My Covid quarantine is being a powerful time alone with God. His Presence in both my healing and Elaine’s protection, through your prayers; His care and provision through our family; and His instruction/ correction by His Spirit, has deepened my resolve to fearlessly proclaim His goodness, and the glory of the Church and of the Kingdom of God which are ours as we embrace the offense “Word of the Cross” and enter through the narrow gate. This is where He took me this morning.
This is what the Lord says:
“Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
Where is the house you will build for me?
Where will my resting place be?
2 Has not my hand made all these things,
and so they came into being?”
declares the Lord.
“These are the ones I look on with favor:
those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
and who tremble at my word.
Isaiah 66:11-12 niv
THIS is the Mt. 16:18 Church that Jesus is building. WE are the dwelling place of God on the earth and many scriptures confirm that.
Those who gather in a building labeled “church,” are only that to the extent that they are humble and contrite in spirit and tremble at His word, which is not confirmed by their attendance there but by the measure of their surrender to His commands and expectations when they are elsewhere – which shapes EVERYthing including where they find their personal identity; what, who, how and why they love; and how they use the gifts and resources that God has entrusted to them.
Is that a challenging but Life-giving truth to be embraced, or harsh and of a judgmental spirit? Is it optional or mandatory for the Church?
Is it the responsibility of teachers of the Word to proclaim that our pursuing such is the norm for those who claim to be Christ-Followers in our Day, or is it an unreasonable expectation?
Frankly, I’m “done” with it being judged as harsh and of a critical spirit to declare that to the saints. I turn my back to that judgment and to those who persist in making it against me. Enough! The Hebrews 4:12 “Word of God” https://biblehub.com/hebrews/4-12.htm can be offense but it must be spoken. And obeyed.
Your turn.
Ken Stoltzfus
Kidron, Ohio USA
June 5, 2022
CLICK HERE for a printable pdf.