It's a lot easier to be lost than found. It's the reason we're always searching and rarely discovered--so many locks not enough keys.
- Sarah Dessen
Expectations regarding experiencing God's presence and power, provision and protection vary greatly among Christians. More than a billion have been explicitly or implicitly taught Biblical style miracles, including such gifts of the Spirit as Divine healing, ceased with the death of the apostles or canonization of Scripture. On the other hand, many Charismatics play fast and loose with facts, claiming to daily walk on water and twice on Sundays.
Few today are willing to do the real work of admitting our desperate need for more of God by Scripturally tackling such difficult issues as the global proliferation of human suffering, the worldliness of modern Christianity and unanswered prayer. Rather than calling summit meetings and church councils to investigate the powerlessness of the Church to fulfill our Great Commission, we continue dismissing the apparent distance and silence of God. With Hell to loose and Heaven to gain, we can and must do better.
It's been said, "some are born to greatness while others have it thrust upon them." The same may be true for problems and pain. Realizing this, the wise seek and serve God, entering into a covenant relationship so much like marriage that the Apostle Paul describes it as a great mystery. Promising to "love, honor and obey" the Lord, Christians endeavor to draw near to Christ and enjoy God's presence and power, provision and protection. One the one hand, growing in holiness does distance us from personal sin and its ruinous impact on our lives and those we love. On the other, authentic Christians find themselves called to be soldiers waging war against sin above, about and within.
We ignore to our own peril the difficulties and challenges of the cosmic conflict we're both born into and have thrust upon us. The "ostrich defense" of burrowing our heads in the sand and refusing to see the spiritual struggle reflected in countless ways both in life and Scripture can only end badly. And while it may be difficult to discern our advanced and invisible foes, God has not left us defenseless. The Bible provides highlights of eternity's history. These include revealing the Luciferian rebellion and supplying insights into how this heavenly insurrection spread to Earth and shaped the course of human history. Scripture exposes that Satan's influences and strategies can be overt, as was Eve's temptation in the Garden of Eden and the aggression of fallen angels as in the days of Noah. Other times his methodology is more covert, such as deceiving mankind and continually accusing them in the Supreme Court of Heaven.
For example, consider the story of Job. Many Biblical scholars believe it to be among the oldest, if not the original book of the Bible. And perhaps for good reasons. Might God have revealed, by pulling back the curtains on this dramatic whodunnit play, the origin of much, if not all, of human suffering? In any case, it's certain that from antiquity humanity's pondered the origin and meaning of suffering. Throughout mankind's pilgrimage religion's played a defining role in attempting to explain the reasons behind life's ultimate questions, including its griefs and injustices. While many faiths offer advice on dealing with pain and loss, Biblical Christianity alone is qualified to offer real hope and healing. In both time and eternity.
Over the past two millennia, history records the established Church as both easing and adding to the problem of human suffering. Millions laid down time, treasure and even their lives for the privilege of sharing the light of the gospel as well as their resources with those in need. Others used religion as a weapon, exploiting peoples and subjecting multitudes to the darkness of persecution and inquisition.
Today, according to recent census statistics, will over two billion people identify with Christianity enough to check the box next to Jesus rather than Mohammad, Buddha, etc... Such a broad representation encompasses every level of belief in Christ, from simple name recognition to in rare cases complete and utter surrender of one's mind, heart and will. During the remainder of this article we will identify various commitment levels beginning with Level one (L1) as simply preferring Christianity to other religions. Or non at all.
Modern Christians, blessed to live within the First World, enjoy the amazing advancements of global technology. This, accompanied with the creation of a welfare state supported through heavy income taxes, has largely replaced most acts of direct Christian charity. Church offerings pay for buildings and salaries along with sporadic donations to other organizations round out the level of societal involvement for the average believer. With the sharp rise of affluence in First World Nations, the amassing of worldly possessions and pleasures has outstripped passion for the souls of the lost and a desire to rescue the needy. With such vital Christian disciplines as Bible study and prayer, community service and social justice in steep decline, the love of many has grown cold as living faith decomposes into little more than mental assent and Christianity into Churchianity. As an example of priorities, the United States annually spends more on Christmas gift wrapping paper than for spreading the message of Christ throughout the world. And of course, missions alone hardly dent the phenomenal needs of the hungry and impoverished within the global community. Nonetheless, For the sake of this discussion we'll call those possessing at least a nominal belief and commitment to Christ Level two (L2) involvement.
