|
As we look at the moral state of the world today, we wonder " WHAT
IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON?". How is it that society has fallen to
such an all time moral low? Even the basic concepts of right and wrong
seem to have gone out the window. Why is it that personal lifestyle and
sexual preference are now equated to inalienable rights. And that all
philosophies ( except for Christianity of course ) are embraced
superficially in an attitude of inclusion?
Many Christian teachers view the importance of this
" CASTING OFF OF ALL RESTRAINTS" as the emergence of a new
world order, climaxing with the appearing of a horrendous one world
ruler. And that's ok, as far as it goes. However, if we keep in mind,
that God's priority is to produce Sons, then we will view the importance
of this " CASTING OFF OF ALL RESTRAINTS" as the emergence of a
Glorious Church, climaxing with the appearing of a wonderful one world
ruler, Our Lord Jesus. If the preceding statements sound odd to you,
then we need to take a moment to examine our attitudes and motives as we
consider world events.
In the parable of the wheat and the tares, a man
sowed wheat in his field, but an enemy came along and sowed into his
field tares. When the servants of the farmer discovered the tares, their
first consideration was getting rid of the tares. However the farmer's
first consideration was the well being of the wheat. As we look at the
state of the world today, do we, as the servants did, concentrate on the
tares? Or do we, as the farmer did, concentrate on the wheat? Remember
that the tares are temporary, and that their fate is destruction. But
the wheat is eternal, and it's fate is redemption. Also let's keep in
mind that the tares are not going to overthrow the wheat, and the wheat
is not going to overthrow the tares, but both will grow together until
the harvest. And remember that Jesus himself, defined the tares as
"THE CHILDREN OF THE WICKED ONE ", and the wheat as "THE
CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM". So that all of these children will grow
and mature and produce the fruit that is befitting of the type that it
is.
With all that in mind, let's look back at the state
of the world. As we approach the time of harvest, we are seeing the
maturing of the crop. Both the good and the bad crop. Both are casting
off characteristics that are foreign to them. The wicked are proclaiming
their "DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE", and will no longer allow
the righteous to impose their values and morality on them. They are
tired of having to behave themselves on the outside, while burning on
the inside to show forth their true nature. At the same time, while not
as well publicized, the righteous are burning to show forth their true
nature. They can no longer be content with the containment that man and
his systems imposes on them. The wicked desire more and more the
pleasures of the flesh (i.e. lust, greed, idolatry, ect.). And the
righteous desire more and more the pleasures of the Spirit (i.e. love,
joy, peace, ect.).
If we are truly approaching the time of the harvest
(as I believe we are ), then what is our response? What are we to do? I
myself have listened to various teachers, many of whom I have the utmost
respect for, giving their interpretations of scripture and end time
philosophies. With variations of "PRE-TRIB" , "MID-TRIB",
and "POST-TRIB" , and with differing views on
"POSTMILLENNIALISM" , "PREMILLENNIALISM" , and
"AMILLENNIALISM" (try to say that three times fast), the
Church literally doesn't know if it's coming or going; and if it's
going, where it's going. I understand that whatever your personal
beliefs are concerning the coming of the Lord, if you have studied it
out, you feel confident that the way you see it makes perfect sense, and
whoever doesn't see it the same way is in error. With all the
controversy and arguments there is one great truth that stands out above
the rest! " HOWEVER WE PERCEIVE THE RETURN OF THE LORD TO BE, IT
WILL ALL HAPPEN ACCORDING TO GOD'S PLAN, NOT OUR PERCEPTION OF IT!
" Who is right and who is wrong? As with most concepts, in the end
we will probably find that we all were partially right, and partially
wrong. I have seen people that I believe to be saved, sincere, and even
mature, rise up in heated debate almost to the point of coming to blows,
when discussing this topic. Should we then not discuss or teach what we
believe to be the truth about the return of the Lord and end times? If
that were the answer then we would also have to use the same strategy
with other subjects, like "WATER BAPTISM", "THE GIFTS OF
THE SPIRIT", "ETERNAL SECURITY", and many others.
So what is our response to so many differences of
doctrine or teaching? I believe the most important thing is first of
all, to NOT ALLOW OURSELVES TO BE OFFENDED! Let me give you a personal
example:
I was watching via Christian Television, a teacher
that I have listened to and watched for years. Although this particular
teacher has been a great inspiration to me, and the Lord had used this
teacher to show me much, this day the teacher was teaching on the coming
of the Lord, and the teacher had it all wrong, at least as far as I was
concerned. Now , I could respond with, "Well, that teacher use to
be good, but now I can no longer receive anything from that ministry,
because they are leading people into error!" Obviously that is not
the proper attitude, for a few reasons:
1. We are to be "LED BY THE SPIRIT" not by
a teacher or any other man. Yes God gives us teachers, but it is the
SPIRIT OF GOD that gives us revelation and understanding. If we put any
man ( male or female) in the position of being the "VOICE OF
GOD" for us, then we put that man in a place where he ought not be.
2. If we allow ourselves to be offended, we cut them
off from us. But actually when we do that it is US not THEM that is
being cut off from the body. In 1 Corinthians Paul addresses the whole
issue of how to properly respond to divisions, and he also shows us that
being "CUT OFF" or " WITHDRAWN FROM FELLOWSHIP" is
the same thing as being "TURNED OVER TO SATAN FOR THE DESTRUCTION
OF THE FLESH". Are your feelings of superiority and righteousness
indignation worth the price of being cut off?
3. God has given us "GIFTS" ( called and
anointed people ) for our edification, till we all come to the maturity
of the faith. Are we all mature yet? Then by rejecting God's gifts, we
never will reach maturity. God in His mercy, has given such a wonderful
variety of ministers to His body. If a teacher does not teach 100% the
way you believe it ( and none of them do ), then receive what you can,
and make a commitment to not be offended by what you can't or won't
receive.
As an added note, we have seen those over the last
few decades, who have considered themselves "SURGEONS OF THE
CHURCH", fall into destruction. Do we really need to relearn this
lesson?
When I talk about teachers, of course I am talking
about those that confess Jesus as Lord, and that Jesus and His blood
sacrifice as the only way to righteousness before God the Father.
So where does all this bring us in our response to
this end time revealing of the wheat and the tares? The wicked and the
Just? Remember that when you look at a field, and you see that it is
close to maturity, it is made up of many individual parts that are all
maturing at the same time. Our God is a personal God, and I believe the
main focus is not for us to get all caught up in the mechanics of the
maturing of the whole field ( that's the farmer's job, not the wheat's),
but allowing God to guide us in our own personal maturing.
The Church is now shedding those things that have
been used to confine and protect it until the time of harvest. Now let
God finish forming in you His character, which is fruit of the most
delightful kind. Don't be ignorant of what is going on in the world, but
don't allow the revealing of the tares ( the wicked), to frighten you.
Fear is not of God. Remember that GOD IS IN CONTROL and that He is
faithful to complete the work that He has started. In the field, and in
you.
|
