Question About Interacting With "Leaders"

12/22/2002

...most were so hard it was unbelievable. “I only read the Bible,” (which we know, of course, is an unBiblical claim since the BIBLE ITSELF says that the “treasure is in earthen vessels”—people—and, “How can they hear unless someONE tells them,” and that “apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers” are essential for being “no longer infants,” and “equipped for works of service,” and “the full knowledge of the Son of God”). Sometimes I feel like the booklets are just wasted and they only get into people’s hands who don’t want to risk giving up their positions. I’m not sure I understand the need to give material mainly to the “leaders” of religious buildings. If they’re REALLY not leaders why do it? I know there is something right about it, but I also wonder WHY? Why do we FOCUS on religious organizations, if they’re a man-breathed thing?

Believe me, “I feel your pain” as well. HOWEVER, Jesus, Paul, etc.... went “FIRST to the House of Israel.” Even “Judgment” begins there, God said. They deserve a CHANCE, and the effort is not wasted. It is always a sweet aroma to Father. Many guys in “leadership” (far from all) are actually just as dissatisfied with the contradictions and compromises all around them as you ever were. They got into that “position” because it is all they’ve ever known. That’s just “the best way to serve God”—at least that’s what they were told since they were very young. So, cultivate hope, even if, as the Master said, “FEW will be those who find it” amongst the “MANY” who will speak of their religion “on that Day” but “never knew Him.”

If JESUS wants you to “search for a needle in a haystack,” would you do it tirelessly, and without complaint, regardless of the abuse you may get along the way? And think of some of the “SOLID GOLD NEEDLES” that He has found and put in your life over the years, as well as Him finding YOU. Aren’t you glad HE (and those listening to Him) sat by that haystack and did the Work so long, with so little “reward”? It’s not about “results,” but rather about being Faithful. And, God, through Jesus, DID tear “the Kingdom from them, and give it to those who would bear its fruit.” Paul, too, erupted in disgust at those who SHOULD have known enough of their Bibles to be responsive with, “WELL THEN, enough of you. I’m going to the Gentiles.” Paul picked up and “dusted off his sandals” in a place and with certain people MANY times, as Jesus Commanded all of us.

So, it’s not that we DON’T go on to others, with a tear in our eyes (not mockery or bitterness), but we START with those who OUGHT to be searching for Reality amongst the ruins of what they had HOPED was God’s Truth. If they are too into comfort, and ego, and financial remuneration to CHANGE and to GROW, then we’ll HAVE to leave them behind and do what you have to do with the Lambs around them. They don’t “belong” to the “leaders,” but to GOD, and were purchased by the Lamb’s BLOOD. Everyone deserves their own chance to consider Truths of God. So, make it so. “As ambassadors, as if God were making His appeal through you all.” But, the HEART of Jesus is, “I don’t want to go In without everyone we can possibly bring.” We need to feel it the same for everyone we meet, as we do for our own young children. “As a hen gathers her chicks.” Though it will always be “Few” who find the REAL Jesus, and religion where men stay in control of their lives, and religion will always be more popular than “dying to the world and the world to them,” we still spend ourselves as He did to do what we can.

Love,