7. Righteousness is forced to hold aloof. This precious virtue of godliness has been reduced into insignificance. We find a Church out there who aspires to rulership. But the House of God is called to bring peace and righteousness to the scene by meekness and a humble heart. Righteousness is forced to hold aloof by our firm inclination to lordship. We hold on to our personal thrones claiming Gods righteousness and thereby losing every possibility to bear witness to grace and justice.
_________________Lars Widerberg
8. Truth has no foothold in the assemblies. Our churches are taken in by the folly of fantasy. God speaks blessings in abundance, they say, to a Church whose focus is personal and collective affluence. Gods face reflects astonishment. No one, no man, moves in to intervene, to intercede, to speak up, to bring firm rebuke. The Fathers house is a fellowship in which every part is engaged in an outpouring of the Fathers love, agape love, a love that never keeps anything to himself.
8. Truth has no footing in the assemblies. Our churches are taken in by the folly of fantasy. God speaks blessings in abundance, they say, to a Church whose focus is personal and collective affluence. Gods face reflects astonishment. No one, no man, moves in to intervene, to intercede, to speak up, to bring firm rebuke. The Fathers house is a fellowship in which every part is engaged in an outpouring of the Fathers love, agape love, a love that never keeps anything to himself.
9. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of grace and supplication, Zech 12:10. He is also the Spirit of power, love and discipline, 2 Tim 1:7. His power overrules timidity. It is present within to help keep on keeping on. It is present within to bring encouragement when you feel like giving in. He is ever present to teach the love that never keeps anything to itself. He is ever present to teach Christ to our hearts. He is present within to establish sound judgment and moderation - discipline. His discipline puts an end to the folly of fantasy. It puts an end to vanity and the craving for affluence. His discipline turns our hearts to see the needs of the poor and afflicted in every region of our world, but it also makes us able to stay focused on the special areas which we are called to give ourselves to.
10. Prayer mobilises grace. Prayer is grace mobilised. Intercession is truth and moderation restored. Our hunger for righteousness is firm, prevailing prayer. God has ears. God wants a praying Church. God has eyes. The Father watches every society with eyes full of tender love, compassion and piercing righteousness that he may find and strongly support those whose heart is completely his, 2 Chron 16:9. God has prepared a covenant which rules the activity of the intercessor for the sake of a testimony to his capacity as redeemer. Intercession is costly in the eyes of the Lord. Intercession prepares for Gods intervention. Intercession spells intervention. May he find intercessors who are willing to engage in the affairs of the Household of God. END