Synopsis and Expositions by Sister Kim Frey (edited)
Chinese/ Culture Study -5
The idea that we each have a divine destiny is an intriguing topic to explore. The way we view these topics has a direct impact on our every day life choices.
We must not only understand our life calling and inheritance (heaven’s mandate) but actively cultivate the moral practice that lines up with this knowledge. This is not a passive concept, but takes individual initiative and self discipline to do all that is within our power to advance within the boundaries(order) established by heaven.
“But you are God’s chosen treasure —priests who are kings, a spiritual “nation” set apart as God’s devoted ones. He called you out of darkness to experience his marvelous light, and now he claims you as his very own. He did this so that you would broadcast his glorious wonders throughout the world.”
1 Peter 2:9 TPT
Each of us have been naturally endowed with different talents, the ability to learn and reason, a chosen place of influence, and many other unique gifts that have been given for a divine purpose within God’s kingdom. We are to consecrate all we have to His service and realize we have been called to minister good to all His created things.
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, you are now made holy, and each of you is invited to the feast of your heavenly calling. So fasten your thoughts fully onto Jesus, whom we embrace as our Apostle and King-Priest. For he was faithful to the Father who appointed him, in the same way that Moses was a model of faithfulness in what was entrusted to him.”
Hebrews 3:1-2 TPT
Even when we logically understand our destiny, often times our flesh and the Spirit are at war. And in order to pursue our chosen calling, it is necessary to go against our natural way of reasoning, our impulses, and even our yet un-sanctified conscience that has been formed by a competing, if not contrary, culture.
Life in God then becomes a warfare within our inner man. This is where the enemy lies in wait, and has been doing since the Garden of Eden. He attempts to make everything successful that is sought from the flesh. This is why we cannot rely on our natural senses, including our lower or soulish emotions.
For our “heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
A generational curse for the whole human race has been cast and spreading. Our inner man desires to attain godliness based on rational thinking (Intellectual Intelligence and Emotional Intelligence) instead of spiritual and relational wisdom(Spiritual Intelligence and Relational Intelligence).
This can only be reconciled through our spiritual enlightenment by God’s wisdom and understanding, even the attainment and maintenance of a divine equilibrium between our inner lives and the world outside of us. This is the righteousness, peace and joy of God in His Kingdom for us. First within our own heart and mind, then as a result, through mutual understanding in our relationships with others. This process of maturation and growth starts within and bears fruit without, as revealed by the way we carry ourselves and work out our lives.
“Instead fully immerse yourselves into the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, and don’t waste even a moment’s thought on your former identity to awaken its selfish desires.”
Romans 13:14 TPT
When we allow room for the Holy Spirit to help us transform and renew our minds in every way, the flesh and its tendency to disturb and control our decisions and actions is put to death. Our Spirit man is then transformed into harmony and balance in a circumstances.
No longer do we only play defense against the enemy and his schemes, but we are invited into the conquering King’s eternal plan.
Our inner transformation is what leads to maturity as a son of God. It is an ongoing process of attaining virtue and requires intentionality, self-control or discipline, and faithfulness. (Godliness)
“Since you are children of a perfect Father in heaven, become perfect like him.”
Matthew 5:48 TPT
We must purify ourselves according to God’s righteous standard. Discipline is then, not a process of punishing a wrong action, but rather a divine opportunity throw off all mindsets and actions that do not measure up to His righteousness. It is a series of choices that must be constantly pursued.
“My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! And then as your endurance grows even stronger, it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.”
James (Jacob) 1:2, 4 TPT
We must prioritize our relationship with the Lord and live a godly and quiet life, where we wait on the Lord to direct our heavenly appointments.
In these relationships, a person’s capacity and character ability are crucial in determining their role in the relationship. We should have the ability to both give and receive instruction based on this mutual understanding and respect, knowing that every gift has been given to produce righteousness.
As we walk in this process of sonship, the fruit of this work will begin to overflow into all our relationships and bring harmony and nourishment, which results in a culture of peace.
“These grace ministries will function until we all attain oneness into the faith, until we all experience the fullness of what it means to know the Son of God, and finally we become one into a perfect man with the full dimensions of spiritual maturity and fully developed into the abundance of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:13 TPT
We must cultivate within ourselves the ability to show empathy toward others and honor the unique role the other holds within the kingdom.
What does this look like, practically?
-We must understand the season and position of others. We must help both the virtue and capacity of the individual. Every gift that has been given is to produce righteousnes
We are all familiar with the golden rule to treat others the way we would like to be treated. But, to do this properly, we must use discernment to determine the portion each person has been given and the tenure of these relationships. Then, we must cultivate within honor and respect for each person. In every relationship, both parties have a role.
For example:
- We serve a father in the same way we would want a son to serve us.
- We serve a prince the way we would want a minister to serve us.
- We serve an elder brother the way we would want a younger brother to serve us.
- And we serve a friend the way we would want that friend to serve us.
Our expectations must be rectified to where we seek nothing from the other person. This ensures that we will not be disappointed.
“Be free from pride-filled opinions, for they will only harm your cherished unity. Don’t allow self-promotion to hide in your hearts, but in authentic humility put others first and view others as more important than yourselves. Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests.”
Philippians 2:3-4 TPT
A leadership position is not assigned until one’s life displays strong moral and ethical behavior. The ability they display should be endowed by godliness before they can be considered in a leadership position.
Knowing and skills are a natural display of his character. The natural outflow of this wisdom gives him a rightful respect and standing with the people. For a nation can only thrive if its ruler upholds these high standards of righteousness.
True leadership then empowers and helps mature those under his care with wisdom, self-restraint, courage, and individual abilities. This helps them achieve their true worth and purpose in the society (their destiny).
There are 4 key elements to be lived and taught:
- Learning from others
- Develop a culture of philosophical reflection(self discipline)
- Cultivate a culture of community and moral leadership.
- Develop a culture of wisdom and compassion.
Characteristics of a perfect(mature) person
If you can’t keep yourself upright, you can’t govern others properly.
- must be wise
- practice self restraint and prudence
- knows courage
- knows how to be skillful, and has the correct moral character to carry it out
The progression of this wisdom is like a chain reaction.
-The leader (individual) effects the family, the family (community) effects the nation, and the nation effects the world. This spread of true life wisdom is then the foundation of generational change.
Growth of self is a process that must take place to attain each new level of growth.
This is not just knowledge, but more importantly action done relationally in a divine way, especially with those appointed by Lord.
The way these individuals come to be into alignment develops a garden culture. Here the environment and economy are to propagate and nurture the growth that begins within.
This brings livelihood and prosperity to the garden, which is Lord’s people.
These things are not only a process governed by time, but also something beyond time. It is the eternal instructions for the temporal realm. Wisdom of Lord’s heart and mind goes forth from the throne into the hearts of those who are obedient and faithful.
Take this high calling in your life’s, forsake all else and follow Him! He is always moving and can bring about great and mighty works through their spirit.
Virtuous training within cultivates a virtuous culture without. This is where the heavenly realm transcends into the lower realm and brings with it the light of His glory, revealed in His sons.
