For God So Loved The Entire World

"Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save it. This remains His heart for people."

THE CHURCH went from having no voice, offering no opinion on national affairs and secular society, past labeling men’s sins, to wielding the sword of the Spirit at anything that moves. I’m always struck by a revelation Minister Lance Wallnau spoke. When in a time of prayer, he tells that the Holy Spirit said to him, in the words of Jesus, “My word is ‘Go ye’ into the world and not ‘Come ye’ into the church.” For too long we have dragged people inside the building and ignored them in public view. You’ve heard me speak on the prayers I have for people I meet at the local grocery stores. I had another such encounter today. A lovely woman shared a personal story with me, and it touched my heart. I pray God’s blessings over her and her family. I prayed for a mother and her young child who walked past me in the parking lot. The Spirit of God reached out to them to supply their need.

The Word of God in 1 Timothy 2 tells us to pray for all men and for those in authority. Most people read this and stop there. But verses 1-3 must include verse 4 which tells us God will “will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” This is the bottom line to our prayers. We cannot pray condemnation. We pray salvation. John 3:17 tells us, point blank, Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save it. This remains His heart for people. But too many times, especially over government, we’re praying, “Go get ’em, God,” and waiting for Him to hurl lightning bolts. We’re taking prophecies meant to encourage and spark earnest, fervent prayer and making them into foreboding poetry.

I’ve heard my mother describe it this way. When she prays over her city and her neighborhood, she prays people into a better place of employment. There was a bar which she prayed would close, but she also prayed that those inside would be benefited by it. To pray that that “awful old man” you passed would “get what’s coming to him,” is not going to be answered. Nor will anything that tears people down instead of speaking the love of God to them. And here’s where some will try to start a debate, but that is also addressed in the Scriptures. Strife and debate are the beginning of confusion and the work of the devil. God’s Word shouldn’t be debated. He is very clear on how He feels about people and how we should pray. He summed it up in “Love one another,” then He died willingly and three days later rose triumphant from the grave.

The latest prayer wording is for things “to be exposed.” It seems like one prophet, speaking in the Spirit at that moment, used this phrasing, and now everyone has clung to it with all their hope. No, cling to Jesus. Walk in the Spirit, be led of Him. Because when I have Him tell me not to pray that way, then I cannot help but think of how many I have heard do just that. We cannot simply pray “willy nilly” whatever comes to our head or even “pick a topic” to pray about. What is on His heart right now? Who is He targeting? Should we pray for “us four and no more” or for the county we live in, the cities by name, and the churches and pastors who are the atmosphere of it?

Everyone is ready for a podium, to give a good ol’ stumping speech full of fire, and as soon as I write this, I’ll hear one. Give it a day or two. And they’ll have a reason to justify it. Usually Jude 1:23. It’s one verse among many which applies to a few, but it’s main reasoning is that we should love people enough to step between them and harm’s way. Maybe our garment gets the flames because we’re closer and the devil can’t touch them now. Maybe we’re stronger and so we’re the one God is using to resist the devil for those who aren’t as spiritually enlightened (Ephesians 1:18).

Condemnation is of the devil, so let’s apply it to him. Let’s rescue people, love people, and look and sound like Jesus without using either the moneychangers to justify our anger or, as I’ve said, Jude to preach hell flames. Is there a hell to escape? Yes, and we must be clear on this. Many have seen it and been sent back to earth, in God’s mercy. Prophet Kenneth E. Hagin’s testimony comes immediately to mind. It’s there in the Scripture though, what God desires of mankind, what He has given His church to do, FOR GOD SO LOVED THE ENTIRE WORLD THAT EVEN THE DEATH OF HIS SON WAS WORTH THE COST AND NOW NO ONE NEEDS TO DIE BUT CAN HAVE ALL OF HIS LIFE IN THEM, ABUNDANT EVERLASTING LIFE. There is nowhere in that to berate anyone, but instead, our frustration should be a signal to get alone with God and see His heart. For when you do, you will not forget it but be forever changed.

"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." (Philippians 2:3)

"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." (James 3:16)

Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com