all of the animals, respectively all acknowledged God as the great I AM.
After man sinned against God by rebelling against His Sovereignty, blatantly declaring "I have no need of you", this "fallen condition" infected all of creation. Death entered the life stage and brought about a competition for status. Alpha leaders were now desired, and believed needed by every species, both man and animal, irrelevant to occasional behaviors of solitary existence shared by both; for even these individuals respected or feared others mightier than they.
Man and animals now lived in tribes or ran in herds, packs or pods; the leaders were respected above all other individuals and were often adorned with crowns, special titles or privileges, etc. Territories were fought over, conquests were frequent; life was cheap. Man forgot about God and lived for himself.
Self-achievement became paramount; hierarchies became the norm. Empathy was replaced by abuse and ruthlessness, lies and dishonesty; love was now a demand for personal satisfaction, the partners needs was considered unimportant. Life was brutal and unforgiving.
Throughout history man has looked to their human counterparts for leadership and spiritual fulfillment. God was no longer recognized as the Ruler Of The Universe; fallen man's rebellion extended even against the fact of God existence.
Israel related only to the laws given to them by God through Moses, actually perceiving the Law as a god itself, instead of relating with the Giver of the Law, God Himself.
Various denominations were organized to distract man from God, continuing the hierarchy of the fallen condition, directing them to a false counterpart, whether an idol cast by human hands or an individual appointed as a sovereign priest; as if an idol or human can forgive sins or bless a soul with Eternal Life.
Man coveted titles of spiritual authority as if the "title" was going to make them someone special in the hierarchy of society. Did Jesus do this?
Imagine Jesus coming on the world stage announcing to the crowds in a loud voice, "Make way, I have arrived. I am the savior of the world. Worship me."
Jesus told them, "In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called 'friends of the people.' But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves. [Luke 22:25-27]
Jesus said, "For I am among you as one who serves."
Serves who...man? No, the Living God, and no one else.
Understand this: Man's hierarchy or chain of command is a fallen condition and is totally misguided. In God's Kingdom the only King is God, there is no respecter of persons. Earthly titles and status perishes upon death; no one can take it with them. All relationships with the earth is an act of rebellion against God.
James wrote,"You adulterers! Don't you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God." [James 4:4]
What are you going to do when God calls you home? Are you going to approach the Throne of Grace with your nose turned arrogantly upward proclaiming, "Make way, make way, I have arrived, the great pastor, or apostle, or prophet, or...whatever...is now in your presence." Or, are you going to try to give credit to the church or denomination you belonged to on earth, saying, "My priest forgave me of all of my sins therefore, open the gates of Heaven to me."
Mercy, that should be a really good show. I wouldn't want to watch, neither would I want to be in your shoes.
In conclusion, all relationships with this world, its' hierarchy or chain of command is a declaration before God and all the spiritual powers in high places, including all of mankind, that you remain in the fallen condition and are still alienated to God. Believe me, the devil rejoices, for you still belong to him!
Misguided relationships need to be corrected. Redirect your misguided relationship and serve God alone; not man. Please remember, respecting authority is totally different than serving man.
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free. [Ephesians 6:5-8]
Walk humbly before Him leaving all "status" and reward in His control; you serve the Lord for an eternal reward.
"For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him. "There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him. But anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants. " [John 3:16-21]
God loves you so much.
Steve J. Cohen
©2009-2013 Steve J. Cohen_Kingdom Blog Press. All Rights Reserved Worldwide
After man sinned against God by rebelling against His Sovereignty, blatantly declaring "I have no need of you", this "fallen condition" infected all of creation. Death entered the life stage and brought about a competition for status. Alpha leaders were now desired, and believed needed by every species, both man and animal, irrelevant to occasional behaviors of solitary existence shared by both; for even these individuals respected or feared others mightier than they.
Man and animals now lived in tribes or ran in herds, packs or pods; the leaders were respected above all other individuals and were often adorned with crowns, special titles or privileges, etc. Territories were fought over, conquests were frequent; life was cheap. Man forgot about God and lived for himself.
Self-achievement became paramount; hierarchies became the norm. Empathy was replaced by abuse and ruthlessness, lies and dishonesty; love was now a demand for personal satisfaction, the partners needs was considered unimportant. Life was brutal and unforgiving.
Throughout history man has looked to their human counterparts for leadership and spiritual fulfillment. God was no longer recognized as the Ruler Of The Universe; fallen man's rebellion extended even against the fact of God existence.
Israel related only to the laws given to them by God through Moses, actually perceiving the Law as a god itself, instead of relating with the Giver of the Law, God Himself.
Various denominations were organized to distract man from God, continuing the hierarchy of the fallen condition, directing them to a false counterpart, whether an idol cast by human hands or an individual appointed as a sovereign priest; as if an idol or human can forgive sins or bless a soul with Eternal Life.
Man coveted titles of spiritual authority as if the "title" was going to make them someone special in the hierarchy of society. Did Jesus do this?
Imagine Jesus coming on the world stage announcing to the crowds in a loud voice, "Make way, I have arrived. I am the savior of the world. Worship me."
Jesus told them, "In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called 'friends of the people.' But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves. [Luke 22:25-27]
Jesus said, "For I am among you as one who serves."
Serves who...man? No, the Living God, and no one else.
Understand this: Man's hierarchy or chain of command is a fallen condition and is totally misguided. In God's Kingdom the only King is God, there is no respecter of persons. Earthly titles and status perishes upon death; no one can take it with them. All relationships with the earth is an act of rebellion against God.
James wrote,"You adulterers! Don't you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God." [James 4:4]
What are you going to do when God calls you home? Are you going to approach the Throne of Grace with your nose turned arrogantly upward proclaiming, "Make way, make way, I have arrived, the great pastor, or apostle, or prophet, or...whatever...is now in your presence." Or, are you going to try to give credit to the church or denomination you belonged to on earth, saying, "My priest forgave me of all of my sins therefore, open the gates of Heaven to me."
Mercy, that should be a really good show. I wouldn't want to watch, neither would I want to be in your shoes.
In conclusion, all relationships with this world, its' hierarchy or chain of command is a declaration before God and all the spiritual powers in high places, including all of mankind, that you remain in the fallen condition and are still alienated to God. Believe me, the devil rejoices, for you still belong to him!
Misguided relationships need to be corrected. Redirect your misguided relationship and serve God alone; not man. Please remember, respecting authority is totally different than serving man.
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free. [Ephesians 6:5-8]
Walk humbly before Him leaving all "status" and reward in His control; you serve the Lord for an eternal reward.
"For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him. "There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him. But anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants. " [John 3:16-21]
God loves you so much.
Steve J. Cohen
©2009-2013 Steve J. Cohen_Kingdom Blog Press. All Rights Reserved Worldwide