Saints, Brethren, friends ... enemies
Had an earlier compulsion to state that I would present some observations and detach from all this, beg off and be done with it ... But found even that had elements of pride and dishonesty. So do comb through and spit out the bones...
One of the most challenging scriptures as it applies to so much that can come through this place of fellowship, and strikingly applicable to this discussion in particular is;
[i]Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.[/i] Mar 9:38-40
It is a challenge whether it be a Benny Hinn or Mr. Hogan as he has been brought under this examination. Just as unfortunate though is to hold this up [i]only[/i] as the test of all things when we have likewise been exhorted to test, to admire a Berean nobility which I believe is far more a test of honesty than that of assumed authority.
But to linger around these verses for a moment longer. As was made mentioned by the brother who found himself delivered out of his particular bondage, one similar to even this poor fool's, though through a different method, one of sheer bodily and spiritual suffering, extreme warfare, a long 'bloody' drawn out conflict... The point, if there is one to hang a hat on, is, which one is 'better'? Or is it really neither and besides the point? If I had my say so in it at the time I could have and in fact often enough did plead for a truce, for an end out of it. Far to ignorant at the time to recognize what was being done and might I interject, is this usually not the way of the Lord? Taking us in, through and out the other side of things that we only grasp at with a backward look and recollection? With the blessing of hindsight now, it is almost too easy to state, but will do so emphatically that I am indeed glad for the manner the Lord chose, because not only did He do the choosing but did a thorough cleansing of those matters, I have this 'experience' to look back on with not only wonder and awe but also a reverential fear that guards all those particular matters that they have become that which does not enter my thoughts any longer. BUT! Have likewise begun to grasp the essence of [i]"Take heed ...lest you fall"[/i], we must recognize that though we may be both saved and are being sanctified we are yet still walking time-bombs by trusting in and of ourselves. Still, that previous garden has a flaming sword guarding it, I do not go back to gaze in wonder at it's beauty and brilliance, it's not there to dazzle it, it's there to shred and destroy, I keep my distance. Well, that is all perhaps some clever word-smithing and getting off the trail here... But before that, Praise God that you were delivered brother!
Returning back by way of example and perhaps comparison. Somewhat similarly and hard to say this ... But for a time I followed and was caught up in much of what is known as the name-it-and-claim-it, WOF camp and was particularly fond of Benny Hinn. Struck by what I then perceived as 'his' power to heal and launch people on to their posteriors with a wave of his hand, the 'healings', all of it. Gave no small amount of dollars to his ministry, followed him around a bit, felt proud to be a 'special member' or whatever language it was couched in. To say that [i]all[/i] of it was a sham and a mockery would be dishonest and largely the point I am hoping to force out here. Ironically, one of the 'private, members only' conferences I attended over three days was primarily centered around end times events and even to look back on it now with a little bit more knowledge and might I stress [i]little[/i], for all that I find still quite a reach even from the better scholars about how things ultimately come to pass, he did an admirable job of exegesis of Daniel and Revelation up to the point of application as to what it meant [i]then[/i] and even now presently. During that conference there was a mix of extreme generosity and to look back on it ... It's grievous to recall a poor soul being manipulated by a call for money (because "the Holy Spirit is saying ...") and coming forward giving up his nice watch which seemed to be all that he had, it struck similar to the widows mite. Others catching on to his generosity came up and offered theirs to replace his which he denied humbly ... All the while Mr. Hinn seemed to be enjoying all of it, Praising God for it ... That is a dig in all honesty because from there it turned into the next up on the agenda; "The Holy Spirit is saying that there is ____ (I forget how many) that are to give $5,000 to this ministry" etc. etc. And I watched a man in front of me write out a check...
At the time I was having mixed feelings, my wife and I were attempting to do the quick prayer thing, "How much should [i]we[/i] give?" Not really discerning that we were being manipulated... And so on it went, on to the "Holy Spirit is here!" sudden announcement, that sent a mini-panic throughout the gathering, an atmosphere of confusion until they decided to have us all line up against the walls, [i]facing the wall[/i] for awhile and then the proverbial passing in front of the leaders for the 'slain in the spirit' phenomenon. Yes, I am speaking with some disdain for it all and I apologize to the brother if this finds offense to your experience, can only speak of my own.
