- Why the Battle for the Harvest in America is Not Being Won –
Bishop Freddie Steel – Life Church of Chicagoland
www.lifeinchicago.org
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I’ve got it figured out! I know why the harvest of lost souls is not being reaped by the American Church! We don’t see the harvest! We see classes of people that we either identify with and feel that we have an affinity with or people we are simply indifferent to and may, most of the time, tolerate or reject.
This is all accomplished by sight and prejudice. We can use criteria of Church affiliation, model of vehicle they drive, kind of home they live in or the tone and accent of their voice. If you hear a flat, New York-style accent spoken by someone, we are able to identify that and begin to imagine what their life is like. If you hear that distinct Maine accent, you can also begin to imagine something about a person’s make up. When you hear that obvious Alabama draw, the same goes: you have an idea of that person’s life and lifestyle.
That stuff is ok. We are able to recognize and identify by auditory means. But, when a real Christ follower takes that information and decides a response and reaction and determines whether or not the Kingdom of God is offered to someone because we like or dislike something about them, then that is where the reaping of the harvest collapses. God’s love is meant to be that impetus at work in our heart to cause us to see people just as Christ sees people, all people:
8 “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness.
9 He will not always chide or be contending, neither will He keep His anger forever or hold a grudge.
10 He has not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him [with reverence, worship, and awe].
14 For He knows our frame, He [earnestly] remembers and imprints [on His heart] that we are dust.” Psalm 103: 8-14 AMP
I really believe a revival would break out in our homes, workplaces and communities if every Christ follower was to be the permeating influence like salt and light and practiced unmitigaged courtesy and kindness with everyone whether we felt the person deserved it or not! I know that works – first hand!
There is not enough time nor space for me to share the numbers of times I have refused to react to the disposition shown to me by someone in my daily routines whether it is a fast food drive through, grocery store, bank or any place else. I determined many years ago to refuse to react or project when I engage people every day because as far as I am concerned, everyone I meet day-to-day is an assignment from God for me. If Father God placed them in my path, my reaction and response to them must, therefore, be absolutely pleasing to Him. He brings people to me everyday. If they are His ‘guests’ (and I view everyone in that light), then they are going to be treated according to Psalm 103: 8-14.
Since adopting this perspective on life and ministry, the Holy Spirit has opened up a new level of the Gifts of the Spirit that are employed day-by-day as through words of knowledge, wisdom and prophecy.
A few years back I was on Interstate 294 coming back home from O’Hare Airport and it was bumper-to-bumper traffic. We were moving at a snales pace. It was very hot that day and vehicles were driving along in close order almost inch-by-inch. No one appeared to be happy, much less tolerant of the conditions having to be endured and it seemed everyone was out ‘for his own.’ I noticed a young couple in the lane left to me. We would change places being ahead of the other as one lane moved more quickly than the other and vice-versa. The Holy Spirit prompted me to begin praying for them and I did.
I knew the Lord wanted to say something encouraging to them, but I just hesitated to holler out the window and try to get it communictaed even though I knew this word for them was stirring deep in my soul.
After sometime, the traffic started moving more quickly and I lost sight of this young couple and I continued to pray and pray in the Spirit for them as I drove along. I reached my exit just a few miles down the road from O’Hare Airport where I would exit the Interstate to head to my office at the Church where I am pastor. I pulled up to the stop light at the end of the long exit ramp and the couple was the only car at the light. I pulled up beside them and simply told them that as we drove along God had prompted me to pray for them and that, specifically, to tell them that their family and loved one are healed. The young man dropped his head, started shaking his head and looked over to his wife for a few moments.
He began to share with me that they had just left the hospital and his mother who was in great need of a healing miracle. This simple act of obedience gave them the faith to believe for their mother and I used the opportunity to explain to them how involved Father God wants to be in their life.
This kind of ministry opportunity happens to me every day, everywhere I go and I am certain that it does because I view everyone as an appointment and an assignment by God regardless their ethnicity, appearance, religious preference, political position or anything else. Out of the multiplied numbers of times the Holy Spirit ministers this way through me, there has only been one time I met with resistance. Whether I am in an airport, grocery line or fast-food restaurant, I see the harvest.