As has always been the case, there's a remnant who long for something more for themselves and others. Unlike the average church attender, they spend more than an hour or two a week seeking and serving God. They invest in the Kingdom in any number of ways, regularly reaching out to family, friends and neighbors. Concerned with the sate of affairs, many of these stay abreast of local and global current events. Often TV, radio and the internet are used to follow favorite Christian teachers and evangelists and participate in social networking. We'll identify this greater level of commitment as Level three (L3).
Perhaps a tenth of those demonstrating a lifestyle of L3 commitment are also serious intercessors or activists. The former regularly set aside lengthy intervals each week to intensely pray for themselves and others. The latter dedicate an equal amount of time to acts of Christian service and/or social justice issues. In both cases, many heavily involved in such activities pay more attention to matters of individual and corporate holiness than L2 and L3 believers. As the Book of James explains:
- "Anyone who sets himself up as 'religious' by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world." James 1 26-27 The Message
The wisdom of possessing a L5 or better commitment to, and transformation by God, is heavily developed throughout the Bible. Christ Himself was both the best example and teacher of giving to God by meeting the spiritual and physical needs of others. From the incarnation to His ministry, not to mention His unique and costly atonement, Jesus held nothing back from Kingdom service. Whether preaching or feeding thousands, healing or delivering the oppressed, He exemplified the Christian life. As did many of His famous teachings on salvation and living faith including the Rich Man and Lazarus and Rich Young Ruler, the Good Samaritan and His judgment of the Sheep and the Goats.
The Old Testament is also full of passages directly and indirectly discussing the need for L5 or better commitment to God and others. Among the many verses describing the importance of dedicated intercession, including an ultimate form of prayer dubbed Triple Fasting, excerpts of the following two successive chapters show the importance of combining prayer and service:
- "Shout! A full-throated shout! Hold nothing back—a trumpet-blast shout! Tell my people what's wrong with their lives, face my family Jacob with their sins! They're busy, busy, busy at worship, and love studying all about me. To all appearances they're a nation of right-living people— law-abiding, God-honoring. They ask me, 'What's the right thing to do?' and love having me on their side. But they also complain, 'Why do we fast and you don't look our way? Why do we humble ourselves and you don't even notice?' "Well, here's why: "The bottom line on your 'fast days' is profit. You drive your employees much too hard. You fast, but at the same time you bicker and fight. You fast, but you swing a mean fist. The kind of fasting you do won't get your prayers off the ground. Do you think this is the kind of fast day I'm after: a day to show off humility? To put on a pious long face and parade around solemnly in black? Do you call that fasting, a fast day that I, God, would like? "This is the kind of fast day I'm after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. What I'm interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. Then when you pray, God will answer. You'll call out for help and I'll say, 'Here I am.'" Isaiah 58:1-8 The MSG
- ”Look! Listen! God's arm is not amputated—he can still save. God's ears are not stopped up—he can still hear. There's nothing wrong with God; the wrong is in you. Your wrongheaded lives caused the split between you and God. Your sins got between you so that he doesn't hear. Your hands are drenched in blood, your fingers dripping with guilt, Your lips smeared with lies, your tongue swollen from muttering obscenities. No one speaks up for the right, no one deals fairly. They trust in illusion, they tell lies...They compete in the race to do evil and run to be the first to murder. They plan and plot evil, think and breathe evil, and leave a trail of wrecked lives behind them. They know nothing about peace and less than nothing about justice." Isaiah 59:1-8 The Message
Why Revival Tarries
So, of those identifying themselves as Christians on a survey, only a percent of a percent of a percent exemplify a lifestyle dedicated to either the arena of intercession or activism when Scripture strongly suggests both are vital ingredients for for those hoping to enjoy a greater measure of the Presence and power of God. With less than one in ten thousand Christians positioned to fulfill this Biblical requirement, it's little wonder the demonstrable presence and power of God are in extremely short supply.
An easy way of understanding the necessity of seeking both God and the salvation of man, whom He so loves and identifies with as Creator and Savior, can be seen in many passages including Christ's story of the Good Samaritan and His answer to the important question of which is the greatest commandment. Loving God with one's entire being and our neighbor as ourselves can be viewed as both the vertical and horizontal beams of the cross all Christians are commanded to daily bare. While each may represent faith in action, emphasizing one to the exclusion of the other is to posses half a gospel, and thus carry half a cross. At best.
A lack of foresight or due diligence is just one of several reason for individual or corporate powerlessness among Christians. Other major categories include sin and unbelief, resistance and discipline, the sufferings of Christ and Divine judgment.