The short and easiest answer to all this is, I don't know.
I don't know why despite many things or even in spite of all these things the Lord does what He does. I am finding more and more that to be truly honest is to allow that pool to expand, it is a pool of thought held in abeyance and the challenge is very much to the scriptures above.
Considering again that this is still not everything though. There is still [i]all[/i] of scripture to consider, the whole counsel of God, I do think we fall off the edge far too easily not to take it all collectively, making or coming to conclusions when they do boil out into the fact that we are dishonest, hiding and sweeping questions and cautions under the rug, dividing off into a camp mentality, defending the indefensible, more concerned with saving our thin skin than a concern for, even an a true appealing to [i]What indeed sayeth the Lord[/i].
I am deeply troubled by both the level of dishonesty as to the overlooked matters of what many a ministry while perhaps doing a great deal of good are in fact overlooking and side stepping the harm. This is far more than a matter of opinion, there are real life consequences being shouted down to lend support to mere men because of their ministry, because of their assumed 'anointing', a whole host of things. Another example and please do miss the point of 'not naming names' it's a silly concept and far from the issue... Witness Lee and his followers have a lot to explain in this way. Mr. Lee is dead and assuredly with the Lord. It is [i]not[/i] the point. The point is a great deal of harm and surely misunderstanding has been wrought by way of teaching or interpretation of that teaching, whatever the case, that no one seemingly cares that this is evident, that there are those that need to be restored or even any admittance of culpability in the matter. I think we are often proving ourselves to be liars by holding assumptions as facts and facts as assumptions. And just as cold hearted as the loud voices stating that to face these things is to be without compassion, love or true concern. We are afraid of being both ashamed, rebuked, exhorted and corrected. Without a doubt there is often too much venom yet still within us, too much compulsion, reaction and little contemplation and prayer. Pride. Bitterness, and even compromise. We think too much of ourselves, our opinions and follow mere men to our own hurt. We have largely stopped thinking [i]period[/i]. Trading 'Kumbya' and "Can't we all just get along" for real, hard, difficult, exposure of who we are yet still. We don't know a great deal, must we pretend that we do?
Again;
[i]Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?[/i] 1Co 3:5
Who is Mr. Hogan, Mike Balog, A.W. Tozer or Paulf? To see my own name makes me want to go hide somewhere, it's not false humility, I often could but wish to hide from myself, am learning that it is this man who is the cause of all the trouble ... We are but utilities to put it bluntly and seemingly coldly in Gods hands. Prime products and by-products as Mr. Reidhead adequately put it. Why is it that our stinking opinion is given so much weight when it is found lacking? And the lack that could be made abundant to the help of many is sidelined and ignored?
I do believe we are often missing entirely the whole picture. We can say, scream, preach and exhort until our voices crack and our fingers grow tired from typing, [i]"All to the glory of God[/i]" but do we really mean it? Honestly? Or is it yet still the tag on after the fact, the [i]In Jesus Name[/i] after our prayers?
There is NO authority other than God Himself and that which He decides to give forth. If you seek after it, it will evade you for you know not what you ask. If you have it and 'know' it, wield it, you are deluded. The only ones that do are humbled by it, there is no other way. I am somewhat convinced that Elijah may well have ran from Jezebel for entirely different reasons and that he took little delight in slaying all the prophets of Baal. There is a strong suspicion that he was devastated by what God did [i]through[/i] him, putting him into a place of weakness and bringing forth the cry that came from his soul;
[i] O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.[/i]
But what do I know.
There is a great deal more that I had wished to express here, seemingly lost now. Perhaps it will come back again later. Some random barnacles ...
I think our problem with judging is in pre-judging.
I believe [i]admittance[/i] may well be the heart of a "repentant life style".
I believe we need to humble ourselves more than we know. That we need revival for ourselves more than and before we are more true and real, honest enough, to convince anybody of the truths we hold to.
I believe I am wrong on much. I know it. Feel it. Admit it.
I am neither overly angry as may be taken from all this nor despairing, very even to be honest.
I have misspoke, misunderstood and mis-applied.
I ask for forgiveness where I have and plead that we might pray always, often, constantly.
The Lord is everything.
