THE FACE OF LOVE CHAPTER 8 PART 2 MISINTERPRETING THE CALL TO HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

THE FACE OF LOVE

CHAPTER 8

PART 2

MISINTERPRETING THE CALL TO HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

Matthew 9:35-38 

35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Jesus told us to pray and ask our Father to send more workers for the field. Today, with all of the places of worship, spiritual leaders, and worshippers, one would think that there are enough workers now to do what is needed, but, there aren't. God is still calling men and women all over the world to minister to His people, the hurting, the dying, the hungry, the poor, the poor in spirit, the lost, and anyone who is bereft of abundant and everlasting life. There are more people in the world today, than ever before. There are still not enough workers in the field. We must pray that others will hear the call and answer. We must pray that they rightly hear the call to holiness and righteousness.

Many who are called have an encounter with God and know without doubt that they have been chosen to watch over and care for God's people. My encounter may be different from your encounter, as God knows what each of His children needs. Perhaps, you may already know what your spiritual gifts are and how God will use you, or, perhaps, God requested that you serve Him in a specific capacity. No one can tell you exactly how God will call or use you. Our spiritual gifts and talents do not limit us to a vocation, job specifications, or, a career, as it is in the world.

We know that Paul (Saul) had an encounter with Christ Jesus and it was both physical and spiritual. On his way to order the persecution of more of Jesus's followers, he was stopped while riding on a donkey and blinded by a bright light. We can neither compare our call from God to Paul's or anyone else, nor, can we question the call of someone else, simply because we can only see them in the flesh. Forgive us Father.

Acts 9:1-6 

1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

God knows what He has given us to make us who we are. He also knows what has been poured into us from the world since birth.  He knows why He has chosen to get our attention at this moment in our lives. The question is, do we believe God? Are we filling our heads with doubt and fear because we can only see ourselves in the flesh? On the other hand, Jesus's Disciples were often eager to serve with their flesh, not having faith (belief) within their hearts. They sometimes acted upon their own confidence and pride, blocking out God's call to holiness and righteousness. We must be anxious for nothing, not acting out of our own confidence and pride, but, with faith (belief) in God who can do all things.

Some Believers may feel that they have been called to be a teacher, preacher, evangelist, prophet, or an apostle, because they admire these positions and see them as an opportunity for recognition and status in the world. There is a trend of status today where ministers desire promotions into a higher title. Many may not be aware of the pride within their hearts which drives them, leading them in legalism, tradition, and the ideology of the world. Having a worldly view, they desire titles and status to set themselves above other men. Like Jesus's Disciples, they may desire a position next to Jesus and closest to God, to be looked upon as His favorite, or to prove that they have become Holy. God knows our heart. He knows when we are walking in the spirit. He knows if we are are heeding His call to Holiness and Righteousness.

The adversary is busy counterfeiting God's gifts and many people are blind to his ploys, because, they are ignoring God's call to holiness and righteousness, seeking the things of the world, instead. This is why we find that so many people see the Five-Fold Ministry (apostles, prophets, preachers, teachers, evangelists) given to us by Jesus, as a fast-track to holiness and righteousness. These callings are not titles, they are variations of spiritual helpers, who are servants of God. Our desire should be for the gifts and fruit of God's Holy Spirit so that we may live and serve God in holiness and righteousness, bearing good fruit. As servants of God, no calling is better than or above the other. and God often uses a servant to perform more than one calling. 

Romans 12: 1-8 

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
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.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

1 Corinthians 12:1-14

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.

Amongst worshippers in various religions and denominations, we find misguided people, clinging to their flesh and the world, who are looking for God and His sheep to serve them instead of humbly serving God and His people. They cannot see the trap that lies before them, for the cunningness of the adversary is to snare them and drag them into the pit of darkness. A servant must be humble and strive to remain in holiness and righteousness. These things hold true. Those who pretend to be what God has not chosen them to be, will stray from the path and expose themselves as charlatans.

God's call to holiness and righteousness will draw us out of our flesh and out of worldliness. God's call to holiness and righteousness is beyond the knowledge and ideas of the carnal. It is a call to the perfection of the body, mind, and spirit. It is through our perfection, by way of God's Holy Spirit, that we begin to live abundantly. We become more fruitful, living out our purpose and calling without fear, but with love and accountability. Our focus and priority is on serving God and the glorification of God and His Kingdom. Still, we find many people proclaiming their faith and calling, but, ignoring the call to holiness and righteousness, thus, they lead the people astray, as they are lost themselves.

