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If I truly believe that the cleansing and correction happening in the Body of Christ is of God, than I must make peace with the process.
“So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!”
I have wrestled with my own questions and misgivings about this season of exposure in the Church. I haven’t always agreed with the means and methods of the reporting, nor have I wanted to support all the claims. Some have accused me of not taking a stronger stand. Others have said I’m too critical. The prophet in me wants to call for justice and accountability, regardless of who is involved. The pastor in me grieves the loss of credibility among church leaders and the toll it is taking on the collective. I am committed to following biblical protocols that are free of partiality, but I also seek to have God’s heart that is both merciful and just. As one with a measure of influence, I want to do my part.
But I also don’t want to get in the way…
I was reminded of a word I received last year concerning this process. “Get your hand off the cart” was an admonition to stop trying to help God (2 Samuel 6:5-11). I went back to this story where Uzzah put his hand on the ark of God’s Presence to keep it from falling off the cart. He was struck dead on the spot. At first reading, this seems a cruel and heartless punishment to someone with good intentions. And yet, God was sending a message.
In revisiting this passage, I found a bigger back story that illustrates a needed lesson in our current season. Regardless of Uzzah’s intentions, he disregarded God’s previous instruction to “not touch the holy things” (Numbers 4:15). He may have thought he was doing something noble, but God had already determined the rules of engagement, and Uzzah broke them. But that wasn’t the worst part. The greater sin in all of this was the fact the ark was being carried on a cart. This entire procession was already in violation of Mosaic law before this incident even occurred!
God had already made it clear that the ark of His Presence could only be carried on the shoulders of Levites – those who had set themselves apart and sanctified their lives unto holiness (1 Chronicles 15:2). There was a standard of righteousness that God required for those who carried His Presence, and it was established from the very beginning. But the people didn’t listen. This new cart they made didn’t require the same sacrifice and personal preparation. Perhaps they thought it was a creative improvement on God’s idea. Or maybe they preferred more control in parading around their own man-made platform. But regardless of their seeming cleverness, they had already violated God’s commands before Uzzah even entered the picture.
And this is where a parallel exists with our current timeline of correction.
There are some “Uzzah’s” being struck down who may seem innocent due to their good intentions and noble causes. And yet, there have been violations to God’s laws. Regardless of the “good” being accomplished in many of the ministries being exposed, there are larger sin issues that must be addressed. Any fleshly attempts to “protect God’s anointing” can no longer be allowed. And as shocked and saddened as we are by some of these leaders who are falling, our greater concern should be the collective standards we’ve already violated. The individuals being affected are not the entire story. God is wanting us to learn a much larger lesson.
God’s presence is still very real and very powerful. No longer contained in a crafted box, it is we, the people of God, who have been called as a holy priesthood to carry His Presence to a lost generation. And those who lead us must be set apart in holiness and righteousness. But in our zeal to make things happen, we have compromised the requirements. We have inadvertently crafted our own carts of convenience. Platforms that celebrate persona and performance. Ministries and movements based more on questionable doctrines and personal preferences than scriptural integrity. We have traded the hard work of sanctification for a quest to streamline, even monetize, a message. Perhaps our motives were noble at first, but God is stopping us in our tracks.
As much as there needs to be greater accountability for those who lead in God’s House, there must also be a corporate reckoning for what we’ve allowed. The sins we’ve tolerated. This isn’t about defending someone’s intentions. And it’s not about finetuning the art of exposure. It’s about a collective compromise that must be corrected. We are not only dealing with individual sins, but sins and errors across the entire Church that must be repented of and changed.
I am not suggesting that every leader is in the same category of wrongdoing. Nor am I saying there shouldn’t be proper accountability for those who expose these sins. I’m simply recognizing the larger work that God is doing – the work that must be done. And perhaps a caution in our desire to “help” Him. The process is not without its problems. And every one of us will have to account for how we’ve engaged in the conversations. But I think the instruction in the book of Acts is still relevant.
None of us have control in this season of correction. We may not like or agree with how everything is transpiring, but we can rest in the fact that whatever is of man will ultimately fail – even backfire. But that which is of God will happen, regardless of our input. More importantly, we cannot afford to think we are “helping” Him, when in fact we may be opposing Him. He is not doing this out of spite or anger. God disciplines those He loves.
Thus, even as I pray for proper leadership accountability and cleansing in the Church, I am considering my own complicity. Maybe it will be in our collective reflection and repentance that lasting transformation can come. And God can fulfill His purpose in purifying His people.
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10 Responses
I have read your article and agree. By accepting that ‘reformation’ is not just about removing bad leaders, but about transforming a culture that allowed them to stay, we accept the difficult work of creating a community that no longer harbors abuse.
Bravo!! These are the exact scriptures that have been coming to my heart of late. Thank you Wanda for allowing Him to show you the deep things of Him and then so eloquently relaying them to us! Thank you!
Your wisdom is very helpful to go through this. Thank you so much!
Thank you, Wanda! God is cleansing His Church and we are His Church.
I agree with you Wanda. The fear of the LORD should be welcomed and heeded as He is leading us to truly know Him and His ways. He is a good Father to us Who is working to conform us into His image. Our hearts are being re-aligned to His so that we will in turn be a true expression of His heart to others, demonstrated in greater power and authority. Each one of us should be asking, “Lord, is it me that betrays You in my heart and deeds?” I believe God is answering our prayers for the release of the fear of the LORD and repentance. Then we will receive His refreshing. For now, it’s the threshing floor. Lord, have Your way in each of us and be glorified in Jesus’ name and for His glory!
This resonates with me. I’ve been praying for some things for many years and I thought certain things were about to happen. Previously I have stepped back and waited when this happened but this time I feel like I stepped back in to “help God”. I realize now that my desire for this to happen was coming more from the fleshly desire and not God moving. This was a confirmation to stand back and let God do his perfect work. I believe he is doing this in the churches and our leadership as well. Now, back to trusting Him in the process.
For some time I have sensed the need for the return of the Fear of The Lord to be brought back to the Body of Christ. There is no compromise in His Word, and as hard as that can seem to be, there is safety in the boundaries that are set for us so that the true nature of Our Father can be revealed in and through us to a lost and dying world. 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by my Name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land. Thank you Jesus!!
We cannot believe we’re helping people without doing this kind of honest introspection. We work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, not another’s.
The resonance on this is deep. I have recently come to the understanding that the sacrificial system was not so much for sin management, but more for enabling holiness. Something had to die to atone for the sin, so we could be close to God. My own studies are seeing the cost of approaching the most holy place without consecration. The sons of Aaron were smitten with fire for “playing” with the incense. When the glory fell on the tabernacle and the temple, the servants had to leave. Uzziah the king of Judah was stricken with leprosy for doing the work of a priest (Chronicles 26:16–21). Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead for lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5).
In this day, Father is calling us closer, but we must consider, do we have clean hands? Do we have pure hearts? If I am to carry the Glory of GOD, then I need to have my vessel prepared!
Thank God for these truths!
Yes, this certainly resonates with me as well. Do I have clean hands? Do I have a pure heart? If I am asking myself the questions than very likely I already now the answer. I have work yet to do.
Thank you for the invite.