June 2023 - Jane Lampkin
Things are changing in the Body of Christ and it is happening fast. Therefore, it is important to know what the Lord is saying about the changes that are happening and to heed His words to us.
Every year in the late Spring, I begin asking the Lord what He wants to say for the upcoming Hebrew year. Over a few weeks, the Lord spoke five statements to me. They are simple statements and reminders for us all, but He said that if we follow these truths, the results will be monumental.
We are in a new dispensation, a new era, and a new season for the development of the Church (the Ecclesia, the Body of Christ), and the Lord is speaking many things to us to bring us to a new level in Him.
One thing God is asking is for us to expand our vision to see the bigger picture outside of our congregations and ministries. Everyone is needed for the Body of Christ to come into its fullness and purpose. That purpose is revealed in Jesus' last prayer that we would be one as He and his Father are one, that the world may know and believe.
Jesus prayed:
"That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. "And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: "I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. - John 17:21-23 NKJV
Why is becoming one so important? It is a witness to the lost and dying world of a better life in the kingdom of God.
Notice that the glory of God was given to Jesus and Jesus gave it to us, that we may be one! Everything we have been given is to be a demonstration to the world of the Father’s love and to redeem and restore mankind to Kingdom life. The kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord through our example of His Love (Revelation 11:16).
JESUS IS NOT A POLYGAMIST
Marriage is used numerous times in scripture to explain our covenantal relationship with the Lord. The “Bride of Christ” is a metaphor for the Body of Christ, and the Body of Christ consists of all who have received salvation through Jesus Christ and entered a covenantal relationship with Him.
In scripture, Jesus is referred to as the bridegroom who will one day return for His bride and we will become one, just like in marriage.
When speaking to converts, Paul says in 2 Corinthians 11:2:
“…I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband--Christ.”
In Ephesians, Paul teaches how husbands and wives are to treat one another and compares it to the covenant relationship of Christ to the Church.
“For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God's word. ... This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.” - Ephesians 5:25-26, 32
Since there is only one Body of Christ (all believers), there can only be one Bride of Christ. Jesus is not a polygamist. The Body of Christ is His only bride. But she is currently disjointed and dysfunctional.
The definition of disjointed is: Lacking orderly continuity, taken apart or separated at the joints.
The definition of dysfunctional is: Impaired in function; especially of a bodily system or organ, and failing to serve an adjustive purpose.
When we realize our position and authority in Christ as the WHOLE body of Christ, we will become joined together and joined with Him, the head, to be functional and effective at the highest level.
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. - Eph 4:1-6
The following are the five statements the Lord spoke to me:
1. "I WILL COMPACT THE BODY OF CHRIST."
Ephesians 4:16 was brought to mind:
"From whom the whole body fitly joined together and COMPACTED by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." - Ephesians 4:16
In this season it is important to read all of Ephesians 4 which gives instructions and warnings.
The King James Version uses the word compacted. The Strong’s definition of this word is a causative verb. G4822 Symbibazo (soom-bib-ad'-zo) and means:
to cause to coalesce, to join together, put together
to unite or knit together: in affection
to put together in one's mind
to compare
to gather, conclude, consider
cause a person to unite with one in a conclusion or come to the same opinion, to prove, demonstrate
to teach, instruct
Note in the scripture that this compaction happens when every part works together effectually. The scripture also says that the result is the increase and edification of the Body of Christ.
People have talked about unity forever but there is a difference between unity and one accord. Unity is when everyone looks, thinks, and acts the same. One accord is a diverse group of people working together for a unified purpose – God's purpose. One accord is when we come together, honoring one another, and having faith that the Holy Spirit will bring us into the unity of the spirit and unity of the faith so we can accomplish God’s purpose.
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. - Eph 4:1-3
Note that this scripture specifies unity of the Spirit, not unity of the dogmas.
In this season we will see God merging streams across denominational lines, compacting the Body of Christ together in one accord to partner with Him in accomplishing His plans for this season. Humbleness in some areas of our thinking and dogmas will be needed for this to happen. Our focus should be on what we have in common and what God would have us do together, intentionally seeking to make connections across denominational lines, to learn from each other, and to foster one accord for God's purposes.
