THE MANNER OF KINGS…

THE MANNER OF KINGS IN THE CHURCH, NATION AND WHERE WE ARE MISSING IT

“…If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Jesus Christ

The words above have inspired millions of men, the words “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” – Veritas vos liberabit (Latin) is the motto of several leading global institutions, including John Hopkins and the CIA. For Harvard, it is just “Veritas”, meaning “Truth”. Somehow, the men behind these institutions have recognized the liberating power of truth. Bondage in all its forms, is a depiction of the various forms of falsehoods to which we are capable, and if we are to take the words of Jesus seriously, as we should, then the pursuit of truth should be the pre-occupation of everyone.

I’ve written extensively on this subject, particularly as it applies to life and enterprise; you can download a free copy of my 2012 book on the Heart and Art of Innovation here.

What is Truth?

Truth is the right picture of reality; it is the way things really are and when we comprehend it, we can be truly free. Jesus Christ is the ultimate truth, He is the express image of the Father for whom and by whom all things are.

The United States of America alighted on truth when the authors of their constitution wrote “we hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal and endowed by the Creator to certain inalienable rights”. We sometimes forget that it is the democratization of rights that has made the USA what it is today. The truth had set her free. Note also, that her many troubles and ultimate failure can be traced to the truths which she is currently trampling. However, the subject today is on the matter of governance and I wish to beg your indulgence, this article will be a little long but not too long.

I had argued in the 2012 book that truth can be gleaned from three main sources – the observation of nature, the study of relationships between humans and between humans and God (that is, judgments, as found in Scripture). Thirdly, by direct observation of reality (inspiration).

On the truth of governance, we will look at judgments (scripture) for our reference point to truth.

Judgment as Captured by Prophet Moses

Deut 17: 14 – 20

14 When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; 15 Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother. 16 But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.17 Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. 18 And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: 20 That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.

Note the Keyword here – “That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren”. It is important that we note that generally, all leaders have the capacity to multiply possessions, yet it is the express requirement of God that they do not. There is no king in Israel that has met this requirement, not even David. In fact, the Achilles hill of David is because of his incapacity to adhere to this injunction.

The Judgment According to Samuel

The children of Israel were served by Judges who God raised to save them from their many captivities occasioned by their sins. These Judges, relatively speaking, adhered to this injunction, until they requested for a King from Samuel, the Prophet. A notable case was that of Gideon who refused blatantly to be King (Judges 8:23); “I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: The Lord shall rule over you”. The Israelites desired a King, but it has always been the intention of God to directly rule over His people. This is important, particularly for the Church of God.

1 Samuel 8:7-19.

7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. 8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. 9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. 10 And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. 11 And he said, this will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.12 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. 13 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. 14 And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your olive yards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. 15 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. 16 And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.17 He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. 18 And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. 19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;

Note that this is exactly what happened and is in many ways happening right now, even in the Church of God. It will come in many guises but the essential element is materialism in the name of God. Note what the Lord also said, “I will not hear you”; it is not every prayer that the Lord listens to, we must search out the truth of the matter, before we start praying, or better, pray to know the truth.

The Testimony of our Lord Jesus

Mathews 23:1-12

Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Notes

Observe that our Lord’s grouse with the religious leaders was not their message but their lifestyle. “Listen to them,” He said, “but don’t copy them”. I am essentially saying the same thing, it is amazing to note that a lot of religious leaders know about the features and colour of the latest SUVs; the materialism is appalling to say the least.

The Lord desires to lead His people individually and though we must encourage and support the fivefold Ministry, of which I am also part of, however, they must not replace this Kingship of God over His people. In the old testament, it was Moses that saw God and narrated to the people; in the New Testament, it is different. “But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate. the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Cor. 3:16-18. In Christ, we all, not some of us, not our special leaders, but we all have access to the Father.

Consciously or unconsciously, this common access does not serve the purpose of men, it is a lot better to have you believe that someone else has a much better access. Religion can be sweet, particularly if it profits you, it is not surprising the volume of start-ups in the “industry”.

The Lord’s Testimony in John 13: 12 – 17

12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Christ was here, establishing the principle of service in the body of Christ, and it is important we note that the Kingdom of God is when we permit the uncontested rule of Christ and His truth in our lives and in the public sphere. For example, if the Church of God, which is the ground and pillar of truth does not practice accountability in its financial dealings, how can we hypocritically expect that level of integrity from politicians?

We lie and do deceive ourselves if we believe that political leaders will maintain a higher level of integrity, accountability, humility and service than we do in our Churches.

 

Conclusion

In summary, a good leadership that has humble, non-materialistic and truth-filled servant leaders will always deliver the dividends of governance – firstly in the Church and then in the nation. Regardless of the beauty and accuracy of the presentation, if we don’t see this, as long as it pertains to the dividends of governance, the Lord will not hear. Until Nigeria achieves this, nothing will save us.

The darkness is already here and we must embrace the light or be completely blinded by the Lie of the enemy. The dark ages in Church history interestingly occurred at the time when the Church was at its height of political and economic influence, the “Kings” of the day did not heed the Oracles of God as captured above, and there were grave consequences, particularly for the followership. That history is repeating itself, hence, the need for a more concerted effort at truth.

The revival we need is not necessarily a fresh outpouring of the Spirit; we just need to get men out of the way. I am convinced it will happen not too long from now; the Holy Spirit is at work already, a lot of people are disenchanted and interestingly, the disenchantment is not with Christ who is the ultimate wonder but with men who’ve captured His Church and it is in the true Spirit of Christ that we must say “get out of here! My Fathers house shall be called a house of prayer but you have made it a den of thieves.

I wrote this piece, particularly for the young yet to be revealed Minister, do not be part of this darkness; we must engage the earnest and noble task of redeeming the righteous mind of this young generation.

May God’s Grace be yours, veritas vos liberabit.