it shall not be so among you

Prophets, Preachers, and Politicians

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Prophets, Preachers, and Politicians
Robert Wurtz II

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! (Galatians 5:14-15)


Our passage contains the dreadful consequence of a “party spirit” (politics) operating in the churches of God. Ignoring this passage has brought many Christians, relationships, ministries, and moves of God, to an abrupt and pitiful end over the last 2000 years. It is impossible to overstate how dangerous a “party spirit” or politics are to God’s people. This is why Jesus commanded the disciples not to organize their ministry into a Gentile power structure in Matthew 20:25-26, Mark 10:42-43, and Luke 22:25-26. Multitudes cry to Heaven “Lord, Lord” and then go right out and disobey these clear verses. Simply put, Jesus warned us not to set up a corporate type hierarchy (pecking order, ranking, chain of command) in the churches. 



Despite this clear command being repeated in all the synoptic Gospels, churches and organizations are typically set up like a corporation. In a corporate hierarchy, we might say that “Pete is about six levels below the CEO;” however, this is not the way churches and Christian organizations are to be established. It is nothing more than Israel crying for a king rather than allowing God to rule over them. As with Israel, so too with the churches, this Gentile, worldly, Egyptian, or whatever adjective we want to employ, “power structure” has grave consequences.  

Moving Up The Ranks?


Any place that you find a ranking system, you have sin being committed. Disobeying God in Matthew 20:25-26, Mark 10:42-43, and Luke 22:25-26 is no different than any place else. Moreover, ranking systems breed sin and offenses. They can do no other. Why? Because when there is a political element involved, people don’t feel obligated to treat their brother or sister in Christ as they would want to be treated. They generally lose their minds and forget they are supposed to be Christians. 

What happens? Older ministers fear that some young person is “gunning for their job” so they do everything in their power to suppress all potential “threats” to their position. They are not allowed to do anything that may get the people taking a liking to them. Some ministers are afraid to go out-of-town lest when they come back, someone is trying to take their job. Moreover, some younger ministers undermine the people in high position, so they can eventually be “voted in to their job.” They obstruct, refuse to support, point out their shortcomings, etc. ad nauseam. It becomes a very tense “us against them” abomination to God and man. This is worldliness at its finest. Naturally, if you ask them, they all do these things for “spiritual” reasons. The carnal Corinthians thought they were “spiritual” too, because they were moving in the gifts of the Spirit; however, some were fornicating, suing one another, and splitting the church into political parties backing “Paul, Appollos, Cephas and Jesus.”

In the Old Testament, when the people were really off track, God would use the prophets to bring a strong message of correction. Nobody “votes in” a prophet, so God has to raise one up to confront the people. They often employed radical language or tactics to accomplish the job. Similarly, Paul used a morbid statement to the Galatians, But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! What happens? When someone bites, the natural response is to bite back. This process continues until all parties involved are consumed (destroyed). What begins as behavior becoming toddlers — erupts into a savage warfare between people acting like wild animals. The renowned Greek scholar A.T. Robertson, in commenting on these verses, tells the sobering story of two snakes who each swallowed the other by the tail. 


If there is one thing that most parents of toddlers detest — it is biting. The fastest way to receive a spanking when I was a  child was to bite somebody. Emotions would run so high that some parents would say to the victim, “Just bite him back! Show him how it feels.” It would not be unusual for parents to come to blows nearly when they looked at their child’s arm and there was a bite mark. “Why did he bite you?!” The parent asks. “Because I was playing with his toy.” Then the parents get into an argument. One backs their child’s right to territory, and the other wants an apology for biting. In modern times, I suspect parents are more civilized than this, but I’m not holding my breath. 

Toddlers are not the only people who “bite” when they don’t get their way. Adults do it too. This is what Paul said, But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! (Galatians 5:15) This is much more serious and destructive than the behavior of toddlers. It is more serious because toddlers are supposed to be selfish; that is to say, they have to be taught to be friendly and loving. Christian adults should know better. It is more destructive because there is so much more at stake. When a toddler bites and is then bitten back, both have bite marks. Each tells how the other bit them. The same holds true with adults. Of course, we are not speaking of literal teeth marks; we are dealing with malicious actions against one another. 

