Elders and Divine Order (Titus 1:5)
Divine
order is the sum of the expression of the fullness of the Kingdom of God operating
on earth. Even as the ministries of
Christ serve as the vehicle that mobilizes people’s lives, divine order serves
to plant and establish us on ground that God will continually bless. The Promised Land represented covenant to and
through God’s people in that God gave it to be cohabitated by himself and his
people. The conditions for covenant were not based so
much on entering into, or possessing the land, but rather in continually occupying the land.
Revelation
of Christ is given to those who seek God’s guidance and direction;
manifestation comes to those who choose to live it. Ministry is the demonstration of the Kingdom that
follows relationship where man’s self will continues to be fully yielded to
God. Demonstration of ministry serves to reproduce
ministry to the sons and the generations beyond the progenitors. Where the fullness, or what is complete, is continually represented, we suffer
no relational breaches within our ranks, or in the generations that follow. When this is so, ministry serves to mobilize
people in a progressive momentum in the Kingdom of God through the fullness of divine
order.
Beginning
with family, divine order serves to mobilize people in every sphere of
relationship and community. In regards to
the city, the Elders of Titus 1:5 were instructed to set in order “what remains”.
That
which “remains” is defined as:
- to leave, leave behind, forsake, to be left behind
- to lag, be inferior
- to be destitute of, to lack
- to be wanting, to fail
“What
remains” speaks of what is lacking, or incomplete. Ministry that is represented through the fullness
of counsel will fully reproduce itself in multiple spheres outside of itself. This finished work is the evidence of the
presence of divine order represented in Gatekeeping. Gatekeepers guard and keep the “high places” against
any insubordinate or lesser rule from dominating the relational order of the
people. While man-made structures can
rule the people outwardly, the saints learn to govern their lives in
relationship to God from the presence of the Kingdom within them.
The Gatekeeping Ministry
of Elders
Qualifications of Elders
Titus 1:5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that
you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I
directed you, 6 namely, if any man is
above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not
accused of dissipation or rebellion. 7 For
the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed,
not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of
sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving
what is good, sensible, just, devout, self controlled, 9 holding
fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he
will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who
contradict.
Healing the Breaches
The key in discovering the "high places" is in learning to minister to the low places where people's lives need to be built up. This comes easily enough through drawing
fellowship with people through their own spheres of community life. Missionaries are sent to distant lands that
are without the Gospel of the Kingdom. In
these communities, the missionary adapts to the culture of the people while
being spirit led in how they impart the Kingdom of God to the people. Likewise, Apostles are sent to spheres and
communities who are also without the (function, or manifest presence of the) Kingdom
of God. Whatever defines community
through lifestyle and marketplace spheres of relationship must be committed to
becoming “one” with its own body. When
the Spirit is poured into “one vessel”, all labor together as Kings and Priests
to set in order what is without or what is left undone. This is more effective through community relationships where people can see how they build their lives from objective viewpoints.
The Amplified Version reads: 5 For
this reason I left you [behind] in Crete, that you might set right what was
defective and finish
what was left undone, and that you might appoint elders and set them over the churches (assemblies) in
every city as I directed you.
Even as the progressive work of the ministry
continued, Paul, the Apostle “leaves behind” the Elders needed to set upright
what was defective within the city. He
also instructed them to appoint Elders and set them over the churches in every
city that Apostle Paul directed them in.
Beginning with Jesus, salvation was born out of the Jews. From Jesus, Savior and Redeemer, to Lord of all, we see how divine order progressively gives birth to greater order. Divine order that is born out of Kingdom life will likewise be birthed in the hearts of people. Inward change produces outward fruitfulness that witnesses of the presence of the Kingdom of God.
Righteous authority imparts the same to the
people and all rejoice together. When relationship
ministers out of divine order, the Kingdom freely reproduces itself in
relationship to specific spheres of community. What witnesses of the
Kingdom of God within community life will likewise serve to draw people into
the House of God, which is the church. Once we can disciple the nations in relationship to their own heritage, we become
effective soul winners to the nations.
Proverbs 29: 2 - When the [uncompromisingly] righteous are in
authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked man rules, the people groan and sigh.
Kingdom blessings,
Cindy Allen
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