To use one's gifts does not automatically require one to lead, or make one qualified to lead. Every member of the Body of Christ has a purpose and a mission, but, not every member can lead, especially if they ignore the call to holiness and righteousness. We receive affirmation of what God is calling us to do, when we are not led by our pride. If we move in front of God and take action, thinking we know better than God, we do more harm than good. We make the pathway difficult for not only ourselves, but, for others who watch or follow.

Being an effective member of the Body of Christ, under the Mind of Christ, coincides with understanding how to love and care for God's people. Each member of the Body of Christ depends on the other members of the Body. A member does not harm another member, whereas, doing so would also harm themselves.

Leaders and servants alike must wear the Armor of God. Without God's Armor, which is built into us, by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, we are unequipped to live, let alone to lead. More so, unequipped we will become unhealthy leaders. Yes, God will not call us to perform tasks without equipping us and giving us what is needed to complete the tasks. Still, we must choose to use the equipment that He gives us in order to produce good fruit. We cannot produce good fruit if we ignore the call to holiness and righteousness, abiding in Jesus, connected to the Vine. -And if we cannot produce good fruit, how is it that we can do things in love and to the glory of God? How can we help people with things they are struggling with if they cannot feel the love of Jesus coming from us?

Everyone is called to ministry as a witness and as an ambassador for Christ and the Kingdom of God. Yet, not everyone is called to be a shepherd and not everyone is called to be an apostle, prophet, evangelist, or, teacher. These are tasks given to some by our Savior and Lord, Christ Jesus. We cannot let our vanity set us against God's Will.

Ephesians 4:11-25
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 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 fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Again, those still clinging to the world become unhealthy servants and leaders, often putting themselves first. Clinging to the world and their pride, they become unhealthy leaders who lead the lambs to the slaughter of the wolves. The call to holiness and righteousness causes us to distinguish between being in the service of the Lord, or, being in the service of man and the world. Many, believing themselves to be in the service of the Lord, want to elevate themselves in status by acquiring a title of recognition, power, and authority. Not having died to their flesh and surrendered their will to God, they desire to be respected and admired by others like themselves, not knowing that they injure themselves and those around them; not knowing they work against the Body of Christ, which has no place of worldly status, denominations, races, or exclusiveness, and whose only glorification is to God, alone.

Many institutional places of worship began having titles, degrees, and status as a requirement, so as not to have unqualified people in leadership. Even then there was corruption and favoritism. Clergy qualifications today have shifted from those of God to those of man. There is still corruption and favoritism. It has become a refuge for whoremongers, adulterers, pedophiles, addicts, men and women of greed, entertainers, merchants, thieves, grifters and conmen, politicians selling the people for a price, and men seeking power. These and many more have placed themselves above God, stealing His sheep.

Status within places of worship is borne of pride, greed, and a sense of entitlement. A title can only bring you status here in the world. In the Kingdom of God, we are all servants who have been given everything by the Grace and Mercy of God, who has covered us by the Blood and Sacrifice of Christ Jesus, His Son. Until we prove ourselves Children of God, we are entitled to nothing! We inherit nothing! Your worldly status is your reward on earth, but, God sees you naked and in sin, until you have been washed in the Blood of Christ, humbled and submissive to His Will, walking in the Light of Holiness and Righteousness.

To be washed in the Blood of Christ is to be drawn to the Cross of Perfection and Completion and know that, "It is Finished." Your humility and love sets you apart from the world.

Can you have the desires of your heart and still be cleansed?

Yes, if those desires are within the Will and Glorification of God. Anything else will leave you wanting and unpleasing in God's eyes. Yes, you can, if you thirst after holiness and righteousness and are not satisfied until you are filled. The desire to sin and continue sinning cannot bring you the desires of your heart. It will only keep you in darkness. If you repeatedly repent and pray, yet, continue to indulge in sin and desire sin more than holiness and righteousness, you are simply going through the motions of practicing religion. you have no true religion.

