Judah Rock

I would like to preface this blog with the fact that it has never been my intention, nor do I currently intend to stir the pot or quarrel with fellow believers about theological matters to create conflict or confusion.  Due to the current situation amidst the body of Christ – specifically concerning the next generation of world-changers, revivalists and disciples, I feel it is my responsibility to clear the air, rather, of any existing confusion that may be causing people to stumble.

“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” (1 Cor 14:33)

It seems that the elephant-in-the-room as of late has been “a theology of suffering” vs “the prosperity gospel/heaven on earth.”  Based on my observations, both topics have been deemed as “wrong” or “false” by the opposing party not because of their true meaning, but because of how one party assumes the other party believes.  In other words – lost in translation.

As a representative of one of the aforementioned “parties”, I’d like to start by speaking candidly about my (our) beliefs.  First, we do NOT believe that:

Every Christian is destined to be a millionaire.
When Jesus told us to pray in Matthew 6:13 “lead us not into temptation…” clearly He didn’t mean for us to pray “God, don’t tempt us to sin,” but rather, “don’t promote us to a position that we can’t handle” (in Lamen’s terms).  God doesn’t lead us to sin, he promotes and brings goodness (James 1:12-17).  Therefor God is not going to bless (financially) anybody whose character cannot handle millions of dollars.  He will however, to the believer who puts faith in him for provision, or rather – HE who provides, restore any areas of lack.  This doesn’t ONLY cover our finances, but certainly doesn’t exclude them either.

We DO believe that:

Christians are destined to reign in life.
Romans 5:17 says “For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man (Adam), much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.”  That word “reign” in the original Greek literally means to “be a king” or “exercise kingly power.”  This isn’t to say that you are going to be like King Xerxes (seen in the movie “300″) – too rich for his own good, greedy, sought after power, influence & material things to build himself and his kingdom up for selfish reasons.  Joseph, Jacob’s son (Genesis 37-41) is more along the lines of the “kingship” we are to adopt from the Father through Jesus.  His story is a great old testament example of the nature of God who is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8).  He was able to endure circumstances that some may consider “suffering” because of the favor of God on his life.  His brothers sold him as a slave to the Ishmaelites whom transferred him into the hands of Potiphar, an established officer of Pharaoh, where he became “overseer (king) of his house.”  He was then wrongly accused and thrown into jail where he was appointed as “in charge” (king) of all the prisoners in the prison.  He was then recognized by Pharaoh’s (Ruler of Egypt) committee and set “over all the land of Egypt”.  This is a picture of the grace of God BEFORE it was made available under the new covenant to all men through this “one man” Jesus Christ.

It’s safe to say that Joseph reigned in life no matter what his circumstances were.  Did Joseph endure suffering, affliction, hardships, trials etc?  Yes!  But our focus is not on the suffering, but rather a loving savior, Jesus Christ, who endured the ultimate suffering on the cross so that we may ALSO share in his abundant life here on earth.

“…as he (Jesus) is so also are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17)

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10).  This word “life” in it’s original Greek is “Zoe.”  Which means “absolute fullness, blessed, active and vigorous” amidst other things and is promised on earth AS WELL AS in eternity.

This concept of having misplaced focus rings true in most “suffering” scriptures which have been and are commonly being mis-emphasized.  For example:

“we rejoice in our sufferings…” (Romans 5:3)
“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake…” (Col. 1:24)
“But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings…” (1 Peter 4:13)

Each of these verses, when read in context, are talking about rejoicing the overcoming power of Christ when we are presented with an affliction or trial.  NOT rejoicing in suffering itself simply because we are Christian.

Many other verses talk about “sharing in Christ’s suffering.”  This is inevitable when we receive Jesus in his fullness.  Not to BRING hardships to our lives as Christians, but so that in HIS suffering, we may gain an abundance of comfort when we are being attacked or afflicted as he was.  When you read verses that talk about sharing in Christ’s sufferings, they are almost always followed up with the assurance that equal and greater comfort are attached to it.  PRAISE GOD!

Other verses talk about being “patient in suffering.”  Patience is a fruit of the spirit (Gal 5:22), which is produced from a foundation of practicing the awareness of Christ’s love for us.  Again, not focussed on the suffering, but on Christ.  This is reiterated to us when Peter reminds us that if we are lacking in these qualities (patience… etc), it is because we have forgotten about what Jesus did for us (2 Peter 1:9).  Not what more we can do for him to earn and develop these fruits.  On the contrary, the love of God is often more realized and perfected in us when we initially do less work.

This truth is illustrated in Luke 10:38-42 where Mary (Martha’s sister) is found sitting at the feet of Jesus receiving from him while Martha is working hard to please Jesus.  When Martha becomes frustrated with Mary for her “laziness”, Jesus tells Martha that Mary has chosen the “good portion” – or has chosen to receive first rather than give first, and that what she has received will not be taken away.

I bolded the word first because the bible also tells us in Acts 20:35 that it is “more blessed to give than to receive.”  You can only give out of what you have been given.  It is when we are open vessels that Christ pours more into us.

Consider a waitress or server at a restaurant.  Often times, before your food comes, he or she will bring a stack of plates and begin handing them out.  For illustration sake, let’s say that you are you and the server is Jesus.  This is biblically sound based upon Matt. 20:28  as it says that “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.”  Back to my illustration, let’s say the server begins handing out the plates and you are the first to receive one.  You then have a choice to make – either A) PARTNER with the server and pass the one you just received to the next person and continue this process until you and everyone around you has been provided for, or B) Take your plate for yourself and force the server to move on to somebody else.  Notice that nothing gets truly accomplished until we FIRST encounter the “server.”  Point being, that work done out of lack is just that, work.  But work done out of abundance has true purpose.

Anyway, this is probably enough for one blog.  If you’ve read this far, you’re amazing.  More to come.

-Aus