It also drives home to me the great importance of every man, woman, boy and girl in the sight of God. As a long-time evangelist and someone accustomed to moving in the Gifts of the Spirit, I was comfortable with such gifts operating in the reivals I held and the altar services at my Church. But, when the Holy Spirit took me and these grace gifts outside, and He began to seek out and want to engage people from every walk of life, my life and ministry were completely re-defined!
My community is now my pastorate! Having ‘good’ Church no longer just takes place on Sundays and Wednesdays! Whether I am at Applebees or Meineke, my ‘Church’ is expanding! I am so, so grateful the Holy Spirit has ridded my life, heart and mind of judging and has said, in essence: ‘Freddie, you are a battlefield medic. Treat anyone, everywhere with the Good News. You can get them to the step-down floor or rehab unit later. But, for now, get them stabilized with the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by giving them His hope.’ When they get that word of hope, it is as though they realize that God has ‘entered’ into their ‘stuff’ and they appear to breathe in a deep sigh of relief as if to say, ‘this sounds too good to be true.’ I just love this! Isn’t God good?!
This is why judging has to be struck from the Christian’s arsenal. Judge not so that you’re not judged (unless you have an opinion that just can’t be held back)?! No, there’s no adendum or interpretation for this command of the Lord. It is simple: do not judge. But, it’s hard to fight that temptation since our culture is awash in just such spurious sentiments especially since most news media outlets have adopted that format in the last few years (saying, in essence: let’s not just report the news, let’s pick it apart pitting one side against the next so the sparks that fly in these open debates will boost our Arbitron ratings throug the ceiling because everybody likes a good fight (aka – discourse)).
There is a difference between opinions and judging. An opinion is a view or belief about something not necessarily based on fact or knowledge. Judging is the same as opinion but it is more conclusive or final. It is a decision.
Scripture is absolutely clear about Christians remaining free from the bane of judging people. Actually, it appears unnatural or possibly even simple-minded for one not to participate in voicing active judgments about most anything or anyone. If it is prohibitive in Scripture, and it is, you can’t tell the difference in the conversations of Christians or otherwise because they contain and sound the same.
The most famous and oft repeated verse comes from Matthew 7:1: “‘Judge not, that you be not judged.’ The Greek word translated ‘judge’ is ‘krino’ which means ‘to call into question.’ In other words, do not set yourself up to act as someone who has the facts, suspicions or the position to undermine or cast a shadow over another. To adopt that persona means you will reap what you sow and suffer the similar fate because when doing so, you are competing with God for His role and position of Omniscience - knowing more than God or at least ‘all’ of His business.
Let me list the reasons that exist behind this prohibition on judging and also speak about the reasons it feels so unnatural for Christians not to be guilty of judging in today’s culture.
First, we are prohibited from judging because only God has all of the facts and insight on the issues of a person’s life past, present and future. And, yes, God‘s grace is all about knowing what the future of a person looks like as He moves redemptively in the affairs of that person’s future. In other words, God blesses us all on credit utilizing His impeccable credit score on our behalf – something that is not based on anyone’s personal worthiness. If He does that for us, undeserving by the stretch of any personal merit, it would be asanign for us not to recompense the same mercy to anyone, everyone, period.
Remember that there is only one throne and it belongs to God, alone. Since it is the Throne of Grace, that is what everyone and anyone will find when they seek to be heard and recognized by the King of all Kings and the Lord of all Lords Whose Words are first, last and absolute.
Second, when we judge we are literally assessing a value on and a judgment against one of God’s creation whom God values so very much that He set a person’s value by paying the price for everyone’s Redemption with the shed blood of His only begotten Son. And, that value can never be assessed or even imagined.
When we judge, we are attempting to displace the worth and value that God, the Almighty, has placed on a life and soul and replace or reassess the value with our worthless opinion. Whether an individual is a Hollywood celebrity worth millions or a death-row inmate, God values each and every soul and life and lifts their potential for dignity by His mercy and grace.
You see, God has a ‘blind’ assessment. In other words, His valuation is not based upon anything of human merit. Isaiah 11: 3 says:
“He (Jesus) shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, neither decide by the hearing of His ears;
4 But with righteousness and justice shall He judge the poor and decide with fairness for the meek, the poor, and the downtrodden of the earth.” (AMP)
The Message Bible renders the same as:
“He won't judge by appearances, won't decide on the basis of hearsay. He'll judge the needy by what is right, render decisions on earth's poor with justice.”