Scorched Earth Tactics

When adults grow up in carnality they don’t fight over toys, they fight over territory. They fight over positions at work or at church. Most of the time the parties fight each other until neither of them have a reputation left. In fact, people will even sabotage one another in hopes they can “get their job.” This is part of what is often called, “office politics.” Whole books have been written about the subject. What happens? Life becomes a perpetual replay of age 2-20. Everything we had to endure from pre-school to High School becomes our daily lot. Boys fist-fighting in the halls; girls quarreling and fussing. I realize the fists are not usually literal in adulthood, but the attitude back of those behaviors is just as real. The stress on daily life for some becomes almost unbearable. 

These things ought not so to be in the churches of God; but unfortunately they are. There is nothing new under the sun. Nepotism is just as rife in many churches as it is in the world. Ministries become dynasties all the way from the corner church to the largest Christian TV Networks. Father and son feuds develop imitating the madness and hate of family based reality shows like Orange County Choppers. Moreover, politics are often exaggerated in churches. Factions develop that split churches and organizations into two or more opposing camps. Again, usually there is a real spiritual reason for doing it, just like there was a real good reason for the toddler to bite the other one. Really? 

The First Politician

Satan was the very first politician. He led a rebellion in Heaven and drew a third of the Stars with him. Then he shows up in the Garden of Eden spouting propaganda to win over the whole human race into his camp. First politician. First liar. Hmmm. See the connection? Satan misrepresented God because he wanted his place on the throne. Nearly all politicians misrepresent their opponent or withhold information about them that would sway the people into liking them. “Make the opponent look bad” is the modus operandi (m.o.). Imagine what happens when a Christian environment becomes “politicized.” Who do you think is behind it all? God wants the churches to be a place of heaven on earth. Satan does too. He comes in to use people to do on earth what he had done in Heaven. He divided it by campaigning for God’s throne. All the while blinding everyone to what he is doing. What happens? He causes so much strife that every action gets interpreted. Motivations get questioned. A spirit of suspicion prevails. 

Most of the time people are just trying to serve God, but sometimes they are not. People know when they are intentionally being divisive. Whereas love puts the best construction on events, politics puts the worst construction on them. Ministers have been known to hire private detectives to bring one another down. It happened in the 80’s and early 90’s in mainstream evangelicalism. The name of God was blasphemed among the Gentiles. There is no new thing under the sun. Pride has often destroyed the works of God’s hands. How is God going to handle those who do such things? It’s a sad thing to work in the kingdom for decades only to have those labors destroyed by a bunch of crooked politics. 

Pride and Politics

Pride has been known to completely destroy ministries. Men have turned and fought against the very thing they prayed into existence. In America we have what some have called a “peaceful transfer of power” when new presidents and governors are elected. Harry Truman had the right attitude when it came to leaders leaving their political office. For example, he was asked during the Cuban Missile crisis if he had called the sitting president to offer advice. His answer was compelling, “If the president wants my opinion he will ask for it. And when he does I won’t be telling you about it. If the president wants it known he can tell you.” This is humility talking. This is a man who was able to “let go” and go home. He wanted the nation to prosper, even though he handed the presidency over to a Republican rival. Understand that Truman is considered to be one of the greatest presidents in American history, and yet was not offended by the fact that he may not have been consulted by the sitting president, even in a crisis. Is this the attitude of politics in ministry? Not generally. If you don’t keep everyone feeling important, they are liable to start biting and devouring. Is there any wonder Jesus commanded the churches not to set up in a worldly construct? Politics has no place in the Kingdom of God; it is the outworking of democracy, not kingdom. 

Matthew Henry commented on these verses, “But, says he, if instead of serving one another in love, and therein fulfilling the law of God, you bite and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed one of another. If, instead of acting like men and Christians, they would behave themselves more like brute beasts, in tearing and rending one another, they could expect nothing as the consequence of it, but that they would be consumed one of another; and therefore they had the greatest reason not to indulge themselves in such quarrels and animosities. Note, Mutual strifes among brethren, if persisted in, are likely to prove a common ruin; those that devour one another are in a fair way to be consumed one of another. Christian churches cannot be ruined but by their own hands; but if Christians, who should be helps to one another and a joy one to another, be as brute beasts, biting and devouring each other, what can be expected but that the God of love should deny his grace to them, and the Spirit of love should depart from them, and that the evil spirit, who seeks the destruction of them all, should prevail?”

