This is the first opportunity I have had to bring out some thoughts concerning things that are occurring in our church and perspectives on where those things fit with what is going on around the world. This is part of an article concerning unity in the body and understanding offence and criticism in our life.
“The many reports and testimonies emerging around the world in these days reflect that God is moving increasingly in His church and in cities and regions. His activity across many streams, denominations and movements seems to be increasing in the realm of supernatural signs and wonders. There seems to be an amazing fluency and consistency between churches that points to a unifying power of the Holy Spirit with the occasional “revivals” opening up regions. How is it that many people in different parts of the world see similar things and preach similar things? They live totally ignorant of what each other is doing and the consistency of what they are experiencing. Yet we are seeing a growing consistency and fluency in the Word, emphasis, revelatory prophecy and the release of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said “greater works shall you do” speaking I believe of the body of believers, not just one part of the body of believers.
These experiences seem to be the beginning and perhaps fulfillment of many prophetic promises various churches have received for many years and the fruit of persistent and passionate prayer for many. It would appear that not only is God’s word proving true (as we would expect), but also that the supernatural realm of God is breaking into and shifting mindsets of the church and believers. God seems to be getting our attention, but I wonder if we are all listening or watching in a manner and with a heart to be open to God releasing His redemptive and restorative purposes unopposed and unrestricted into and through the church?
Not everyone is comfortable with these re-emerging signs and wonders. Not everyone in the church embraces these things- there seems to be a fair dose of cynicism and difference of theological opinion that unfortunately spills over to criticize those people and those churches that are experiencing and speaking about these things. I am not unaware of internet sites used as a tool of criticism bringing many people and their reputations into disrepute. This is unfortunate because the comments seem to lack accountability and bring division, not humble concern and openness of contribution and discussion. Some of the language used by believers against other believers is alarming and heart-breaking. I am forever conscious of what Scripture has to say about slanderers and gossips and the source of the spirit leading that kind of behavior. There are also believers who even criticize those leaders who are not “letting” these “new” things happen. Negative criticism is never helpful to building unity and releasing restoration.
We have experienced many signs and wonders this past 18 months. To be candid it is quite a process of prayer and digging into God to understand what they mean for us today. Signs and wonders are, of course, not the complete answer. They are revelatory indicators leading us to the Father, and pointing us to see and understand things in a new way that adds to our previous understanding of Scripture. They do not replace Scripture or sound doctrine. The signs do invite a response from us to explore things and travel paths of revelation that we have not previously traveled.
Paul told the church at Ephesus that his letter revealed something of the mystery of Christ. God’s grace and the understanding and knowledge of Christ was so deep and mysterious for Paul, he acknowledged the pursuit of knowing God was worth everything of his life. I believe his idea of revelation was that it would always be unfolding. He prayed for the Church for this to be understood and for God to continue to release his Spirit of wisdom and revelation to them.
Signs and wonders are great. Oil, gold dust, feathers and those things are a genuinely amazing experience. We have even seen amazing miraculous healings. We genuinely give God thanks for those things. Those signs are leading us to a deeper place of pursuing the heart of God and digging deeper in love into the mysteries of Christ. God’s mercies are anew every morning and so is the opportunity to explore new depths to gain a new understanding of Christ and the love, power and majesty of the Kingdom that are being continuously revealed to each generation.
I am convinced at the centre of God’s heart and mind is the restoration of a people through which He will show His holiness and glory to the world. That “people”, is the body of Christ, a community of believers called the church. I do not believe whatsoever we become gods as some would contend. We are chosen and called to be sons of God and as a church together to reveal the Father through the mysteries of Jesus Christ to the world. To reveal the Father we must also be open to Him revealing His realm (spiritual eternal or Kingdom realm) in us and through us. His Kingdom will increase and continue to break in to the natural realm where the Holy Spirit is invited to be Himself. Sometimes God will just break in to break off mindsets and subconscious cultures in our hearts that need to change to bring us into a deeper and greater experience of the mystery of Christ and revelation of His redemptive and restorative purposes.
It has brought me great comfort to understand that I live in an imperfect revelation of Christ, and that each day is an opportunity to grow in my love and understanding of Him. For me, negative criticism, should I choose to engage in it, merely exposes me and others to my own limitations and my inability to embrace new things and be taught new things. As Bill Johnson writes, “God hides good things for us not from us.” Offense is the great eye opener to see what is in my heart. When I shift the boulder of criticism it leaves a crater that I can start to explore to find the hidden treasures of the Kingdom and the mysteries of Christ. In my experience, discomfort is the evidence of God’s Spirit-led influences designed to bring growth and maturity and release His power in my life. If I resist those two things, I will resist God who has committed himself to bringing me into the fullness of my destiny and His purposes.
We all want to see and experience more of God. That may mean we will be uncomfortable, offended and more than likely challenged along the way. This is God’s process of restoration and growth to bring us into our amazing destiny. I believe God is waking the church from its slumber for us to take hold of our identity and the purposes He always intended for us to walk in together. It is our destiny as believers together to have God reveal Himself in us and through us. (Ezekiel 36:25) It is to His glory that we come into our destiny and that we all reach our eternal destination. Let us keep our diversity of expression and emphasis and guard our unity of the Spirit through our love and faith in Jesus Christ.”
Paul Tothill |