But to my dismay, I have found it reappearing as a defensive weapon (used possibly without cruel intent but used just the same) to make “the undesirables” ... disappear from close knit circles of fellowship. Now hold on, there is outreach found within these circles, but it seems to be under the scrutiny and analysis of a self appointed “faithful few”. And from out of their scrutiny, there is an undetermined quota for a token few “differentiated” and “detached” individuals, who will be deemed acceptable to be blessed with being part of this close knit fellowship. ALL OTHERS MAY END UP INVISIBLE … finding they have been covered by a cloak of invisibility which was not of their choosing (discouraged, unwelcome, and ignored how many times before they are no more).
Is there a bigger monster from the darkness that seems to be dragged into the very “welcome centers” of our fellowships of encouragement? Are there folks out there who are so spiritually mature, that they have Heaven-sent authority and “other-worldly” intuition to throw the cloak on whom they choose to make disappear? Do these “Self appointed bigots” have the spiritual discernment to send away souls with out the security of a “body” covering? Do these biblical actors have the authority to withhold desperately needed spiritual nourishment from labeled beggars(unwanted pilgrims) of their choosing? OH THEY THINK SO!! .........that's not my Jesus.
They point to James 2:14 -17 and proclaim “Faith without works is dead” ... “See, we have the (chosen) impoverished among us, so our faith has made us safe, our faith is alive”. It is so amazing, that we can be so close to the mirror and yet not see the truth of the vision. We are so concerned about being on the right side of the theological arguments about what “saving faith is” that we can't even read the truth of this passage. Please take a moment and open to this passage of scripture and read it out loud ... read it loud enough to shake apart all the “biased” teaching associated with it. Then truly listen.
Listen to the intent of the Spirit in this passage: “What advantage do you have in the Kingdom to say you have conviction but you do not let that conviction permeate your occupying the Kingdom? This type of conviction has no intimate connection to a real body ministry that nourishes and clothes all who are spiritually destitute. This type of conviction actually connects the needy to death instead of life. Conviction that refuses to choose all to love is not the conviction from the Author of life. There is no room in the Kingdom of Life for spiritual snobbery. In fact, this differentiating faith has no breath of life and hangs precariously on the brink of the Kingdom of death. Show your faith openly, occupy.”
We need a revival today of genuine “Occupying Faith” ... Oh, beloved, it is not in our fallen nature to love the unlovely, it is the aching of your Jesus indwelling heart to break out, to reach out ... to love and to be loved. Can't you see that the misery you carry inside is the ignored cry of your brothers and sisters needing you to love them. Do not “cloak them”.We have all felt the shame of this invisibility. You are not invisible ... you are loved by Jesus ... love others openly for the sake of His love.
Live HLFA,
Jeff