1. Personal and Corporate Sin
Scripture employs several words that translate to the english word sin. As an archery term, sinning or missing the mark can mean many things. An arrow might fall short or go long. Faulty aim might pull an archers shot to the left or right. And obviously arrows can be used to save or destroy life. A few ways sin can grieve and hinder God are:
- Commission: Actions and attitudes that are expressly forbidden by Scripture. Often compounded by succumbing to temptations and sins such as those listed below.
- Omission: Failure to adopt and develop attitudes and actions that Scripture clearly states God requires from those wishing to approach and please Him.
- Local: A shared unwillingness within families, groups and/or communities to seek, serve and obey God.
- Societal: A synergistic effect of personal and corporate temptation and sin. The creation of an atmosphere often filled with subtle and directed opposition to the tenants of the gospel.
- Generational: Foolishness and wickedness from those of the past passed on to future generations. Extremely common in the case of individuals and families, social groups and entire societies. Source of effects may be either/or relational or demonic.
- Theological: Failure to study Scripture diligently and/or correctly interpret its major themes. Reinforcing of bad doctrines and habits often leading to one or more of the sins listed above.
2. Unbelief
The Bible explains that another leading cause of experiencing less of God's Presence and power is a lack of faith. Scripture warns, "without faith it's impossible to please God" and "whatsoever is not of faith is sin." While such admonition is for believers and unbelievers alike, here we're addressing a lack of faith within professing Christians:
- Apathy: General disinterest in the things pertaining to one's salvation and that of others. A symptom of insensitivity to both Scripture and the Spirit, often the result of worldliness and/or poor doctrine.
- Lack of diligence: Distrust of the commands and promises of God. Hesitancy or unwillingness to de-invest in self centered pursuits and reinvest heavily in Christ's Kingdom. A temporal verse eternal perspective.
- Doubt: A lack of the kind of pure mustard seed faith Jesus demonstrated and assured would make the miraculous commonplace.
3. Resistance
A third factor in failing to see the fullness of God is human and spiritual resistance. A classic "which came first the chicken or the egg" scenario, given the trifold nature of sin the two are always entwined and connected to lessor or greater degrees:
- Human: Individual and/or corporate involvement in sin and unbelief from of either ignorance or willful rebellion. Often this results in repressing the will and power of God and in extreme cases persecution and martyrdom of those taking a stand for righteousness. Such resistance arises from conscious or unconscious resistant to and rebellion against the Bible's wisdom from above in favor of the "earthly, sensual and demonic" wisdom from below.
- Spiritual: An exhaustive topic, Scripture teaches that spiritual resistance to the plans and purposes of God began with an angelic rebellion in Heaven likely predating the creation of our physical universe. The Bible's overview of the history of eternity reveals a highly successful orchestrated effort by the Evil One to entice and enslave mankind through temptation and sin, suffering and death. Satan's constant bombardment against humanity has left earth's population dazed and confused and modern Christianity shell shocked at best.
4. Discipline
Another leading reasons billions find God aloof is His discipline. Made in His image, the Spirit strives with mankind in a variety of ways. As the quote from Isaiah 59 warns, a consequence of ignoring or rebelling against God's directives is to distance ourselves from God's goodness.
- Unbelievers: When raised by godly parents, innocent children seem open to God's presence. Sadly, later in life hundreds of millions fall for the same temptations entrapping those having enjoyed a less fortunate childhoods. As sin increases it's hold, alienation and resentment compound the problem. Like the story of Pinocchio and his truant classmates, the Captor's promised amusement park eventually reveals itself as a trap doubling as God's correcting rod.
- Churchianity: Believers frequently escape some of the Fowler's snares only to find themselves caught by others. As temptation becomes ubiquitous, hundreds of millions of Christians fall victim to obvious sins such as immorality. An even greater number of modern Christians are entangled in more subtle, yet equally deadly traps of omission.
- Discipleship: Disciple is the root of the word discipline. Scripture is full of examples of such admonitions as, "My dear child, don't shrug off God's discipline, but don't be crushed by it either. It's the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects." As chastisement for sin, pruning for fruitfulness or both, wisely responding to God's discipline is a mark of acceptance into His family.
- Art of intercession: In light of certain failures by the church Paul had planted in Galatia, he exclaimed, "Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives." This is but one among many examples of intercessors undergoing the discipline of agony over the rebellion of others. See also Jeremiah's Lament, Habukkuk's Complain and more recently David Wilkerson's "Call To Anguish."
- Revival: All revivals recorded in Scripture, as well as more recent genuine moves of God, have required participants to grow in holiness. In Acts 19 believers confessed their sins and destroyed the equivalent of perhaps millions of dollars worth of demonic paraphernalia in public bonfires! Both negative and positive discipline may be required to spark such revival as well as to keep it's fires burning. See "The Revival Hymn" video for an excellent account.
