Sons of God – Part 3

As we seek to understand the manifestation or demonstration of the sons of God, we must come to an understanding of their purpose and how they function. These are common people with unusual strength, and they are marked by demonstration of the Holy Spirit. These are not men of great notoriety among mankind but they are known in the heavens, this being the realm in which they operate. They are the Daniels, intervening before the throne of God pleading for His intervention in many different phases and regions of spiritual environments. The manifestations of the sons of God are more clearly manifested in the secret places of the Most High. They are known in the heavens among a cloud of witnesses but are still among the living on earth. Like all humans, these creatures of dust were formed by the hand of God, however after they found salvation in Christ they ceased not to follow after deeper spiritual perfection and usefulness such the Holy Spirit alone can produce within a willing pursuant.
Death and the ensuing resurrection comprise the victory through which these saints transform into holy sons of God, divinely fitted by the Holy Spirit. There are a thousand deaths someone like this will experience, creating a thirst for pure righteousness in the face of the weakness they wrestle with. The depth of spiritual familiarity within a true son, who walks in human flesh while yet reigning with Jesus, seems to isolate them to where the cost required for deeper discipleship dissipates. The sons of God on earth have the pedigree of pure unadulterated sonship, being separated unto the Father in a way far deeper than can be achieved by human effort. These sons have learned to move as the Holy Spirit leads them through deeper truth that can alone be known by courage in faith. Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Emphasis added.) This verse answers the question of our own position. Many know very little about being led by the Holy Spirit, and further, take offense at the suggestion of its importance. These vessels of mercy have consecrated themselves for divine servanthood deeply desiring after the love of their master.
Days and years slip by as we see the world’s condition deteriorate into an assemblage of evil, the end fast approaching. The vast majority of Christians seem to be without influence or ideas as to what the true answer is. God will have a specific people of spiritual intervention to supplicate before Him, presenting appeals in accordance to the written word. This is the usefulness of His sons. God will call these to stand before Him in faith and present His spoken promises back to Him in the shaping of history till the end. 2 Corinthians 5:18 and all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. Reconciliation meaning restoration. God does depend on humans to fulfill His complete plan. I believe as the end approaches the Lord will do a new work on the earth. 2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. I understand that the new heaven and new earth are yet to appear. We have no record that this has transpired since it was written by the hand of Peter. I believe that the manifestation of the sons of God will become much more visibly effective when this new thing transpires.
The enemies of God are bold and influential spirits that use the tree of knowledge to wage warfare against the kingdom of God. The ministry of sons of God is vast and encompasses many facets of true kingdom work. A great part of the tasks performed by these children of God is in proclaiming the finished work of the cross and the empowerment it brings. The voices of God’s sons must proclaim the power that has been delivered to them in Jesus. This will break the yokes of the imprisoned. This supreme intervention from Spirit-led saints has eternal importance. They have the power to intervene in the heavens where principalities and powers have clouded territories and laid claim with tribal-type strongholds.
These sons stand with great boldness in their secret closets as priests and kings unto the true God. They know the heart of God at a depth which few dare to pursue. They are the ones who find a position of purpose before God that can only exist by faith. They understand the kind of spiritual boldness that thrusts us through the veil that was severed in the temple at the death of Christ. These are those that lay before God with the cry, “Here am I”. Hallelujah!

Sons of God?

Where are the Sons of God? There is a great mystery and misinterpretation about man’s function in the Kingdom of God on Earth and the ability he is to perform with as an overcomer. There are numerous accounts where Jesus speaks about flesh and blood that give understanding on things not naturally perceived. After Jesus spoke to the disciples in John 6 Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Why is it that there are so many that seem so lifeless? It comes from having so little of Jesus within our life. The true sons of God do eat His flesh and drink His blood in a spiritual sense that the natural man finds no understanding in. Our flesh part of man needs exchanged by the flesh and body of Christ and so our blood has to be exchanged for His. The spiritual application seems insensitive but is very real. The spiritual son has distinct realities where he is given the option to put on Christ and suffer the consequences. It is at this point where our outer man must decrease.