What’s the use of so much prayer, when politics are destroying our prayers? Why fast? Everything in the kingdom of God is put at risk where politics are involved. How can we have a revival if people are jockeying for the credit and glory for what transpires? I have seen revivals destroyed because of rivalry. What happens? Christians are disillusioned and near to giving up because of the politics that go in behind the scenes. This is where repentance has to begin. Not in the pew; not with the drug addict; not with the sinners around the world. We cannot go forward until men and women lay down their ambitions and all that is involved in them. There must be a humble repentance of the secular approach to ministry that prevails in our times. There must be a wholesale repentance of lovelessness and hate wherever it exists among leaders in the churches of God. 

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! (Galatians 5:14-15)

Greatness or Guileless? (Church Politics)

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Greatness or Guileless? 
Robert Wurtz II

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! (John 1:47)

Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly. (Proverbs 26:26 NKJV)



I have chosen two texts to illustrate the meaning of the Greek word dulos, which is translated as “guile” in John 1:47, and “deceit” in Proverbs 26:26 (LXX). The word is first used in Genesis 27:35 (LXX) when Isaac stated, “Your brother, coming with deceit, took away your blessing.” (Genesis 27:35 NETS) Jacob had disguised himself in order to acquire the blessing of the first born. His mother was also a party to the strategy. After this event, Jacob apparently repented of being deceitful and received the name Israel. (Genesis 32:28) Interestingly, a few verses after John 1:47, our Lord called to remembrance Jacob’s ladder experience. (John 1:51) This is the context of the sure statement that Nathanael was an “Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile!” In other words, he was no Jacob. 

Nathanael (Bartholomew) was the type of man who called it like he saw it. For example, when Philip came to tell him about Jesus he stated, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” (John 1:46 KJV) Nevertheless, being the type of person who would turn on a dime when the evidence warranted it, he became one of the first people to acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Nathanael had no tendency to pretense. He was the type of man who you could safely trust. A guileless person does not use flattery or other subtle forms of manipulation; they are honest and genuine. You wouldn’t have to worry about Nathanael “befriending” you for some ulterior reason. You could take him at his word. He would not have been the “win friends and influence people” type. His personality did not allow for such deceitfulness and pretentiousness. 

It is fascinating to know that the same man who made the comment, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?“ — was effectively praised of Jesus for his guilelessness. The tendency is to think that such a comment deserved a rebuke; however, Jesus was not praising unbelief — but his brutal honesty. This man had no desire to deceive or be deceived. 


The Contrast

Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly. (Proverbs 26:26 NKJV)



Unlike Nathanael, there is a type of person who can hate you in their heart, but cover their feelings with guile — so that you cannot tell how they truly feel until it is revealed. The world calls this type of person a frenemy. They may give the impression to you and to others that they are your friend —  while secretly plotting to cause you harm. This is why the Lord Jesus recognized Nathanael for having no guile. When selecting twelve people who were destined to spread the Gospel, it was essential that these men be guileless. 

We have additional insight into the bad behavior of Proverbs 26:26 when we read; “The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.” (Proverbs 10:18 ESV) A person who smiles to your face and hates you in their heart is a dangerous person. Think about how this passage contrasts with Nathanael. The word for hatred is translated as enmity in the NETS. When a person conceals their hostility, it is bound to come out in some way. It will often manifest in slanderous acts and other forms of maliciousness and treachery. 

This is one of the reasons Jesus refused to allow the disciples to set up a “competition for greatness” (Sit on my right hand or the left. viz. Mark 10:40) as had been put forward by the men’s mother. Why? Where there is competition (such as with Jacob and Esau or among the disciples), enmity would develop that would destroy their unity. Where there is enmity, there is likely to be deceit (guile) and slander. This is just one progression and expression of the sin of such competition for greatness. Instead of aspiring for greatness we should strive to be guileless.  


