Revolutionary – Part 2 - God's Economy

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When we were born, we were subject to our original sin nature and ruled by the world's system of the natural desires of the flesh and lies of the devil. The devil will appeal to selfishness, vengeance, pride, anger, and bitterness. He will tell you "take revenge because you're morally justified to seek retribution." However, lies and deceit are the language of the devil and lies are the native language of those who follow the doctrines of the God-rejecting world.

Only Almighty God delivers us from the law of sin and death. "To those who reverently fear, love, honor, and respect Him, He will satisfy their godly heart’s hunger with good things." As Jeremiah, in chapter 15 verse 16, said, "Thy words were found and I did eat them ... and they were the joy and rejoicing of my soul." God will satisfy the appetite of those who are hungry for the Word of the Lord ... and they shall know the truth and the truth shall make them free. Jesus Christ, the "Hound of Heaven" will pursue us to desire being a "man or woman of God." Jesus' question to Peter, in John, chapter 21, was, "Do you love me?" He came not to condemn the world but that the world through him may be saved. He came so that we would "hunger and thirst after righteousness" .... to bring us to the point that our prayer is: "Lord make me the man or woman you created me to be." It all starts with a revolution in our hearts and minds and begins with the power of the Holy Spirit. 

The second revolution is “economic”. A “secular economy” is an economy of "scarceness" to get what you fleshly “need”. The “world's economy” says, "my riches at your expense" in self-centered competition. It's not really "survival of the fittest", but “survival of the survivor” in a “dog eat dog” world. However, “God's economy” is one where no one dares to have too much while our fellow brother or sister has too little. God's economy says, let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labor working with his hands the thing which is good that he may have to give to him that needeth. The need is for the power of God's Holy Spirit. The blessing is in “giving by grace”. God's economy is an economy of spiritual abundance ... of abundant blessings.  As the Holy Scripture says in Luke 12:15, “Take heed and beware of covetousness for a man's life consists not in the abundance of things that he possesses.” The irony is that we're richest when we give it away ... no one can out give God. As the Holy Scripture says in Luke 6:38, "Give and it shall be given unto you pressed down, shaken together and running over. When we give, God will abundantly bless us back."

The third revolution is a “social revolution”.  Social norms will pit social factions against each other. Factions are political, economic, educational, racial, and religious. However, the ground and playing field is level at the foot of the cross. Jesus was revolutionary because he came to make peace. Peace is the result of reconciliation. Reconciliation means to "bring back together that which has been separated." We were all separate from Father God, our Almighty Creator, by our sin. We have not the peace of God, until we first make peace with God. You can't have peace until you have the “Prince of Peace”, the Blessed Redeemer and the Savior of the world, reconcile your sins by atoning for them on the cross in your place. The Lord Jesus said in John 14:27, "My peace I leave with you.  My peace I give unto you.  Not as the world giveth give I unto you....let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid." Christ alone saves. 

Romans 6:15-16 explains: “You are slaves to whom you obey.” Whose slave are you?  As we celebrate the birth of Christ each December, may the Christmas season be a celebration of new birth within our hearts ... that we may desire to become a true "man or woman of God." His calling is to "take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to thee."  Fundamental change starts with a revolution. Jesus Christ living in our hearts is the revolution.

May God richly bless you,

Your brother in Christ, Michael