There is a Trojan Horse error in the church's midst that is as costly as anything I can weigh at this stage of ministry. I have no idea how deeply I create, perpetuate, and support this concept which nags at our progress. I believe it to be so masked that I'm not sure I can convey my thoughts substantially.
The longer I get to work in the church it seems the more I learn, of course. So let me toss to you an age-old idea that continues to itch. Have we developed as congregations--a religious, Bible-studying, generous-hearted people--to do kingdom life from the muscle of the flesh rather than the mystery of the Spirit?
In the 70s it was the motto that we wear our best to church. And? And that came from scripture where? But it was a theme that gave many of us standard comparative pride.
It is not unusual that those assigned to major leadership roles in our congregations are successful in business. Why? Is it because of an innate spirit element that these are leaders? For certain, many are. For others is it simply the truth that these are good managers from the flesh side? I believe the latter is significant. There is a literal world of difference between the two.
We must be cautious when we operate from decisions based on what makes sense. This is fleshly leadership. The Spirit does not make sense. The spirit-life opposes the flesh. This is clearly a biblical truth. We, however, deem knowledge and order and explanation as blessing in the church.
It was Paul who said that we are to have a knowledge beyond knowledge; Ephesians 3:19. Why is that? It appears to be that God will befuddle man at every turn for He operates in mystery to the flesh-type of understanding. The Word is quite clear on this. Parting of river and sea. Sun stand still. Fire from heaven. Life from the grave.
The natural man can't fathom the spirit side of things. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words (I Cor. 2:12-13). There is a threat to man's understanding. If not from the realm of the Spirit, we truthfully don't get it.
The very challenging nature to the kingdom of God is that its effectiveness doesn't come from man's best and corporate minds. It comes from the mind of Christ. But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised (I Cor. 2:14).
For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ (I Cor. 2:16). To be pessimistic toward the kingdom of God is to admit that we don't get it.
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