PLEASE DONT EDIT OR DISCREDIT Solidarity in Evangelizing and Convincing the World Carpe Diem!

It means, seize the moment! As the moments are ticking away, so are the opportunities to reach a hurting world with the love of the Lord Jesus. One of the saddest scourges affecting the Church is the open criticism and factitious efforts leveled against Believers who have been given national or global prominence in order to spread the Gospel and help people. I think, specifically, of a book written a few years ago based on biblical principles that gained great success crossing over into and becoming popular with the secular world (there was more than one that gained global success). Personally, I was thrilled to think that multiplied thousands of people who would not otherwise consider God were taking a closer look at God, their faith, etc., all because of this book. What happened next should not have happened. It wasnt long before the Church world began to speak up and pick the book apart criticizing its content and discrediting its validity. On the one hand, you had the un-churched world finding reason to have hope and reconsider God and the designs He held upon their life. Their spiritual mind was being stirred and moving in the direction of faith to such a degree that I would just about consider the scope and influence becoming close to being an awakening. On the other hand, we saw some in the Church rising up, crying foul and laboring to warn others against and discredit the work. For me, my heart was thrilled each and every time I would see God being embraced by the secular world through efforts of His servants whether it was an author, pastor or celebrity. Unfortunately, it becomes disgusting when the Pharisee-like Christians started coming out of the woodwork to cry foul because they did not agree in part or in totality with the doctrine or philosophy associated with the author, book, etc. JEALOUS AT THE LEVEL OF SUCCESS What I believe happens a lot of times is that deep down, the criticizers who cry out are actually spurred on by jealousy, jealous of the author or the books success and scope of impact their work or celebrity is having upon the multitudes. Many years ago I learned a valuable lesson that applies here. It is that until I am in the same arena of success or favor of God as someone else, 1

I have no platform to speak or critique until I have reached that same arena and become that much of an influence on multitudes as the one whom God has promoted and elevated. There are those occasions where someone in the Church reaches a level of success and visibility that unimaginable doors of opportunity are opened that put them in contact with or relationship with people of global importance, people who could affect entire cities or nations. Many who can be impacted for eternity are people who will never darken the door of our Church and are thus far from our reach but can be reached by someone whom God has given a national or global platform. In Acts 26, we see where Paul has made his way to having an audience with King Agrippa. Paul defends his faith and King Agrippa tells Paul, as recorded in verse 28, that Paul has almost persuaded him to become a Christian. If you would, the Gospel had made its way to a King where he heard and considered. Imagine the impact the salvation of a King would have on a nation, on history! GODS PUBLIC RELATIONS Every one of us are to be public relation instruments for God. We create an image of God in the minds of the people we influence through what we believe, what we say and how we live. In short, if someone likes us they could get to where they like or are at least become open to our God. We will either be a bridge to God or a wall between God and man depending on our strategy of life and eternity. If God raises up an author, a book, a celebrity who represents Him on a global scale, that person can be a bridge to God for multiplied millions of people. To say or do something that hinders or kills that persons influence is a terrible proposition because they could be the last or the only lifeline millions will have in finding and making their way to God. HOW WRONG IS WRONG I have to ask one question. How wrong does the content have to be for it to genuinely be a wrong doctrine or philosophy making it dangerous and damaging to the faith of a seeking world? How much error has to be present in order for someone to be compelled to speak up and mark a book or an author as heretical in order to discredit the impact they are having upon unsuspecting hearts and minds? SILLY CHRISTIANS We silly Christians take up too many wrong causes and implement 2

strategies that are also silly. Let me explain. Up until one point, it was quite amusing. I would regularly receive an impassioned e-mail from an on-fire Christian alerting us to some terrible injustice or issue that demanded and begged for an immediate reaction and response from every sincere and caring defender of the faith. The only thing is that way more often than not, the threat, injustice or report was bogus holding no substance of truth or fact whatsoever. So, an army of sincere defenders of the faith would rise up and alert their email list about whatever the case may be in an effort to rally the troops to fend off this perceived attack, etc. I cannot tell you the amount of such reports that I have taken the time to research and found them to have no validity whatsoever. But, the Christians felt good because they were warring in a campaign meant to correct or avert something considered hostile to the Kingdom. That is exactly what has happened during times of war throughout the centuries. I just watched the movie The Great Escape again last night. A true story, it is about allied Prisoners of War who broke out of a POW Camp during World War II. The idea was not their freedom, but an escape was meant to draw as many of the enemy soldiers and resources away from the battle as possible, thus weakening the enemys might, etc. The POWs were to create a distraction. That is exactly what the believers get caught up in repeatedly. We listen to or engage in some kind of a criticism or noble denunciation of someone who is doing something that good Christians wouldnt do and pour valuable energy and resources into a battle that really isnt a battle or is something that we could or should surrender to God for His disposition of the same. I HAVE A DREAM I have a dream. I pray and dream for a day and a time where the Church really does come together into a solidarity centered on preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so passionate and focused that we give no time or occasion to critiquing or policing but given wholly to soul winning. I have a dream where the Church matures and comes to a point and place where that even though we might not agree 100% with an author, book, pastor or ministry we lift up the positive and good being done by the same and labor to help secure and keep their image and reputation intact for the sake of the Kingdom of God. 3

I think that since all of the data and statistics tells us that the Church in America is in sharp decline (except for 2 movements, one of which I belong) it would be treasonous to hinder anyone who is finding success outside the walls of the Church in reaching mankind for Christ. They may not be on my team or from my base but if they are making God look good and are helping to turn mankinds thoughts toward God or salvation, then I am for them and they are for me. I consider their success my success because we are all laboring for the same thing the preaching of the Gospel and the reaping of the ripe harvest. The harvest (souls to be saved) is greater than the ability or the number of those who are to reap the harvest. Therefore, God either has to raise up more reapers or especially grace and favor those who are reaping the harvest to reach multitudes. Either way, it is a terrible and treasonous thing to hamper or hinder the labor and influence of any who are getting the job done. JESUS PERSPECTIVE Jesus put it in a perfect perspective for His disciples as recorded in Mark 9: 38-40. 38 Teacher, said John, we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us. 39 Do not stop him, Jesus said. For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us. There it is! A principle of the Kingdom of God because any and every kingdom divided against itself will not stand. Therefore, it is essential the Church follows Jesus perspective making certain we do not stop or hinder anyone in their work of the Kingdom. Yes, I too have a dream. Share it with me. ________________________________________________________________________
Bishop Freddie Steel LIFE Church of Chicagoland www.LifeInChicago.org - RevFTS@USA.net