This is rather random musing, but I just decided to share.
As I grow older, I realise it’s ridiculous, foolish even, to criticize certain denominations or doctrines because we don’t need them yet, or we have outgrown them, or we feel – at the level we currently are – they are extreme.
Let me explain.
I grew up attending a well-known church whose major doctrine was holiness: righteousness, sanctification, abstinence from sin, living a holy life – down to our physical appearance.
Then, I was introduced to Word of Faith teachings – and my mind was blown. I had never heard anything like that before. I remember binging nonstop on faith messages. I learned standing on God’s Word, my reality in Christ, living by faith in God and His Word, and getting results through the Word.
Around that same period, God led me to a denomination whose spiritual exercises were “insane” – or so I thought, at the time. Before then, my highest fasting time was till 12pm. These guys had months they fasted everyday till 6pm. Sometimes, they had 100 days fast at a stretch, breaking at 6pm each day! We would have prayer night vigils for days at a time.
It was gruelling, but that was where I built my spiritual muscles, until those exercises became like eating candy.
Then I started praying certain warfare prayers. Prior to that time, I’d spiritually stuck up my nose at those type of prayers. Because of my background, “Love your enemies and pray for those who despitefully use you” was my mantra…until I began to face certain situations and circumstances, and I learnt that aspect of warfare. (There are many aspects.)
After that, I got involved in a denomination that leaned heavily towards Kingdom service and impact, souls and missions.
(Note, not all were churches. Some were non-denominations, or phases.)
Looking back, I realise exactly why God brought me through that route:
If I had remained in the first church, I would have been living a holy life, but I might not have known what it meant to walk in faith, know certain realities, or get incredible results from the Word alone.
Now, while I consider the Word of Faith to be (one of) the greatest teaching of the Body (yup!), my foundation from the holiness church gave me a balance that helped with certain excesses and laxities we see in the Body today – especially with the Faith (and Grace) movements.
Still, faith and holiness are not enough. For higher dimensions and greater impact, you need to stretch and build spiritual capacity through certain exercises.
Do we see what’s happening here? God is building you – His house, His army – one brick at a time. Line upon line. Precept upon precept. A little here. A little there…
…and because we will continue to be built until Jesus comes, you don’t know if your next brick might be one you currently despise – or think is unnecessary.
I listened to a minister very sternly rebuke young “Faith” ministers who mocked “Fire-prayer” denominations and teachings. He actually told them to “Shut up!” Now, he is also a young, well-known Word of Faith preacher who strongly teaches the New Creation realities – but he said God took him through a very long season, years even, of praying those intense “fire” prayers because of his family background.
He told how he prayed so much, so loudly, and so intensely, that the security guards in his estate would beg him to quit disturbing his neighbours. They didn’t know what he was going through or what God was doing during that period. As the pioneer Christian from a deeply occultic family, he alone knew the intense battles he was facing from demonic beings and occultic humans that didn’t want him to go free. He stayed in that “fire-prayer” phase until he broke through severe generational bondages and lineages of strong satanic strongholds.
Why am I writing this? I’m not very sure, honestly. I was just pondering a few days ago and realized that our journey with God has no end, and until we see Him face-to-face, we will continue to be built by Him…
…which means, since we cannot exactly foretell the path He might lead us through, our building materials might sometimes be unpredictable…
…which also means, spiritual activities or biblical doctrines you think are excessive or unnecessary today, might be in your blueprint tomorrow. Who knows?
Thankfully, many denominations now possess many of the necessary bricks for building God’s people, including the first holiness church I mentioned. 🙂
Bottom line: Just remain humble. Walk in love with the brethren – even if you don’t agree with certain doctrines today. But more than anything, be open to the Holy Spirit’s leading.
May we all be glorious edifices the Master is pleased to dwell in. Amen.
(Blessed? Kindly share.❤️)
If you want to give your life to Christ, just say with your lips, “Lord Jesus. I am sorry for all my sins. Come into my heart, forgive me and cleanse me with your Blood. I believe You died and rose again, and I accept You as my Lord and Savior. Amen.” You are welcome to the family!🤗 Drop a note, and we will be glad to reach out!
(Do you have a prayer request? Send it in. We will DEFINITELY be praying. Testimonies? Questions/Topics you want discussed? Suggestions on the blog? Drop a note. All private and anonymous. We will share only if requested.)
Debby Osa 