Many Christians have grown weary of the hypocrisy associated with the church today and have gone looking for a more intimate relationship with God and His pure truth. The people that have outgrown the conventional church (the harlot) are commonly referred to as “God’s Elect”, “The Chosen”, “The Called-Out”, “The True Church” or the Greek translation of “The Ekklēsia (ek-klay-see'-ah)”. For those that have rejected the love of the world and are willing to sacrifice ALL to be conformed into the image of God’s Son (Romans 8:28-29), these definitions would be considered accurate.
The problem for these former parishioners lies in following the old habit of seeking a pulpit for their spiritual food. It is often difficult to break old habits, and the habit of listening to a preacher is deeply ingrained into their spiritual routine. What God would have them do is turn to Him for their spiritual nourishment; seek His will through prayer; meditate on His word; and obediently yield to the leading of His Spirit. Unfortunately, the transition from the traditional church to true sainthood for many of these holiness seekers must first run the gauntlet of those that have opportunistically positioned themselves as God’s ordained preachers, teachers, and/or watchmen.
Like many of those that these watchmen shepherd, they too have left the traditional church and its conventional teachings behind. These self-ordained preachers to God’s elect, proclaim a responsibility to teach the “Truth” about the Gospel of Jesus Christ; all the time earnestly avoiding the hypocrisy of the harlot. There are a number of potential problems here; first, the inherent paranoia deeply ingrained against teaching conventional church doctrine; second, blurring the lines of truth that lie between sound doctrine and that of denominational influence; and third, a formal education in the field of Ministry, Divinity, or Theology that might help one to objectively tell the difference.
The bottom line; there is a very real danger for the body of Christ in following the extremes of “easy believism” as taught in the harlot today, as well as those extremes that have emerged in rebellion of those same teachings. This religious pendulum places God’s sheep squarely in the cross hairs of the one doing the preaching. The typical outcome for those choosing to remain in the traditional church is a life of spiritual compromise and ultimate separation from God. The outcome for those sitting under the seditious teachings of today’s watchman is foundational confusion, pride and ultimate separation from God.
I say pride, because it is a natural consequence occurring when any group or individual sets themselves above the status quo in any particular field of endeavor. To confirm the validity of their particular position, they must cast doubt and suspicion on any position that repudiates their own. A prime example of this is found in the Catholic Church; teaching that all other religions are grossly in error, and that those that do not follow in their beliefs have no chance of reaching heaven. On the same topic, there are many of us that would be willing to proclaim the complete opposite with an equal amount of fervor. In fact, there is no other topic globally that has the potential to solicit a heated emotional response like that of the topic of a person’s religious convictions (be they right or wrong).
A sure way to determine if you or your rebellious pastor/watchman are guilty of elevating yourselves to a position of pride, is by examining how you behave toward those that you believe are still in error. Do you grieve as Jesus might over the state of their souls? or do aspire to a position of superiority, taking every opportunity to confirm the validity of your choice, and seeking occasion to publicly humiliate any individual that contradicts your ideals? Did Jesus publicly slander the character of the woman caught in adultery? or the woman at the well? or the rich man? Of the seven things outlined on God’s hate list, surely pride and sowing discord among the brethren are perilously encroached in any ministry that thrives at the expense of another. Love the brethren, put the flesh under the control of the Spirit at all times, and always be ready to give account of yourself to God!
Who is it that you are following? do you know them? really know them? In identifying those Spirit filled men of God that are truly called to feed the sheep of Jesus Christ, and those that are simply embracing the prideful passion of their own enthusiasm; the Bible tells us that we will know them by their fruit. In writing to Titus, Paul breaks down this fruit of Godly leadership in explicit detail.
Titus 1:7-9: “For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.”
This counsel given to Titus (and to us as well) was more than a casual suggestion, it was a solemn warning! What Paul is saying here, is that before we subject our souls to anyone’s preaching, we need to take a prayerful, diligent account of the one doing the preaching. If we recognize ANY of the character flaws outlined in Paul’s warning, then we need to seriously question the validity of the preacher. In a recent article I had the misfortune of reading, an internet preacher provided me with a prime example of what we might watch for in identifying one (or more) of the character flaws shared in the above passage. Sorry folks, but here is a small portion of that article: (view article here)
“And YES, my "sanctified friends", I know you and I AM sick of the b*** s***. Your sanctimonious b.s. I'll stand for what I believe. If I'm a little too irreverent for some folks, then go somewhere else.”
I would have enjoyed watching Paul’s face as he read this article! Or I wonder what Jesus thinks about this man professing to be a teacher of His truth to His sheep? Is there any of the above character warnings that weren’t violated? After further consideration, I think I’ll take this pastor up on his generous offer to “go somewhere else.”
And by the way, in the same article that the above quote was taken from, this walking demonstration of Paul’s warning posted the following Scripture in support of his position.
2Co 6:14: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?”
What indeed?
A leader of God’s people must be completely transparent; open to observation and reproof at any time from any of the members of his immediate following. If a professing pastor, teacher or watchman, intentionally places himself or his lifestyle out of the reach of those he says he is called to shepherd, something is wrong! And considering you are trusting this self-proclaimed man of God with your eternal soul, shouldn’t you be at least a little suspicious if he leads a recluse life of non-accountability?