Our love and desire for things in the world can be so strong that we are blinded and can't see that these things are killing us day by day; causing us to become overindulgent in food, alcohol, spending, our children, work, body consciousness and vanity, sex, etc. Our blindness may drive us to self-medicating, over spending, gambling, greed, lying, stealing, bitterness, anger, irritability, insecurity, pessimism, violence, and all manners of adverse and addictive behaviors. Then, even worse, if we don't address our behaviors while trying to work, lead, or have relationships with others, we will fill ourselves and surround others with darkness.

Of course, no leader is without problems, but, to be a leader, you must be transparent and humble. Where you are weak, you must lean upon God and the people to help you, being honest, truthful, open, and humble at all times. You don't lean upon clichés such as God is not through with me yet and I'm a work in progress, so, in other words, excuse my sin and imperfection until He fixes me. That is not being accountable. We don't sin and then say excuse me as if we have coughed or sneezed. We cannot try to hide things from the people and act like God can't see us. What message is this deceptive behavior giving to others? Is it that Christ died in vain? The completed work is within us and all we have to do is submit to God's Will to please Him, if we truly love Him.

I look at my own adverse behaviors (yes, I have them) and I have had to ask myself, Mishael, are you being realistic? Then, through the Holy Spirit, I was led to focus upon the word realistic. It's a word the enemy uses to confuse us. Whose reality are we talking about, the world's or God's? The question is not if we're being realistic in our thinking. Of course the enemy wants you to question your perception of reality, because, he doesn't want you to change. God created reality, not the world. The question is, are we being godly, truthful, holy and righteous? Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I have come to recognize traps to lead me to confusion, self-doubt, and self-destruction.

I have to look at my own life, just as God is asking us all to reflect upon our lives. Have we really been born again? Do we really love God enough to submit to His Will and change? We know how strong our will is. Change doesn't always happen overnight, but, does that mean we're a work in progress and God is not through with us, yet?

Through God, I am able to distinguish that those questions of doubt come from the old man in me talking, suppressing the new man which is already in me. I need only to acknowledge the new me, under the Mind of Christ, and start living like the person God has created me to be.

It is finished. If I die today with all of my ailments, body pains, diseases, my body will be unchanged, but, my mind has been renewed, my spirit has been revived. The reality is that it's not that I've been a work in progress, it's that some of the damage that was done when I didn't know who I was may take time to be undone, or, God may leave it as it is. That which God chooses not to change due to age and illness does not change the perfection that has happened within me. Therefore, I need to stop thinking that I have failed, stop having doubts, and have faith in God's promises and completed work.

When we determine change by the world's standards we base it upon many factors, one of those being time. Time is not a factor to God. He has no need to place a deadline or timestamp on all of His work. Jesus delivered the only timestamp that we needed to know when He said, "It is Finished." -And with that, our deliverance was sealed. God had already made Abraham the Father of Nations. Abraham never lived to see those nations, yet, he believed God. Time is not a factor to God. In His eyes, it was done. Moses, doubted his ability to lead God's people out of Egypt. In God's eyes, it was done. Joseph dreamed of being a ruler over his brothers. His brothers scorned him and made fun of him. In God's eyes, it was done. The Kingdom of God is about growth and increase. What is planted comes into fruition in God's timing, not ours. Still, God sees the fruit before the seed grows and knows that it is finished.

When we are born again, we must realize that God has already taken us to our destination here on Earth. Now, that we have arrived in our new life, we must stop listening to the old man and start proclaiming and living the new man. The old man is corrupting us and deceiving us, because, we keep going back to what we know, the life we're familiar with, and our perceived comfort zone. We are unable to see the completion and perfection because our mind has been programmed by the world to only see with our flesh and think like the world. God says to walk in the Spirit. He has given us a new mind, the mind of Christ, and by His stripes we are already healed.

When we humble ourselves, we are able to see through God's eyes and believe on His promises. The Holy Spirit will reveal our thoughts and weaknesses that are contrary to the Will of God, but, we must humble ourselves to listen and truly follow the Mind of Christ. We will experience trials and tribulations, and be subject to temptations while we walk upon this earth. At times, we will stray from the path of holiness. Yet, our vulnerability lies in our inability to face our sinfulness and weaknesses and allow God to correct us. Our acknowledgement and turning to repentance is the perfection of Christ! We must have PATIENCE and unwavering FAITH. We must do our part! We're not waiting on God! God has done His part! The Holy Spirit is within us, so, God is waiting on us!

