Reformed Reflections

THE ERRANT VIEW OF HIS KINGSHIP

I am absolutely convinced that the epidemic of defeatism, depression, and discouragement in modern Christianity stems from our shallow view of Christ’s Kingship. We have lost sight of our King.

Think about it. Most evangelicals rightly understand that Jesus is the final Prophet, the One who declares the very words of God, breathing life into our dead souls so we may be saved! Amen!

Most also understand that He is the true and final Priest, the One who mediates the relationship between God and man, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice and standing before the Father on our behalf—pleading for us faithfully! Amen again!

But here’s the problem. If we truly believe these things—if we believe He is Prophet and Priest—why do we live like we’re losing? Why is Christianity in the West battered, bruised, and shrinking back in retreat from a culture we should be conquering in His name? The answer is simple: we have abandoned a robust view of His Kingship.

We’ve taken Christ the King, the King of kings, and reduced Him to a figurehead. Instead of boldly proclaiming His reign, we’ve shoved Him into a quiet corner of heaven, as if His authority has no real impact on the earth. We dishonor Him, the Lord of lords, by expecting defeat. We look forward to calamity as though that is our inevitable fate, living like His rule is powerless to transform the world and achieve what He has decreed.

Open your eyes! Scripture shouts the truth at us. Jesus isn’t just reigning over heaven—His authority extends over heaven AND earth (Matthew 28:18). His government, His rule, His Kingly peace isn’t confined to some distant realm (Isaiah 9:6-7). It is advancing on this earth as it already is in heaven (Matthew 6:10) As King, He will bring the nations under His law (Genesis 49:10). He will trample every enemy underfoot (1 Corinthians 15:25). His victory will sweep across the globe until rebellion is utterly crushed, and His dominion stretches from sea to sea (1 Corinthians 15:57).

The truth is, without a full understanding of His Kingship, evangelicalism has degenerated into a feeble, weak-kneed little huddle of cowards. We’ve become the servant who buried his talent, because we misunderstood our Master’s authority. Let’s be clear: He did not leave us here to hide away in our churches, nor to hold back from getting our hands dirty (like a faith filled with white gloved prissies) watching His world spiral into depravity, decay, and death but refusing to get involved. He left us here, as His royal ambassadors, armed with His Kingly authority, to advance His kingdom, take dominion, and conform the world to His will.

Only when we fully understand His roles as Prophet, Priest, and King will we see Christendom rise from the ashes we have driven it, and the Kingdom of God advancing once more.

May God open our eyes to the unstoppable truth of His Lordship over all things.

—My Local Pastor

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459 viewsedited  Oct 18, 2024 at 11:22

THE ERRANT VIEW OF HIS KINGSHIP

I am absolutely convinced that the epidemic of defeatism, depression, and discouragement in modern Christianity stems from our shallow view of Christ’s Kingship. We have lost sight of our King.

Think about it. Most evangelicals rightly understand that Jesus is the final Prophet, the One who declares the very words of God, breathing life into our dead souls so we may be saved! Amen!

Most also understand that He is the true and final Priest, the One who mediates the relationship between God and man, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice and standing before the Father on our behalf—pleading for us faithfully! Amen again!

But here’s the problem. If we truly believe these things—if we believe He is Prophet and Priest—why do we live like we’re losing? Why is Christianity in the West battered, bruised, and shrinking back in retreat from a culture we should be conquering in His name? The answer is simple: we have abandoned a robust view of His Kingship.

We’ve taken Christ the King, the King of kings, and reduced Him to a figurehead. Instead of boldly proclaiming His reign, we’ve shoved Him into a quiet corner of heaven, as if His authority has no real impact on the earth. We dishonor Him, the Lord of lords, by expecting defeat. We look forward to calamity as though that is our inevitable fate, living like His rule is powerless to transform the world and achieve what He has decreed.

Open your eyes! Scripture shouts the truth at us. Jesus isn’t just reigning over heaven—His authority extends over heaven AND earth (Matthew 28:18). His government, His rule, His Kingly peace isn’t confined to some distant realm (Isaiah 9:6-7). It is advancing on this earth as it already is in heaven (Matthew 6:10) As King, He will bring the nations under His law (Genesis 49:10). He will trample every enemy underfoot (1 Corinthians 15:25). His victory will sweep across the globe until rebellion is utterly crushed, and His dominion stretches from sea to sea (1 Corinthians 15:57).

The truth is, without a full understanding of His Kingship, evangelicalism has degenerated into a feeble, weak-kneed little huddle of cowards. We’ve become the servant who buried his talent, because we misunderstood our Master’s authority. Let’s be clear: He did not leave us here to hide away in our churches, nor to hold back from getting our hands dirty (like a faith filled with white gloved prissies) watching His world spiral into depravity, decay, and death but refusing to get involved. He left us here, as His royal ambassadors, armed with His Kingly authority, to advance His kingdom, take dominion, and conform the world to His will.

Only when we fully understand His roles as Prophet, Priest, and King will we see Christendom rise from the ashes we have driven it, and the Kingdom of God advancing once more.

May God open our eyes to the unstoppable truth of His Lordship over all things.

—My Local Pastor

BY Reformed Reflections