BRINGING BALANCE!!
Posted by: revival_list <revival_list@...>
Revivalists such as Finney and Whitefield, etc - and he is also a good
friend of mine. But here he points out something that is very crucial -
which I totally agree with. -That the end of true Revival preaching
must be to get people walking in a state of GRACE - ie. They have
been totally cleaned out - and they now walk before God with a
wonderful CLEAN CONSCIENCE and in joyful communion with Him.
Real Christianity is not being constantly reminded day after day that
you are a miserable sinner. -It is being DELIVERED from that state!
What must happen is that deep repentance must come first - and
a breakthrough into a NEW STATE OF BEING - wherein we walk
in the grace and the love of God. That is the end of all true Revival
preaching. Robert does a great job talking about it below:
BRINGING BALANCE!!
-by Robert Wurtz.
Hell-fire preaching is a means of bringing a person face to face with their
estate; yet it is equally true that a revelation of the goodness of God, in
light of what a person knows to be their own rebellion can have a powerful
effect.
I think also that we are in danger at times of not rightly presenting the
grace and mercy of God. Ministers present God at times almost as if He is
standing with His hands on His hips looking down His nose at a sinner
begrudging the mercy and forgiveness. This is not how God forgives.
God shows mercy 'cheerfully' and welcomes sinners home with rejoicing.
One thing that I have realized is that folk will not long serve God out of
intimidation. An ongoing questioning of their salvation is not healthy and
I might argue it is demonic. Yes, let a man examine himself, but this is
not the same as a perpetual tightrope walk that leads to joylessness and
despair. It leads to hardness of heart.
A friend recently bought me a book of devotionals that were compiled
from Wesley's writings. I must say, it is the most discouraging devotional
I have ever held in my hands. Page after page of fear, uncertainty, and
doubt (F.U.D) undertones the work. Monday, "Are you holy enough?"
Tuesday, "Are you spotless in perfection?" and on and on and on. It is a
constant ploy to lead a person into a relationship with God by intimidation.
Constantly causing them to wonder if God really loves them or if they are
holy enough to make heaven. Away with it all.
I believe teaching Christian perfection apart from true reformation
justification is a most disastrous doctrine. Finney says it himself; "In
order
to rout sinners and backsliders from their self-justifying pleas and
refuges,
I have laid, and I doubt not that others also have laid, too much stress
upon the natural ability of sinners, to the neglect of showing them the
nature and extent of their dependence upon the grace of God and the
influence of His Spirit."
I have seen it in my short life. Many people who sincerely want to serve
the Lord live under a constant cloud of feeling they can't live it. I told
the story once of an old holiness lady I once knew in a nursing home
who did the "bun" hair-do and all. She said once to us, "I sure hope I
make it (to heaven that is)." The woman lost her mind and as far as
I know died in a caged hospital bed.
This is the finality of, "In order to rout sinners and backsliders from
their
self-justifying pleas and refuges, I have laid, and I doubt not that others
also have laid, too much stress upon the natural ability of sinners, to the
neglect of showing them the nature and extent of their dependence
upon the grace of God and the influence of His Spirit." This is what
happens when ministers feel the need to constantly cause people to
feel on egg-shells in order to manipulate them and control them into
living a life of perfection. It is a deadly doctrine and God will close
doors
to the preachers and withdraw the influence of His Spirit in the meetings.
It is a misrepresentation of the Gospel and the grace of God and character
of God. A healthy fear of the Lord is one thing, but a perpetual life of
fear and intimidation through the doctrine of salvation by sanctification
is totally unaccaptable. Folk need to serve God out of love.
"Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation" (Is
12:3).
~Robert Wurtz II
(Independence, MO, USA).
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