On the same side of a struggle

Reminded this morning of several things...when I read an excerpt from the book: The Sevenfold power of First-Century Churches and Homes by Bill Gothard.

"Fellowship takes place when two or more people are on the same side of a struggle."

Light and truth cannot coexist with darkness and lies. The struggle has always been the same...and cultures and civilizations...prosper or decay...based on their reaction to the unseen line drawn by their Creator. Few men/women have managed to walk the "tight rope" of God's commandments indefinitely...Sooner or later...all fall on one side or the other of obedience!

The garden of Eden proves that men/women do not redefine reality...they merely conform to God's standard of life or death. Obedience results in life and disobedience results in death. The garden of Ghetsemane revealed the total inability and inadequacy of man to redeem himself...after he crossed the line into darkness and deceit. Christ remains the only lifeline thrown to sinners in any culture...however refined or depraved they may be! Christ came to seek and to save lost men and women...wherever they are found...regardless of the culture/subculture they are immersed in!

Christ was offended by the culture of the Pharisees...not because He expected all to receive the truth and obey it...but because they had the "key of knowledge" and they would not enter in themselves nor allow others to enter in.

This is why I am deeply offended with this current American "culture" and with the current state of affairs in the church! There are few places in the world where religious freedom is allowed...but it seems that even in such a nation as ours...we pay lip service to the Word...to Christ and the liberty He came to proclaim for sinners!

If God has an agenda....to save sinners in the liberal and homosexual "culture"...He will have to do that Himself. Here and there, He will use Christians as clay to place on the eyes of hardened sinners and under the influence of the Holy Spirit...He will draw men and women to Himself...who will in turn reach out to others in their former circle of acquaintances/friends with the truth of the gospel that saved and set them free!

It is important that we are on the same side of the struggle...as the Almighty/Holy One of Israel! Some verses stand out regarding the sovereignty of God and His ability to save/sanctify those whom He calls to Himself:

"I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you; therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life...indeed...there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?" (Is. 43:3,4,13)

"Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, have fellowship with You?" (Ps. 94:20)

"That I may know Him, and the power of His ressurection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto his death." (Phil. 3:10)

It remains a sad reality that we as Christians who profess to have experienced the love and forgiveness of our Christ...cannot turn around and offer it to others!

Pulling others from the "culture" of sin,deception, bondage...remains the task of those who are willing to be made clay in the hands of the Savior...and whose hearts are being broken slowly but surely...with the realization that were it not for the love of God poured in the heart by the Holy Spirit...we would never love, never go to others who are so different from us, never pull anyone from the fire that ultimately sorches the mind, will and emotions of any and all who disregard Christ.

For those who engage sinners in any culture...the promise of God...the cost ...the ultimate reward!

"But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever." (Jude )