Submitting to GodWhen we submit what and where we are to God, our rule or dominion then increases. In Jesus' words from the parable of the talents (Matt. 25), our Master says, "Well done! You were faithful with a few things, and I will put you in charge of many things. Share what your Lord enjoys"; that is, share the larger direction or governance of things for good (cf. Luke 16:1–12). For God is unlimited creative will and constantly invites us, even now, into an ever larger share in what he is doing. Like Jesus, we can enter into the work we see our Father doing (John 5:17–19). In accord with his original intent, the heavenly Father has in fact prepared an individualized kingdom for every person, from the outset of creation. That may seem impossible to us. But we do have a very weak imagination toward God, and we are confused by our own desires and fears, as well as by gross misinformation. It is a small thing for him. As we learn through increasing trust to govern our tiny affairs with him, the kingdom he had all along planned for us will be turned over to us, at the appropriate time. "Come you who are under my Father's blessing and take over the government assigned to you from the beginning" (Matt. 25:34). Accordingly, in the last chapter of the Bible we see God's purposes in creation come round full circle in eternity: "The Lord will be their light, and they shall reign for ever and ever" (Rev. 22:5) From The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God. Copyright © 1997 by Dallas Willard. All rights reserved. Used with permission of HarperCollins Publishers. |
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