As all can see, even Christ did not judge man nor mankind but He, Himself, became the very Object and Judgment of sin by God when He hung on the Cross of Calvary and thus elevated the value of mankind, everyone, by the cost and price He paid for our Redemption. How much is a soul worth? That much.
One of the most revealing verses of Scripture that drives this point home is in John 3: 16-18:
"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: - so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to Him.”
As these verses attest, God’s divine justice and judgment were fully met and realized through the Pascal Lamb and Sacrifice, Jesus, His Son, on the Cross of Calvary – it was finished. Judgment now originates, essentially, through man’s response to the grace that has been shown. In other words, those outside a relationship with Christ are like someone found overboard in raging seas. How they got there doesn’t matter. What does matter is getting the life ring to them before it is too late. Now, the ‘Captain’ of the ship (God) is not willing that any should perish. So, without hesitation, the ‘life ring’ is sent into the stormy waters as many times as it takes to complete the rescue. Here is judgment. God will never refuse to send the ‘life ring’ but if the struggler refuses it’s salvation, through their response to it, judgment has occurred.
Next, when we judge, we are saying that we are the standard or at least a standard. What is so bad about that is that when we judge, we are moving ourselves from righteousness and right standing with God by faith and are basing our worthiness on pride and human assessment and standards which is self righteousness and is, in God’s own Words, filthy rags and a stench in His nostrils.
Fourthly, the role of the Christian can be compared to a sheep, slave, servant, soldier, son, and so on. Encompassing and overarching all of these models and those not mentioned is the fact that whatever model the Christian walk is compared, we have been given the ministry of reconciliation. We are to live in order to repair the breach between God and man by convincing them and introducing them to new life in Christ.
Reconcilers do not ignore the facts and issues present that cause the breach with God but they draw upon the more pertinent matters of God’s unwillingness that any should perish and, as such, we tell the Good News so the breach is crossed and the alienated parties have their relationship restored.
If you are going to be successful as a repairer of the breach, the first, second and third thing that you offer is hope. The Good News is greater than their current disposition and estate. Lay the obvious aside long enough to remain focused on giving them hope. They will present every kind of argument or reason or distraction that leads to an adversarial standoff. Don’t go there. Remember Psalm 103. Let it be a guide to you. People will actually try to sabotage the Good News they are hearing by making you mad, offended or creating other excuse and distraction in order to say ‘I knew it wouldn’t work for me.’ Just keep throwing the life line.
Paul describes this role of Christians in a poignant way in 2 Corinthians 5: 16-20 and more so in the NLT.
“So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view.
18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.
19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.
20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”
Pay close attention to the description of God’s intentions, Christ’s mission and our commission as His ambassadors.
A. We have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view! There are no big sins, then smaller or less consequential sins and sins categorized by severity. Sin is a condition. Jesus did not come into the world to deal with ‘sins’ but ‘sin’ – a condition. ‘Sins’ relates more to habits, behavior and actions whereas ‘sin’ addresses the problem of the condition of mankind – lost and separated from God – a condition.
John the Baptist told it correctly as recorded in John 1:29:
“The next day John saw Jesus coming to him and said, Look! There is the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world!
The sin condition or estate was the inward element that produced the acts that alienated a holy God for a sinful and unrighteous mankind. In dealing with the sin ‘condition’ or ‘estate’ then all of fallen, separated mankind has available to them the open and liberal invitation and hope of becoming justified, acquitted and accepted by God based on His grace and faith. It is this understanding that drives all of our behavior and interaction with anyone and everyone we have contact with. They have the hope and possibility of stepping into God’s divine favor and graces by faith just as we have experienced, ourselves.
