The whole divine design is the transformation into the fullness of Christ. Christ remains the basis of the faith. We must seek his way far above materialism and what this world can ever offer. That which is earthy is earthy, and that which is spiritual is spiritual. (John 3)Materialism is earthy and has no gain beyond this limited world.
TIME TO COME UP HIGHER?
The Lord is calling the church to a higher spiritual position as part of His overall divine plan. The church is supposed to move from one spiritual level to another (from glory to glory) until we attain the fullness of Christ (Eph 4:13). The degree of our ascendancy into Christ determines the measure of our own spiritual progress and that which can be given through us to our hearers. Our height in Christ determines the kind of revelation we access and to a great degree our own internal transformation.
The whole goal of divine ascendancy is transformation into the image of Christ.
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2Co 3:18
The word “change” in Greek is “metamorphoo” meaning to transform (literally or figuratively “metamorphose”). It also means to change, transfigure. It is from it we get the word metamorphosis. We are to be transfigured, changed or transform into the SAME image.
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Rom 8:29
In the verse above the word “conformed” was used. In Greek it is “summorphos” meaning jointly formed, that is, (figuratively) similar: - conformed to, fashioned like unto. This confirms the earlier scripture indicating that we are to be jointly formed and fashioned to the image of His son –Jesus Christ.
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; Eph 4:11
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Eph 4:12
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:” Eph 4:13
The word Perfect in Greek is Teleios meaning complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.);completeness: - of full age, man, perfect. God demands a perfect man in the image of Christ. We cannot use our head to reason out God's intent. If God say it is possible, so be it. We cannot bend God to suit our ignorance and naivety. God's standard is measured through the Word and this cannot be compromised or changed. The change platform is locked in the Scriptures. Only the wise will search it out and the true disciples will find it. (Prov 25:2, Matt 13:11)
The work of the five fold ministry is cut out. The perfect man or the full age man must be complete in the stature or size (“Helikia” meaning maturity in size) of the completion or fullness (Greek - Pleroma) of Christ. God wants men, who are the same dimension with Christ, men who will attain the fullness of Christ. Any man who reaches that Christ's height in the Spirit is deemed complete and perfect. This is the hope of our salvation, not operating as retarded spiritual beings that are in chains to the lower element of our nature. Not operating as weak inferior rejects incapable of reaching the apex of the divine high mark. The high mark is the fullness of Christ. Not weak, compromising gospels that waters down the divine standard with vain promises that further enslaves their subject and lessen their divine worth. This is possible only when we inherit the fullness of His nature. Christ is the measurement. No wonder the scripture enjoined us to look unto Jesus (Heb 12:2).
“ To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Col 1:27 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” Col 1:28
The scripture also made us understand that “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Rom 8:29)
Christ is the firstborn in our spiritual family and because we share the same parentage with him, we cannot produce less than the nature of God, our Father. We are Christ's Brethren or brothers from the same parent. God is not settling for anything else. Its either His standard or nothing.
The fullness of Christ is non negotiable. God is not wicked as to give us an assignment that is impossible to carry out. However, until we come into a higher spiritual position, this is unattainable. We must realize that the Church is more than a place for meeting “people's need”. When we choose a consumerist gospel over the kingdom gospel, we are shutting ourselves down and paralyzing our access to Him. There is only one way to help people. Let them receive our Lord Jesus and seek the enthronement of His kingdom in their lives, He will in turn handle their relevant need. There is no end to needs. It is a bottomless pit. Peoples attention must be on Jesus Christ, not on problems or needs.
“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? - Mat 6:31
(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Mat 6:32
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Mat 6:33
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”Mat 6:34
There is division of labour in God's kingdom. Our duty is to seek His kingdom while His duty is to add those relevant needs to us. Therefore, we are doing God's work when we focus our attention on the addition, which is His duty. We should rather seek His kingdom passionately with all our heart and soul. The proof of our faith is when we place our implicit trust in Him, to see us through every battles of life.
To be continued.
Article written by Wole Olakunle and first published 2011 on the same blog.
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