TEACHING

Don Atkin

GODLY GOVERNMENT

There will always be confusion in the absence or lack of godly order. So long as there is carnality, there will be confusion. Paul speaks to this issue in his first epistle to the church in Corinth:

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ . . . . for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? - 3:1, 3

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace. - 14:33

Let all things be done decently and in order. - 14:40

In the next verse, he ties this godly order to the gospel:

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel. - 15:1

THE GOSPEL OF REPENTANCE

John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." - Matthew 3:1-2

Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

- Matthew 4:17

As you go, preach, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." - Matthew 10:7

Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name. - Luke 24:47

Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. - Acts 2:38

Let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God. - Hebrews 6:1

Obedience to the gospel begins with repentance from sin and dead works of the flesh, and continues with faith toward God through the power of the Holy Spirit operating from within. Repentance is a change of mind (to Christ’s mind), a change of direction (to His path for us), a change of government (under His loving lordship), and a total change of life:

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain. - Galatians 2:20-21

We were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:4, 11

The kingdom of God - godly government - produces order and peace. Order and peace are by-products of increase of His government in our homes, churches, spheres of influence, and cities and regions.

Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end. - Isaiah 9:7

THE GRACE OF HEADSHIP

I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. - I Corinthians 11:3

While the head of every man is Christ (who functions under God’s headship), it is evident that there is delegated headship operating in every area of life. This is made clear by the example of God’s order expressed in the above verse. There is an order in Christ. God is the Head of Christ, Christ is the head of every man, the head of woman is man.

Even as a man is the head of his household; Christ is the Head of His household, which is His church, His bride, and His body. He is the Head of His army.

The fact that Jesus Christ is the Advocate for every man, woman and child, and is the Way to the Father for us all, does not negate the principle of headship which operates in every arena of life. We are in a time when many are reacting to carnal leadership by "throwing the baby out with the bath water," and presuming that their direct access to the Father through (the headship of) Jesus Christ excuses them from God’s instituted order.

Imagine the confusion and chaos in the home where the woman does not acknowledge the headship of her man, presuming that she can simply go directly to God without coming into submission to her husband. The present-day church remains largely carnal and uncoordinated, in a state of mutual independence, with no acknowledgment of or submission to authentic, God-appointed headship.

Humanly devised hierarchal systems do not guide the church into her divine purpose and destiny. Rather, they divide the body by denominating (as well as often dominating). But, the pendulum should not swing to the other extreme of avoiding authentic headship that is delegated from the Throne of grace. This kind of headship can be identified by the grace of God upon it. There is a God-given grace given to rightly administrate delegated headship.

THE GRACE OF PLURALITY

That grace most often operates within a plurality of servant-leaders. Plurality with headship operating in the fulness of God’s grace provides the best possible context for godly government to successfully operate to His glory.

To each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. - Ephesians 4:7

There is a variety of grace gifting within a godly plurality.

He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers - Verse 11

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. - I Corinthians 12:28

Mature, spiritual functioning is our objective, with each member discovering, developing and stewarding his/her grace gift(s) in love, and for the good of all,

Till we all 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 . . . from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. - Ephesians 4:16

Plural servant leadership models this grace as they function together in harmonious love. This is true of the carriers of gifts of grace for the body, and also of those who have the heavenly grace for governing upon them.

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. - I Timothy 5:17

Elders are to shepherd the well-being of every city. Apostles are to appoint elders in every city, not necessarily a plurality in every individual expression of the church within a city. All elders are not equal in maturity, experience, gifting, anointing or sphere. Some labor in the word and doctrine and are worthy of double honor. These may carry one or more of the fivefold grace gifts.

Keys to successful plurality include large measures of love, grace and humility, and the ability to stay in one’s own anointing and sphere. Mutual respect and submission are also vital, as is the acknowledgment of headship. We see an example of godly order in the writings to the seven churches of Asia in Revelation chapters 2 and 3.

The letters are dictated by Jesus to John. Under His headship, John communicates His message to the messengers of the seven churches. Each of these churches was citywide or regional in make-up. We can safely presume that there were elders in each of these city/regional church expressions. There was a single messenger to each of these cities or regions. These "sent ones" provided headship for the plurality of elders in each geo-political sphere.

SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY AND SPIRITUAL OBEDIENCE AND SUBMISSION

Obedience is an outward action; submission is an inward attitude. It is impossible to be exhaustive in this study, but suffice it to say here that we must be under authority to walk in authority. The centurian was commended for his faith as he acknowledged,

I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, "Go," and he goes; and to another,"Come," and he comes; and to my servant, "Do this," and he does it.

- Matthew 8:9

The centurian knew that Jesus was a man under authority, under the headship of the Father. (The head of Christ is God.) He understood that it was his submission to his authority that gave him authority over those under him.

Although I have been given authority as the head of my wife, I must be accountable to another for that authority to be effective. Then, it is my wife’s affirming submission that truly releases my authority in her life in practical and functional ways. It is submission that makes spiritual authority work at every level.

Jesus said, "Follow Me." While this is a command to be obeyed, nevertheless we all have a choice whether to obey or disobey the gospel. In the same way, we all need to willingly follow those who are appointed over us in the Lord. Those who follow in obedient submission are the benefactors of corporate kingdom life.

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. - Hebrews 13:17

Those who are walking in the grace of authentic spiritual authority will manifest the fruit of the Spirit. They will be your servants for good. Jesus, claiming that the greatest one among us will be the servant of all, girded Himself with a towel and washed the feet of the disciples. He gave us an example to follow. He said,

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. - John 10:11

For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:7-8

The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:

Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. - I Peter 5:1-3

ADDRESSING THE CONTROL PROBLEM

Control is usually a manifestation of insecurity. Perhaps - beyond love - the most important characteristic for successful servant-leadership is trustworthiness. Husbands need to be trusted. Fathers need to be trusted. Apostles need to be trusted. Elders (shepherds) need to be trusted.

The lack of trust in our nation’s President and congress, as well as governmental leaders at every level, is obvious. For me, it is preposterous to second-guess those whom God has placed in authority (Romans 13:1-7). I am neither graced, nor gifted, nor called, nor appointed to run this or any nation. It is some huge level of pride that would suggest knowing more than those who have been positioned by God - whether in the world or in the kingdom.

The issue of trust is huge! Trust is the only anecdote for the fear that comes from insecurity and results in attempts to control our own environment.

We to whom it is the Father’s good pleasure to give the kingdom are the benefactors of a governmental system that works through faith, through trust. "Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

I choose by faith to trust the God who is in the men who are appointed by Him over my life. These men have clay feet. They are imperfect. They make mistakes, and sometimes don’t really know what they are doing.

But, God knows what He is doing, and He is working all things together for my good. I trust Him. He is ordering the family. He is ordering His church. He is ordering our world. His kingdom is coming on the earth as it is in heaven. For sure!

When I fail to trust, it is He whom I am failing. When I try to control out of my fear, I slow my progress. When I resist authority, I resist Him. When I am not under authority, my authority over others leaks!

Those who are in authority need to be especially patient and gentle in gradually bringing restoration to those who have been wounded by mis-applied authority. Recognize the fear and insecurity behind attempts to control or rebel. Remember to love (I Corinthians 13:4-8a). Love never fails.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. - I John 4:18-19

Servant-leaders, choose the higher way of love. I am convinced that, as we adapt more and more to His higher ways, others will see Him in us and willingly yield to His authority operating through us.

Speaking the truth in love, (we) may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ.

- Ephesians 4:15

Followers of Christ, find those who truly love you with the love of God (that) has been poured out in (their) hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). You will know them by their fruit. You can trust them. You can surely trust the Christ who is in them, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

Whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil.

Do you want to be unafraid of authority?

Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. Render therefore to all their due - Romans 13:2-5, 7a

Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) serve as examples of self-willed evildoers. God stands behind and over His servant leaders. He also guards His sheep from irresponsible shepherds (Ezekiel 34). All of us must learn to embrace His gracious godly government in faith, trusting Him to bring the increase.

Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from this time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. - Isaiah 9:7

We are to fear God, not man. Perfect love casts out all fear of man. But,

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

- Proverbs 1:7

Many, even multitudes, are leaving traditional institutional churches for less-programmed, more relational fellowships. We need to follow the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. We need to find life wherever it is to be found.

But we also need to seek first His kingdom (government) and righteousness (Matthew 6:33). This cannot happen apart from authentic spiritual authority that directs us toward our mission in life - to fill the earth with God’s government and glory.