Plainer Words since 1968
April 20, 2015
No. 393
PLAINER WORDS ONLINE …THE PETER PRINCIPLE WILL BE UNKNOWN
During the Dispensation of the Grace of God, the warfare we are called upon to wage is not that of this world. Even though we are living in this world, we do not wage war as this world does. The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the warfare of this age. The weapons at our disposal are supernaturally empowered prayers, capable of demolishing spiritual strongholds of Satan’s wicked forces in the heavens, as well as, standing-fast against his wicked forces of Darkness.
The Scriptures informs us that living members of the Mystery Ecclesia will experience a dramatic “change.” We use the phrase at times—“resurrection and change.” The change refers to a miraculous change in our mortal bodies as Philippians describes it:
“Who [Christ] shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself” (Philippians 3:21).
“According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world …” (Ephesians 1:4). The “world,” here, is reference to the new world which will be “the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21). In plainer words, the foundation of the world refers to the fact that we have been chosen in Christ before He laid down the foundation of the new heavens and earth which brings in the Pre-Millennial Day of Christ. The foundation will be the “restoration of all things” (Acts 3:19) that were destroyed during Noah’s Flood.
All who died believing Present Truth during their lifetime will awaken, in resurrection. The living believers will have their bodies fashioned just like that of Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:21), thus, making up the full complement of the Church [Ecclesia] over which Christ Jesus is the Head. The full complement of the Church which is His Body will be placed, strategically, in two spheres—some in the new heavens and some on the new earth. Under His direction, we will manage the Affairs of the “Government of Jesus Christ.” This is considered the most prestigious Calling of all. Philippians 3:14 refers to the Mystery Calling as “the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus.” The word, “high,” means a “calling from on high” as in a heavenly calling. Being a partaker of the “High Calling” is not the result of winning The Prize. Being chosen to be a member of God’s High Calling is the result of God’s great grace. All members of His High Calling have been lavished upon with His GRACE!
“But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ” (Ephesians 4:7).
The spectacular gift Christ will give each one of us is the special ability—out of the riches of His storehouse—to accomplish the job He wants us to execute. Special graces will be the gifts. The “Peter Principle” will be unheard of among the Administration of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Peter Principle is a concept in management theory in which the selection of a candidate for a position is based on the candidate's performance in their current role, rather than on abilities relevant to the intended role. Thus, employees only stop being promoted once they can no longer perform effectively, and “managers rise to the level of their incompetence." Christ provides every member of His “Ecclesia” over which He is the Head with the competence and talent never to rise to the level where we are incompetent. Unlike human governments, the Government of Jesus Christ will have no incompetent personnel.
THE PRIZE
There is a PRIZE associated with our Calling. Some of us will win the Prize of our Calling. Some will not. In this life, we have been instructed, through the Scripture, to monitor our behavior.
“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Ephesians 4:1).
“Only let your conversation [conduct] be as it becometh the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27).
“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).
In this lifetime, we are members of the Ecclesia-in-waiting. As members of the future Government of Jesus Christ, we presently have no Ecclesia responsibilities to perform which are related to our future vocation. The Convener, the Lord Jesus Christ, has not yet convened His Ecclesia. We will be convened when His Kingdom APPEARS as foretold in 2 Timothy 4:1. However, while we have not been called into Session, we are to follow Christ Jesus’ Plan for our worthy walk until the Kingdom Comes. We are to “walk worthy of our calling.” The word, “worthy,” is “axios” (ax-ee'-oce); “adverb from NT. #514; appropriately; - as becometh, or after a godly sort, worthily (-thy).” We are called upon to live a life that is becoming to a future member of the Christ Jesus’ Godly Administration.
UNSEEN FORCES ARE ARRAYED AGAINST US
12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13.Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:12-18).
Members of the Mystery Calling should be ever mindful that we are engaged in a struggle against the forces of Darkness. The Bible refers to our “fight” as that of wrestling. Our enemies are unseen, which is to say, they are invisible to us. They can fix their gaze upon us as they attempt to disgrace us as Members of His Highest Calling. But, the contending is up close and personal. We are, at times, engaged in hand-to-hand combat with forces who are the rulers of this world system. Our opponents are not light-weights. They are the princes of heavenly domains (principalities). These rulers are creatures with immense power. Some are the invisible-behind-the-scene rulers of small, earthly domains.
Our enemies are spiritual beings. They know who we are. They know who every living member of the Mystery Church is. We are known of them. They know me, they have studied me. They have sized-me-up. They know the different moves they will make against me. Picture, in your mind’s eye, a genuine wrestling match (not the TV show-type of wrestlers and their antics). In a real match, the combatants squat (or crouch) in an attack position as they circle each other on the mat. First, in one direction and, then, in the other, and when one finds a weakness, he springs into action and tries to get his opponent on the canvas floor in order to pin his shoulders to the mat.
Dear fellow Members, they know who you are. They know your strong points and your weaknesses. Have you prepared to guard your worthy walk?
They want to spoil our conduct, so that our manner of life will have been unworthy of one chosen to occupy a high office in the Pre-Millennial Government of Jesus Christ.
In closing, your attention is directed to the Apostle Paul’s words as they are found in Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV).
4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to one hope when you were called- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
~~THE END~~
Copyright© 2014 by Thomas L. Ballinger
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