As Jesus spoke more on the subject it became so offensive to them that many disciples left Him and walked no more with Him. We must never forget that the natural mind cannot receive anything from the Spirit of God. It is actually impossible according to the Bible. An easier way to understand this is simply that the Holy Spirit does not speak to the natural mind. Our flesh and blood cannot even inherit the kingdom of God and therefore there has to be a sovereign exchange. This exchange is clearly the sub-humiliation of the professing saints under the sphere of laying down our life for an eternal one that bears the nature and presence of Christ. This is not near anything that most Christians experience but is the only means given to become Christ-like in nature. These are sons of God. 1 Corinthians 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God… So how does this all work or how do we understand the deeper Christian life? Since these are facts concerning eternal life, it needs to concern us deeply about the deeper understanding of Christ’s gateway of salvation in a deeper sense than most ever walk in. Paul could not speak much about this because of their carnal condition as they were only on milk and carried the ability to hold offence. We clearly read Paul’s dilemma in 1 Corinthians 3.

I want to address this subject and the different facets of genuineness to draw us to truth. First, I find it important to understand what the Bible says about our needy mind. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. When a person has been transformed by salvation, something transpires from the throne of God that grants divine authority and opportunity for that soul to enter the door of divine sonship. It is alone possible through the narrow path of spiritual faith. It is absolutely not automatic but only a doorway. John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: We understand that power to become offers a suggestion and not a final act of transition. God has granted this power to all them that choose to believe. Most have no idea what the Bible speaks about here and would even argue that all are sons yet could never confess that they would be themselves.

Among the deepest cries of spiritual earthen vessels is the spiritual expectation for the sons of God to manifest themselves as men of power and authority so great that even Satan trembles. Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. The earnest expectation of the creature speaks about anticipation, possibility and hope for the deeper work of the Holy Spirit. One distinguished criteria manifested in true sons of God is boldness through meekness that causes them to be led by the Holy Spirit always. Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. True sons of God are at a loss without the Holy Spirit’s constant presence. It is a daily continuous relationship of cohesive action that divides the ties of the human understanding of spiritual things. I will write further on this subject for the next reading.
Hallelujah!

Discipled

Discipleship—what do I know about it? Is it something I attain to? We are living at the close of the age, a time when the church will face a great dilemma. People are turning away from understanding concerning the importance of having the mind of Christ. This dilemma is a mystery of iniquity, working through the avenue of rebellion when one deems his own preferences more important than true discipleship and spiritual reconciliation within one’s spiritual character. This is the partiality of self-willed vagabonds and drifters; they drink from their own table the lightness of mere milk, or even less than that. The hard things they have not learned. Things such as giving up, admitting wrong, surrendering offenses and many childish immaturities they have never resolved. I have come to a place in my position of leadership, where I will not allow anyone to speak in the congregation that is not under the consistent ministry of a shepherd. What I typically find in these wanderers is an untamed character that lives on its own premises of self-trust, despising the ones who possess qualities they admire. This yields results of individuality that are extremely harmful in the kingdom of God. In the book of Jude, we are given the complete description of these wandering stars. These often live off diets of easily digested milk, because it suits their own agenda.

Milk comes from the same source as the meat. Am I a Christian that has gone through life barely tasting meat? Have I become offended by those who dive into deeper depths of revelation and truth? There is a deeper well that most are not willing to pursue by conformity to God’s way. As true people of deeper faith, we can never take the thief’s route and steal into the fold without entering through the door. Many people will glean their sustenance almost entirely from others that have been led into deeper depths by their love for God, and obedience through the Holy Spirit. John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. V.2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. V.3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. V.4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
The true sheep will never fear unless the shepherd is the one that says, ‘wolf!’. There are other voices that cry wolf, but you can only trust the true shepherd. One of the clear signs of a true shepherd is that he calls his sheep by name. What does this mean? He knows them from walking with them for years through the many incidents they face.

