While there may be some who think that the journey is referring to Steve Perry and the boys, I'm actually talking about this life-altering, day-by-day, relationship between GOD and me.
Although I was first Spirit-baptized when I was a young warthog of 12-years-old, I didn't truly begin my journey until just after my 30th birthday. This isn't something of which I'm proud, just the reality. It was around this time that my pastor, Jeff Morgan, introduced me to transparent Christianity, and I haven't looked back since. Brings to mind that old Gospel tune, …drinkin' of the wine, the wine, the wine…, but I digress.
What I can't understand is the fear and loathing within the Apostolic Movement for referencing our walk with GOD as our journey. Are we not in day-by-day interaction with GOD; do we not experience good days and bad days; are we not daily learning more about Him and His Mission in our lives?
Are we scared of calling it a journey because we've listened to our own headlines for too long and are now convinced that we do—in fact—have all Truth and have arrived; that this is truly the epitomy of everything GOD has for us in this life? Are we really this arrogant?
Could it be that we're afraid of a journey because this realization lessens the congregation's dependence on a dictatorial overseer who calls all the shots from a hiarchial poteum that was constructed by organizational methodology rather than in the Text?
Are we afraid of the journey because this understanding reminds us that each of us should work out our own salvation individually, with reverence and sobriety?
No, I'm not advocating a rejection of pastors; however, I am encouraging a biblical understanding that we must all find GOD for ourselves. We will not be able to hide behind our pastor when we stand before GOD to answer for our individual actions. I've said it before, our pastor is a gift from GOD, not our intermediary between us and GOD. Why are so many of us waiting to hear from GOD through His man? What is wrong with spending time with GOD every day, and hearing from Him individually? Sure we need authority over us, but that doesn't negate the importance of personal relationship with the Lover of our soul.
This relationship is our journey to salvation. We haven't arrived, we're on the path. We may see the prize, but we have to keep walking until we obtain.
Don't be scared of the journey. As Amanda Marshall sang back in the 90s, …the joy's in the ride…. When was the last time you allowed GOD to court you? When was the last time you flirted with GOD? When was the last time you curled up in His arms of grace and mercy and allowed Him to whisper in your ear sweet somethings of His Character and Essence?
I dare you to try it.
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I was recently asked why I place so much focus on the rabbinic ministry of Jesus, and why I reference Hebraic tradition so often. They continued, "Why listen to rabbis when we have the Messiah?" So, I figured I'd take the time to explain my passion for 1st Century ethos.
First, while it's a very good educational practice to question modern rabbis, it would be a huge mistake to follow any of them. The only Rabbi that we should follow is Jesus. For this to make any sense you have to first understand that Jesus lived His earthly life and conducted His earthly ministry according to the rabbinic tradition. He gathered disciples, He traveled around Judea and the Decapolis interpreting the Torah and the Nevi'im and He commissioned His disciples with His yoke (or doctrine) at the end of His earthly ministry. Throughout the four Gospels Jesus is referred to by His followers as Rabbi (or Master: KJV; or Teacher: ESV and others). It is important to note that He came in the ministry of interpreting the Torah, and thus fulfilled the Torah with His sacrifice. Denying His rabbinic ministry denies an integral aspect of His Mission.
The next reason why I focus on the 1st Century Community is because of Diaspora. Diaspora loosely refers to the spread of the Good News that occured after the Day of Pentecost. Diasporic Communities sprang up all across the known world—as far even as the Brittanic Islands—almost overnight. Luke reference this in the second chapter of his Acts, where he says that GOD added to the Community daily... Before Paul's Illumination, and even before he wrote his first letter to the 1st Century Community, there were thousands of Diasporic Communities in homes who had already dedicated themselves to following their Rabbi, Jesus Messiah (Jesus Christ, or Jesus the Savior, or Jesus—YHWH's Salvation). Not since the 1st Century has there been such a vast and rapid dispersion of the Good News; no, not even Azusa.
The next reason why I focus on the 1st Century is because of the advent of 4th Century cath holos (Roman Catholicism) that perverted and merged GOD's Community with human religion. Far too much of what we call Church Tradition has it's genesis in cath holos rather than in the Missio Dei (Mission of GOD). As a result I am calling for a return to biblical antiquity, a return to the 1st Century ethos that is dedicated and sold out to our Rabbi, Jesus—GOD's manifested Salvation.
I believe that GOD has called me to rip the facade off of denominationalism and religiosity so that the Light of His Illumination can shine again in the hearts of His Community, so that we return our focus to His Mission and His Kingdom. GOD didn't commission us to construct organizations and fellowships that are more akin to humanistic religion; He baptized us with His Spirit and Essence so that we would spread His Yoke, shining His Identity, building His Kingdom.
I wholeheartedly believe that the time has come to lay aside the trappings of denominational religion and return again to biblical antiquity; primarily 1st Century antiquity. When GOD's people today allow themselves to have all things in common, and to live in common unity, as the Ekklesia did in the 1st Century, we will begin to see a 1st Century outpouring of GOD's Spirit.
I've dedicated my life and the lives of my family to this return. We welcome you to join us on the journey.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
