By Karen Jelinski There will never be a time when we will not need to understand Christ’s identity in us and through us. I would like to share an encounter I had with the Lord one night while walking through the process of my husband’s illness, which led to his home-going in 2022. Jesus revealed …
By Karen Jelinski
There will never be a time when we will not need to understand Christ’s identity in us and through us. I would like to share an encounter I had with the Lord one night while walking through the process of my husband’s illness, which led to his home-going in 2022. Jesus revealed to me in a dream that our identity will continue into eternity. He has no beginning, and He has no end (1 Timothy 1:17, Jude 1:25, Psalm 90:2 and others). We will have eternity to discover the identity of Christ due to these truths. There is no end to Him. How wonderful!
Our identity is not found in our personality or our purpose as people. We discover who we are only in the identity of Christ (Genesis 1:26-27, Isaiah 11:1-2, Galatians 5:22-23). Growing in the increasing revelation of our identity in Christ alone, and how it forms the kingly and priestly nature of Christ in us, will always be found first in the grace of identity. As we discover how His rule and reign as the King of kings operates in our lives, we can then apply this grace to the prophetic gift.
For quite some time, I have been speaking that the prophetic gift is not just in words only. Rather, our whole life is a prophetic voice to be heard and seen on display, especially as we begin to understand the kingly call God has spoken of. Let us first learn of the character traits and nature of a great king, which are only found in HIS identity.
Proverbs 8:6 starts by saying “Listen [some translations say “Hear”], for I will speak of noble [or excellent] things. So, let’s listen and hear what scripture tells us. The Hebrew word for “noble” can be translated as excellent, lead, govern, rule. “Noble” refers to a person of HIGH CHARACTER, a generous spirit, a willing heart. It can refer to leadership (we all lead in one way or another), honor, and strength, as seen in terms like valor, character, majestic, mighty. We may think that being a king is about making war through violence, death and destruction. However, as we learn to “listen” and “hear” from our kingly perspective of Christ’s very character, nature, and fruit, we can plainly see that every aspect of Him is a weapon of our warfare. Jesus Christ was, is, and will be the greatest warrior King ever. As we mature in His Kingly identity, our kingly lives will reflect and display Him.
So, let’s discover how scripture describes the character traits of great kings.
WISDOM – Great kings rule from a place of the quality of wisdom that only experience can give. They will apply themselves to listening to the wisdom that only Jesus, Who is all Wisdom, teaches them. (Isaiah 11:2, Ephesians 1:17-18)
JUSTICE – They rule and reign through just behavior and respectful treatment of others regardless of class, race, ethnicity, nationality, gender or any other category. (Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 89:14)
BENEVOLENCE – They rule with kind, positive intentions toward others (Psalm 100:5, Matthew 5:45, Romans 2:4, James 1:17). Protecting all their citizens (both born again Christians and pre-believers) is their priority (Psalm 91:1-2, Nahum 1:7, Psalm 46:1-2). They serve them sacrificially (Mark 10:45).
DIGNITY – Kings rule from a place of humble authority, understanding Who they represent, and treating others with the same dignity that they themselves would desire. (Proverbs 24:17, John 15:12, 1 Peter 2:17)
MENTORSHIP – They seek and receive mentorship from sound people, those who will speak truth – even if it may hurt at times – in a manner of respect and love for the king, to help others. (Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 15:22, 1 Corinthians 11:1)
COURAGE AND BRAVERY – They possess the strength to face danger, protect their subjects, and take responsibility during adversity. They maintain their composure so as not to strike fear in people. They speak from a place of confidence, knowing the battle has already been won. They do not entertain, nor will they accept, a mindset of defeat or retreat. (Psalm 119:165, Ecclesiastes 10:4)
We all have become accustomed and attached in some measure to worldly and religious thinking, so maturing in our kingly understanding may not always be an easy learning process.
We can develop our capability to “Listen” and to “Hear” by sitting quietly with The Lord. At first, we may only be able to do this for 5 minutes at a time; however, as we continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, all these traits will be seen in and through us. We will learn to speak from these traits as we prophesy on behalf of our King. (2 Peter 3:18)
Take heart! “In quietness and confidence is our rest” (Isaiah 30:15). Our King will bring us all the way through, because He is a GREAT King, whose foundation is love. Then we will understand the “still more excellent way” of love that the Apostle Paul spoke of: “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” (1 Corinthians 12:31 – 14:1). Every one of us can partake in the “higher gift” of prophecy as we reflect and portray our Great King,
“For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus” (Revelation 19:10b NIV).
