“For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake… But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (2 Corinthians 4:5, 7)
World systems have creeped into our organizations, such as hierarchy, rank and top down control. These concepts are not found in scripture to be for the body of Christ, but they are acknowledged in this world and we are subject to them out of reverence to God’s ultimate authority. (Titus 3:1,Rom. 13:1) In the Congregation of Believers we are all servants and our leaders are shepherds under the authority of Yeshua. We understand the fallen human nature within each of us, moreover, no man or group of men can contain, even as a conduit, the full life and power the Holy Spirit desires to give the Body. Each Believer has a direct connection to the Head, Yeshua. In this way we follow Yeshua by faith, in the Spirit.
We seek Him individually and together, where two or three are gathered in His name, He is there. We desire Him above all things and yearn for more of Him as David said, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalms 42:1-2) In the Lord’s presence there is peace, joy, restoration, healing and delight. (Ps. 37:4; 35:9) Yet, we should not come for emotional purposes alone, out of selfish reasons. To come into His presence is to be changed. When Moses came to the burning bush, he took off his shoes on the holy ground.
Come to Him in holiness, cleansed by the Blood of Christ. We must rid ourselves of the world’s filth as we come before the Lord; with a duplicitous heart nothing can be received from the Lord. (James 1:6-8)
We come as we are, sick and needy, like the woman with the bleeding disorder, to touch the hem of his garment. (Luke 8:44) We come desperate like the blind man who called out loudly and refused to be quieted, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Luke 18:38) To reach Him we may need the assistance of others to carry us or break through a roof to be let down before Him. (Luke 5:19) The Lord honors our desire as we reach out to Him. He desires us and says, “‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’” (Jeremiah 33:3) Though the path is narrow between our faults and weaknesses, desperation and desire for Him will light the way.
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