I am sick and tired of seeing good people abandon a church or a fellowship God has involved them in building. The solution to any problem is never to abdicate responsibility but to stand with boldness and defend the integrity of the gospel. Yes it would appear to some that the reasons for leaving a fellowship are authentic. I think the reasons not to leave can be more authentic when one considers the fact that all churches belong to God regardless of denominations.
We need to emphasize the fact that the church of God is the people of God. Some are strong and many are weak. The disposition of the strong should be to stay and protect the weak. Yes there may be a thousand and one reasons why an individual may be frustrated to leave a fellowship, but anyone who truly appreciates the value of patience and long suffering will understand the need to be a catalyst of positive change in a system perceived to be full of human errors. “The strongest of all warriors are these two - Time and Patience” (Leo Tolstoy)
In any case the last time I checked we are not promised a church of perfection on earth. For as long as the church of God on earth consists of humans at the top echelon of leadership, errors will abound. No human is above error. The tragedy however has always been man’s attempt to institutionalize errors rather than redress them. Isn’t the Holy Spirit supposed to guide, counsel, advise and lead us into all truth? In the deafening noise of excessive wealth, power, control and influence; nobody appears to care any longer about the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit.
These days we see all kinds of agenda that tend to obstruct God’s purpose in His Kingdom. Man’s fallacies and bigotry can only amuse God for awhile. Yes in many churches and many instances of leadership, severe sense of insecurity has copulated (connected, joined) visions of illusions and mirage, to propagate and populate heretic disorders contrary to the authentic gospel.
I have heard it said several times that the system has been corrupted and and compromised. The question is who is the system and who corrupted the system? The convergency of inordinate ambition, lust for power, excessive love of money, hero worshipping, etc., can only result in demonizing the best of any system. Whether we like to admit it or not, the unfortunate truth is that we are in charge.
We are responsible and accountable. Our adoption of sonship unto God through the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross mandates us to occupy until He comes.
The victory will forever remain in the Word of God. “He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see? He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct, He who teaches man knowledge? The Lord knows the thoughts of man, That they are futile.” (Psalm 94:9-11). An organization that witnesses exodus of good people who have hitherto been faithful and loyal needs to be concerned. It’s a matter of conscience.
God’s Revelation to Elijah Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11-12) The relevance of a still small voice cannot be overemphasized. It is a rat that is given wings that is called a bat.
The Lamb of God can be a roaring Lion. He will roar any moment from now. Let us continue to seek shelter under His wings. The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runs into it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10) A typical Russian Radio joke presents an instructive anecdote. “Is it true, that you may eat from Chernobyl?” / “Yes, you may. But your feces will need to be buried in concrete 30 feet deep underground.” The scripture backs up this joke. “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” (1 Corinthians 6:12)
PRAYER POINT
Thine Kingdom come O Lord, amen!
Dr. Niran Fafowora