2. "ALL STREAMS FLOW TO THE RIVER."
The Body of Christ is being formed and trained to work as a team, an army. It does not mean you have to leave your stream, but to work together in the river of life we have to flow with all Christian streams, preferring others before ourselves. If we all focus on our Heavenly Father and His will, He will bring us to agreement with Him, leading us to where we need to be, and we will hold multiplied power in coming together. A RIVER IS MUCH STRONGER THAN A STREAM.
"When one of you says, "I am a follower of Paul," and another says, "I follow Apollos," aren't you acting just like people of the world? ... So don't boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you-- whether Paul or Apollos or Peter, or the world, or life and death, or the present and the future. Everything belongs to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God." - 1 Corinthians 3:4, 21-23
We all belong to each other. There are many streams. But the streams must come together to form the river. We are all co-laborers with God (1 Corinthians 3:9).
One Accord is so important now in a world (and Church) divided by so many things. Many people are insistent on doing their own thing their own way, not preferring one another. This is an empire mindset rather than a Kingdom mindset. This empire mindset is a problem for the leaders of the different streams in the Body of Christ to correct. There needs to be repentance for fostering division in the church because of dogmas and doubtful disputations. Then there needs to be an intentional denominational line crossing to love one another and learn from one another.
"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;" - Romans 12:10
Imagine the power and witness this would bring to the world.
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." - John 13:34-35
The “one another” mentioned in this scripture is the Body of Christ. There is an order in God’s Kingdom. Love God – Love the Body of Christ – Love the world. If we are honest, we often mess up on the second one.
3. "TRUST IN ME AND TRUST ONE ANOTHER."
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:" - John 10:27
For the Body of Christ to work together, we must trust God and trust one another. God's word says that His sheep hear and follow Him. Give each other the freedom to participate in the way they feel led by the Shepherd, and encourage others to hear from God for themselves. It may be messy at first, but God will help us. If we keep our focus on God and encourage each other to step out in faith that God will bring us together for His purpose, He will do the rest. Refuse to be offended and be quick to apologize or forgive.
When you think of the Body of Christ fitly joined together, do you think of your church or ministry? Do you think the parts of the Body are the 5-fold ministry and layman? What if instead, those parts are the many Christian denominations?
Expand your vision beyond your immediate world, beyond your denomination or non-denomination, beyond your dogmas.
Each stream or denomination has a specialty that brings balance to the Body. One may be good with the Word, another with discernment and hearing God, another with worship and prayer, another with deliverance and healing, another with administration, another with evangelism, another with discipleship, another with serving communities, etc.
It's a big world that needs a big Church that will work together to advance God's Kingdom. It is a diverse world that needs diverse gifts and styles of delivery. What if we find our common ground and then look at what denomination is best at what, let them do it, support them, and learn from them? Would we not be more effective in making increase to the Body?
We must agree on the basic tenants of the faith but give leeway to the different parts of the Body of Christ. Every joint supplies to the compaction!
My spirit is grieved when I hear of someone asking for help with a ministry and others say “That’s not what I feel called to do” or “I am already doing that”. So, there are numerous ineffective little ministries rather than working together for greater results. Instead, when someone is doing something, we should ask ourselves “How can we work together in this for greater multiplied results?”.
4. “MULTIPLY POWER BY COMING TOGETHER”
There is only one enemy and that enemy does not want to see the Body of Christ come together in one accord. He wants to keep us divided and cause chaos with doubtful disputations and mistrust. His strategy is to divide and conquer. He knows that if he can keep us disconnected, he has more time. We know we are in a war with the powers and principalities and not with man. Drawing together multiplies the power to overcome the enemy and establish God’s Kingdom here on earth.
In this season, we need to focus on returning to our unified purpose. We can’t have a broken body. It will not be as effective as it could be. Our focus at this time should be to ask Holy Spirit to repair what we have broken. There needs to be corporate repentance and surrender to God’s hand to compact us and restore His purpose to the WHOLE Body of Christ.
