From Principles to Presence

Jesus taught us to pray and he demonstrated “on earth as it is in heaven.” It is our assignment to pull the realities of His world into ours. If we can only talk or theorize about this reality, it leaves us preaching a good idea rather than the “good news” from the position we were designed for in partnership with Father God. As we contend for this in our city it leaves us with the harsh reality that there is a gap between what is and what should be. If it is not in heaven and not in “the book” it cannot be permitted here. Our city is dying to experience the presence of God and to see it demonstrated.

They are keenly aware that Christian strategies and operating off of Biblical principles haven’t made our city look like heaven up to this point.

Principles and discipline will make you admired by some, but in reality believers that operate solely out of principles further create the gap between the destruction of the enemy and the love of the Father which He purposed to be accessed through believers. The gap in performance and behavior creates an environment of judgment and condemnation for those who cannot maintain the behavior to uphold the principles keeping them from going to the very source for their transformation. The destruction then becomes, “just the way things are” because the principles do not work to fix the problems and pretty soon the abundant life is just an unattainable theory. Jesus came to “destroy the works of the devil” (I John 3:9) and he “came that they might have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). It is interesting how Jesus never describes why He came in terms of theology, you only see him fix things.

Jesus operated out of the Father’s presence so much so that he said “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” (John 14:9). Jesus says “if you’ve seen me you’ve seen the Father, me and Him, we are the same.” Jesus operated out of God’s presence and only did and said what the Father told him to do and say.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.” (John 5:19) “So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” (John 12:50)

Jesus is our model and we see what is available to us. In fact Jesus says, “Just as my Father has sent me, I also am sending you.” (John 20:21). Just as, just like Jesus. The Father sent Jesus to fix and change everything, so I am sending you to do the same. My relationship with Jesus far surpasses a punch card for eternal life and just salvation; it enlists me and empowers me to participate with him in worldwide revival.

Jesus passes the baton to the disciples; the disciples passed it to us. They were regular guys that in the end were recognized as having been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). Why, because they could demonstrate his world and operated out of His Presence. Operating out of His presence is contagious and is what transforms. The world is waiting…..

Blake Schellenberg – Co-Labor Ministries