The Lord is positioning His church to become people of action who will advance the kingdom of God. We are Christ’s ambassadors; we are called to represent His rule. Wherever we are, the kingdom of God is also.
First Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (NIV).
Investigating this Scripture, we will discover that the Greek word for belonging, peripoiesin, when used here, carries the following meaning:
- A set apart nation
- A people consecrated for God’s own possession
- A consecrated class of people
- A purchased people
- An acquired people
- A people for purpose
- A people for action
God has chosen, purchased, acquired, consecrated and set us apart in order for us to move forward in purpose and action, completely trusting in the Lord and knowing we cannot do anything in and of ourselves. God not only wants us to walk in an intimate, personal relationship with Him, but from this place we are to also move forward with the mentality of standing in the earth for Him and advancing the kingdom of God. He is calling us to hear His plans and purposes, to get in there with Him and to effect change.
As Christ’s kingdom representatives, we are also representational. We are to establish a righteous paradigm in our areas of influence.
We serve an awesome God, who has made available to us favor, creativity, power, wisdom, strategies and all we need to cause the lost world to be drawn to Him and cultures to be transformed. No matter where we are placed—in our homes, neighborhoods, businesses and churches, God has equipped and anointed us for our assignments. What a powerful inheritance we possess!
The Measure of Rule
The Lord allots to His children special territories or assignments, wherein we have a physical presence and spiritual authority. For some of us, the territory might be an area such as the inner city, our neighborhoods or the marketplace. Some may be placed in professional leadership roles in businesses, schools, churches and governments. Others find their territories are people groups and the nations of the world.
There are some who carry a passion for youth and others, a strong desire to set captives free. Some may carry burdens in prayer. It is possible to have certain assignments for specific seasons and, as we grow with God, we’ll discover that our areas of influence and spiritual authority are increased.
Paul describes this principle in 2 Corinthians 10:13: “We will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you” (KJV).
The Greek word for measure is metron, meaning to “cut out an area or distance with a measurer’s reed or rule.” It refers to the size of one’s area of authority. Kanon, the Greek word for rule, refers to “a field of activity.” Here it means the power one has within a particular territory.
The Greek word merizo, translated distribute, carries the meaning of “a portion or share.” In putting these concepts together, Paul explains that the Lord assigns specific areas for each of His children in which we can move with power to make known the kingdom of God.
Paul’s measure of rule was to the gentile nations. As kingdom ambassadors, we, too, are to establish a physical presence. To be influential, we cannot remain hidden. We must build trusting relationships with others. We are to become praying people of our word, who reflect the love of Jesus and walk in integrity, character, obedience and humility.
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