I am not an ardent football fan but I am always fascinated by the teamwork of the players. And I noticed that the team that exhibits great cohesion always carry the day. Watching one of those matches, the Lord began to teach me a valuable lesson about our place in His purpose for creation, our present time and His return. Please permit me to share the experience with you.
Many in the Body of Christ do not know what their place is in the Body, thus, they abuse the Grace of God upon their lives by wasting it on ventures that are of no eternal value. The Bible tells us: “But [the time is coming when] the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14, AMPC). Beloved, from the first chapter of Genesis, we see the desire of God to fill the earth with the knowledge of His glory. He told the man to multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. This command was not for man to perpetuate self-will on the earth but to showcase the glory of God. When man fell by the third chapter, God was not done with Man neither had He abandoned His purpose for creation, despite man’s evil: “When the Lord saw that man’s wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every scheme his mind thought of was nothing but evil all the time, the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Then the Lord said, “I will wipe off from the face of the earth mankind, whom I created, together with the animals, creatures that crawl, and birds of the sky — for I regret that I made them” (Genesis 6:5-7). However, God left a remnant (Noah and his family) in whom He found His purpose can still come to bear on the earth. In the New Testament, we see Him restating His purpose again when He declared: “But you are God’s chosen treasure —priests who are kings, a spiritual “nation” set apart as God’s devoted ones. He called you out of darkness to experience His marvellous light, and now He claims you as His very own. He did this so that you would broadcast His glorious wonders throughout the world” (1 Peter 2:9, TPT). God called Abraham into this team, and he (Abraham knew and agreed with God concerning his place on the team). The Bible tells us: “For I have chosen him so that he will command his children and his house after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. This is how the Lord will fulfil to Abraham what He promised him” (Genesis 18:19). Abraham believed in God and he became the father of all that believe in Christ Jesus! When a man (male and female) hears the call of God in His heart to become His own, and such responds favourably, such becomes a part of the team of God’s Purpose for the earth! From Genesis to Revelation, men and women agreed with God and became key players in His programme (Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joseph, Ruth, Job, Hannah, Peter, Nathaniel, Paul, Rahab, Esther, Mary, Elizabeth and so many more). Beloved, do not look down on yourself because you do not have a ‘mighty ministry’, that is not God’s way. All He desires from you is your obedience and submission to His will. If people like Hannah, Jephtah, Mary and Rahab became members of the team because they agreed and stood up in obedience, the same Grace is offered to you. You cannot claim to agree with God and you remain in sin and your old way of life. All the people that are in the Team of the Kingdom of God stood up and turned away from their former way of life. Beloved, don’t buy into the nonsense teaching that says ‘only your heart matters’! Don’t be deceived, whatever you believe in your heart you will exhibit. You cannot claim to be a saint at heart and a vagabond in the physical. You cannot play for the opponent (the devil) and God at the same time! Our place on this team is not dictated by our whims or imagination, but by our obedience and submission to the will of God! Do you know what your place is? If you walk in disobedience and wilfulness, you ARE NOT on the team…don’t be deceived! No wonder, Jesus declared: “On the day of judgment many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, don’t you remember us? Didn’t we prophesy in Your name? Didn’t we cast out demons and do many miracles in Your name?’ But I will have to say to them, ‘Go away from me, you lawless rebels! I’ve never been joined to you!'” (Matthew 7:22-23, TPT). Beloved, ponder for a moment, ‘Are You On The Lord’s Team’ or you are neither here nor there because of your wavering faith between loving God and tolerating the world? God bless you as you return to the Lord in true repentance and ponder these things, in Jesus Christ name. Amen!