There is a desperate need within the heart of every true saint to be transformed by the power of God on a continual basis in ways that are severe and extreme to the natural state of man. This seems easy until there arises the detested word—submission. The word submission suggests the humbling of one’s self in ways beyond what is easy. It is the surrender taking one from pride to humility, that Jesus requires for His children. This transformation of one’s character is what points to the true spiritual person, or the remains of a carnal man. A man will never be used by God if he cannot walk in submission to the one God places over him. It might appear differently at first, but true results are lasting. Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls.

Many professors of Christ have no understanding of this truth. My experience in being a shepherd is quite extensive. I have rarely heard the request to be discipled in over 30 years of ministry. We live in a time when discipleship has become a gigantic problem because the age of rebellion has spilled over into Christianity. There are many who could become useful in the kingdom, but instead they become offended in small matters, and the result is simple—God will choose to not use them. How many times have I stood before a situation in someone’s life, but could not touch it because their carnal mind would turn to offense. If God is not using us, the reason is quite simple, and we must question: am I teachable? Am I a carrier of offences and what have I proven in this? Have I experienced true, holy submission to man and God? Do I honor and respect in all situations?

May this become a central part of your life, else God will continue to look for other people to use, and you will continue in uselessness. 1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

The Centurions Marvel

One of the greatest things given to us in life is the tool of hearing. The hearing I refer to is not the function of the physical ear. While our natural hearing is a wonderful gift and value to the body, it can never replace that hearing which is spiritual. I have crossed paths with some of the most frustrated, lifeless Christians who don’t hold even a slight concept of what I am addressing today. I taught a small group monthly for over a year on this subject and some never heard or perceived what frustrates their life of mystification. It is clear as crystal to some, and to others as dark and mysterious as the murkiest sludge. What causes this problem? Is it demonic? Is it a curse, or simply fixed stubbornness riddled with inflexibility? I personally believe it can be all of the above.

The lives that are affected by this dilemma all seem to have strongholds of dark chains, yet they also have many concrete opinions and answers. When these people hear the true answer, it is quickly stolen so as not to taint their own vagueness. They inhabit the realms of ambiguous struggles so deep that they become a misery in whatever place they function. My heart goes out to those who are held under this dark cloud. There is a treacherous problem that these also possess—they will wound the saints of God when given opportunity. My prayer is that there would be deliverance for all who read this who are affected by this phenomenon and are caught in this hidden struggle. This kind of people I do not naturally desire to communicate with because they receive understanding different than that which has been spoken. Their receptive channels of hearing are polluted with preconceived biases, making it dangerous to talk with them.

Jesus found this problem among the Pharisees and Sadducees, as well as others in His day. The strongholds of predetermined thought took Jesus’ words completely out of context on many occasions. Finally, Jesus chose to speak in parables which they could not begin to understand, nor could they pin anything on him this way. And then He met the Centurion! This man had a servant who was sick with palsy and grievously tormented. Matthew 8:7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. V.8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. V.9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. V.10 When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Jesus called this composition of authority faith. What is the cure for hearing? It is faith which is not understood by many.

The problem with hearing is—we think it unimportant and even optional. I am and have been a man under authority ever since I was filled with the Holy Spirit. I learned this rather quickly. I am also a man that employs many people because my ministry has always been self-supporting. When I speak to a man in management and ask him with specific instructions to complete something, if he is under authority, it will be done just as requested and all will work like clockwork. Now my authority is validated, his authority is validated, and his subordinate’s authority is validated. This is extremely important. Here I have four authorities under authority and it is perfectly finished as authorized. If one of these men decides he knows better and bypasses orders, he is therefore not under authority. The end result is incompletion and all is in chaos. Jesus encountered a man like this who needed healing for his servant. One of this commanding officer’s ranking servants was down with an incurable sickness and in torment.

