Fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (NASB)
We have only recently begun to learn that spiritual gifts are not synonymous with favor or blessing. We have had to acknowledge that gifts of power are not signs of approval. Where once we may have exclaimed, “But God, look at all the miraculous healings and supernatural signs that accompany this ministry” we now realize – NO ONE is exempt. Where we have justified wrongdoing because of prophetic anointing or mass appeal, we have been humbled. We are learning that NO ONE is exempt from examination and testing. No gift or provision will ever compensate for a compromised heart and no earthly reputation will ever atone for unconfessed sin or evil deeds done in the darkness.
On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Matthew 7:22 (ESV)
God is serious about His standard and the fires of purification have been lit…and are spreading. The resolve of His response in this unprecedented time of exposure is refuting all our claims.
“But God, look at the years of impact and influence in the Body of Christ!”
NO ONE is exempt.
“But God, look at the fruit of their message and the increase of souls for the Kingdom!”
NO ONE is exempt.
“But God, what about all the good they have done…..”
NO ONE…
The ongoing revelations of sin in the camp will continue. The unsettling news of favored ministers found lacking and fruitful ministries found corrupt, will continue. This is what the fear of the Lord looks like. The purifying fires of His Spirit are accomplishing the very work we have been praying for – fasting for.
It is the fire of His holiness that is burning through any and every work of man that is of the flesh and not of the Spirit. These fires show no favoritism or partiality and will be thorough and complete. That which is required to hold and steward the coming outpouring of His glory must be proven. Only those vessels who have stood faithful to His righteous standard will have the proper capacity to champion the coming days of Glory and Power.
But lest we think these fires will only sweep over pulpits and platforms, know that these same fires are going to the pews. For the compromise and sin being uncovered are not limited to deeds of darkness and immoral acts among leaders. That which is being examined and tested ultimately goes to the heart of every soul. It is the condition of the heart which is being probed and purged. It is the thoughts and meditations behind every hidden motivation that must be tested. It is the entire House that is being sanctified and prepared for what is to come.
Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.
1 Corinthians 3:12-13 (NKJV)
We must guard our hearts in response to these fires. We cannot allow pain from the past or bitterness against man to defile the process. Where the enemy seeks to burn and destroy, God’s fire brings redemption and freedom. Where the enemy seeks to nullify our authority and defame His Bride, God looks to transform His House into a holy priesthood with unmatched authority.
As we walk through the fires, may we remember the purpose for which they are sent. They are not unto punishment but unto life. They are not unto vindication, but unto a people who have passed through the fires and come through as gold.
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