Before God shakes up your life, I find He tends to bring all the scum to the surface. He forces you to clean house before He can take you to that next level. The things He brings to the surface can be messy, but it’s nesscersary if you want to see the glory of God in your life. I got to thinking about that mess and how that mess that nobody expects to see can affect those around you. This week, I found myself exposed to someone’s mess. I saw how that mess affected someone impressionable. In my disappointment, I was reminded that man is not God. We can not place people in positions only reserved for God no matter what their title is. Man will never be perfect! Only Jesus holds that title! I know I am stating the obvious, but it’s so easy to place people on pedestals. When they fall off, not only do they do damage to themselves, but to others who are witnesses to the fall. Very quickly, we see where people place their faith. If your faith is affected by the fall of man, there you will find who the God you serve really is.
In the last few years alone, there have been many notable men of faith who have fallen from grace. These men have had huge ministries and overseen thousands of people. So when their evil deeds were exposed, the damage was not only done to themselves, but to many people who trusted and followed their ministries. A lot of people left the faith because of their transgressions. These are good examples of people who placed their faith in man instead of God! I understand God’s judgment for people in such positions. If you lead yourself into eternal damnation that’s on you, but if you take the flock with you, then that’s even worse. The bible talks about being aware of wolves in sheeps clothing, not being led astray. It also warns us that not many will endure to the end when Jesus returns. It’s a scary thought!
This post is a reminder of where our faith should be placed so that we don’t fall away. 1 JOHN 1:8 “IF WE CLAIM TO BE WITHOUT SIN, WE DECEIVE OURSELVES AND THE TRUTH IS NOT IN US.” We are all sinners. We all fall short of the glory of God. Yes, even Mary from church who always brings in the baked goods every Sunday; with the big beaming smile on her face, even she is a sinner! That includes your favourite pastor. So if someone tells you that they can’t be included in this list, the Word makes them a liar! Trust me when I say the acceptance that nobody is perfect is what is gonna keep you grounded, especially when you are new to faith. With the knowledge that we are sinful, we should forever be at the feet of our Father thanking Him for His great demonstration of love, sending Christ to die for all of us even though we are sinners. So why place our faith in someone who is imperfect? It’s disappointing when someone we felt could do no wrong is revealed to be a deceiver. We mourn for the loss of that person, but that loss should drive us deeper into the arms of Jesus. Because the loss should humble us, showing us how easy it is to stumble. It reveals our deep need for Jesus because we can’t do this life without Him!
If you go to church just for your pastor or because you like the worship, you are gonna find yourself at a crossroads if scandal falls upon your church or someone causes offence. If you think about the church hurt that people experience, the damage that it does to people who never want to step foot in a church again. These people grow a distrust at the mention of God. When, in fact, it has nothing to do with God! It’s not a reflection of who Jesus is. It begs the question, did you ever know God? Were you ever a friend of Jesus? ROMANS 10:17 “CONSEQUENTLY, FAITH COMES FROM HEARING THE MESSAGE, AND THE MESSAGE IS HEARD THROUGH THE WORD ABOUT CHRIST.” Our faith comes from hearing the word. The bible is where our faith pours out. We must read the word so our faith is so strong that when we see people fall away, our feet dig deeper into the foundation that we built-up our faith upon. We can’t stay a float on the faith of others, that will not carry us through this life. The enemy will quickly devour us. That’s why we have a relational God. He wants to walk side by side each of us, just as He did with Adam in the Garden of Eden.
To the people that hold respected positions in ministry, beware of the enemy lurking in the shadows, waiting to bring you to your doom. It may sound dramatic, but really, it isn’t. The enemy would love to tear you down because he knows he can maximise the damage, two birds with one stone! JAMES 1:15 “THEN, AFTER DESIRE HAS CONCEIVED, IT GIVES BIRTH TO SIN; AND SIN, WHEN IT IS FULL-GROWN, GIVES BIRTH TO DEATH.” He can’t force us to do anything that isn’t in our hearts already. All he does is speak to the desires of our flesh, he has no power over us! Greater is He in you than he in the world. So when you are behind closed doors indulging in whatever your vice may be, don’t forget that you are only decieving yourself! You can hide from your brothers and sisters, but you can’t hide from God, He sees you. PSALM 69:5 “YOU, GOD, KNOW MY FOLLY; MY GUILT IS NOT HIDDEN FROM YOU.”
We will never be perfect. We will stumble at times, but we must get up each time we fall. We are no longer slaves to sin because of Jesus. His death on the cross broke the power of sin over us. So keep telling yourselves that when sin comes knocking at your door, trust me, it will; just don’t answer. This is not only for people in leadership, but it’s for the whole body. As a body, we are more effective when all parts function. Every part of your body is important, even the smallest of limbs. If someone removed your big toe, you would find it hard to balance. something so small and insignificant can have a great impact on the body if removed. When we function as one unit, we are more effective in doing our kingdom work. JAMES 5:16 ” THEREFORE CONFESS YOUR SINS TO EACH OTHER SO THAT YOU MAY BE HEALED. THE PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS PERSON IS POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE.” Let’s look after the body, pray for your brothers and sisters who are struggling, don’t write them off because God doesn’t write you off with all your imperfections. Repent and ask for help. The devil can’t use what you do in the dark if you bring it to the light!
The easiest way to fall away from faith is to place your faith in man instead of God! Read your bible. I’ll say it again, READ YOUR BIBLE! Get to know the God you serve. You won’t truly know the good news of Jesus if you never hear the word of God! As soon as your faith is tested, you will fall each time because your foundation is built on sand instead of the rock! When you read the word, you get to know God’s voice with the help of the Holy Spirit. No man can come and deceive you. No voice can whisper in your ear something contrary to God’s word. Remember, His sheep know His voice.
Church is a hospital full of the sick. The resident doctor on call is Jesus! We all need a hospital. Even when we may have to wait hours to be seen, we still know the value in waiting for the doctor. Church isn’t any different. As Jesus said himself, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” I think that’s a helpful reminder when dealing with the church. It helps to give grace and show mercy to our brothers and sisters who fall short. It also helps us to remember that we are also in need of a doctor and there is no other better than JESUS!
MY CONVICTIONS 