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"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Eph. 5:21). Just as there is a difference between "light and darkness", there is also a difference between submission to God's spiritual authority in whoever He puts into our lives at any given moment to minister to us... and those who believe we can only be empowered by God, and a viable part of Christ's Body when we are under the "control" of an "individual" who somebody deems God has put over us to watch over our life. In the New Testament after the 72 were sent out by Jesus to minister, and they returned with their testimony, the following happened...Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children",(Luke 10:21).are we not "all" His children? It is both ludicrous and dangerous to think that as a spirit-filled member of the Body of Christ, that a person cannot hear, nor function in the fullness of that which God has for "each" of us, and that we can't even have the conviction to repent when we have in fact erred. To say that a "man" over us is the only way that we can have that wisdom and understanding is complete heresy. As Paul said in Galatians 1:10..."Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ". Christ is our example and head over "all" members of His Body, and as that example, I see no circumstance of rule and control when He walked the earth 2000 years ago---only Servitude! In fact, He knew the disciples would stumble, and He allowed it to in fact show their hearts and weaknesses, which led to conviction and repentance, just as He does today with the indwelling Holy Spirit. To say that God puts people"over" each of us to keep us on the straight and narrow, is contrary to the example and teachings of Christ. If God intended for "man" to rule over us there would be no need for each of us to have the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and we could just go back to the "law"...for myself, I will submit to one another as unto the Lord. "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength..."(Jer. 17:5). I do not want to become enslaved to what Christ brought each of us out of when He rose from the dead, and His Holy Spirit breathed life into our spiritual "death", never again to be squelched by the "law" or "traditions" of men. I believe it is time for each of us to walk in the "pureness" of what God intended the five- fold ministry to function as, not as a government of control and rule; but to develop multiple relationships within the Body to equip and edify the Saints. There have been many people that God has put in my life from a few minutes, to long term relationships, to minister and speak into my life. I thank God for that blessing, and I pray that it continues in my life, for it has enhanced my relationship with Him as He has worked in my life, free of the control and bondage of religious systems and governments of men. I also pray that all in the Body can move into these types of relationships where anyone that God chooses to speak through can minister and "equip" others in the Body without the structure and control that has so long been a tradition in Christianity. I have seen and lived both and can only encourage those in bondage to "man authority" to break out and see the difference it can make in their spiritual lives, and just let the "fruits" in their lives and others be the test as the Holy Spirit leads and directs their way. Many of us in the Body are seeing the walls of control and "man authority" being torn down no matter where they are found whether in denominations,buildings,home groups, marriages, or individuals;and as they are, we are seeing a greater manifestation of His power and anointing within the Body as never before seen in this country and the worls. I pray that as God works in each of our lives, that we will be able to see the importance of receiving the Body as God intends..free of doctrinal and traditional restrictions driven by whatever venue. Even though I believe strongly in what is shared here, it doesn't change my love and acceptance for those who believe differently. We must receive the gifts and anointing in the entire Body of Christ, and know that no matter whether we totally agree or not, that if we desire the fullness of that which God has for us individually and corporately, we must be willing to lay those things down which are a stumbling block to others, and a hindrance to developing the Christ-like relationships that are going to be critical in the times ahead. It is with all sincerity that I say none of what has been shared here means anything to me if it becomes an issue to used in contention and division of members of the Body, rather than something submitted for consideration. I believe God has put this on my heart, and others, to share with the Body, and anything beyond that is the Lord's work not ours, so I close praying God's blessing and anointing in each of your lives as we continue to grow into the fullness of that which He has for each of us in the Body of Christ.
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