B. God gave us the task of ‘reconciling’ [all] people to God. Reconciliation does not ignore the fact that there is a breach in the relationship but lifts the Good News of hope and salvation above the obvious. Ours is a message of hope. We do not initially point out the obvious to the lost but that which is not obvious:
“For God so loved them [the world] that [even though He saw their sinfulness, blackness of heart and their inevitable rejection, torture and putting to death of His own Son] He gave His Only Begotten Son that whosoever [even those feeling the most wretched or unworthy] believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
C. God is no longer counting man’s sins against them. This is not because God is overlooking the sin(s) but because it is an obvious fact and reality to Him. Just as no one would be questioned if they want to seen a physician if they visited an emergency room because it is obvious that is why they are there, the question of a man’s need is also obvious to God and should be to us as well. They are ‘there’ because they need a physician. In essence, we are all physicians or battlefield medics. It is obvious to us that the potential exists that everyone we meet during a 24-hour period is ‘sick’ with sin. That may not be obvious to them in all cases but it is obvious to us. Consequently, my role and obligation is to act as an ambassador and a physician and begin to minister hope and healing. This goodness of God can be transformational and lead one to repentance faster and more enthusiastically than pointing out the obvious to them.
I might also add that when we ‘physicians’ point out the obvious to the sin-sick and go our way with no concern or burden on our heart for their condition, we are not behaving as Christ nor His ambassadors because Christ, our example, saw the mixed race multitudes and was moved powerfully with compassion and motivated to meet their need.
Fifth, passing a sentence or valuation / judging is contrary to the Fruit of the Spirit which is the distinguishing mark of a true Christian.
“But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, 23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law that can bring a charge.” Galatians 5: 22, 23
Paul gives us further insight into the true nature of Christ and the Fruit of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 13.
1 “IF I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God's love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God's love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).
3 Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God's love in me), I gain nothing.
4 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
8 Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].”
We just read the DNA of Christ. This DNA of God, Who is absolute Love, helped Jesus to view the world, all of mankind, through rose-colored glasses. He had hope for and believed the very for everyone who reached out to Him expressing need.
“How God anointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with the [Holy] Spirit and with strength and ability and power; how He went about doing good and, in particular, curing all who were harassed and oppressed by [the power of] the devil, for God was with Him.” Acts 10: 38 AMP
All too often Christians project personal perjudices or assumptions onto people they meet day-by-day based on a number of criteria including: color; ethnicity; appearance, etc. The ‘world’ is viewed through tainted eyes of the ‘flesh’ as opposed to the eyes of the ‘Spirit’ and the ‘DNA’ of Christ. The tragedy is that the ministry and mission of Christ that was bequeathed to us, all Christians, is non-existent in such paradigms of thought – a tragedy that must not and should be the case.
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and every weakness and infirmity.
36 When He saw the throngs, He was moved with pity and sympathy for them, because they were bewildered (harassed and distressed and dejected and helpless), like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9: 35, 36 AMP
“And departing, they went about from village to village, preaching the Gospel and restoring the afflicted to health everywhere.” Luke 9: 6 AMP
Sixth, the full justice of God has been satisfied when His Son, the Sacrificial, Atoning Lamb was sacrificed for the sin of all mankind. God’s judgment was satisfied, Redemption completed, and now the Godhead is seated on a Throne indicating ‘They’ are at rest. And, the Throne where all of creation is managed and monitored is called the Throne of GRACE – the unmerited favor of God extended to everyone everywhere.
Next, the most powerful tool and offensive weapon a Christian has to invoke injury upon the kingdom of darkness is his/her mouth, tongue and voice. It holds prophetic, creative power and potential for giving God glory. It is a holy instrument set aside for praising God and man and is prohibited from cursing man who is created in the likeness of God holding the same potential for mercy, grace and redemption we hold as well.
9 “With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God's likeness!
10 Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so.
11 Does a fountain send forth [simultaneously] from the same opening fresh water and bitter?
12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine figs? Neither can a salt spring furnish fresh water.” James 3:9-12 AMP
Lastly, we must remember that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Whenever we speak so easily and casually about a person’s value and worth or questioning the Sovereign Rule of God, we are setting ourselves up as experts and exhibiting an arrogancy and pride as being someone who holds particular credentials or insights so as to be a spokesperson for God.
The incident that spurred this article serves to illustrate the point.
It was just recently that the terribly successful, global ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ came under the dirge of unbridled public sentiment by Christians for changing their name from Campus Crusade for Christ to CRU. The idea of a name change was considered by it’s founder, the wise and capable Dr. Bill Bright many years ago. He knew a time would come when the current name would not be related to in any familiar way by a growing number of people and new generations who held less and less knowledge of Christianity and it’s jargon.
