Holy Boldness

talking about people coming for ministry but rather the kind of access that lays claims to Jesus’ loyalty and companionship. Jesus had no hesitancy in calling people to abandon their homes and families to fulfill the call to the Father’s mission and His. And so he identified those who have the greatest handle on His loyalty are those who “do the will of my father.” In this way, he was not playing favorites. He was not judging anyone except by one standard. This is the same standard that He uses today to find those whose hearts are completely His and to whom He can show himself strong. You can be as close to God as you want to be. But it requires obedience because without it, you will never understand the way of God. Something happens to a person when they walk in obedience to God. Over time obedience to God creates an affinity with God. A life of obedience gives a person insight into His nature that can be obtained in no other way. The secret council of the Lord is for those who fear Him. And He will show them His covenant. (Proverbs 25:14) Navigating family loyalty is one of the most challenging things in the kingdom of God. People desire family and God loves families. But as we have seen by Jesus’ own process with His natural family, there comes a day when “family” is defined by a divine understanding of identity and mission. Jesus’ found His family in the fear of the Lord. We are not suggesting that a person casts off family and friends because they are casual in their relationship with the Lord. We are only saying that true fellowship cannot be found among carnal and careless people. The fellowship of the Spirit, which was what Jesus was looking for, is found among those who are deeply committed to the Father’s agenda and walk in the fear of Lord. The Call of God involves a separation from all rival allegiances. Jesus demonstrated how it was done, delicately but decisively. All who come to be a part of His mission must come through the gates and protocols that He has established as the priorities of His mission.

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