God's Promise Fulfilled

Thursday morning, January 10, 2008

This is what Jesus said (among other things) about His church: “. . . I will build My church and the gates of Hades (Hell) shall not overpower it” (Matthew 16:18b). Soon (very soon) after making this declaration, He told His disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ (vs. 20, in case you don’t believe me!). Please allow my paraphrase: “I and I alone will be responsible for building My church and nothing will stop me or hinder me, not even the gates of Hell, but don’t tell anyone who I am or what I am about; let’s keep this a secret.”

Funny how none of the politicians, be they Democratic or Republican, are taking this approach today. Oh, to be sure, each of them is making it clear that he (or she) will rebuild America and do it in such a way that no one, not even the radical Muslims (the gates of hell), will be able to overtake her; HOWEVER, none of them has said, even implied, “Let’s keep this a secret!” Each of them is spending more money, than most of us can even imagine, for the sole purpose of letting everyone know who they are (the best candidate by far) and what they are about (being America’s “messiah”!). To be sure, His ways are NOT our ways—period.

Regardless of the promises any of the presidential candidates might make (raise taxes, cut taxes, secure the borders, open the borders, quit the war, bring the troops home, stay the course, end the IRS, implement the Fair Tax, begin universal health care [God forbid!], decrease crime or increase crime) they will NOT keep them—not a single one of them—and they will not because it is not within their power to keep them. The fact is this: everything these politicians are saying is mere rhetoric (the ability to use language effectively, especially to persuade or influence people; fine-sounding but insincere or empty language) and, amazingly, many American really place their hope in the foolish rhetoric of these demigods.

Then there is Jesus and His, “Let’s keep this a secret!” mentality. Basically, this is what He said (my paraphrase): I am the Christ, the Son of God and I will build My church and I will build it without anyone’s help and I will do it in such a manner that nothing, not even the Gates of Hell will be able to overpower it—THIS IS MY PROMISE TO YOU—but do not tell anyone because I do not want to be bothered with unsolicited help, nor do I want there to be any question, as to who built the church, or as to who sustains her! Now, listen up: Jesus never makes a promise that He will not keep—period.

Many years ago, God promised me that He would allow me to see the true church, the one He built and sustains (I remember right where I was when He spoke to me!) but to be honest, although I remember the moment very clearly, I had almost lost hope, as to ever seeing it.

Last night the GCF group met to begin thinking about how we might best do the unthinkable—LET THE SECRET OUT that Jesus doesn’t need any help, and, thereby, make others aware of what we enjoy, as a part of the Body of Christ—no frills, no programs, no financial drives, no pressures—just church in it purest and simplest form. We gather on Sunday mornings for fellowship, for worship, for the preached/taught Word, and for the sacraments.

It took me until this morning to realize what I saw last night; finally, after all of these years (almost 30), God let me see the true church and He let me see it in action! Yes, I know that the true church exists across the entire world but, as He promised, He let me see it and see it in all its glory last night, as He manifested it in a small group of believers, who were sincerely seeking Him. I am humbled and encouraged, beyond anything mere words might communicate.