In these days, the name Campus Crusade for Christ could be viewed by an ever increasing number of those who have not come to faith in Christ as divisive or objectionable because of the word ‘crusade’ for instance. If any part of the name kept the hearts and minds of the sought-after-ones closed and unreceptive yet a different name might at least garner attention and an audience, then the greater devotion belongs to reaching the ripened harvest rather than the tradition and devotion to a name.
The name was not changed for the pleasure of the already-converted but for those who are yet to be reached by a well-established, called and anointed evangelism ministry. If by changing the name to CRU this unreached group’s attention can be had, then maybe their mind can be stirred, their hearts touched and their lives changed as those who are telling the story are permitted to move from one step of introduction all the way through to invitation and salvation.
We are awash with venom coming from every angle. News media thrives on intense debate and the stirring of the viewer’s emotions – deeply. There is a real appetite for the public, verbal or print slaying of anyone who is in a camp other than ours. Additionally, people live on the edge and are either running on or near empty in their emoitonal tanks. In other words, there’s not a lot of grace being spread around out there in the real world – even by Christians.
No wonder our Good News isn’t winsome or convincing: it’s not being told because we are not viewing people as God views them – objects of His love and passion – regardless their station in life. Even with a lot of Christians, people are seen as interruptions or inconveniences; threats or aggrivations; disruptive or a turn off. In any case, these are people whom Jesus died for that God is sending into our path for one reason: for us to be Christ’s ambassador and behave in such a way we can be instruments of reconciliation repairing the breach between that person and a loving God.
Divine Jurisprudence takes seriously the defaming, criticism and damage of the name, reputation and ministry potential of one of his servants. The court of divine, cosmic justice has made the opportunity available for the elevation of every person through the advocacy and mediation of our condition by the Son of God. Drawn and invited by faith, every man, woman, boy or girl is given unfettered access to God’s Mercy Seat and the Throne of Grace through the Blood of Jesus Christ. So brazen is this audacious stance that the ‘Spirit and the bride say ‘come.’ Whomsoever will, let him come and drink of the water of the fountain of life freely.’ Revelation 22:17
That divine courtesy and evaluation of humankind does not end with the invitation. There is a particular and specific decorum involved in the conduct within the Kingdom of God because of the order of that Kingdom and the particular offices and positions beings and humans can hold.
Take for instance the setting involving the dispute between satan and Michael the Arch Angel over the body of Moses. Michael recognized authority and submission and the hierarchy of God’s visible and invisible administration and did not speak presumptuously issuing his own, personal charge against the devil but came under and behind his Source of Authority and spoke what he knew the Almighty would say.
8 “Nevertheless in like manner, these dreamers also corrupt the body, scorn and reject authority and government, and revile and libel and scoff at [heavenly] glories (the glorious ones).
9 But when [even] the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, judicially argued (disputed) about the body of Moses, he dared not [presume to] bring an abusive condemnation against him, but [simply] said, The Lord rebuke you!
10 But these men revile (scoff and sneer at) anything they do not happen to be acquainted with and do not understand; and whatever they do understand physically [that which they know by mere instinct], like irrational beasts--by these they corrupt themselves and are destroyed (perish).
11 Woe to them! For they have run riotously in the way of Cain, and have abandoned themselves for the sake of gain [it offers them, following] the error of Balaam, and have perished in rebellion [like that] of Korah!”
How is this applied to modern times? I’m glad you asked.
On occasion I have the opportunity to hear the criticism of, condemnation or ridicule of ministers of the Gospel such as Joel Osteen. And, it reminds me of the puppy dog barking at the moon. In other words, it is laughable (yet sad and sinful) to hear people who will never understand what it is to wield the platform and influence that Joel Osteen does for the Kingdom but feel they can speak authoritatively about his legitimacy and God’s evaluation of him personally and ministerially. As I look on or listen, I see it as comical (though repulsive as well) that people who have such limited details and no first-hand details can rate and think they can invalidate Joel’s harvest and ministry. They pass along parts of the facts, distorted facts or hand-me-down complaints and all the while forgetting the fact that God takes such actions seriously and says ‘touch not my anointed and do my prophets no harm.’
