The refining process takes us deeper in God. In fact, what is taking place in this hour is deeper and presses us harder than at any time in our history. Why? Because the Lord is shedding off the old man to bring us into a new place in Him. The refining is birthing a new breed of believers who will walk in the fullness of Christ. We will have such an inflowing of Christ that when you come into contact with people, those who have that deep ache in them that cries out to know God, they will see that you are a child of God and they will come to you to find out how to know Him. It is a transformation of who we are into the person who reflects the Son of God.

Consider the false Unity Movement running rampant through our churches today. I can see how the deception has been allowed. Why? Because there is so much compromise in the Church. Compromise opens the door to deception. When a pastor becomes a stumbling block to his congregation, it is time for him to be removed. I say that with great fear and trepidation, knowing that it has a deep impact on the congregation. My heart aches for the churches consumed by this movement. God is looking for those who will lead, serve and reflect God, whether they are in the pulpit, on the side of the road, or by the river. Are they individuals who will emanate God to the people they have in their care? It is not supposed to be about money, a building, or programs. What God wants to know is, are you demonstrating the love of the living God to your congregation and living out a life of righteousness before them?

God is allowing this false movement in order to refine the church. He’s no longer going to permit pastors to be a stumbling block to their congregations. He is going to remove them and put someone in their place who will lead people to Him. He is the living God and if we are a stumbling block to others, He will remove us. This is not just for pastors; it is across the leadership in the Church.

Honestly, my cry is that I will not be a stumbling block to others, and I take that seriously, down to the littlest details. Some people place the little “testimony” bumper stickers on their cars to show that they belong to the Lord. They have a fish or a WWJD sticker and I do think some of them are pretty cute but the truth is, I cannot place one of those on my truck. I’ve always felt as though it’s so much pressure! What if I cut someone off by mistake one day and they see that sticker on my car and then decide that I’m a typical Christian who just cuts people off the road? What if I receive a phone call while I’m driving that brings really bad news, but they just see my anger or my tears and feel that is ungodly? I never want to put the name of Christ or the name of God in jeopardy. I am human and I am guaranteed to make a mistake. That 3-second interaction with me with zero context is all that person has, and I do not want to risk affecting them in a negative way.

The Lord is calling forth a new breed of believers, those will demonstrate the love of God, receive those who are weak in the faith, and refuse to stand in judgement of their brethren. Romans 14 instructs us to not stand in judgment of our brother. The words “judge/judgment” in verses 3, 10 and 14 mean, “to pick out by separating” and refer to “those who judge severely (unfairly) finding fault with this or that in others.” In Romans 14, verses 3 & 10, the word “despise” means “to count as nothing, to treat with utter contempt—as zero.” Let’s look a bit more at the history of why Paul was issuing this instruction.

In Rome, we had both Jews and Gentiles. History alone paves a path of conflict between them. The acceptance of Christ did not create an automatic unity among them. These are the chosen and the grafted vessels working to set aside the past, shed off the old, and enter a new walk in Christ. This is altogether different from anything they have previously experienced. With persecution so prevalent in this young church, many were forced into communities. Formerly, they lived rigidly separate lives, Jews and Gentiles, “the chosen” and “the heathen.” These two groups were like night and day; every part of their lives was different from the other down to the smallest detail. Every part, from what they ate and how they prepared what they ate, to cleansing rituals, worship, and on and on. One event brought them together—their acceptance of Jesus Christ as their Savior. That single event merged them into a community and now they shared everything. This provided plenty of opportunity for conflict, judgment, separation, finding fault, and so on.

Paul, in his letter to the Church of Rome, is working to bring unity among them that they might live in harmony. This is not a false unity like we’ve seen recently, but a Christ-centered unity, one without judgment, hatred, or despising one another. His encouragement is to refrain from diminishing who a person is, their background, their strengths or weaknesses. Why? Because in doing so, especially to one who is new in the faith, causes a stumbling block to them as they grow in Christ. Better a milestone be hung about our neck than for us to be a stumbling block to a new believer.

Consider the “Pillars of our Faith” (from Romans chapters 5-8) and the impact those four pillars are supposed to have upon our lives. Repentance, sanctification, justification, and reconciliation are supposed to penetrate our lives so deeply that it breaks off legalism, it breaks off the flesh, it breaks off the things that divide people! I am not talking about a unity movement, I am talking about things that cause us to separate ourselves, because the truth is, God wants to impart a level of truth and understanding of who He is into the Body of Christ because it will transform us!

To be continued next week…
Blessings & Love,
Ricci Wilson