5. Sufferings of Christ
Feelings of isolation and even abandonment often accompany suffering. Often our sins hide God from us, particularly when experiencing pain and loss. Other times difficulties arise because of or faith. The suffering of the righteous on behalf of others is a phenomena well documented throughout Scripture. From Old Testament prophets to John the Baptist, many of whom "the world was not worthy" sacrificed much to speak on behalf of God. As the ultimate example, Christ's unique life, ministry and atonement represent the complete and finished work of salvation before God. Yet before men, through His apostles and Church, the work of the Great Commission continues.
- Jesus' example: Throughout the New Testament we are warned to expect trials and tribulation knowing "a servant is not greater than his master." Like Jesus, Christians are encouraged to "endure hardship like a good soldier" and thereby "overcome evil with good."
- Crucified with Christ: Like oil and water, worldliness and holiness don't mix. Increase in one requires decrease in the other. A painful process to the flesh: "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."
- Evangelism and discipleship: Both authentic evangelism and godly discipleship are often accompanied by pain and loss. Like the apostle Paul, Christians are called to "fill up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church."
- Wine vs table grapes: Most Christians pray to be used by Christ, hoping to be washed and displayed like table grapes. Few relish the crushing and torturous fermentation process of becoming wine. Yet a single bottle of wine sold for $160,000. Like wine grapes, many find themselves crushed underfoot and shelved in darkness as the Winemaker prepares them for service.
- Lord's bond slave: The lives of many have been "poured out like a drink offering" that they might win as many as possible to Christ. As the "Lord's bond slave" millions have been and will be imprisoned and worse. To such Christ directs, "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation... Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."
- Eternal perspective: Thankfully, Scripture promises great rewards and honor for those willing to suffer in this life to save others from eternal damnation. As Jesus explains, “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way."
6. As An Example
Persisting in worldliness and sin will short circuit God’s power in our lives. On the other hand often the righteous suffer is as an example of patience and commitment. Both in this life and when giving account of it in the next, those who've counted the cost and made the decision to please God even when penalized for doing so become a shinning example of overcoming faith.
- To Believers: Given the spiritual cosmic battle raging throughout Three Heavens, icons of steadfast faithfulness in the face of resistance are a centerpiece of Christianity. As the Author of Hebrews reminds, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race this is set before us."
- Against disobedience: Few note Christ's warning that during the Great Judgment men will compare themselves against the foolishness and evil of others. Here, those who persevered in righteousness, particularly against great odds, will "shine like the sun" during individual and corporate judgment. In time and eternity.
7. Divine Judgment
The final and most alarming explanation for powerlessness and distress is to be under the judgment of God. This can happen in a variety of ways, from a withholding of the Lord's presence, provision and/or protection to devastation and destruction on a personal or corporate level. An unpopular topic within Churchianity today, wise prophetic Christians recognize Scripture is filled with examples of those failing to heed God's continual warnings against rebellion.
- Cain: Prior to his becoming forever marked as the first murderer recorded in Scripture, God issued a warning to Cain that he and billions since have ignored to their own peril: “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”
- Fallen angels: Proceeding Noah's flood certain fallen angels took on physical form. The likely source of ancient mythology, these glorious and powerful "sons of God" interbred with the "daughters of men." For such a forbidden act they were summarily jailed, God "keeping them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment."
- Sodom and Gomorrah: A particularly vivid example of the judgment to come, these cities were destroyed for their sins which pale in comparison to those of modern day. Further troubling is Christ's warning, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Unlike ourselves, Sodom and Gomorrah hadn't a single page of Scripture as a warning against evil, the fullness of the Spirit nor two millennia of Church history to dray from yet, "those cities were destroyed by fire and serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God’s judgment."
- Sinai: The Apostle Paul explains that even God's most severe Old Testament judgments were meant as warnings for our sakes. Such as sentencing millions of His own people, those He'd just rescued from Egypt through unparalleled miracles, to die wondering the wilderness of Sinai. "I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground. In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses. All of them ate the same spiritual food, and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ. Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did."
- Exile: Through a procession of judges, kings and prophets, God continually warned and often judged Israel. For two millennia, roughly the same time period of our current church age of the gentiles, God pleaded with and punished His disobedient people. Refusing to repent, God used the Exile to do as had been long warned, killing and enslaving two third's and scattering the rest to the four winds. See Habakkuk's Complaint.
