But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires”.
Matthew 3:15 NLT
“Let it be so for now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.” ESV
“ Permit it just now, for it is the fitting way for [both of us to fulfil all righteousness, [that is to perform & complete whatever is right].” AMPC
In this season of holy refinement, God is working throughout His church. We see a great return to holy alignment. A holy alignment that requires each of us carrying out all that God requires. Much emphasis is now being placed on a returning, which can only be indicative, first of a leaving.
We note from Hebrews chapter 3, that it is the evil heart of unbelief that departs from the living God. It is deception to believe we are in love and right before the Father without a life that perpetuates continual, willing, obedience.
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From the New Testament Narrative translation, we find the publicans asking John the Baptist what they must do. His response is “do nothing more than that which is appointed you.” Luke 3:13
Mary at the wedding of Cana tells the servants to “do whatever he tells you” John 2:5.
From the book of Samuel we learn from Saul’s example of the cost of disobedience. It cost him his Kingdom. 1 Samuel 15:22-23
From the prophet Isaiah, we learn the Lord delights in obedience and discover it is the willing and obedient who eat the good of the land. Isaiah rehearses in chapter 1:11,
“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me [unless they are the offering of the heart]? says the Lord. I have had enough of the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts [without obedience]; and I do not delight in the blood of bulls or of lambs or of he-goats [without righteousness].” Amplified Classic.
Verse 17 continues,”If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;
But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.” Amplified Classic
It is said of Jesus in the book of Hebrews, knowing he had a body prepared, he had come to do the will of the Father Hebrews, 10:5-7. His willing obedience, His love of righteousness, crowned Him with the oil of joy. Hebrews 1:9
Grace, is our Fathers enabling power at work in us. His truth, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” receives my response of ‘yes’ back to Him. The purifying work done within us by the Holy Spirit is a holy refinement, a refiners fire producing holy alignment. This experience was never designed to be an one and only event but achieved through daily union with the Holy One.
These wonderful days, David and I spend the majority of our time pastoring, pastors. That is encouraging and strengthening them to be shepherds after the heart of God, and stewarding and overseeing the souls given to them to guard.
Leading a people into holiness is not only done through teaching, but must be by precept and example. If judgment begins with the house of God, it must start with those leading the church. The teaching that comes from the pulpits must be aligned with holy scriptures. While we all, as ministers, believe we are preachers of the word, we must also examine whose name is focused and exalted.
Jesus, as the head of His church and comes to baptize us with the Holy Spirit and fire. Forever marked as His. Fire to burn the chaff, ignite the soul and produce a zeal for Him that consumes our lives. The Holy Spirit becomes a seal upon our lives.
Forever marked as His.