“WHY did they do it...? Right, to be seen of men. There's their reward! Vanity! Pride! Let's all join hands in this godless pagan circle and take turns, one by one and "pray". Then we can see who made the best prayer and hold them up in esteem. Maybe it'll be ME! Think of that! ME! What a reward! Or maybe you'll just catch some disease from holding the next guy's hand.”
Is this really what Jesus thought of those devout followers He came to die for? Did He have such a low opinion of the men and women that professed their love for Him that He would have called them a godless circle of diseased pagans? The Pharisees did not have the infilling of the Holy Spirit, but the followers of Jesus Christ did (and do)! How else could He have promised to be in their midst as the “two or three” that would “come together in His name?” (Matthew18:20)
As this cynical teacher continued with his teaching on group prayer, he drew attention to the passage out of the 12th chapter of Acts, where “many were gathered together praying.” But once again chose to infuse his own pessimistic brand of sarcasm, noting once again that the “Elect” of God that he professes to shepherd, aren’t capable of the unity afforded the early church. If you are following this man’s ministry, this is what he thinks of you!
“Now you're going to hammer me with Acts 12 aren't you? Sure you are. Well, the "church" prayed constantly. The household's door, upon which Peter knocked, was praying. Something tells us that it wasn't the kind of internet, post-a-prayer, "I have a hangnail" need, or pay-n-pray, we're used to today. Nay brethren. The prayer closet became full with more than one, simply because the few gathered, WERE ONE at that time. Are we thus today...? That'd be nice, now wouldn't it?”
How does one appoint himself as shepherd over a select group of believers that have come out of the harlot in search of a deeper walk with their Heavenly Father, only to tell these precious souls that they have no chance of ever achieving this level of fellowship? Doesn’t God have something to say about the intent of the heart? Hasn’t God always looked past our fleshly limitations and gone directly to the heart for truth? Doesn’t the sovereignty of God play a vital role in the growth of every true believer, doing a work of sanctification in the hearts and minds of those being “conformed into the image of His Son?”
1Chronicles 28:9: “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.”
1Samuel 16:7: “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’”
1Thes. 3:12-13: “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.”
1Thes. 5:23-24: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”
Phil. 2:13: “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
Psalm 73:24: “You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.”
This same teacher continues to mislead his sheep through forcing the Scriptures into his own brand of seditious molding; professing that corporate prayer was only necessary for those spiritual laborers of the first century. That the need for Christians to come together to pray for their needs died out with the apostles. Did the first century Christians have more problems than we have today? Was the threat of the spiritual warfare outlined in the 6th chapter of Ephesians greater during the days of the apostles than it is for us today? No where in the Scriptures does it tell us that the promises of Jesus Christ were limited to the apostles only. The promises of our Blessed Saviour were intended for all of us, forever!
Eph. 3:20-21: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
John 14:16: “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.”
(Did the Helper abide with the apostles forever, or was this meant for us as well?)
John 14:12-13: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
Was Jesus precluding all other believers throughout the remainder of all time when He said “he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also?” Was this promise for the apostles only? or was it intended for every future believer that would die to self, pick up their cross and follow in His footsteps? Is God no longer interested in receiving glory?
The religious pendulum will continue to swing in dramatic fashion in the direction of the one causing the momentum. I am most certainly no proponent of easy believism and I am no Calvinist. I harbor no delusions of grandeur that guarantee my salvation without me first working out my salvation with fear and trembling. On the other hand, I have known the depths of despair that can, and often does, accompany the maligning teachings of one that I have given my heart-felt trust and respect to. When we start believing the teachings of those that for one reason or another, have too much of their own personalities seeded in with their teachings, we run the risk of absorbing more than the word being preached. At the same time, we also lose sight of what our Heavenly Father wants for us, and the blessed assurance that comes from knowing that we need not be perfect to be loved. God will recognize the intent of your heart and will meet you at that place of surrender. Worry not about your sanctification saints, ... “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”
Eph. 2:4-8: “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”
In closing:
I leave you with a sermon preached by Paris Reidhead from his church in New York City in 1963 entitled “If Any Three” (audio link below). In this insightful message, brother Reidhead points out four categorical errors commonly experienced in man’s misguided motivation for coming to Christ, and the one true reason, only reason, that man should seek Christ! Although Brother Reidhead was a pastor for the Christian and Missionary Alliance (along with A.W. Tozer), and was obliged to deliver his sermons within the confines of his denominational covering, you will hear this committed man of God denounce the powerless state of the church, and endorse the coming together of small groups for corporate, as well as individual prayer and worship. He adds that the power of these “cell meetings” are based entirely in the union of those true believers that are willing to commit more than one day in seven, and one dime on the dollar, in the heart-felt desire to demonstrate their love and obedience for Jesus Christ. Today we would refer to these holiness seekers as ... “The Ekklēsia”.
May God richly bless you with the gift of Spiritual discernment, that you not only come to a full understanding of the truth, but that Father will strengthen your heart to follow the truth. As we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, none will have a valid excuse for not walking in the truth we were exposed to. Stay in the Light saints, we care about you!
In His Service,
Brother Michael
(on behalf of Michael and Netty)
(Click on the link below and listen to the audio)
If You Agree by Paris Reidhead