Guilelessness

Nathanael was a man in contrast to the religious leaders of his day. He would not have joined the party spirit of the schools of Hillel and Shammai, or Sadducees and Pharisees (for example). He had no ambitions that would entice him to act with guile (deceit). In modern times, politicians will do almost anything to achieve their objectives. What is worse is how they express their hatred of their opponents. They will put everything at risk just to cause their opponent to look bad. Why? Politicians think in terms of winners and losers; whereas Christians are concerned for the welfare of fellow believers and the churches of God.Politicians misrepresent their opponent and attack them in all kinds of questionable ways. Nevertheless, Jesus did not call politicians. In fact, these actions are all manifestations of the flesh — that He came to destroy. 

Revelation 21:8 tells us that all liars are going to have their part in the Lake of Fire. I think it is fair to say that this will include people who are a living manifestation of falsehood. The world may use guile wherever it is useful to them; however, it must never be so among Christians. Beware of any person who can transform themselves into an “angel of light” while around the saints but revert back to something else later on. The destructiveness of such behavior is such that it puts everyone at risk. The world does not mind misleading, using, and destroying people; but it ought not so to be in the churches of God. 

Prayer or Politics? (Politicking in the Church)

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Prayer or Politics?
Robert Wurtz II 

From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:1–4 KJV) 


As we begin the quest to elect a new president in the United States, I wish to turn our attention to our passage to help identify politicians who are operating within the churches of God. Whether running for the president of the United States or some office in the churches, the strategies are nearly identical; and they are as old as Satan himself. Denominations create “offices” not knowing that this will almost guarantee that a dangerous and divisive political element has been introduced along with it.

James answers a question that is on many peoples’ minds these days who attend denominational churches, “where are all of these fightings coming from? Why all the strife and division? Why can we never seem to come into unity?” Notice that James practically assumes that there are “wars and fightings” among God’s people (James 4:1). He identifies the trouble-makers as “friends of the world” and “enemies of God” (James 4:4).

Let’s make it plain from the beginning that practicing politics in the churches of God is pure worldliness. Jesus warned the Disciples about worldly power structures commanding them, “It shall not be so among you.” We are not to seek to be the “greatest” or set up offices where a man can be the “greatest” and voted on every two or four years. Did Paul and Barnabas get voted on every few years? How about Peter? There is no example in the New Testament of such behavior — but this has not stopped many Evangelicals from doing it (Matthew 20:24-28). The only thing worse than creating the office to begin with is to afterward covet holding it — knowing it’s not supposed to exist. One of the most “unChristlike” things a person can do is covet an “office” within the churches.

Unlike the procedure in the book of Acts where the Holy Spirit separated ministers to the works that He called them to do, men have set up a democracy within denominations, and it’s dreadful parliamentary procedure akin to Western nation-states. The apostles would have trembled at the thought, but in modern times men have come to believe that democracy is God’s way. Some even believe that casting lots is casting votes. Others suggest that casting lots is a less spiritual way of ascertaining the mind of God than what we see later in the Acts. This may be; but have we somehow confused democracy with what was done in the book of acts? I believe we have. 

Moreover, we ought to really ask ourselves, “Do we truly think we can improve on God’s way of setting up ministry?” I suggest that God is willing to sit back and wait for us to realize that our way is creating a total disaster and maybe — just maybe we will be willing to return to the word of God and do things biblically and not “worldly.” That’s right, “worldly”… the way the world does things.   

While many preach against “worldly” living they ignore the fact that politics in ministry is as “worldly” of practice as the most liberal church on earth. In fact, James calls the promoters of this type of church politics not prophets and priests, but adulterers and adulteresses (friends of the world). When men set a Christian organization up like God’s enemy would, is there any wonder He would call their actions adultery and the parties involved adulterers? Heaven doesn’t operate like a Gentile power structure — nor should the churches of God.   


 

Notice how James identifies the problem saying, Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Clearly, the problem is lust warring inside the people who are causing the “wars and fightings” among the saints. It’s the same thing that caused a stir in Matthew 20:24. This could be lust for power; lust for money; lust for popularity; lust for control; etc. The war of fleshly lusts raging inside the person not only “wars against their own soul” (1 Peter 2:11), but it spills over into the churches to destroy them as well. In order to get what they want, the “luster” will fight, war, and kill. In centuries past this was quite literal. In modern times, the warfare is different. In fact, it’s the same drama playing out in the run up to the presedential elections right now in America. 

Prayer or Politics?

