WE BELIEVE—Plumb Line Session 6
He is far above all rulers, authorities, powers, lords, and every other name that can be named, not only in this present world but also in the world to come
Amos 7:7-9 Then He showed me this: The Lord was standing by a wall built with a plumb line, and in His hand was a plumb line. Eternal One: 8 What do you see, Amos? Amos: A plumb line. Eternal One: Watch what I’m about to do! I am going to put a plumb line up against My people Israel to see what is straight and true, And I will not look the other way any longer.9 The high places of Isaac will be destroyed and the religious shrines of Israel reduced to ruin, And with sword in hand, I will bring down the house of Jeroboam the king.
Let’s revisit our key text. In the book of Amos, God asks, “What do you see?” This emphasizes the importance of sight in our journey with God and in fulfilling His will. Jesus states, “I do what I see my Father doing.” We also see Abraham engaging in a dialogue with God about entering into His promises. God instructs Abraham to lift his eyes, assuring him that as far as he can see, He will give him that land. We are encouraged to walk by faith, not by sight; the sight referenced here pertains to the unseen realm.
Now, let’s take a moment to look at Ephesians 2:1-3 You were once dead because of your failures and sins. 2 You followed the ways of this present world and its spiritual ruler. This ruler continues to work in people who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us once lived among these people, and followed the desires of our corrupt nature. We did what our corrupt desires and thoughts wanted us to do. So, because of our nature, we deserved God’s anger just like everyone else.
1 John 5:19 We know that we are from God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the Evil One
What we see in the world comes from its spiritual ruler; the world has its own ways. You do not need to sign up anywhere to enter the rhythm; due to the fall, you are born in it as stated!
Job demonstrates maturity as a living human being in an earthly setting, becoming a subject of discussion among spirits.
Restored Spiritual position – BUT Ephesians 2:4-6 But God is rich in mercy because of his great love for us. 5 We were dead because of our failures, but he made us alive together with Christ. (It is God’s kindness[a] that saved you.) 6 God has brought us back to life together with Christ Yeshua and has given us a position in heaven with him.
In Ephesians 1, we learn that our position in Christ is the highest position in heaven. He is far above all rulers, authorities, powers, lords, and every other name that can be named, not only in this present world but also in the world to come. When you are in Him, this is your spiritual location. We are talking about a PLUMB LINE- A STANDARD!
Ephesians 4 points us to a standard! A standard for our corporate journey as the Ekklesia! The called out sent ones. 1 Peter 2:9 However, you are chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, people who belong to God. You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God, who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
How can we express the outstanding qualities of our God? One way is through a standard, exemplified by the life of Job. Job demonstrates maturity as a living human being in an earthly setting, becoming a subject of discussion among spirits. This reflects God’s intent for the church.
Ephesians 3:8-10 I am the least of all God’s people. Yet, God showed me his kindness by allowing me to spread the Good News of the immeasurable wealth of Christ to people who are not Jewish. 9 He allowed me to explain the way this mystery works. God, who created all things, kept it hidden in the past. 10 He did this so that now, through the church, he could let the rulers and authorities in heaven know his infinite wisdom.
Remember, the scriptures were written for our example. In the Bible, an example is a pattern or way of life that reflects the image and likeness of our God, as described in His word. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
To consider is to gaze steadily or reflexively, judge or classify, and conduct a strategic evaluation.
Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.
Job 1:8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”
To consider is to gaze steadily or reflexively, judge or classify, and conduct a strategic evaluation. Plumbline!!!! Evaluate against a standard! In Matthew 12, we are told that When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none. Then it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation.”
EVALUATION IS A SPIRITUAL REALITY. In John 14:30, Jesus says, “I will not speak with you much longer, for the ruler of the world (Satan) is coming. And he has no claim on Me [no power over Me nor anything that he can use against Me];” This means that the life Jesus has built — choices, attitude, behavior — are consistent with the standard of a Son of God!
