Lost in the Body

Lost In The Body of Christ

Many in the Body of Christ have begun to question the validity of the Word that has declared us as new creatures, delivered from the captivity of sin. When we fail, we blame everything other than the fact that we have rejected the truth about our salvation. The work of Christ is in no way insufficient or faulty. We simply prefer to live after the flesh and not after the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3

1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

Many of us are right where this Corinthian Church was. Paul states that after all the knowledge and revelation they had received along with the infilling of the Holy Spirit, they continued to walk as natural men. Therefore, they could not receive the things of the Spirit just as a natural man could not. These things began to sound foolish to them; hence the reason for all the turmoil, frustration and failure in the Body of Christ. God will continue to give us opportunity after opportunity to change. First of all, He will chasten us for sin by dealing with our conscience. If we refuse to repent, then He will expose our sin in such a way that allows us to see the spiritual and natural detriment it has on others. He will also require us to bear the consequences of the sin we commit. This too is the mercy of God.

2 Corinthians 4:1-4

1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Paul continues to minister to the Corinthian Church in his second epistle to them. He again cautions them to live after the Spirit. It is a dangerous thing to know as much as we know and having received the power of the Spirit, disregard the sacredness of our call. I want to give some examples of some of the recent mindsets I have come in contact with that prove this gospel is hidden from those who have the Spirit, but have not come into agreement with God’s purpose for the Sons.

MINDSET 1: Liberty in ministry becomes a place to work personal agendas. Because God has blessed you with a gift that gives you influence in the lives of people, you begin to take advantage of the people’s admiration or submission to the gift. The confidence they have in your position in their lives makes them an open target for the attack; opportunity now brings life to your agenda. You become crafty; using the Word of God deceitfully.

Your agenda seems to be able to survive in the midst of the anointing that you have received. But, this is where you have been blinded. You think that you are hidden, but in actuality you are not and at some point God will expose you. He wants you to know assuredly that He does see you. Because of the deception in your own heart and the blindness of your mind, you do not see this as an opportunity to repent; you begin to think of ways to become more subtle in your dealings. Wantonness controls you and you become obsessed and driven by what has become your reality. But, your reality stems from the gospel being hidden from you. You can no longer see that God’s agenda is the only thing that is going to survive. God’s agenda is and has always been purity and holiness.

If we find ourselves coming short in that, it stands to reason that we should renounce the hidden things of dishonesty and move forward in Him.

2 Peter 1:4-10

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

MINDSET 2: When pride and arrogance come forth after we have sinned, it becomes a shield to protect us in that sin. This causes us to forfeit the power that comes from the acceptance of God’s chastisement in humility. This mindset takes the position; “I made a few mistakes, but I have repented and am going on; so whoever has a problem with it that is their problem. I do not have to answer to anybody else but God.” As with Esau, remorse comes only when sin has been exposed.

This mindset blinds us and we are no longer cognizant of the fact that our obligation is to the people. We must care about the effect that sin has had on those around us. If we cannot gender this emotion we have to ask ourselves why. Is it not because we have been blinded to this gospel and the foundational principles of ministry?

2 Corinthians 4:5

5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

As Sons of God, our life is what does the preaching. Whether in the pulpit or out, we are always bringing forth a message. But when we cannot humble ourselves to the people of God in the face of our wrong, we cease to preach Christ. We exalt ourselves above the knowledge of God.

1 Peter 2:20-23

20. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23. Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

God requires us to be humble in the face of false accusations, how much more should we be willing to show forth this character when we have committed wrongs? God will only vindicate righteousness. But when we are offended by or despise His way we bring damnation to ourselves. When He exposes sin, it is not for us to sidestep the issue by zeroing in on some technicality inside of the way people deal with us. In order to survive, we must go all the way to God’s definition of righteousness.

Romans 10:3

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

MINDSET 3: To become judgmental and not willing to forgive is another very detrimental position to take. God gives us specific instructions on how to deal with each other.

Galatians 6:1-3

1. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. Note, the above scripture says, “ye which are spiritual” and “considering thyself”.

What does that really mean? The scripture is not given to put a gag on us, to force us to accept unrighteousness in the Body or to have us always in a fearful state of failure. On the contrary, it is given so that we can judge our own spirituality when we are faced with and or affected by the sin or unrighteousness of others. Are we able to forgive and love past the offense? If not, we too have sinned and Satan has something in us that he can use to draw us away. This is where we have missed it. How can we restore when we ourselves are in sin? We will not accept that sin is sin to God and there are no excusable sins. We will readily accept that fornication, adultery, fraud, witchcraft, and the like should be dealt with, but what about backbiting, gossiping, lying and peace breaking? Are these “no harm” sins?

These things also hurt, devour, destroy hope, and overturn the faith of many…but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise (2 Cor 10:12). This is why it is easy for some to remain in their negative character; they compare themselves to others and decide that they cannot be considered evil.

MINDSET 4:

There are those who disregard truth to fulfill a desire. This mindset is very powerful because it causes one to become delusional in their dealings with God. You will begin to believe that you can create your own world and bring God into acceptance of what you have decided will be the outcome. You will try and convince those around you that God is using you to deliver others and that He is leading you and instructing you in what to do and say. The scenario you create in your imagination will be so perfect until you yourself will begin to live it out and believe that it is God’s wisdom.

Titus 1:13-16

13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

But in His faithfulness, God will allow something to go drastically wrong in the real world that was not revealed in your imagination. God is, at this point, giving you an opportunity to collect yourself. Paul admonishes us to be sound in the faith. Again you are faced with the truth of God’s disposition towards you in the situation. If you choose not to take the route of escape, then I must say that your heart has been blinded. My children, none of these mindsets should exist among the people of God, especially those of us who have heard the truth. You are better than these faults and sins.

You can walk in the righteousness of God with all surety and boldness. You have come to a perfect man, and can walk in the fullness of the stature of the man Jesus Christ. Beloved, be encouraged.

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