Thoughts
on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 197
Michael’s book is
available through:
Abiding Life Ministries
International
Littleton, Colorado
Notice: this email is part of a
BLOG, called Living Life With a Capital “C”. Why a
blog? So that many can receive these thoughts
in an easy manner.
Anyone
who knows Michael Wells is well versed in his freedom from legalism. He gives us an interesting perspective in
this writing that very few Christians ever enjoy.
Day 14
Are You In or Out With the Legalists?
Seeing that His divine power has granted to
us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of
Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. –
II Peter 1:3
It is interesting to watch the
legalists drawing a person in but never really letting him in. He is
manipulated to join, manipulated while working to remain, and yet never quite
led to believe he is acceptable. If he complains, he is accused of being in
rebellion and bringing dishonor to the Lord. He is finally put out, for the
task of a legalist is to continue to make laws until he finds one that a person
cannot keep. The rejected person is left depleted, spiritually abused,
confused, lost, and wondering if he even has a faith. Such is the case for many
who suffer under very legalistic pastors. Exclusiveness is encouraged in
legalistic churches where there is the need of something to work for other than
the revelation of Jesus within the believer. Pastors in such circles need to be
needed. I am reminded of the opposite of this as demonstrated in Sundar Singh, who refused to pray for
people and made them stand and pray themselves. Why? He was adamant about the
point that there is one mediator between God and man: Jesus Christ.
Nearly every time I meet a person who has come into some kind of personal
relationship with Jesus, he says that he has been persecuted in some way by a
legalistic pastor. One couple wept telling about how they met Jesus but are not
allowed to partake of communion so long as they do not agree that the only
person who can administer communion is the pastor and that the pastor is God's
voice. They questioned where that was in the Bible, and that put them in even
worse standing with the pastor. As believers we can be happy that Jesus is alive and ultimately is our
Pastor!
Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point Green
– IT, Incredible Truth
Red – GP, Greatest Promises
Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches Pink
– PV, Priceless Victory
Is it any wonder Christianity is divided on everything from salvation to
security, the Christian life to Life as a Christian, politics to prosperity,
grind to grace, manipulation to manifestation…and the list goes on and on. Of course, it can never end when man ignores
the Word of God and magnifies his own thoughts and desires.
Michael Wells always fights for the simple relationship in Christ. Sundar Singh has also. How has man moved away from that?
I cannot imagine how it is that many Christians can read the first line
of today’s text verse and walk away thinking Church has what God just told us
He has already given us. I guess it is
just simple unbelief.
Oh, did you ever check to see what the Greek word for shepherd is? poimen. Same word for pastor. Get the
connection? The Lord is my
shepherd. The Lord is my pastor. Well, amen!
To access ALL past weekly
blogs, go to Living Life With a Capital
“C” by logging onto www.leemccm.blogspot.com
NOTICE: another blog on
Michael Wells’ book, Sidetracked In The Wilderness, called Getting Out of the
Wilderness. You can access by logging onto
www.leemcchristianministries.blogspot.com
Lee McDowell Christian Ministries
P.O. Box 633244 Nacogdoches, TX 75963 936-559-5696
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