Regardless of how you may have voted in the recent presidential election, the one definite outcome was that on many levels, this nation is still divided. Granted, there are many issues we as citizens of this nation must work to make better, but my greater concern is the division I see within the body of Christ. This isn’t a word necessarily concerning political agendas or platforms. It’s not a word concerning the division of whether or not there is a rapture. It’s not even a word concerning the debate of a strange fire. I want to share with you a recent vision the Lord showed me in prayer concerning the ekklesia and the days ahead. {eoa}
There’s That Word
As the final weeks of the presidential elections were drawing to a close, I became more and more burdened by what I was seeing by many in ministry. Granted, most of my burdens were the result of what those in prophetic ministry were saying. However, there was plenty of craziness coming from apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, deacons, elders and church members. I was grieved before the elections, but that was nothing compared to the way I felt afterward. Whether it was social media status updates, Facebook LIVE, Periscope or more, it appears that many within the body of Christ have a serious problem understanding the concept of integrity.
“Integrity: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.”
Although we are in one of the greatest moments of history concerning the body of Christ and the world, we are also in a season where many are using manipulation, greed and deception to gain crowds that will ultimately fuel their personal fame. It is a major problem we must be willing to address in a way that keeps us from losing our ability to walk in honor towards others. The worst thing that could happen is for the body of Christ to cut each other down one by one while the world watches. We must have integrity in the ekklesia so we may see the kingdom of God advance more than ever before.
The Scales
Not long ago, I was in prayer for not only this nation but also for the ekklesia. During that time, the Lord revealed to me a simple image with a direct statement. The image was a set of scales such as you would normally see in a courtroom or in the office of a judge. The moment I saw them, I thought, scales of justice.
That’s what I was expecting, but then I saw one word written at the top of the bar that held each scale: integrity. Then I heard in my spirit, “I am tipping the scales of integrity. I am calling forth those who will walk in integrity, removing those who choose to walk in immorality. I am revealing those who have devoted themselves to holiness, righteousness and purity. I am revealing those so they may take the place of the ones who chose self-righteousness over the righteousness of Christ.”
When I saw the scales and heard the word from the Lord, I had to go back to the Word of God to confirm what I experienced. What I failed to remember (but quickly discovered) was the word recorded in Job 31. In this chapter, Job is asserting himself as to the way he lives his life. What’s interesting is what it says in verse 5-6: “If I have walked in vanity, or if my foot has hurried after deceit, let me be weighed in an even balance that God may know my integrity.”
In these two verses, Job is calling upon God to defend him according to his integrity. The scales Job is describing represent justice from God. However, it’s interesting to realize Job is connecting the justice of God to his devotion to integrity. I believe it’s critical to understand what Job was saying when he asked God to judge him based on his life of integrity. How many of us— especially leaders—would welcome that kind of judgment from God about our own integrity? Here lies another problem we face today: judgment.
Wait, Judgment
After integrity, it seems as though the unspeakable word in the body of Christ today is the word judgment. We have misunderstood, misapplied and misdirected judgment, especially when it comes to the way God works. Many truly believe God is so loving He would never permit a person to go to hell, so they live with no regrets and without repentance. Many truly believe God is a mean man seated on a throne with a lightening bolt in His hand, ready to strike people down. Those who believe this live in constant fear of making God angry, so their lives become legalistic. But these views have created major issues. Both are wrong yet contain small elements of reality. God is sitting on a throne, and He is in love with you. God is love, but he is also a judge. He is a Father, and He is also Almighty. We have to know He isn’t angry and ready to strike us down, but He is still God, who requires holiness, purity, righteousness, honesty and integrity.
The tipping of the scales of integrity is the proof of God’s love and of His judgment. 1 Peter 4:17 declares, “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God, and if it begins first with us, what shall the end be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” We are in the early moments of a Great Awakening, and God is calling upon those who will be found walking in integrity. It’s time for a resurgence of pastors who stand behind pulpits with honesty in their messages. Teachers who desire to see disciples developed, not just numbers to count. Evangelists who declare the truth, not mere gimmicks to entertain. Apostles who father the fatherless instead of looking to be helpmates to those with whom they’re not in covenant. Prophets who prophesy according to what heaven declares, not what the culture wants to hear.
Abba-Father
We have managed to make God so much of Abba that we have failed to remember the Father. Many are convinced God is such a daddy that He loves without repercussion for our disobedience. This is false, since we know Hebrews 12:6 declares, “for whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and scourges every son whom He receives.” Also, Proverbs 3:12 reads, “For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father the son in whom he delights.”
We have created a concept of a loving God who does not correct us. Sadly, this has inadvertently enabled many leaders who refuse to walk in integrity. These leaders who choose immorality over integrity do and say as they please without repentance. Without remorse, they easily explain why they said things in error or made this decision. The explanations from some of these leaders are comical at times as they use crafty words to worm their way out of their mistakes. It’s as though a King Saul Syndrome has invaded many leaders. They acknowledge their error by blaming others, then seek out the blessing before the congregation and crowds. It’s astounding to hear some of the spins that emerge.
While reading this word, if you recognize Holy Spirit speaking to you concerning the lack of integrity in your life, I want to encourage you to repent for any immorality that is revealed. I want to remind you of the value of integrity. I want you to know God loves you, but He does expect so much more.
I believe that this vision/word is a warning. God is warning us, especially leaders, to repent and turn back to the righteousness of Christ. We have to be willing to seek His face, but in doing so, we must walk with integrity. Please understand my heart. I am in no way implying that God is waiting to strike people down with judgment because of a lack of integrity. However, I am saying that because many will refuse to walk in integrity, God’s judgment will be inevitable. It is a far better thing to sit down for a season than to have God remove you. The days of living as a person of holiness behind the pulpit but a pimp on the outside are coming to an end. God is cleaning His house.
With the restoration of five-fold ministry, God is also positioning those who have been hidden for this time to be the evidence of the righteousness of Christ. The world isn’t looking for another great sermon; the world is seeking the goodness of God without hypocrisy. A revolution has begun. It’s called reformation, and whether you are an apostle, prophet, teacher, evangelist, pastor, deacon, elder, or Christian, God is calling the ekklesia back to integrity.
The Scales of integrity have been tipped. and here’s the one question that remains: Which side will you be on?
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