Many people in the Body of Christ are having lots to say about their Faith. They talk about it as if they are some faith giant, and yet their character screams "Not So". But men like Joseph and Joshua were men of Character and their actions shouted, "Here is Faith".
James knew this and displayed it for us as he penned these words:
James 2:14-22
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Faith is so much more than just lip service. Faith is action. Faith is obeying the Word of God, which if filled with codes of etiquette; codes of behavior; and Guidelines (principles).
Protocol:
- A code of etiquette
- A code of behavior
- Guidelines
People who understood rank and order were those whom God commended and promoted. Joseph knew how to hold on to what God spoke to him. He knew how to operate according to protocol in spite of who was standing in positions over him.
Joseph was ditched (literally) by his brothers when he was put in a pit. Later he was sold out by his brothers (literally), when he was pulled from the pit, but only to and for their advantage, and was sold for a price to the Midianite Merchantmen.
Later he found himself serving in one of the lowest seats know to man, a servant to those of influence. Not to mention that while in this position, was solicited and striped of his own cloak; lied about and imprisoned.
While in the prison he was required to organize and administrate it. Laboring for free in a place that was chaotic and with a group of people whom lacked integrity.
In each of these places, Joseph held on to his dream of being promoted to a higher rank. The rank that God had spoke to him about. A place that exceed his brothers and his father too.
His Father had put him in the place where his brothers grew to hate him, He definitely wanted to be seated higher than that in wisdom. His brothers were slothfully in service and took out their anger on others, because of bitterness within them that refused to take personal responsibility. Joseph endeavored to walk in higher levels of integrity than this.
Joseph continue to follow proper codes of etiquette, behavior, and guidelines. He did not break protocol no matter what was handed him, and because of it was promoted to second in command of an entire Nation.
Joshua was another man promoted after holding fast to protocol. He walked with murmuring, complaining people, and with Moses (his leader) who was given to bouts of anger, and yet he kept an excellent Spirit. Because Joshua obeyed God and kept protocol He was offered Moses position and was able to take a people further than Moses could.
And the Last person I will mention is The Centurion who came to Jesus. In Matthew Chapter 8.
The Centurion came to Jesus requesting help for his sick servant. And as he did, he explained to Jesus that he made himself of no respect in his presence, understanding that he (Jesus) was a man of greatest stature in lines of protocol.
The centurion understood protocol; the responsibility and power that came with it. Once the centurion expressed his knowledge of these things ... he was commended by Jesus and his request was granted.
People who understand protocol and follow it, end up with amazing faith results and find themselves soon promoted.
