Dear People Who Keep Company with God,
A couple of years ago I had a telephone conversation with a young man who had just graduated from possibly the best ministry training school in our nation. This young man was well trained in the supernatural ministry both from a biblical perspective and actual practice. He was on his way to help start a church up north and was visiting some friends in the area. I was considering having him come to our church to minister, however it soon became apparent in the conversation that I could not in good conscience invite him to minister in spite of his apparent anointing and qualifications. It was his attitude.
The poor man utters supplications, but the rich man answers roughly. Proverbs 18:23
In the midst of blessings it is easy for us to forget it was only because of the love and grace of God that the blessing came in the first place. The young man had spent the last two years of his life immersed in a supernatural revival culture under the leadership of one of our nation’s greatest revival pastors. This young man may have been influenced by an attitude or spirit of elitism.
Kathy Walters made a remarkable observation about this, “Often this happens when there has been some kind of success in growth, or a move of God and blessings are manifested. It’s often when things are going well, people are not on guard and this exclusive spirit slips in. What begins as a cry of “GOD is visiting us,” gradually becomes “God is VISTING us,” to finally “God is visiting US.” God pours out His Spirit because we are hungry and because we need Him, not because we have “qualified” or earned some special favor. He (Jesus) is the One who will present us faultless.”
I think most of us have experienced being in a group and gradually began to feel left out or excluded. In churches there can be a perception of a “in group” or inner circle. Jesus had the twelve disciples and within the twelve it appeared that Peter, James and John made up an inner circle closest to Jesus. However, it does not appear that the other nine disciples felt left out or excluded. I believe one of the reasons is the disciples were all going after the same thing; they had a common vision and were following one person, the Lord Jesus Christ.
In churches today not everyone is going after the same thing, not everyone is buying into what the leadership is promoting to be the heart of God. I think we have to accept that, however we must not ever tolerate an attitude or spirit of elitism in the church. Paul had to address this very issue with the Corinthian church (I Cor. 1:10-17).
Has Christ been divided? 1 Corinthians 1:13 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3
I believe the Lord has called us to revival and spiritual awakening, however in seeking after it I have discovered the Holy Spirit to be very conscientious at reminding me to major on the majors, which is the Father’s heart and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, that is the “GOD is visiting us” and “we are hungry and need you God” mindset. He is our first love. His visitation and how if affects us are wonderful and to be received with thankfulness and be enjoyed. However, when we emphasize these they must always be in the context of the honoring and glorifying the Lord Himself.
Many Blessings, BW