When a person prays for something they are coveting and God does not answer that prayer, the coveting one is tempted to take matters into their own hands. If it is money or merchandise — they are apt to steal. If it is an “office” they tend to “fight, war, and kill.” Generally speaking, God will not answer the prayer of a person who wants what they are asking for in order to “consume it upon their lust.” If the lust is for power — they want the higher office to satisfy that lust. No matter how they may spin it, God knows their true motivation and is not answering the prayer. What happens? When prayer doesn’t work — they resort to politics.

When a person decides who they want to be in certain “offices” in ministry — they stop praying all together. If ministers really wanted God’s will done they would stop playing their democratic/political games and pray until the body heard from God and acted on it. Democracy seeks to snuff out God’s say in the matter. I need to ask, what are people afraid of? Are they afraid that God may have someone in mind to do a ministry other than them or one of their family members or friends? This is a very serious question that needs to be explored. Why do people say they want God’s will and then refuse to come together in a biblical way and try to ascertain it? In fact, the people with “voice and vote” in these so-called proceedings are people who pay tithe  or meet some other man-made qualification. Is that how the churches were led in the book of Acts? Of course it wasn’t. Do these men still claim to be God-fearing, spiritual, and Bible believing? Of course they do. But we need to face the music here. “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46 KJV) 

Are you concerned about who is going to “take the position” when it’s vacated? Have you lost sleep looking over your shoulder? Do you feel threatened that someone is “gunning for your position” in the church? If you can say yes to one or more of those questions it is almost a guarantee that what is being built is man’s kingdom and not God’s. Think about it. If it were truly God’s kingdom we would not be talking about anyone replacing God. We would continually be commended to God and the word of His grace and not be looking to “men” to do what the kings in Israel were forever doing. God wants to be king. This is as plain as it gets. Paul wept for three years while at Ephesus because he knew there were politicians wanting to take over that church (Acts 20). If we could hear the grieving of the Holy Spirit right this moment for all the politics going on in the churches we would be rocked to our core.  


A Culture of Obstruction (You fight, war, and kill)

A politician will never help his opponent in any meaningful way. He covets what another man has and will do what is necessary to get it. In fact, he moves in what may be called “passive aggressive” behaviors that deal blows without causing a scene or leaving a bruise. He sets up policies that promote his political objectives. He enforces them when they promote his intentions, and sets them aside when convenient (propose a “variance”). The better the politician, the more proficient he/she will be at this methodology. A good politician can wage war (stir the pot), but do so in such a way that it leaves the opponent looking bad, not the politician. Dr. Michael Brown posted a Meme in October 2015 that is well worth gazing at for a while. Here we have one person helping their brother; the other one silently happy that they failed. 


A politician is not concerned with the furtherance of the kingdom of God; they are focused on building their own kingdom. This is why they can never help the person that is in the “office” they are coveting. To the contrary, they will obstruct their success, expose their weaknesses, laud their errors, and focus on their failures. All the while never lifting a single finger to help them. Why? They want them to fail so they can campaign for their office on the platform of “CHANGE.” It is the oldest trick in the book. “Change is coming! Change is coming!” Is the cry of the politician. 


“Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.” (Proverbs 8:33 KJV)

How can you take the job of a person who is successful? The diabolical attitude of the politician can bring an entire denomination to a standstill. What happens? Nothing gets done because the politicians are sabotaging the people who occupy the offices they are coveting. Sometimes they do this publicly, but generally they do it privately by spreading what the business world calls F.U.D (fear, uncertainty, and doubt). They sow all kinds of discord behind the scenes in order to undermine the people who occupy the offices that they covet. The next time you are invited to dinner and the conversation begins to bite and devour a person who holds an “office” be advised that you are probably eating with a politician or one of his/her campaign supporters. What is the most shocking thing of all is how they put on a public “face” to deceive the people at large. The poor and unsuspected people have no idea what is going on and will often defend the person because they only ever see the “Jimmy Carter smile.”

A politician in the kingdom of God is a “snake in the grass.” Most people know who they are but are powerless to deal with them. They behave like a spoiled child who was raised to believe they are above their peers. They act out and everyone just has to put up with it. This is the practical side of it all. From God’s perspective, they are fighting and warring against the people of God in an attempt to satisfy their own inward lusts. This is the spiritual reality of it. They have confused God’s will with their own and usually have a band of supporters and “enablers” who partake of their evil deeds.

