But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. - Ephesians 2:4-7 (ESV)
Do these verses have anything to do with worldly pursuits? Of course not. The actual verse he cites explains that we are expressly seated in heavenly places for the next world, not this one. The immeasurable riches are of His grace in kindness towards us. This is about repentance from sin, not a formula to give us an advantage in carnal affairs.
"I propose one reason why Believers aren't the visionaries and the catalysts they were designed to be is because religion has taken the place of revelation. All too often, the divine wisdom we get from God becomes imprisoned in our hearts, guarded by the spirit of religion and taunted by the fear of man. The triumphant call on us to rise and shine with ageless wisdom and supernatural power ultimately wastes away in the confines of mediocrity. This disconcerting demise has reduced those who are designed to be the most brilliant people on the planet to an echo rather than a voice." - Kris Vallotton
Yet another calling card of Vallotton and the NAR is this made up teaching about a religious spirit. They concoct this nonsense because they believe in experiential Christianity - that is what Kris refers to as "revelation." They teach that what we experience is equal or superior to scripture. The worship leader from the heretical outfit known as Jesus Culture also is a congregant of Bethel Church, where Vallotton works. She claims she had a waking visitation from Jesus who whisked her away to the throne room where she met the Father face to face. The rest of the tale is equally demonic but this portion is simply unbiblical. The bible says no man can see God and live. That is why God gave us His word. Just see how much Kris thinks of himself. This is the end result of the showy look at me spirit that infects his theology. We are not called to shine with ageless wisdom and supernatural power. To Kris, biblical maturity is just the confines of mediocrity. Once again it is because he does not understand the things of God. The bible explains we are sheep Kris, not that we are destined to be the most brilliant people on the planet. I would rather echo the word of God than think my voice was special in any kind of way.
"Maybe you've forgotten 2 Corinthians 5:17 that says, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." The word new here is the Greek word kainos, which can be translated as "prototype"--something never before created. This means you are an original; a one of a kind! If that sounds like an overused cliche then you probably don't get it. As Believers, we've been born-again...we have a new heart and a new mind. In fact, we have the mind of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:16). With that being said, it's paramount that as Believers we begin to press into the reality of our theology!" - Kris Vallotton
Sigh. Remember that Kris has made the point of this to be cultural warriors and leaders. When we hear from teachers we must be compelled to test everything according to Thessalonians and keep what is good. We test to see if what we are being taught lines up with what God has taught. So let's take a look at the context of the verse Kris is abusing here:
From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. - 2Corinthians 5:16-21 (ESV)
Any plausible reading of these verses must conclude they have nothing to do with being empowered to conquer cultural mountains or serve in various leadership positions. Talk about missing the point! This is again about the repentance of our sins and how once we are a new creation, we are ambassadors for Christ! Not in relation to leading in this world but leading others to the eternal through the Gospel. Kris is once again focused on the wrong life, as are all dominionists. God is trying to lead them out of Sodom and Gomorrah but like Lot's wife, they keep looking back.
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