What do people of great faith look like? I think this is a great question in this present day as the prevailing spirit of error has corrupted this concept to look like something other than truth and is it any surprise since the enemies most effective weapon is in doctrines of demons introduced into churches which conform to the natural heart of the carnal man rather than the Spirit of truth? The Spirit of error says that if you only have faith you will be successful in the world and, reason follows, in ministry as well (in appearances). So what then does an over comer look like in appearances? I confess that I struggle with this at times because I know my calling that I am to minister the word of truth and yet there is no support for it. Then, anytime I make mention of it I am blasted with weak comments that suggest I have no faith and that if I had a real ministry, God would provide so that I would have no need to ask, in which reason also follows that because I have noneed of this miraculous support which comes without asking, I am one who has no faith at all. Really? Then why did the apostles have to WASTE any foolish time exhorting the church to give to ministry and to help one another? Why did Paul, at times, resort to building tents? Would you suggest he had no faith? I know it sounds so SPIRITUAL to make such blind, erroneous comments as just have faith, or trust God, or He will supply all at the perfect time, or even pious to go so far as to spurn me and others like myself who pour out themselves to minister the word while receiving little to nothing for this blessed work of service while suggesting a worker who would dare ask, much less to expect to receive worthless and vain money for their service of ministering the gift of life to starving souls is profane, vile and no man of faith at all since he would stoop so low as to ask for such base and elemental things for his mere existence ! How dare such a one as this! The people only want to be fed and should not be gathered with such base and elemental things such as caring for one anothers practical necessities. Saints, though this may seem a rant about and for myself it is not. It is really a message about the body of Christ and all FOR that body. If the individual members cannot care for such simple basic needs and necessities of life than where is the love of God, where is faith? Or as James said, show me your great faith without works and instead I will show you my faith by my works because a faith without works is dead. Many today have what I can only describe as a philosophical, romantic kind of faith which in affect does little to nothing and speaks as follows to the fellow members of the body and ministers of the word in need, Go in peace, my friend. Be warm and filled. Faith in love is perfected in works but if it has no works it is merely a branch with no fruit at all and in danger of being pruned. I am not directing this to anyone specifically but seriously...I know many saints who have abundance and give little or nothing while ravishing upon themselves just like the world, fattening the hearts as for the day of slaughter buying the luxurious cars, the best homes in gated communities, vacation homes, the latest fashions and etc while the Christ, as the least of these suffers lack. The truth escapes them, not realizing they would have nothing except by His grace and that all who have abundance, have this as their gifting to the body, that they instead would become rich in good works presenting this, their gift of God to the body, strengthening the body according to what each joint and member supplies. How unfortunate that those who supply their fitting to the body do so in great need and will continue to do because of their strong faith while being ridiculed, spurred and rebuked for their apparent lack of faith BECAUSE they are in need, not realizing many are in need because God has scattered abroad precisely so that some would have abundance that they might share with those who lacked SO THAT all might have their hearts knit together in love. In this way does the body grow with each member doing its respective part. Speaking of money, many who have it or who long for it will speak the worlds philosophy saying it is neither good nor bad but is so determined by what one does with it not realizing such a word is NOT in the Bible and shall witness against yourselves as they greedily long for it and lavish it upon themselves while Christ suffers as the least of these. Did you never read where we are admonished to make for ourselves friends now with the righteous money so that when it fails, they will receive you into their homes? But instead, those who have this unrighteous wealth become proud and pious in their own esteem and judge and condemn the poor...the very ones whom God has chosen to be rich in faith. So then, what does a person of great faith look like in mere appearances? Well, we should no longer recognize anyone according to the superficial flesh at all but the word itself does testify that there are not many wise, wealthy and of high esteem in the world who are rich in faith...and YES, there is very much so a direct correlation between these things. Here is what many who are strong in faith look like for appearances sake (and please reject the temptation to romanticize this): they experienced mocking, scourgings, chains and imprisonment, they were stoned, they were tempted, they were put to death, they went about in poor clothing not having the latest fashions, being destitute, afflicted, Ill treated (none of the favor of God? ), men of whom the world was not worthy, wandering (from place to place, having none of their own), And all of these, having gained approval through their faith (from God and certainly NOT from man) did not receive what was promised...WAIT, WHAT? It actually dares to say they did not receive what was promised!!! Yet todays uber, super saints proclaim that men of faith will have the favor of God upon them bringing them all the wealth and success of the world! All I can say is be careful what you wish for because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also and moths, rust and thieves will bear witness to truth. After all is said and done, truth will bear witness in that the hearts of men are deceptively wicked interpreting all scripture to suit its selfish desires and ambitions. For, though truth says money is the root of all sorts of evil the heart will ever insist it can over come, deceiving only itself.
Posted on: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 16:30:38 +0000
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