| by Brother Andrew
As I look around in our world
today, I see an ever-increasing need, both spiritual and economic. In more and more areas, persecution of the
church is the order of the day. We live on an island of liberty and
prosperity, and we would like to believe that the whole world is like this. Nothing
could be further from the truth.
Yet that is not the biggest
problem. Far worse is the breach in the Body of Christ, the incredible confusion and lack of vision, knowledge and
responsibility. We simply do not seem to be able to determine the
difference between right and wrong. And when we have chosen, we often find
ourselves opposing those who also claim to be followers of Jesus.
This applies to lifestyle, ethnic
questions, moral choices, political viewpoints and interpretation of prophecy. Shouldn't being in
Christ, who is Truth, be sufficient? Apparently not.
The obvious answer to this mess is
that we must get to know God. If we know His character, we can judge everything in that light. It becomes
so much easier to reject whatever is not in harmony with God's character,
no matter how trendy.
Asking ourselves, "What would
Jesus do?" is a step in the right direction. A step further is, "What would Jesus say?"
The self-destructive wave of wealth
and prosperity that threatens to destroy the evangelical movement from within can only be withstood by a
far deeper identification with the Suffering Church. The ultimate test of
knowing God is to be found in the measure with which we feel one -- in word and
in deed -- with the Suffering Church.
The Word of God gives the teaching
and the examples. Both Moses in the Old Testament and Paul in the New
Testament were the strongest
intercessors and leaders. Both had a faith and a love that knew no limits: They
were willing to be blotted out of the Book of Life if only their people would
be saved! Moses would not have come to that place had he not identified with
the Suffering of Christ (Heb. 11:26).
Both prayed a strong prayer that
greatly influenced their life and ministry: "That I may know Thee" (Exodus 33:13 and Phil. 3:10).
Paul, who had personal knowledge of the Suffering Church, coupled his request to the
fellowship of Jesus' suffering.
We seem to prefer leaving that part
out, ending our prayer instead with the more convenient "...and the power of His resurrection."
But we will see no demonstration of
the power of Jesus' resurrection unless it is coupled with reaching the Suffering Church. His Body is the
Church, and Paul wants to fill up in his flesh what is lacking (Col. 1:24). If
we do not have that love, a willingness to share and suffer, then we do not
know God (1John 4:8).
It is so basic, so simple. The
Suffering Church cannot make it without us (Heb. 11:40), nor can we make it without
them. The breach in the
Body of Christ must be healed, for His sake and for the kingdom of God.
"That I may know Him"
should become our daily cry until God reveals Himself in all His majesty and compassion as the God who forgives (Psalm
99:8).
ED: Join Brother Andrew and
millions of Christians around the world in praying for the Persecuted Church on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2000.
International
Day of Prayer
for the Persecuted Church
Nov.12, 2000.
For more info., contact:
Open
Doors, USA
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