A Living Organism

But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister. 

(Matthew 20:25-26)

It has been said that "the successful expansion of any movement is in direct proportion to its ability to mobilize and involve its total membership in constant spread of its beliefs, purposes, and philosophy."

If a goal is to be achieved and a vision fulfilled, you must take action. If you work only with plans and programs, you have an organization. If you mobilize people, you have an organism and each person in the organism becomes part of the achievement of the vision.

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.  Romans 12:5

The body of Christ is to be a living organism moving in concert with it's head - Jesus Christ.

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.  Ephesians 1:22-23

Outward mobilization is the result of inward motivation. 

Everyone is motivated to do something. An important key in effective ministry is to motivate and mobilize God's people for the work of the ministry.  Our Savior, Jesus, Christ, who is the head is the motivating factor.  It is through Him that we are nourished and grow:  

And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.  Colossians 2:19

Worldly strategies of mobilization center on manipulation of people for the purpose of selfish gain. To "manipulate" means to "skillfully manage, direct, or control a person to achieve selfish purposes".  A manipulator exploits and uses others as "things" to achieve an end.  This even applies to the enemy who stops at nothing to manage us or the circumstances of our life in order to keep our attention away from God.

In manipulation, attempts to mobilize people are centered on things that appeal to the flesh. A person is convinced that certain actions will meet their own selfish goals, needs, or desires. They thrive on praise and attention from others. They strive for status and a sense of belonging. Financial or material gain is often involved. These are some of the inward motivations which mobilize them to action.

In manipulation, people are often treated with partiality and sometimes leaders resort to threatening, guilt, and force to get things done. But the Bible warns spiritual leaders to forbear (not to use) . . .

And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. (Ephesians 6:9)

In other words, we should relate to those we lead in the same way God relates to us.

"Witchcraft" is listed in Galatians 5:20 as one of the works of the flesh. In this passage witchcraft not only refers to the evil work done by witches who are followers of Satan. It also refers to fleshly "manipulation" of other people for our own purposes and desires.

Jesus taught that believers are not to adopt such worldly methods of conduct and leadership:

But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.  But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister. (Matthew 20:26)

Believers are not to be manipulated or become manipulators, but they certainly are to be mobilized. God has always moved through people who were motivated to action. Throughout the Biblical record He called people to mobilize physical, spiritual, and financial resources to  accomplish His plans and purposes.

To "mobilize" means to "put in a state of readiness for 

active service, to use one's energies for action". 

In broad terms, mobilization within the body of Christ refers to any event by which God's people are awakened and kept moving and growing until they find their place of strategic involvement in the task of completing God's will for this world.

Spiritual mobilization differs from manipulation because it is grounded in Biblical principles and the motivation is focused on God rather than man. It is not focused on flesh and self. It is not a need-oriented ministry, but command-oriented.

For example, when Jesus visited the pool of Bethesda, there were many people there who were lame, sick, and diseased. But Jesus healed only one man. 

And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.  John 5:5-8

He was command-oriented rather than need-oriented. This did not mean He did not have compassion on the others, but He had been led by God to minister to this one man.

If we become need-oriented in ministry, we will soon be overwhelmed by the many needs around  us. Eventually, we will become need-controlled. The needs of people will control our life and ministry. We will be manipulated by them and thus will become a manipulator in order to meet the great demands of these needs.

However, we we are command-oriented rather than need-oriented, our ministry is God-directed instead of man-directed. We are motivated and mobilized by the power of God rather than the manipulation of men and their needs.

(Biblical Studies)







12/17/13
06/08/15
08/20/16
04/22/20

12/31/21