Published by For this reason I have often been hindered from coming to you; (Romans 15:22)
And I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fulness of the blessing of Christ. (Romans 15:29)
Many Christians are extremely concerned that all of our rights are being taken away from us. As I follow the news I can see how it can look that way. Should I be concerned? Well, I must admit it is disappointing to see a nation founded on the principles of the word of God shifting in a whole different direction. My greatest concern, however, is the response of Christians around the country.
We speak of the greatness of God’s word; His infallibility and His impossibility to tell a lie. Yet our faith seems to be easily steered toward the voice of a world system that is more dependent on the church than sometimes even the church understands.
It would seem to me that the easiest way to dispel darkness is to turn on the light. And we can do that by simply beginning to submit ourselves to the rule and reign of God in our homes, communities and local assemblies. Ephesians 3: 12 in the Message Bible says it this way:
When we trust in him, we’re free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go.
Who is stopping us from praying at home? Some may say that the day is coming when we will not be allowed to pray at all. But that day is not here. What stops us from attending the prayer meetings and gatherings in our local churches? I heard of one church boasting 11,000 members and yet barely eleven people show up for the prayer meetings. Are you praying with your children? Do we think that God only answers the prayers from public gatherings? Why do we need an event sanctioned by the government before we can gather to pray?
Who is stopping us from reading our Bibles? You may be challenged by reading them at work or at school, even if it is your lunch or break time. However is there anyone stopping you or me from reading at home? As a matter of fact, who is stopping any of us from committing the word of God to our hearts so that should the day come that we cannot possess bibles we still know the word of God?
Who is stopping us from appropriating the healing power of God and His word? Regardless of the direction our country’s healthcare goes, it is still possible to trust God concerning our health. We speak of His greatness and His miracle working powers. Which takes the least effort: to trust our health to the word of God or to order our health in a way that reduces our risks. Christian ministers have the worse reputation for not eating in a way that benefits the body. Perhaps taking one route or the other would eliminate worrying about the healthcare issue. What would happen if we took both routes?
Don’t you think it is time we took our power back? If so, how would we do that? Is the word we teach each week to our people true or not? If it is true, can we honestly say that we are walking in the fullness of what we are teaching so that we are a true example of the word working in our lives? People remember very little of what we say, but they never forget what we do.
The world’s financial system is based on “buying and selling.” The Kingdom of God’s financial system is based on “sowing and reaping.” Which system are we dependent upon? Which one should we depend upon?
Even though the Apostle Paul was hindered (according to Romans 15:22) the hindrance was only a delay. It did not stop him (verse 29) from arriving at his goal. We may be hindered; we may be opposed, but we do not have to be stopped.
If the word of God cannot reach the steps of Washington from my home or church through prayer, then something is radically wrong with what we believe. Just because something is difficult does not mean it is impossible. The word tells us that ALL things are possible to the one who believes. Some may be saying that they have believed and nothing happened. I suggest we keep pushing and learning why the word of God is not working in our lives. There is nothing wrong with God or His word. There may be something that we do not know or understand. There is not one place in the scripture where the faith of someone did not work. Not one.
Please, do not remind me about Paul’s thorn. The following explanation will have to suffice for the moment: God just simply adjusted WHAT Paul was supposed to believe; and that was in the grace of God concerning how to handle the difficult people in his life.
Our government is not our problem. The church is the leader and will always be the leader. It does not follow the world. The world only does what the church allows. If we do not allow God’s Word free reign in our lives and in that of our children, the world has no alternative but to do what it knows best.
There is absolutely no one who can stop you or me from living the word of God. No one can stop us from doing what is right. I like what Apostle Melvin Tisdale says: The issue is not who is right. The issue is what is right.