You see, Joel Osteen carries one thing for sure in his favor: humility. He freely admits that no one is more surprised at what he is doing more than himself. He freely admits that he is one of the least qualified (his opinion) and did not seek this out. Yet, the one who rates himself as one of the least likely, least qualified and unsuspecting to have such a position, is the one being used by God (whether you like it or not) to bring hope to multiplied millions with one of the simplest, least complicated messages that always lifts up the Lord Jesus Christ, the Blood of the Lamb, the inerrance of Scripture and the return of Christ. And, while he is reaching a segment of society with a message of hope and the Good News of Christ spanning every imaginable cultural crossroads whether it is corporate America, Wall Street or India, Christians of the least levels of positive influence on the Kingdom of God sit in judgment and condemnation possibly even supposing that the multitudes who have come to faith in Christ through Joel’s ministry must find their salvation disqualified and inadequate (by their criticial opinion) when we all get to Heaven – by the Grace of God. That level of arogance and ignorance disgusts God.
I warn the reader that each of us will give an account to God for the Kingdom advancing potential of a fellow-believer that we hurt, impede or hinder. We will NOT go guiltless if we speak of the Powers of God in a risque’ fashion. Each time we cast a shadow of doubt or suspicion that hinders the influence of a fellow-believer or one of His Ministers, we are taking a soldier off the field or front line and invalidating the levels of communication, trust and influence that God has worked in their life to establish with those whom they are otherwise meant to be used by God to guide to Jesus.
Paul lays out an unquestionable code of conduct and behavior for His Kingdom.
10 “But I urge and entreat you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in perfect harmony and full agreement in what you say, and that there be no dissensions or factions or divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your common understanding and in your opinions and judgments.
11 For it has been made clear to me, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions and wrangling and factions among you.
12 What I mean is that each one of you [either] says, I belong to Paul, or I belong to Apollos, or I belong to Cephas (Peter), or I belong to Christ.
13 Is Christ (the Messiah) divided into parts? Was Paul crucified on behalf of you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?”
25[This is] because the foolish thing [that has its source in] God is wiser than men, and the weak thing [that springs] from God is stronger than men.
26 For [simply] consider your own call, brethren; not many [of you were considered to be] wise according to human estimates and standards, not many influential and powerful, not many of high and noble birth.
27 [No] for God selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is foolish to put the wise to shame, and what the world calls weak to put the strong to shame.
28 And God also selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is lowborn and insignificant and branded and treated with contempt, even the things that are nothing, that He might depose and bring to nothing the things that are,
29 So that no mortal man should [have pretense for glorying and] boast in the presence of God.
1 Corinthians 1:10-13 AMP
I will have to admit that I was raised old-school-style where a premium was placed on respect for elders, those in authority, etc. and courtesy. We were taught that the law officer that pulls you over for a traffic violation may or may not be a Christian but is, nevertheless, an instrument of God because the ‘powers’ that ‘be’ are ordained of God (Romans 13:1).
We were taught to give defference to the aged, infirmed, etc. and believe that all men were worthy of the same dignity regardless their color or even their station in life. I was raised in the home of a rather well-know pastor-evangelist in that part of the Country. He would be acknowledged by politicians, businesspersons and the man who was down-and-out on life. And, Dad seemed to show no favortism for the influential over the troubled soul. As a matter of fact, his Church was named the Goodwill Tabernacle and rightfully so. He was an ambassador of goodwill.
Whether I voted for a candidate who becomes President or not, once in Office, I watch the way that I speak publicly and privately about him realizing that by the Sovereign Authority of God, whomever fills the Oval Office is there by the permission of God Who will have a plan and a purpose for that one to fulfill. I respect the Sovereign role and rule of God entirely too much to speak about such matters without a great reverence for the role God has permitted that person to play by His permission. I will share my thoughts but I will not curse God nor man who is made in the similitude of God (James 3:9).
This great, catholic (universal) letter called the Book of James drives home specific behavior – a message that was not written to correct a particular problem in a local Church, but a message for the universal Church.
1 My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?
2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes.
3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well,
4 doesn’t this discrimination [approving of one and disapproving another based on your human criteria or preferences] show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?
5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?
6 But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?
7 Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?
8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.
