PERSPECTIVE

Don Atkin

APOSTLES AND METAMORPHOSIS

Apostles morph, too!  Apostles are increasing from faith to faith, from strength to strength, and from glory to glory.  There is a broad spectrum that stretches from the starting line to the finishing line.  Many are in the race; few are at the same place.

We are not all at the same place in the morphing process.  Hopefully, we are not where we were years ago, even months ago.  Hopefully, we are growing.  Hopefully, we are willing to repent when new vistas are presented to us. 

Such change can challenge us; especially if we have built a following and financial base around precepts and practices that were part of the worm, not the butterfly (part of the old creation, not the new creation).  To embrace change is to embrace the cross; to repent from our own systems is to trust our Father’s systems.

We should not be surprised, offended or threatened when we observe other apostles who function in their unction in a different manner.  Is Christ in them?  Is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead giving life to their mortal bodies?  Are they heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ?

If we are to walk worthy of the calling with which we have been called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, (we will be) bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body.

We will not come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ without one another!

DON’T POLARIZE IN THE PRESENT!

Whether we are organizational or organic in our understanding of the structure of our Lord’s body, we must not make the tragic and prideful mistake of believing that we have it all and the others are completely missing it.

I have gradually changed from an organizational approach to an organic view of the body of Christ.  That is my testimony of my morphing journey to the present day.  However, I must allow the same privilege to others, and make certain that I don’t polarize in my present position against my brothers.  Our warfare is not with flesh and blood.  Meekness is a necessary virtue for those sons who would inherit the earth.

Interestingly, we find growing evidence of emerging organic and relational emphasis in many organizations.  And, even the smallest organic home group or simple church expression requires some degree of organization to function.

Clearly, some gifts carry greater measures of grace than others.  Accordingly, apostolic spheres vary in size, both geographically and numerically.  Much is required of those to whom much has been given.  It takes more time to turn a large ship than it does to turn a small boat.

God looks upon the heart.  We are privileged to have a glimpse into one another’s heart only by divine revelation.  Even then we see in part, and must be cautious about drawing conclusions that might potentially create unnecessary schisms, fractures and divisions.

ALLOW FOR HONEST DIFFERENCES!

Peter was sent to the Jews, and Paul was sent to the Gentiles.  Peter inherited many systems and structures that he had to deal with.  On the other hand, Paul was free to forthrightly count all of his earthly credentials rubbish, and fully embrace the simplicity that is in Christ without being burdened by religious baggage.

It would be unfair to conclude that Peter was organizational and Paul was organic in their visions to build.  The first few chapters of Acts should prove to us that the fruit of Peter’s ministry was an organic body that met in a variety of venues under the direction and anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Nevertheless, the calling together of apostles and elders, recorded in Acts 15, evidences that honest differences existed between the church in Jerusalem and the church in Antioch.  By meeting together, representatives from both cities were able to righteously deal with these honest differences.  Had they polarized rather than communicated, we could have ended up with two clearly defined denominations.

I am thankful for the grace that was upon the relationship between Peter and Paul that gave Paul the freedom to submit his ministry for possible corrective adjustment.  That relationship also allowed Paul to bring needed correction to Peter.  We need one another!  And, we need to relate and communicate with one another.

TEACH IN, AND REACH OUT!

Apostles are master builders.  The aptitude to build is in our DNA.  How to build remains the variable.  We won’t get it absolutely right while remaining alone.  We are all in agreement that we are messengers, and our message is the King and His kingdom.  I believe that we also agree that the body is organic, not a mere organization.

We have differing views about scaffolding, the structures needed for the building process.  Like Peter and Paul, we have differing circumstances at our beginning points.  How do we proceed?

I would like to suggest that we honor the metamorphosis process in one another by understanding the differences between teaching and reaching.  We can be teaching into our own spheres, and reaching into the hearts of our apostolic peers.  My fellow apostles, I don’t need to teach you.  But, I do need to reach you.

The global communion of the saints will be the benefactor of that reaching effort.  The purpose of God will be furthered by that reaching effort.  Sometimes reaching requires stretching.  Stretching increases flexibility.  Flexibility is encapsulated in grace.  Grace releases the glory of God.

Love never fails.  We know in part and we prophesy in part.  I put away childish things.  Now we see in a mirror dimly.  Now I know in part.  Now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest is love.  Pursue love. – From I Cor. 13:8 – 14:1.