...far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.Jesus' authority is absolute. He is seated "at God's right hand in the heavenly places far above all rule and authority and power and dominion."
His is "the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." [Philippians 2:9-11 NASB]
We are told by the apostle Peter, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” [Acts 4:12 NASB]
It is in the name of Jesus that we are saved and receive the Holy Spirit. In His name we are healed. In His name we have authority to cast out demons, and in His name no evil spirit can overtake us.
It is the name of Jesus that we represent to the world. He is "head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." We are the expression of Christ. He fills the world through us.
If you represent Jesus to the world, how do you want Jesus to be represented? How do you want the world to respond to His name?
There are those who oppose Christ and the church because the church represents God, and they will be opposed to Him. They are those of whom Jesus said, "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies." [John 8:44 NASB]
It is the name of Jesus that we represent to the world. He is "head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." We are the expression of Christ. He fills the world through us.
If you represent Jesus to the world, how do you want Jesus to be represented? How do you want the world to respond to His name?
There are those who oppose Christ and the church because the church represents God, and they will be opposed to Him. They are those of whom Jesus said, "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies." [John 8:44 NASB]
But I hear far too many people who are simply turned off by what they perceive of the church. "They are a bunch of hypocrites." Or "You hate me and my kind." Or "They are all self-righteous, and shouldn't be judging me."
Unfortunately, their complaints are valid. We've come up with cliche's to explain away our failings. "I'm just a sinner saved by grace." Or "I'm not perfect, I'm just forgiven." Or "I hate the sin, but love the sinner". Or "I'm not judgmental, I'm just speaking the truth."
But the world we are trying to reach doesn't see those distinctions. They only see people who act just like they do, then go to church. Or they hear people screaming at them and telling them that they are going to hell. They see Christian activists protesting them. Do you really think your activist protests show the love of God?
Jesus sat down and ate with sinners. He identified with them and loved them without compromising His values, and without condemning them.
The apostle Paul told us not to judge the immoral people of the world. "I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler — not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?" [1 Corinthians 5:9-12 NASB]
Unfortunately, their complaints are valid. We've come up with cliche's to explain away our failings. "I'm just a sinner saved by grace." Or "I'm not perfect, I'm just forgiven." Or "I hate the sin, but love the sinner". Or "I'm not judgmental, I'm just speaking the truth."
But the world we are trying to reach doesn't see those distinctions. They only see people who act just like they do, then go to church. Or they hear people screaming at them and telling them that they are going to hell. They see Christian activists protesting them. Do you really think your activist protests show the love of God?
Jesus sat down and ate with sinners. He identified with them and loved them without compromising His values, and without condemning them.
The apostle Paul told us not to judge the immoral people of the world. "I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler — not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?" [1 Corinthians 5:9-12 NASB]
If the world will vilify the name of Jesus, let it be because they oppose the Spirit of God, not because we have given them just cause.
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