welcoming Jesus' Lordship

Welcoming Jesus’ Lordship
4/14/06
Today while in prayer for God’s healing power to fall, the Lord quickened me to this scripture; “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign” (Rev 11:17). Softly, sweetly, the Lord said to me “not everyone wants me to take My power and reign”. Many in the church in American, He said, had their own kingdom. He challenged me to tell Him how many I thought would welcome His Lordship. I thought of all the churches and ministries that I admire, and did not know who would resent Him coming in power. Then He answered “Those who are afraid” would not pray for His kingdom to come to earth. They are afraid because He will come to judge the dead, the evil, and His own. “Tell them not to fear. I love them”.

What is the balance, I wondered, between His love, and His judgment? I find an illustration of this balance in the parable of the talents (Lk 19:15-27). One man was set over 10 cities because of his faithfulness. The next man was not cast out. He did not do as much as the first, but he was rewarded with being over 5 cities. God gives each of us a measure of faith according to our calling. If we have a calling to rule over 10 cities and are faithful in the small things, He will promote us to 10 cities. If we have a calling to rule over 5 cities, and are faithful in the small things He gives us to do, He will not be disappointed in us. God did not measure the 2nd man against the first man and chastise him for not doing better. He rewarded him.

It was the 3rd man who was afraid, and didn’t want to do anything with his talent. And this brings me back to whom the Lord said is not praying for His kingdom to come on the earth; those who are afraid. Those who do not think God is fair. Those who set up their own kingdom and do not want Him to rule.

We should fear God, but not for the wrong reasons. He is not arbitrary, or unfair. He actually respects Man, and is consistent and unchanging so that we will get to know Him. God wants to show Himself to Man. He is not hiding. But the 3rd servant thought God was unfair.

If we let Jesus rule over us in our lives by His Spirit, then let us also look forward to His rule in power. He taught us to pray for His kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. Let us pray this, unafraid. After all, He loves us.