Ordinary or Extraordinary? - Part 2 of 2

Let’s recap for a minute. The enemy and system declare that we are “ordinary” beings that need to grovel and beg for forgiveness. But here is what God’s word tells us about ourselves:

1. We are created in God’s image - Genesis 1:27

2. God blessed us. Genesis 1:28 - Matthew 5: 3-10

3. Jesus dwells inside us and our bodies are holy temples - 1 Corinthians 3:16

4. We are given the powers to heal, cleanse, raise the dead and cast out demons - Matthew 10:8, Acts 1:8, and John 14:12

     So, do we call ourselves “ordinary” or are we “extra-ordinary?”

     Finally, I want to share with you how ingrained the “ordinary” label is that both the enemy and the system brand Christian Followers. My wife, Rachel, and I have had to go back into the system, and it is so disheartening to hear the negative messages that are being preached from many pulpits to God’s people. For example, in the Methodist church, each service has a “prayer of confession” in which the people are to recite out loud how they have fallen short of Grace and asked for forgiveness for their sins. 
     But, let’s go to God’s Word again and see what our Father says about sin. Romans 6: 6-7 “knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.” So, why, knowing that our old nature died with Christ upon the cross, must we continually confess our sins, when God wiped away those sins at the cross? 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Is it no wonder why churches - locked into the system and preaching such negative messages to God’s people - have a hard time finding people to warm their pews? Is it no wonder why people are drifting away from churches because the messages have no relevance to their soul? Is it no wonder why people critique “how” preachers deliver a message – their oratory style, their use of words, etc. - instead of “what” is the message? Our son Chris recently delivered a message at a church service, and numerous persons came up to Rachel and me after the service to exclaim “what a wonderful job Chris did!”.  But not a single person remarked on the content of his message to the congregation. How sad and telling at the same time!

     It is these very strongholds that the sons of God must tear down and open up God’s peoples’ ears to hear the entire Kingdom message! How else can these persons become free?

So, the next time you hear or read about “ordinary people who are serving God in their little corner of the world” – know that according to God and His Word, there is nothing ordinary about us! We are extraordinary! 
Amen and Amen.      
~ Mike West