2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
Proverbs 29:18 (Amplified) says, "Where there is no vision (no redemptive revelation of God) the people perish, but he who keeps the Law (of God, which includes that of man) blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he."
In the above scripture, God says that "Where there is no vision or redemptive revelation of God, the people perish." It seems like every time we get a vision or redemptive revelation from God, we deny it and remain with tradition. Whenever man comes up with something new, others arose to oppose it. Every new invention mankind every made, others arose in strong opposition to it. When the first trains were introduced, many were afraid to ride at such high speeds (which were only 30mph), but thankfully, the rails didn't stop because of opposition. We now enjoy the fruits of their vision and high speed rails travel at 200 mph in some parts of the world.
Everything begins with a vision, both in the world and the Church. Men could envision sky scrapers and worked to bring their visions to fruition. Many bridges like the San Francisco bridge were believed to be impossible things at one time, but today's people laugh to think of such a scenario.
Mankind was created to dominate the earth and everything in it. Man has accomplished many things that were thought to be impossible at one time. Jesus said that "Nothing would be impossible to him who believes." His statement doesn't only apply to the Church. Salvation and the things of the new birth though, are not included in this statement, because both require faith in Christ Jesus. Mankind was created to believe and have dominion.
Every person on earth, has the God given ability to believe. Many believe in the wrong things and have created havoc in the world, while many believe only in what they can see (after it's built). Many others believe that it "won't work," even after seeing it. Some people would rather live only in what they know and never step into something new (revelation). They put their heads in the sand, like an ostrich, and act like it doesn't exist.
In these Last Days, the Lord has added to the revelation of redemption to the Church, but many refuse to see the vision. It's God's plan that has always lived in His hearts for us, but even during Jesus' earthly ministry, the people clung to tradition over revelation. For many years now, some believers have seen beyond tradition and have met opposition by the mainstream, so they laid a blueprint for someone else to follow. Some have passed on the vision and blueprint via books, CD's DVD's and blogs, but others have refused to accept the vision (even though "the people perish without lack of vision."
The things we've learned about Jesus, over the years, concerning salvation are true things. We've believed in salvation and grace for many, many years, but the vision doesn't stop there. The vision has led to some receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in other tongues, but many others still reject these things. This extended revelation is something that will continue into all eternity.
I don't believe that we will ever understand everything that God knows, while we are still here. I also believe that God continually encourages us to walk deeper with Him. When He revealed His plan for the confession of our mouths, to speak only His Words and to stop speaking the language of the enemy, many opposed this part of the vision of redemption (and some still do).
Revelation or the vision of God's will for man, has nearly been dismissed in the Church (except for the message of salvation). Christianity was birthed nearly two thousand years ago, and there's still a division in the Church about what God's will is. Some believe that it's God's will to teach His children with calamity and sickness. Some believe we are still under the Law and try walking under it. Others believe that grace covers everything and they can continue living in opposition to God's Word and that everything they do is okay with God. It seems like every time God brings new revelation to the Church, the majority rejects it and remain in tradition. Is it any wonder that He said, "Without this vision of redemption, His people perish?"
The things God has been revealing to us in this vision, have been set aside for tradition. Tradition won't get you healed. Only the vision or image that brings faith in His redemptive work, will bring healing. Tradition may have a place in Christianity, but it's not the full vision of redemption. Sadly, many won't receive that redemptive reality until they go Home, after this life. The true vision of redemption is already a finished work in Christ Jesus. We are now, the redeemed of the Lord!
We have been purchased (redeemed, bought back) by the Blood of Jesus, according to 1Corinthians 6:20 (Amplified) which says, "You were bought with a Price (purchased with a Preciousness and paid for, made His Own) so then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body." We read about the people whose imaginations, led to their trying to build a tower to Heaven. The image or vision of the Church, needs to include what the Father is doing now and not only what He is going to do in the future. Our vision of His redemptive ability, should include healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, raising the dead and casting demons out of the Church and the world. Jesus delegated power of dominion and authority to the Church, for us to use here, not in Heaven. All of these things were included in the redemption of Jesus and His resurrection.
Why would Jesus instruct us to "Go forth and preach the Gospel, lay hands on the sick, speak with new tongues and cast out demons" in Mark 16, if these things weren't intended for us today? We have lost the vision that came from the Word and the Spirit and have held onto tradition instead. Every invention (both in the natural for the world and Super-natural for the Church) mankind has put forth, came first from imagination and vision. We use the images given or seen by others, to preach and teach the Word throughout the world. People can watch TV, search the web or be taught God's Word by iphone everywhere, everyday. All these things began with a vision or imagination.
I've heard someone say that he didn't seen why preachers needed airplanes in their ministry, in order to preach the Gospel. His feeling was that if Jesus used a donkey and walked everywhere He went, then we only need these things too. My answer to him was, "Jesus never crossed the Pacific Oceans in His earthly ministry." And, I said, "Jesus instructed us to go into all the earth." This requires vision and imagination, in order to accomplish. How big do you see God? If your vision of Him and His plan of redemption is small, then Jesus Words in John 14:12 aren't for you, because He said, "Greater things than these will you do."
We are to lift up our vision and allow it to come into us, so we can see God's plan of redemption, through His eyes and not just in tradition. We must take His Word from Sunday morning assemblies and come out equipped for the streets. We're no longer satisfied to say we believe, but we will prove that God still lives today. The first time you raise someone out of a wheelchair in Walmart, you will have an audience who will listen and wish to meet the God Who heals. Let God give the vision of redemption to you and then simply walk it out in your life. We weren't only purchased, but everything God created for His family was also purchased by the very same Sacrifice of Jesus.
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