So back to Todd Bentley again. I fear this subject may becoming way too important so I don't really want to talk about it too many times.
You see that's a really big problem with this. That it distracts us from what's really important about our faith. Whether its actually being involved in it or talking about it, it takes up time.
Yes, we need to look at it and have a response to it. That's important.
But lets not let it distract us from what matters most.
I've had more time to reflect on it all, and I've come to see that the point when analysing this is not to make judgements. Its not to be legalistic. Its not to say 'this is Biblical and this isn't'. Isn't that something many of us criticise others for? Yes it is.
So lets not be hypocrites and make judgements. It's difficult not to, I know this. But its the only right response.
I believe God heals people and that He can do that in any way He chooses, and historically He has done. People like Smith Wigglesworth for example. A man of God, but who had his own methods.
God is gracious and loving, and all-powerful. He heals us and can perform miracles by His spirit even today, I have no doubt of that.
Our response needs to be not one of judgement. We need to be open to whatever God wants to do and how He chooses to do it, and whoever He chooses to do it with or through.
The issue has never been the healing for me because I believe God does heal and these healings could well be of God, and there is plenty of evidence to suggest it is, and some to suggest it might not be.
I'm concerned with the Kingdom of God and how it grows and advances. I'm concerned about playing my part in building a church - that is, a community of believers. I'm concerned with discipleship. I'm concerned about showing and telling people who Jesus really is. I'm concerned with building a community that supports and serves each other and the community around it.
I'm not into the latest trend. I'm not going to change what I believe or how I interpret the Bible.
Of course, we all should be looking for new interpretations of the Bible, new meanings, new perspectives. Of course we need to be trying to discuss how we can apply the basic doctrines of our faith today, and what it means to be a Christian now. Of course we need to keep the message fresh and new, and live and speak it in a way that is culturally relevant.
But that doesn't mean changing everything to fit with the latest trend. Because contrary to some belief, God isn't only at these events.
Oh and lets get rid of one misconception here. People calling this a revival.
No it isn't.
No, its really not.
Its not revival, because revival for me is when a large number of people come to faith in Christ, not just when lots of people are healed. So anyone calling it a revival is misguided.
Call it what it is. A mass outpouring of healing. Possibly an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
But I have said it before and I will say it again.
Jesus
is
so
much
more
than
healing.
If this is Him at work through Todd Bentley then fine. Give Him the glory and worship Him for it.
If it isn't I pray that it is exposed as such and God brings it down.
We all should be praying for that.
We should be praying that if it is God, to work through it, and if it isn't, that He shows it up for what it is, and brings it to a halt.
We need to trust God to do that. He knows what He's doing. He's in control. We need to believe that and trust Him.
If it is God, then lets praise God for healing all those people. If it is God then He deserves the honour, praise and glory. If it is God, then its a very good thing.
But that brings me back to the point.
That this isn't the point.
That's its a sideshow.
Its not the major event or major work.
The real major ongoing work of God, what I believe is more important to Him, is building the Kingdom here.
Now.
Today.
Where we are.
The real work is us trying to live by Jesus values and standards each and every day, trying to become more like Him. Trying to stand for the values and truths He did and to grow in relationship with Him.
If God wants to heal, then let Him do so and praise and worship Him for it.
But lets not allow it to distract us from the root of our faith. If it does that, then that's a very bad thing.
If it does that, then either its not of God, or people have allowed themselves to be distracted and sucked in by a big stage show.
That's just consumer Christianity, a God who gives us what we want when we want or when we need it. In our time, on our agenda.
That's not God either.
So instead of putting all the focus on this, lets pray that God works through it and is at work in it. Lets thank God for healing people if it is Him, and give Him the glory He deserves.
Then lets back to the daily business of trying to live like Jesus and having a relationship with Him.
Trust God to deal with Todd Bentley, because for sure one day Todd Bentley will have to account to God for what He's doing, whether it is God or not.
Trust God and pray for His kingdom to come. That's the priority.
