In these End-Time days we see our country falling down around our heads. Giving itself over to every desire of the flesh, or every feeling that does not require any type of discipline. No one wants to deal with themselves. "If it feels good, do it!"
Our nation has turned its back on God. We see many Christians so caught up in the things of the world, or in pleasing themselves. That is all they think about and nothing else. They measure their faith or standing with God, by the amount of material possessions they have. For example, how big a house they have, or the kind of car they drive, or the jewelry they wear. Or even worse, they trust in a man, and what he tells them. Instead of learning to trust God and walk in his continual presence, strong in the Word, tested and tried. "They should be obedient to the Word of God, rather than a feeling."
It's time for the sheep to mature and follow the "True Shepherd." The word shepherd means, someone who is the herder of the sheep. It is time for those in ministry to realize that they are not the true shepherds, but they watch over and help protect the sheep for the True Shepherd. The True Shepherd leads the flock to safe pasture. The office of the sheep master, or Chief Shepherd was one of great trust as well as honor. It was the shepherd's duty to count them daily, every tenth lamb belonged to God. He was responsible to find the lost ones. Leviticus 27:32 talks about all of the flock that passes under the herdsman's staff. That is every tenth lamb shall be holy unto the Lord, (become God's property.)
Verse 33 - The man shall not examine whether the animal is good or bad, nor shall he exchange it; if he does exchange it, then both the tenth lamb and the animal substituted for it shall be holy, it shall not be redeemed. These are the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses on Mount Sinai for the Israelites ...thus, signifying that every lamb that the staff falls on belongs to the Lord. The lamb is accepted just the way it is. We come to Jesus just the way we are, and he saves us and begins that awesome task of healing, restoration, and discipline. He uses many instruments in our lives to help us adjust and become His Will, and feed in His green pasture. Whether it is a herdsman or a sheep dog that is sent to tend the sheep, the sheep learn to obey in what every discipline that the Lord uses. Jesus said that my sheep know my voice, and a stranger's voice they will not follow. (St. John 10)
1st John 3:1-24. See what an incredible quality of love the Father has given us, that we should be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know us, is that it does not know Him. The sons of God must find out who they really are in Jesus Christ, and stand and take their birthright. This birthright is given to the Sons of God through the shed blood of the Lamb, our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, and the only True Shepherd!
Christ the Head, we, the body, chosen by Him to be His Body. Can a head operate without a body? Can a body operate without a head? Christ is our sovereign God, able to do anything He desires. He chose to share His inheritance, and true birthright. With His creation He made us in His own image. Jesus shed His own blood for us, gave up His own life here on earth for us that we might be called Sons of God; (Romans 8:14) for all who are lead by the Spirit of God are the Sons of God. As His chosen body, we shall accomplish the work of the "Great Commission." (Mark 16:17): And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe; In my Name they will rive out demons, they will speak in new languages; they will pick up serpents, and even if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well. (AMP).
Is there not a world out there, lost in darkness, suffering, being destroyed, deceived and ultimately brought to death itself? Unless we the body step up into maturity and take our place as the joint heirs of Jesus, the lost will perish. The True Sons of God in the earth knows that they are standing in the power of God's might. Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father making intercessions for us. Not just for our salvation and healing, but for empowering us to be conformed to His Image and become His Likeness (St. John 1:12). But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, and right) to become the Sons of God, that is to those who believe, adhere to trust in, and rely on His Name. Those who owe their birth neither to bloods, nor to the will of the flesh (that of physical impulse), nor to the will of man (that of a natural father), but to God -- They are born of God!
John 15:12-13 tells us that there is no greater love has any man that he lay down his life for his friend, or loved one. Our Lord did that for us. What we must understand is that He required the same from us. Paul said "I die daily". If we are willing to die to the flesh and this world, we can walk in the spirit, in the power of His word, more every day. We are becoming more and more conformed to His Word. Therefore, conformed to His image and likeness.
1st Peter 1:13 tells us we will be Holy as Jesus is Holy. There is no gray area nor any middle ground in God. We must give God our all, even as He has given us all. We must come together standing strong in the power of His might. As Paul said in Ephesians 6:10-24, "having done all to stand, stand against the power of Satan, stand with your loins girded with truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the Gospel of the preparation of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God."
So I urge you who are reading this article to take the instructions of The Book of Hebrews 12:1-5 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every encumbrance. Not caring or always understanding how it got there. The weights of this world continues to drag us down, and prevents us from becoming what God intended us to be. We must deal with ourselves and "Sanctify the Vessel." We must be willing to lay everything we hold dear in this world down forever! We must, in fact, die to our flesh. Just as Jesus died for us. We were bought with a price ... His Blood. He sacrificed himself willingly so He could draw us, as His Body to Himself, and becoming one with Him. Christ the Head, and we are His Body, both inseparable.
Let God arise and His enemies be scattered! How do we do this? (Hebrews 12:2) Fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Jesus is the author, and he started the work in you. He is the finisher of the work. Faith comes in where we lay our will down and die that Jesus may live. He will finish His work in us if we stay fixed in Him. Jesus is the Word, and His life is in you. As we do this faithfully, His will shall be performed in us. As we decrease, He increases in us, until we are totally consumed by Him. LET IT BE SO LORD, IN US ALL!
Let the Sons of God arise so we can usher in the coming of the Lord. His perfect will be done in all of us!