- Personal: Divine judgment of individuals differs depending on several factors. After several years of warnings King Saul was cut off and that without remedy. The Lord's anointed champion Samson squandered his life in lust, refusing to see his sin until blinded and imprisoned. Coming to his senses he was allowed a final decisive victory over his enemies thorough martyrdom. As warrior and King, psalmist and prophet, David's sin with Bathsheba and in numbering Israel was forgiven, yet cost the lives of tens of thousands and caused his life's work of uniting and building Israel's kingdom to be rent in two.
- Church: Most of modern Christianity mistakenly teach simple belief in Christ's unique and magnificent atonement represents a "get out of judgment free" card. The Bible explicitly and repeatedly states that the salvation offered by Christ is based on our appropriate response to His incredibly generous free yet conditional gift. Apathy and worldliness, sins of commission and omission such as abortion, as well as unfruitfulness and falling away are to be feared as deal breakers. Further complicating matters is the nearly universal spread of unbiblical eschatology misleading hundreds of millions of Christians into expecting to raptured by Christ before instead of during the Great Tribulation period.
- World: Ironically, the unprecedented blessings of modern life's had the deleterious effect of leaving billions within First World Nations and beyond at eternal risk. Unaware of their captivity to the "god of this world" they remain incognizant they are "Sinners In The Hand Of An Angry God" who's Divine patience and restraint is nearing an end.
Author’s Note:
I continue my research, of over 30 years and counting, regarding the all-important question of the lack of power evangelism and discipleship among even the remnant of the remnant of modern Christianity.
My presupposition is that we must regain the ability to "see" with better clarity than "trees like men walking." To constantly "make the invisible visible" experiencing and imparting the glory of being "filled with all the fullness of God" in real time and in the light of day. Without an infusion of power few if any will be motivated enough to recognize, much less adequately respond to the downward spiral, if not free fall, we are all more or less a part of (ourselves and family, friends and neighbors, nation and world).
Tragically, the allure of modern life in 1st World Nations is so great there are few takers for such a "mission impossible." Even among the most dedicated prophetic Christians there are none among us walking in this kind of power. A compelling argument that one or more "Spiritual shorts" have knocked us off line both individually and collectively. It seems axiomatic that the spiritual success and/or failure of modern Christianity depends entirely on the honest and genuine restoration of the all the fruit and gifts, signs and wonders of the Holy Spirit. In turn, the choice between an outpouring of a New Pentecost rather than immanent and imminent judgment, lays at the feet of those with "eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts to understand." Men and women of God who understand the tones and season like Abraham rather than Lot. Few among us are able and willing to discern who and when we are (Jeremiah's exile not Joshua's exodus) where we are (staging of Great Tribulation) what God requires of those who care enough to uncover and receive the full revelation and responsibility of such truth.
Who will appropriately respond? How will we do so? Can we do so alone? Who will wholly and Holy commit to such an unlikely fellowship against heavenly "Mordor" and the armies of the true "Dark Lord Sauron" who with the one ring of worldly influence binds us all? In light of overwhelming past and present loss and failure, can continued partial effort realistically hope to succeed? What then might suffice?
But "Who has believed our report?" Will many care enough to inspect themselves and their efforts with ruthless and "righteous judgment" to the point of honestly accessing our glaring need and creating a plausible strategy of repentance? Would any lessor form of contrition than James 4 be adequate to recover that which had been so long buried (by errant cessationist AND charismatic doctrine) and thus largely lost for centuries if not millennia?
With time running out in a myriad of ways, who will join and take up arms against the true battle of this or any generation? Civilians? Summertime soldiers? Would to God we were half as dedicated. Will our hour of "discontentment" come before or after it's too little too late? Seeing such signs, ought we not finally and forever draft ourselves and plans to engage our mortal and immortal Foe as he overruns all that was once sacred to us?
While far from guaranteed, Scripture suggests there may yet be a way to begin the crucial work of turning cursing to blessing via heeding God’s formula for repentance and prophetic advice in the quantum hope of planting the seeds of the Sacred Assembly. Will diligent intercessors like Mary yet arise, biding Christ to turn our watered down faith into the best of wine? It’s high time to carefully consider Christ's clarion warning, "Many are called but few are chosen." Why? Because few chose to Fully answer His call.
Let us "not forsake the gathering together" in the bonds of genuine fellowship, as Biblical churches, for the singular purpose of restoring the lost power necessary to fully experience and implement the Kingdom of God. Not for personal or family time. Not for Churchianity or lessor ministries. Billions pursue such things. The same billions who stand to suffer great loss, and we with them, should someone not find a way to pay the power bill. In full and quickly.
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