Getting back to leaders, we know that in this world, all servants of God will have problems that involve finance, marriage, health, family, employment, etc. However, a leader must be led by the Mind of Christ and when their actions do not align with the Word of God, they must constantly seek correction to be brought into the perfection of Christ. Led by God's Holy Spirit, this ingrained knowledge, this new mind, this urge and thirst for Holiness and Righteousness that compels us to repent (change) is the perfection of man. It is the living water that makes you thirst no more. You were dead, but, now you have everlasting life. This is the difference between a leader in the service of man and a leader in the service of God. God has defined them by what they thirst for. Do they thirst for pride, status, power, material things, or do they thirst for God?

To many, the perfection of man through Christ will remain a mystery. Due to misinterpretation, misunderstanding, and pride, many will continue to deny it and refute those who proclaim it, although we find it mentioned in scripture many times. Darkness in the hearts of men, hinder them from seeing perfection in others. Pride rules their hearts because they have not been made perfect in love.

When considering service and leadership, we must remember that God can and will use anyone whom He chooses. Are you worthy to lead if you have problems, unresolved issues, and ongoing chaos in your life like Moses and Abraham. or Saul, who became Paul? Many will tell you no, you're not worthy to lead. Your credit score may be too low. You don't meet the required standards of proficiency, or, you don't have the proper credentials or experience. You must look at how your behaviors are effecting the problems in your life and if those behaviors will effect your leadership. Will your problems or behavior spread to those around you? Should you wait? Should you move out of the way or forget about leading?  What if man rejects you, then what? What has God told you to do? Whom do we obey, man or God?

If God has called you to lead, within that call is a call to Holiness and Righteousness. Do you hear me me Mr. President? Do you hear me Congress? Do you hear me World Leaders? Still, we must keep in mind that a call to Holiness and Righteousness is not always a call to jump in and lead others. What does that mean?

God has called you to get to know Him. Yes, part of that is to spread the good news and tell others about Him and what He is doing for you to straighten your path--you life.  It means that you have surrendered your will to let God have His way.

Still, in the process of serving and leading, hardships, trials, and temptations, will continue to come your way. Your faith, serving and/or leadership may be challenged and tested. God may call you to lead or serve others by stepping down and letting someone else take charge. He may call you to lead and serve by letting others know what you are struggling with. Your deliverance may come through your humbling yourself and drawing from the support of those around you. Your deliverance may come through helping someone else with the same problem, or letting them help you. Your deliverance may come through God requiring you to lead others and being pressed to rise up and above your weaknesses and circumstances to understand what 'It is finished' means; to understand that yes, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us and calls us according to His purpose. And, yes, It is finished. He who is within us is greater than he who is in the world. We don't have to remain crippled in mind, so there's no need to leave our bed lying there to come back to again. With Christ, we can pick up our bed, that which has cradled us throughout our weaknesses and infirmities. We can pick it up and walk away from affliction.

God defines leadership and only God can define leaders. All who lead do not meet God's definition of leadership, nor is their character defined by God. If a leader has been defined by God, then their character will reflect that of God, their Master and Father. Like Abraham, who believed God, they become a friend of God. Many times, Abraham was tested as a leader. His weaknesses, actions, and behaviors were often consequential. Through trials and temptations, it was God who shaped his character to mimic His own, and led him to holiness and righteousness.

Those who do not have the character of God are allowed to lead for the correction and refinement of God's people to turn them back to God. These are people who have been blinded to the need of repentance, hence, they have no desire to do so. If they have no love for God, how can they have love for God's people?

Again, God defines leadership. God defines those who lead well. I often feel unworthy of leadership, as I consider my finances, health, family and other things which I may have little or no control over. God has had to remind me of where I am physically and where I am mentally and spiritually. Telling me that, if I were to lean on my own understanding, I would never be able to undertake or accomplish anything. As Moses did, I would always see myself as unworthy to serve God, let alone lead His people. I would consider my sins and physical limitations, as Moses did. Perhaps, like Moses and many others in the Bible, I might even believe the crowds of people around me, telling me that I was unworthy to serve the God of Abraham. -But, one must listen to God, who looks beyond our faults and sees our needs. He knows what will draw us closer to Him.

My Brothers and Sisters, we cannot be afraid to step out on faith to do the will of God. Heed the call to Holiness and Righteousness and tell God, "Send me, Lord."


your servant, united with the Body of Christ, through the Grace and Mercy of God

Mishael