5. “SECTARIANISM IS FORBIDDEN”
Sectarianism is described as a narrow-minded adherence to a particular sect, party, or denomination.
"Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us." But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. "For he who is not against us is on our side." Mark 9:38-41
Change your view of those who are believers in Christ but don’t operate the same way you do. If they are not against Christ, they are for Christ. God gives gifts according to His will and His purpose. If Jesus did not forbid it, we are not to forbid it. He is our example and we are to follow Him, not what man has decided is right or wrong. And whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord. To your own convictions be true…but don’t forbid others’ convictions. The foot can’t say to the hand I don’t need you (1 Corinthians 12)
REMEMBER THIS! If they are not against Jesus, they are for Jesus.
Let's review the statements received from the Lord:
I will compact the Body of Christ
All streams flow to the river
Trust me and trust one another
Multiply power by coming together
Sectarianism is forbidden
ACTIVATION
I am going to ask you to be radical. Make it a daily practice to prefer others in the Body of Christ and to intentionally cross Christian denominational lines. Then watch and see what God will do. Will you work to answer Jesus’ final prayer for us to be one?
THIS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN BUILDING YOUR MINISTRY. BUILD THE KINGDOM BY COMING TOGETHER AND YOUR MINISTRY WILL BE ESTABLISHED AND MULTIPLIED.
Take a few minutes to let all of this sink in. Read this article again until it is caught by your spirit. Review the summary below and ask God to show you ways you have caused division in the body of Christ.
Maybe you spoke badly about another denomination or refused to work with someone because of their dogmas. Maybe you denied help to someone who had made mistakes in the past. Maybe you didn’t participate in a corporate gathering because you didn’t like one of the speakers or the way they worship. Maybe you didn’t prefer someone over yourself. Maybe you felt your work or time was more important than someone else’s. Ask Holy Spirit to show you and then go to the altar to repent and ask for forgiveness. Our redeemer can redeem and restore all things.
If there is anyone that you need to make things right with, do it now. As you do this, cleansing will come, and love for those you don’t agree with will come.
Finally, thank the Lord for what He is doing in the Body of Christ. There are great things ahead if we will follow His instructions.
SUMMARY
THERE IS ONLY ONE BRIDE - Focus on what we have in common and what God would have us do together.
REPENT OF CAUSING DIVISION – You are in danger if you think your way is the only way. His ways are not our ways. Repent and surrender to God’s will for unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace.
PRACTICE THE PROPER ORDER OF LOVE – Love God, love the Body of Christ, love the lost. If we do the first two, the last will be easy because the world will want what we have and will be drawn to us. We are the example of the Kingdom of God as Jesus was. Jesus showed us how. It does no good to bring people into a broken body. We must come together to be a healthy, effective body.
SEE THE BODY OF CHRIST AS DENOMINATIONAL GIFTS - Intentionally seek to make connections across denominational lines to foster one accord for God's purposes and to learn from each other.
POWER OF NETWORKING –Trust and prefer one another (who does it best – how can we help/support them)
EVERY JOINT SUPPLIES - Find your joint in the Body, work with it, and find how to help other joints. The foot can’t say to the hand I don’t need you.
KNOW THE TERRITORY YOU ARE TO STEWARD - Connect with the co-labors in your territory and surrounding territories, having regular meetings or online networks to connect and share needs and works. As we work together God will stretch out our tent pegs.
THE GIVING PRINCIPLE - Give your portion to the whole. Give and it will be given back to you…. (Luke 6:38)
PROVOKE JEALOUSY - See yourself and your ministry in the bigger picture and find how you can contribute to becoming one. When the world sees the results of working together in love, they will want it.
MULTIPLY - Networking with each other to provide for the needs of the whole Body of Christ not only increases the body but multiplies the power of the body.
JESUS FORBIDS SECTARIANISM - Don’t forbid others who don’t believe or do as you do. God places us in His Body as He sees fit.
THE WHOLE PURPOSE – That the world may know God through your demonstration of Kingdom Love first for the Lord, then the Body of Christ, then others. Don’t skip the second step… expand your vision.
We WILL become one as Jesus prayed, so that the world may know and believe!
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