Jesus said this man had the greatest faith in all of Israel. This is exactly how faith works. The Centurion made a profound statement. What was it? “I am a man under authority”? No, but that is the structure! He said speak the word only! He understood rank and authority. Then he explains his basis for this faith. He declared that if Jesus would only speak the word, it would be so, because he had faith that Jesus was under authority. People with the problem of hearing do struggle with speak the word only. They feel they need their murky words in it as well. God, let us understand our hearing problem and bless the order in which your word abounds. Heal our hearing and place us under the authority you set before us so that your freedom can prevail within.

Set Under Authority

Someone stopped by my residence in the past week who made a statement that astonished me. He was talking about his job and the boss he works under. He said that the general manager of the company understands authority but the owner has no idea what authority is. This type of business owner puts a manager in place, then tries to rule through them. People like this cause turmoil and all kinds of confusion and strangle the organizational flow from top to bottom. This type of person has a detrimental issue deep within. It is created by mistrust that is fashioned within, from the problem of not feeling valued. There are many small business owners that can never grow a company on a healthy larger platform because of this problem of control. These people reign in suspicion which comes from deep personal pride. Proprietors such as this cause disorganization everywhere that they function when it involves more than a handful of people. They have all the answers for everyone else yet have great personal depravity and are dysfunctional icons.

There was a certain centurion’s servant who was important and dear to his master but he lay sick and dying while Jesus was in Capernaum. This centurion sent the elders of the Jews to request Jesus to come to heal him. Jesus departed with them to go to the house where the servant was dying. As He came closer to the house, the centurion sent several of his personal friends to meet Jesus and said unto Him:
Luke 7:6 Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: V.7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

The centurion understood something that people only understand once they walk under the submission of authority.

Luke 7:8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. V.9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

This astounding statement from the centurion was an expression that so few people are ever humble enough to walk in. Let us gain understanding from this statement of truth. Have you ever wondered why God is not using you much? It can be concluded by a small, powerful statement the centurion made: “SET UNDER AUTHORITY”.  A person will never have more authority than what he is submitted to. The centurion did not have to go to the battle field to fight; the battle was not his to fight. The centurion was in charge of the soldiers, the soldiers were in charge of the battle. The centurion had trust in the soldiers and the soldiers had faith in the centurion. The ancient military chain of command charts a tribute from the king to the general – lieutenants – tribunes – centurion – signifier – soldiers. The final combat was fought by the soldier, yet the battle was won by the king. If the soldier refuses to be on familiar terms with his superior in command via submission, then he will soon become useless or ultimately destroyed by the enemy.

Jesus marveled significantly at the words of the centurion and called it the greatest faith; not seen in all of Israel. The centurion certainly heard the common testimony of Jesus as being a healer. He understood that Jesus heals under authority of a power higher than Himself. This authority was from the Father which is in Heaven. The centurion knew that Jesus was in submission to the Father, because the commands of the Father were being performed through manifested healing throughout Galilee. When the centurion declared Jesus to be Lord, he was automatically placed under His authority and he knew that his servant was under His authority as well. There was only one other thing to do and that was: Jesus, just say the word. Hallelujah!

One important fact must be understood before we can live a life set under spiritual authority: being in our position under the authority over us is not something that happens through our intellectual understanding. Authority is not a matter of comprehended truth, but that of a position of the heart. Positioning under authority does not happen in the mind, it happens in the heart.

There was some other person casting out devils and this was Jesus’ response after they forbade him.

Mark 9:39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. V.40 For he that is not against us is on our part.

Jesus clearly stated that lightly speaking evil against our superior will stop the submission and the flow of Heaven’s blessing. It would do us well to recognize who God has set us under. Am I missing the link? Am I set under authority? May we take heed to the blessing of submission!

Romans 13:01 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. V.2 whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. V.13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.