He Wants Preeminence
We are living in a day when the church is seeking unity with mutual respect, love and peace. In the past, many people have been hurt and suffered because of dissension and divisiveness. The body is waiting to reunite brother to brother.
We also hear about a one world system that will gain financial control over the entire world. There are schemes manipulating groups to join forces. Much of our news reporting has nothing to do with facts or truth because the call of the people doesn’t matter; what matters is what the governments seek. But God laughs because nothing will happen that He has not ordained first. When man determines his own destiny, total corruption takes over! No matter how good it sounds, corruption always follows what man attempts to promote. I am not advising mistrust in our government; I am simply stating a fact of God’s Word.
Christianity was not birthed out of a democracy; it was born out of an empire. True Christianity will flourish under any kind of government whether it is a dictator or other system including democracy.
We think that Christians suffer the most under dictatorship, but that concept may be wrong. Christians may suffer the most under a democratic-capitalistic system because it lulls the saints to sleep in their complacent way of living. Because the church of America does not live a righteous godly life, God is not going to listen to people’s prayers until they begin to obey Him. The church is not bearing witness of righteous living. Too many believers are not carrying their cross and presenting their body a living sacrifice to God. It is not the other countries of the world that send out the pornography and fund vile arts from taxpayers. It is America!
Which do we love the most – freedom or righteousness? One of the most basic reasons America is hated is not because of our freedom but because of our lack of righteousness. The Muslims, who call us “the great Satan,” do not see us according to our professed faith in Jesus Christ but according to our actions which often do not glorify God.
What are we willing to give up to see America saved? What do we fear we are going to lose as these days culminate the end of time? What is the issue really about - Unity and oneness are what we are seeking!
Gen 11:1-2 (KJV) “And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. (2) And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.”
The land referred to in the above verses is present day Iraq, and the time is a mere 175 years since God had destroyed the earth with a flood. Everyone on earth lived as one family and they all spoke the same language. There were no dialects and no wars, just peace, love and harmony (apparently). IT IS TOWARD THIS END THE WORLD GOVERNMENT IS WORKING.
Gen 11:3-4 (KJV) “And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar. (4) And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.”
They had two goals: one was to reach heaven by their own efforts. The other was to decide on a name so that everyone knew they belonged. This suggests that they were all in love with each other in a state of harmony. And because of this harmony, they had no need for God to do anything. By joining together they sought to avoid war, famine and all other miseries that come by suspicion and hatred.
It is important to understand why God did not allow this unity to remain. His concern was not a matter of unity but one of relationship with Himself.
What was God’s response to their idea of harmony? (Genesis 11:5-8) God realized because the people were one they would soon develop a sophisticated civilization. What is wrong with that? THIS IS NOT WHAT GOD WANTS! God deliberately broke up the family into nations that would war against each other throughout history. God did not want one human family living together in their “love” so they could do whatever they wanted.
God wants each person to have a personal relationship with Himself, to be dealt with individually so none becomes so wrapped up with another as to neglect the greater purpose. GOD IS JEALOUS. He wants our hearts with no person, thing or situation allowed to come between Himself and us. God will not permit it – NEVER. GOD MUST BE FIRST! HE MUST HAVE PREEMINENCE!
We must love the Lord our God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind and all our strength. There is no greater commandment, no greater law. BUT HOW MANY DO THIS?
God’s desire certainly was not important to the builders of the Tower of Babel. Although in love with themselves, they surely recalled what had happened just 175 years earlier.
There are two desires in the human heart: One is to get to heaven by our own ability and the other is to join with other people so there is a common name or group within which you can say “This is who I am! This is where I belong!”
The Antichrist will make himself god and he will be permitted to reach up into the heavens and attack the host of Heaven. When this assault happens, the host will be tested in the area of obedience just as we are being tested now. Daniel 8:12 tells us this happens because of rebellion and it will prosper until truth is thrown down to the ground.
IT IS BECAUSE OF REBELLION THAT TRUTH WILL NOT INCREASE IN A PERSON’S LIFE! God does not want a people who live by their own abilities; He does not want a people who join with others so they can accomplish their goals – even religious or humanitarian ones. God’s way is to call to Himself those He can freely deal with everyday until every aspect of their life is so conformed to the image of Christ they can enter into the rest of God.
The world will never understand this transformation. Americans accept the statement “born-again.” But they haven’t a clue what it means to be led by the Spirit of God. Most Christians have no problem being born-again, but ask them to surrender all to follow Christ and that is too much to require. And because of a hesitation to give themselves totally over to the Lord Jesus, they are being deceived. They will live out of soulish love that does not last. They will flee from circumstances they find too restrictive. They will continue to seek after someone like themselves but will never find lasting peace.
The cry of the hour from the Spirit of God is more love, more power, more of You in my life, for these bring holiness and obedience.
People cannot love their neighbor like themselves without first loving God with all their heart. Otherwise, the love becomes idolatry. All that we value must be given to God so He can give it back to us purified. God will not give back to us those things that may harm us. Nothing is to be held back from the Lord. He is Lord of all or He is not Lord at all. ARE YOU DAILY PLACING YOUR ALL ON THE ALTAR?
We do not have to fear what takes place in America or the rest of the world. We pray for those in authority and leadership; but whether we have freedom or not, God must be permitted to make us into the image of His beloved Son. The only fear you need is not serving the Lord completely in every area of your life by following the Spirit of Christ.
The unity of the church will be Christ in us in God. Unity can never be accomplished by flesh and blood. Only that which is born of Christ, His body and blood, can be brought into unity in the Godhead. That means each of us must have a personal and living relationship with God free from idolatry.
Now you know why God did what He did at Babel. He is not interested in people’s ideas of unity since these ultimately brings rebellion.
What about the unity of the church? What are we supposed to do? When the hour came, Noah did not have to go after the animals to bring them into the ark. They were moved upon by the Spirit of God. Noah obeyed God in building the ark and God filled the boat.
It was Satan who was having his way in building the Tower of Babel. It is the same today. But God will use Satan’s attacks against the elect to further His own purpose in building the Kingdom of God. God wants you to have a portion of Christ for yourself.
Do you have an undistracted relationship with Jesus Christ? Is your all on the altar? Is there something in your life that you love more than God, or do you live in fear of losing what you have? He wants preeminence. Perhaps you feel alone, isolated, desiring unity – Let Jesus fill the void and you will find the place where you belong.
-Pr. Steve
March Newsletter 2010 | He Wants Preeminence 1003
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