“Stick With The Plan”

By S. Bertram Robinson, President, His Vision Enterprises

Today, many Christians are asking: “What is God up to and what are His plans for the Church during the current economic crisis?”  Each night, media outlets provide the opportunity for pundits to explain the “real reasons” for the Wall Street collapse, bank failures, scandalous ponzi schemes, massive job layoffs, and world-wide economic recession.  For Christian believers, the Bible represents our ultimate source of truth.  Let’s look briefly at these same issues through the prism of God’s Word.  Note the following:

God is sovereign and in control.  First of all, God’s kingdom rule exists over born-again believers and the entire universe that God has made.  He is also sovereign over everything including human relationships, governments, institutions, and all the elements of creation.  His authority is absolute and without restriction or exception.  The Psalmist has said: “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Thy dominion endureth throughout all generations” (Psa. 145:13).

According to the Scriptures, God is sovereign over:

·      The entire universe: Psa. 103:19; Rom. 8:28; Eph. 1:11;

·      All of nature: Psa. 135:6-7; Mt. 5:45; 6:25-30;

·      Angels & satan: Psa. 103:20-21; Job 1:12, Nations: Psa. 47:7-9; Dan. 2:20-21; 4:34-35;

·      Human beings: 1 Sam. 2:6-7; Gal 1:15-16;

·      Animals:  Psa. 104:21-30; 1 Ki 17:4-6;

·      Accidents: Prov. 16:33; Jon. 1:7; Matt. 10:29;

·      Free acts of men: Exod. 3:21; 12:25-36; Ezek. 7:27;

·      Sinful acts of men and Satan: 2 Sam. 24:1; I Chron. 21:1; Gen 45:5; 50:20.

God has a Plan.  Secondly, God has enacted a plan to redeem lost humanity back into fellowship with Himself.  He has given Jesus Christ, Who, lived, died,

was buried, and was resurrected from the dead.  Not only has Jesus defeated satan, sin, and death, but He also has created new life for us both now and forever.  Now, no circumstance is able to sidetrack God or divert Him from His ultimate purpose.  A day will come when He will be worshiped by those from every people group on the planet (See Rev. 5:9; 7:9). Today, we as believers, have been chosen, anointed, empowered, and commissioned by God to partner with Him in His efforts to fulfill that vision.

Christians have dual citizenship status.  Thirdly, all born-again believers live a paradoxical existence; we are citizens of two kingdoms at the same time.  On the one hand, we are natural sons of Adam, belonging to the human race.  On the other hand, we are spiritual sons of God, belonging to the Kingdom of God.  

(Page 2:  Stick With the Plan)

Our dual citizenship is manifested in several ways.  We are citizens of this world, sent by God to be and make disciples for Jesus Christ.  We are also citizens of heaven, and, therefore, aliens in this world (See Jn. 17:15-18; Eph. 2:19; Heb. 11:13).  We are in the world but not of the world, which means that, while we live in a city or town in the U. S. A., we have been given a spiritual authority that originates in heaven.  We are sent by God to hang out with and win sinners at the same time that we are to separate from believers and unbelievers alike, who, through their lifestyles, refuse to honor God. (See I Cor. 9:19-23; II Cor. 6:14-18).

Finally, we are to fit into this world, being salt (preservers), light (presenters of God’s Truth), and leaven (influencers) in our daily lives.  Simultaneously, we are to speak out against violations against God’s will that occur within our church, our community, our nation, and our world. (See Matt. 5:13-16; 13:33; I Thess. 4:11-12; Eph. 5:11).

Jesus prayed to the Father: “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the

world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world” (Jn.

17:15-18 NIV).

Life happens.  Realistically, our Christian citizenship does not exempt us from dealing with the normal stuff that happens to all people, both Christian and non-Christian, who live in this world.  Unfortunately, many sincere Bible-studying, tithe-paying, devil-chasing, prayer warriors are actually being downsized, losing their jobs, facing foreclosures, and even seeing their retirement funds depleted.  It is difficult for us to see how such things would bring glory to God.  Although we are not immune from the challenges of everyday living, Jesus invites us to stick with His plan, assured that, because we are in Him, we cannot lose!

Regardless of our natural circumstances, our position in Christ immunizes us, not from everyday life, but from everlasting death.

The Apostle Paul has well-stated the reality of our situation: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:38-39).

Conclusion:  God has empowered and equipped us to become fruitful in His Kingdom.  He expects us to diligently participate in His plan to redeem lost humanity back into fellowship with Himself.