For decades I have prayed for revival and unity in The Body of Christ. In four local churches I have enjoyed fellowship and served in various capacities. In each I have seen how the One who brings revival, the Holy Spirit, is resisted and grieved. In each I have seen ways in which the unity of the Body was violated or thwarted. In three I have spoken to the pastor(s) concerning issues that grieve the Spirit or hinder unity. In each case I was either ignored or shamed.
For over thirty years I have longed to see the Spirit move in the Church, but all I have seen is people move; going from one church to another. A problem arises, an offense, a revealed sin, an impasse and the offended party or the one who pointed out sin, quietly moves on. I see this as the cultural context in which the church has effectively harbored evil of every sort, but especially prideful religiosity.
We have a church culture where each person or congregation or multi-site church or denomination is primarily concerned about SELF promotion and/or preservation. Who, individually of corporately, has followed Christ to the cross where SELF dies to advance His Kingdom? I’ve seen the opposite. Shepherds whose pursuit of position, power and perks makes them deaf to the voice of the Spirit, blind to the needs of the sheep and mute when they see something that’s wrong, and in relation to the Church, corporate strutting and bullying in the name of our humble self sacrificing Savior.
When it comes to addressing sin, in many cases, rather than drive the devil out of the church, “For the sake of the gospel,” they let the devil have his way. But it’s a gospel issue when there is prideful domineering. It’s a gospel issue when there is worldly wisdom being touted as a church growth formula. It’s a gospel issue when financing a church building project takes on a spirit of coercion. It’s a gospel issue when devotion to the church requires the negligence of your wife or family. It’s a gospel issue when, to keep your position, you have to coverup evil. For the sake of the Gospel and God’s Holy Name, we must deal with sin in the church. The procedure has been spelled out in Scripture and the warnings have been given as to what will happen if we don’t deal with sin ourselves.
Do we fear man more than we fear God? We need to be challenged with the reality that those afforded much grace through the blood of the holy and beloved Son of the Almighty will be judged more severely for their rebellion than those who never came to the cross. Our peace giving “eternal security” is a lie from the master deceiver who said to Eve, “surely you will not die.” The pulpits that should be preaching the fear of the Lord are saying “peace and safety” in a cheap grace gospel with a sin proof guarantee.
Why does revival tarry? Perhaps because we are hungry for the approval of man rather than the all consuming fire of the Spirit of Truth. Judgement has begun with the House of God! He will clear His threshing floor of the chaff. And gather the wheat. Will you be among those gathered or those burned with unquenchable fire?
“GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”
James 4:6-10 NASB