Making people feel hopeless is not the prophetic anointing in either Old or New Covenants. God’s rebuke always contains hope for a different future for those who respond to God’s outstretched call to return.
~ Stephen Crosby in Healing: Hope or Hype?
As many Christians are becoming more vocal about the shortcomings of the institutional church, it is important that those voices also carry a constructive element as well. If we become too stuck on seeing shortcomings and faults (which everyone has, no matter how correct one’s theology is), it is easy to become entangled in bitterness and tearing others down.
This is a dangerous place to be and is not the heart of God.
Only correcting someone does not provide them with a reason to change. It is the hope beyond, the hope of something better that causes people to change and embrace a different paradigm.
And what is this hope?
It is not a system, a set of beliefs, or allegiance to a denomination, movement, or celebrity personality.
Our hope is simply Christ in us.
God decided to let his people know this rich and glorious secret which he has for all people. This secret is Christ himself, who is in you. He is our only hope for glory. (Colossians 1:27)
May we also remember that the spirit of prophecy is to reveal Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:10).
The Lord and His body reveal both deviations from Christ, but also the path toward Him.
Build hope, and…
Follow the Life!
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Amen Mark. Thank you for that reminder. We are called to speak life although it doesn’t always come with easy to hear words but if received contain hope. Christ in you the hope of glory.
Loving the truth you are sharing Mark.