Page 60 - In His Image

der the influence of the Holy Spirit, we should see results. That is not a profound
thought. Where are the results in lieu of the points made above? Are we TRULY
fulfilling the Great Commission?

Sounds like sour grapes to me Pastor, some of you may be saying. I do apologize if
that's what you're hearing, but that is not my heart. The Word of God in John 8:31
states...
"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My
disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’"
The word "abide" in the 31 verse translates as "continue, not to depart from,
st
endure in, survive in, to continue to be present in." If we do not depart from God's
word (not only receiving it, but doing it as well) we shall know the truth and the
truth shall make us free. Conversely, departure from His word no longer guarantees
us truth. If we are not making disciples (God's way) we are not abiding in His word,
thus we are not in His truth. In the absence of truth, deception reigns. There are
no half-truths!

Remember that the message of scripture is to take the life changing word of God to
the "world." Keeping this in mind let me share a true story with you.

Not long ago a friend sent me an e-mail. This friend is a man of God who loves our
Savior and serves as a worship leader in a local church. My friend happens to be a
big "fan" of a rather prominent, nationally known pastor who is extremely well
thought of by many in the body of Christ. This pastor had written a letter, which
my friend forwarded to me. Here is a quote from that letter...

"I am convinced that the church at this time is stronger than at any time in its
history, and is growing dramatically stronger each year."

A VERY powerful comment on the body of Christ. He placed no qualifiers on this
statement of any sort, nor did he explain whether it was made based on churches he
had visited or ministered in personally. It is broad, it is all encompassing and it was
read by tens of thousands of believers. I can't question what was on the man's
heart, but I certainly can comment on what he wrote and the affect it may have on
those who read it. I also recognize and admit his statement begins with “I am
convinced..." This is HIS personal opinion. But teachers must be held accountable
for their words, that is a biblical mandate.

In His Image 51