10 For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.
11 For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.
12 So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free.
13 There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.” James 2: 1-13
It seems that Christian media gets the brunt of a lot of criticism and faultfinding. I may not agree with everything or everyone that I hear on tv or radio. There may very well be those who have wrong motives for preaching to such global audiences: that’s not for me to decide. What I do know is that until I have been personally used by God and my Church has been used by God to impact as many souls and nations as some of these Men and Women of God have, then I am out of my league, have never been invited to their ‘table’ to get to know them and their work personally and will ask God to use them in all of their humanity to continue to touch and reach multitudes with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul could be grumbling and fault-finding as he writes these words while sitting in a deplorable place. However, he not only reveals his heart but proper perspective.
15 “It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives.
16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News.
17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me.
18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.” Philippians 1: 15-18
Let me implore you: don’t hurt another Believer’s influence for reaching others for Christ. If you do not have first-hand, visual facts and understanding, be very fearful of God with how you handle what you hear and especially what you pass on. Do not put any seed of suspicion into the mind of another concerning another Believer, your Pastor, a person of broader spiritual significance and impact.
Let’s speak well of one another, leaving the judgment up to God and focus on utilizing our voice to praise God, bless man and be an instrument of grace and hope.
I live by a simple philosophy based on my own search for meaning and value. It is this: ‘When dealing with people, I don’t dig for dirt, I mine for gold.’
People have eternal value. Their soul is costly. Viewed through God’s all-seeing eyes of grace and mercy, who will cross your path today who holds a worthy future in God’s plan if only someone will treat them with potential instead of contempt or disregard.
It has been said that there was a series of events that connected the conversion of Billy Graham to that of D. L. Moody: two men who changed the age and world we live. As has been postulated, it goes something like this:
- Sunday School teacher Edward Kimball led D. L. Moody to Christ;
- J. Wilbur Chapman came to faith in Christ at D. L. Moody meeting;
- Billy Sunday came to faith in Christ at a J. Wilbur Chapman meeting;
- Mordecai Ham came to faith in Christ at a Billy Sunday meeting;
- Billy Graham came to faith in Christ at a Mordecai Ham meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Imagine Edward Kimball disregarding Dwight Lyman Moody because of his appearance, age or inconvenient time of meeting. Would history still have been written as it is concerning these great world changers? I would dare say ‘no’ because of the connected thread of events that led from one conversion to another based on time, place and opportunity.
I heard someone say that there will be no adults in Heaven. I knew immediately what was being proposed. It rests in the words of Jesus in Matthew 18: 1-4 AMP.
“At that time the disciples came up and asked Jesus, Who then is [really] the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And He called a little child to Himself and put him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Truly I say to you, unless you repent (change, turn about) and become like little children [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving], you can never enter the kingdom of heaven [at all].
4 Whoever will humble himself therefore and become like this little child [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving] is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Judging. Is it a matter of opoinion or sentence. Either way, it is not a part of the Kingdom of God and the role of Christians in the world, interacting with the world. Judging is prohibited but mercy, grace, love and forgiveness, as Scripture has stated, will never be outmoded, outdated or out of order.
Reconcile. Go as ambassadors and convince all you can, wherever you can that a holy and righteous God is seeking them out and wants to be reconciled by faith for now and eternity.
What would it look like for the harvest field if every Christian surrendered the temptation to judge to actively offering mercy and grace in our conversations hoping to make our words instruments of healing, reconciliation and hope. It is nothing more than a matter of trust to surrender our gavel and let God be God.
What would the un-churched world think and how would they be affected if every trace of gall was removed from our conversations and replaced with the ‘sweet water’ (from the Greek word meaning glucose) of James 3:11? Since glucose is needed for our muscles and nervous system and is fuel for the body, maybe our holistic conversations could help begin heal the wounds of our nation, Church, home and family.
The tongue has great power and can boast of great things! It can be an instrument of unrest or an instrument of healing and peace. And, we will give an account for every idle word that we have spoken when we stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. What will my record be? Will God say well done thou good and faithful restorer of the breach; reconciler; healer or pronounce a judgment because I carelessly handled the power, potential and influence of my words and brought harm and injury to the Body of Christ and His holy work of reaping a ripened harvest?
I close with the ambassadorial words and prayers of Saint Francis:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
________________________________________
Bishop Freddie Steel, Sr. Pastor – Life Church of Chicagoland – 6600 W. 127th Street – Palos Heights, IL 60463
revfts@usa.net - www.lifeinchicago.org
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