God Is Decentralizing!

In Matthew 18.18, Jesus made a startling statement to his disciples:
“Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be
loosed in heaven.”

Wow! I have to ask myself, “What am I loosing and what am I binding on earth?” According to the words of Jesus, that very thing will be loosed and bound in heaven. God wants to partner with me, not only in the accomplishing of his purposes on earth, but also in the actual willing of his purposes in heaven.

I’ve just finished reading a book by organizational specialist, Ichak Adizes. In this book, called Corporate Lifecycles, Adizes distinguishes between delegation and decentralization. When tasks are assigned and performed “down the ladder,” that is delegation. When strategic decisions are assigned and made “down the ladder,” that is decentralization.

Think about the Great Commission in Matthew 28.18-20:
"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

In the Great Commission, we see that God has given us the task of making disciples. That is delegation. But here in Matthew 18.18, Jesus appears to be actually decentralizing strategic decisions. He wants us to will and decide and participate in the formation of divine purpose. He invites us to be partners with him in the shaping of history! I say again, “WOW!”

What are you binding or loosing on earth? That is what are you binding or loosing in heaven! It is an awe-inspiring offer, a daunting prospect. Eternity will be formed by our obedience, by our wills in conformity with God’s heavenly will. So, pray! Believe! Act!

Bind! Loose!