All the while, the kingdom of God suffers; the sheep get wounded and scattered; and the politicians continue with their glib — adulterous behavior. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God (James 4:4). “Adulteresses is the feminine term is the general designation of all whom James here rebukes. The apostate members of the church are figuratively regarded as unfaithful spouses; according to the common Old Testament figure, in which God is the bridegroom or husband to whom his people are wedded. See Jeremiah 3; Hosea 2, 3, 4; Isaiah 54:5; 62:4, 5. Also, Matthew 12:39; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7; 21:9.” (Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament)

How To Exercise Kingdom Authority (Why Satan Fell)

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How To Exercise Kingdom Authority
Robert Wurtz II

And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ “But it shall not be so among you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.” (Luke 22:24-26 NASB/KJV)

Here we read that the disciples quarreled over who would be the greatest among them. The context has a direct relationship to authority. So the argument among them was simply a matter of who should be in command. Our Lord challenges this mindset from the beginning. He said that the kings of the Gentiles lord it over them. In other words, the Gentiles liked to ‘lord over’ the people. This is certainly one of the reasons why God never wanted a king in Israel save Himself. He knew that fallen man cannot handle authority correctly. A cursory look at history is replete with abuse of power and authority. Jesus said plainly, it shall not be so among you.

The Mind in Satan

Sin and rebellion are older than the human race. Satan is the arch enemy of all creation. It is helpful to understand the ‘mind that was in Satan’:

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exaltmy throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. (Isaiah 14:12-15)

Notice how Lucifer (Satan) has become self-concious. As the anointed Cherub that covers his role was to exalt God, but now he is dead-bent on exalting himself. He went from holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty to… I will ascend…, I will exalt…, I will sit also upon the mount…, I will be like the most High. This is the trapping of leadership. It snared the Pharisees until finally they decided to kill God- having plotted to crucify him after many previous failed attempts. They loved the chief seats (I will sit…), they loved to be called, “Rabbi, Rabbi” and any other name that would exalt them (I will exalt). Jesus asked them, How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? (John 5:44 KJV) Suffice these examples to make the point as it is superfluous to name them all. 

The Mind in Christ

Jesus Christ is the Son of God from all eternity. He is the second person of the Godhead and recipient of the perpetual worship of the Cherubim. He knows what it is to be God. He knew what it was like to create the Universe. And yet He chose a staggering means of defeating Satan and his angels. He would do it through the humiliation of the cross.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and cbeing made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8 KJV/NET/ESV)

It may sound cliche’, but it is truly impossible for us to grasp how humiliating crucifixion on the cross was in ancient times. It was the lowest form of degradation reserved for slaves, criminals, and enemies of the state. German professor Martin Hengel’s work Crucifixion in the Ancient World and the Folly of the Message of the Cross is to be regarded as one of the greatest works on the subject. The notion that God would save the world through such a means as this was utterly foolish to the ancient world. The cross was a barbaric and cruel treatment; it was obscene in the original repulsive sense of the word. And yet Jesus Christ humbled Himself from being the Son of God to endure such dastardly treatment.

Let This Mind Be in You

While Satan is saying in himself, I will ascend…, I will exalt…, I will sit also upon the mount…, I will be like the most High– Jesus Christ was living out in flesh and blood; I will descend; I will condescend to man; I will humble myself unto death- even the death of the cross. That is the greatest contrast our finite minds can conceive; and yet we are told, let this mind be in you. Let the mind of Satan be replaced with the mind of Christ. Jesus said to the people, the kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ “But it shall not be so among you.” They were worldly — but Christ was other-worldly. His kingdom was not of this world. They were moving in the mind of the Prince of the Power of the Air — but Christ came to teach the way of God.

Kingdom Authority

He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself… (John 13:4-10)

The Kingdom of God is not a multilevel corporation. It’s not a Gentile business model. Here are these disciples arguing over who will be in charge and here is their Master… He poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe [them] with the towel wherewith he was girded. No doubt their Zionist hopes were being dashed to pieces before their very eyes. Jesus Christ was not here to set up a Kingdom in which they could be His generals, He was here to show forth the true example of life for all the human race to rise and take heed. This is it — there is no other. Let this mind be in you, for this is the mind of Christ.