Page 18 - The Christian Life and the Church Life_Government of God

The Universal Government of God 17

message on living in the kingdom of the Son of God’s love. Oh, this is the
most pleasant realm in the universe where you are under the government
ruled by love, light, and life. I am looking forward to that message. We need
to have this view. Yes, the government is based on righteousness. But once
we are in harmony with God’s righteous government, the way is opened for
this bountiful supply.

God’s Governing by Judging; This Judgment of God Being for the
Carrying Out of His Government

God governs by judging; this judgment of God is for the carrying out of
His government. First Peter 4:17 says that judgment begins at the household
of God. Do not try to avoid this. You are elders and responsible ones and part
of your responsibility is to take the lead in every aspect of the living out of
God’s economy and God’s purpose. Then the church will be what you are.
You may learn that the Lord needs to judge certain matters in your life that
are not in harmony with His government. We are still in the old creation and
there are certain things in us that the Lord wants to deal with. Then Christ has
more room to grow in us and in the church it’s the same. We co-workers do
not go floating around and governmentally judging anything. We are not the
government. We are not the governor. I do not have any authority. The Son
of Man has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18). I just know to
minister life and truth and to enjoy fellowship and shepherding in mutuality.
Because 1 and 2 Peter are concerned with the government of God, in
these Epistles the judgment of God and of the Lord is referred to repeatedly
as one of the essential items. There is no threatening but there should be a
sober thinking here. Judgment starts with the house of God. He cannot go on
to bring righteous government to the world, to politics, or whatever it is, if
He has not first gained the church. This is parallel to Ephesians 1:10 where all
things will be headed up in Christ in heaven and on earth. But first the church
must be headed up in Christ, then the Lord can head up countries. Brothers,
I have the responsibility along with my fellow serving ones to release as
faithfully and as purely as we can this word that the Lord has put in us. Then
we will follow that up with personal prayer for you all. But once you have
heard this word, there is a responsibility on you that you might never have
had before. You should just realize this and accept this as a man with some
maturity and say, “Lord, I want to learn to live under Your government in