Day 11

“I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven.” —MATTHEW 16:19

This verse has been translated into English in such a way that may lead to misunderstanding. It does not mean that by our binding and loosing on earth we determine the action of heaven – though it may initially appear that way. There is a curious and unusual sentence construction in the Greek text of this verse, which means that what we bind and loose on earth will be those things already bound and loosed in heaven, but which are awaiting the opportunity to be bound and loosed on earth. 

We on earth do not determine what the actions of heaven may be, but we can limit and prevent the activity of heaven on earth. What God chooses to do from heaven, He generally does through the church (which is the context of this statement). He initiates the acts, but they are implemented in the obedience of His people – the church.  Where we are disobedient, His work is thwarted. Where we are obedient, He works. 

Hence, in the Old Testament, the Israelites, “…tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.” (Psalm 78:41 KJV) We cannot make God do what He does not want to do, but we can prevent Him from doing what He would otherwise do. We can grieve the Holy Spirit, we can quench Him, we can resist Him – all of which we are warned against in the New Testament. If the church of Jesus Christ is going to be effective, we have to ask these very important questions. “What is it that God is wanting to do here on earth, and am I available to be part of His means of doing it?” When our obedience to Him is matched by our dependence on Him, we have all the resources of energy needed to see His work done on earth…. as it is in heaven. 

Are you available as God’s agent to restrict what is wrong (binding) and release what is right (loosing), so that what is already the will of heaven will become worked out on earth?

PRAYER: Lord, I am available to You so that as I act in obedience to You and dependence on You, all that is planned in Heaven that waits to become experiential on earth may become so through ordinary Christians like me.