When we receive spiritual, mental, and emotional releases from strict oversight, we can perceive and see more clearly. As a mid-day sun adds to the morning dawn, all revealing insight should prepare us for new awareness. Previous insights can be relevant if they do not restrict more light.
Visionaries not only see and perceive beyond current situations and circumstances, they often work through the complicated details of making the vision a reality. We recognize visionaries as explorers, discoverers, inventors, entrepreneurs, reformers, even parents who create and nurture children. So, are we visionary people of faith?
God’s Presence
God declared His vision for people of faith is a developing reality. “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them…the first things have passed away…Behold, I am making all things new.” (a) [see end notes for all Scriptures] Three times God’s presence is noted as “among us.” He is making all thing new!
God’s reign is not confined to one people, religious approach, or nation, but is experienced in part and at times, by all who seek to “do the right thing.” (b) The vision God gives for people of faith is an inclusive and improving reality that allows various responses, even times of doubt.
Jesus described the function of God’s kingdom in the earth as allowing for different types of responses. We can be “shallow, joyful, worrisome, and fruitful.” (c) God’s rule allows for “tares among wheat, yeast among flour, hidden treasures, both good and bad fish.” (d) There are “goats among sheep, wolves clothed as sheep, and people building on sand.” (e) God’s kingdom in this earth is not a utopian state, but includes a variety of variables. The presence of God is among us!
Too often we complicate the truth of God’s presence with us by saying it is either natural ‘or’ spiritual. We are created and birthed into this life as natural people with spirit, (f) as offspring of God and of man. We are intended to mature naturally ‘and’ spiritually, as responsive children.
God loves all of His offspring even when we ignore Him, are hesitant to hear His voice, stray from His guidance, respond as silly children, or are not religious. His desire is that we see and pursue His vision of a better life today and not passively wait for a someday, or an after-life.
God loves all of His offspring even when we ignore Him, are hesitant to hear His voice or stray from His guidance.
Faith and Light
It is important to realize faith is more than believing. Faith is our active response to what God is saying and doing. We should not be complacent and wait for God to achieve things without our involvement. People of faith willingly respond and actively pursue God’s vision for life.
We want to remember, “faith without works is useless…is dead.” (g) Faith involves our active participation. Scripture tells us to “work out your salvation (into daily life)…for it is God who is at work in you.” (h) Our imperfect responses and improving adjustments help make vision a reality.
Gathered people of faith are called 
“The Mountain of the Lord,” (i) “the light of the world…a city set on a hill,” (j) and are to “appear as lights in the world.” (k) Remember that “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellences of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (l)
Jesus encouraged us to “Let your light shine (where?) before men (how?) in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father.” (m) God desires us, as responsive children, to be proactive in our limitations and imperfection: “Arise and shine for the glory of the Lord has risen upon thee…the Lord will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you.” (n)
Fresh insight into God’s freeing and enabling vision actually enables additional experiences of His inspirational and influential oversight. God calls us to respond beyond our individuality with a vision as groups, communities, and nations. Together, we can experience “greater works.” (o)
When we share our light and discuss issues under a unifying vision, we are an overcoming force. (p) “Who among you is wise…let him show by his good behavior…the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits.” (q)
As the light of our personal and gathered life shines brighter and brighter, darkness is dismissed, and the destructive forces that seek to divide and captivate us lose their control. (r)
Our imperfect responses and improving adjustments help make vision a reality.
Freedom to Live, Worship and Prosper
When the vision of living together under God’s guidance is ignored or forgotten, the strength in our gatherings are weakened and can eventually be dismantled. (s) We want to proactively choose to continue under God’s guidance as a free people. To do so, we must teach our children to refuse the deception that wants to ‘take care of us’ and eventually enslave us.
We want to be involved enough to counter the bad policies that are introduced into the group, lest we contribute to delaying the blessings God desires to give. “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” (t)
The “freedom to live, worship and prosper with liberty and justice for all” is a God given vision. While many do not realize the Kingdom of God is a physical reality in the earth today, its reality is not negated. This vision began to revive 500 years ago as God began delivering, gathering, and anointing people all over the world. Many people and nations today shine as liberating lights.
Let us not repeat the previous patterns of ignoring or slipping away from God’s guidance! We want to purposely live in the reality that God is with us, among us and in our midst. Living conditions all over the world can continue to improve, despite the persistent destructive efforts of the ideologies of Fascism, Socialism, Communism, Globalism, and career politicians.
We are still free to respond to God’s guidance as individuals, communities, states, and nations. Rather than voting for the most likeable personality can we focus on the relevant issues and policies that affect the quality of our lives? This is a peaceful way to counter the efforts of all subversive activity bent on dividing our gatherings and destroying our God inspired strength as fellowships and nations. May we respond to God’s vision for life and impact our world for the better!
May we respond to God’s vision for life and impact our world for the better!
a) Revelations 21:3-5; b) Hebrews 10:24; Romans 7:12; c) Matthew 13:18-23; d) Matthew 13:24-55; e) Matthew 25:32; 7:15, 24-27; f) Genesis 1:26; 2:7; Ecclesiastes 12:7 g) James 2:20, 26; h) Philippians 2:12-13; i) Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4:2; j) Matthew 5:14; k) Philippians 2:12-15; Proverbs 4:18-19; l) 1 Peter 2:9-10; m) Matthew 5:16; n) Isaiah 60:1-3; o) John 14:12; p) Isaiah 1:18; 43:26; q) James 3:13-17; r) Ephesians 6:12; s) Proverbs 29:18; t) Galatians 5:1
Keith Carroll, “The Relationship Guy”
Relational Gospel Founder
Created To Relate author