...BUT INSTEAD, EVEN EXPOSE THEM...

But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light...

Therefore be imitators of GOD as beloved children: And walk in love, just as CHRIST also loved you and gave HIMSELF up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to GOD as a fragrant aroma.

But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of CHRIST and GOD.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of GOD comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Therefore do not be partakers with them;

For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the LORD; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the LORD.

Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.

EPHESIANS 5:1-12 (NASB - *emphasis mine)

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the LORD is.

EPHESIANS 5:15-17 (NASB)

CAMPING IN EPHESIANS

Once again, I find myself camping in Ephesians - discovering more each and every time I read it. I love this about the Bible! I can be reading something for the thousandth time and still something new emerges causing me to see yet another facet of the beauty that is the LORD…Such a kindness to me! HE is so very, very good to us!

I confess that I was not even remotely thrilled when I felt the LORD calling Kevin and I to begin writing for “all to see”... I fought it for quite a while. Just ask Kevin :) I have been telling people (you know who you are!) for YEARS that the world does not need another book, ministry or NGO. Oversaturation leads to apathy, complacency and total paralysis as far as I can tell. What’s more, I have grown increasingly alarmed and saddened by how we in the Body specifically, have been talking about others. Sarcasm and barbed banter litter the landscape with the bodies of countless saints, sinners and future (I pray!) Christians, all while Rome appears to be burning in the background. A laugh comes at quite a high price these days and I for one am not interested in throwing people under buses just to get one. I did enough of that in my 20’s. Thank GOD for His marvelous grace and forgiveness!

GOD’S SHEEP ARE BEING ABUSED

Here is where the rubber hit the narrow road for me, however. GOD’S sheep are lost. Wandering. Alone. Tired. Broken. Scared. Hopeless. Floundering. Worse still, MANY who have answered the high call to lead them, are instead maligning them. Manipulating them. Mocking them. Cajoling them to do the same. Fleecing them. Raping them. Pillaging them. Deceiving them. Abusing them. Ignoring them. Stepping on them…Using the standards, values and metrics of the world to categorize them - elevating some, discarding others, all while lying about how very WIDE the narrow road actually is and how very MANY will find CHRIST in the end. It is dangerous. It is a lie. It must be EXPOSED.

THEREFORE DO NOT BE PARTAKERS WITH THEM…

It is time to stand up and to stand firm in the things of CHRIST. I am not interested in games, all “the feels”, nor am I interested in being popular, known or someone of influence. I am a mess; A broken, sinner who has been radically and audaciously saved by a SINLESS, DIVINE MAN who IS GOD and who came to serve, to love, to call forth, call back and call out…just as CHRIST also loved you and gave HIMSELF up for us, and offering and a sacrifice to GOD as a fragrant aroma…(EPHESIANS 5:2).

If GOD calls us holy and set apart, why then would I ever want to be like those in the world? I have already been and done that. I have been cruel. Sarcastic. Entitled. Self-absorbed. Money hungry. Arrogant. Intimidating. Unkind…but funny - (unless you ask the poor soul who was the butt of the joke I was telling for a laugh at his/her expense. :( I don’t want to be like that anymore. I don’t want to laugh at the expense of others. I don’t want to be unkind or mean spirited or “right”. I don’t want to value what I used to value. I don’t want to fit in, be relevant or influence anybody. I have finally discovered that I have nothing good to give. The only thing “good" about me is JESUS.

HE is SPECTACULAR, AMAZING, KIND and TRUE! HIS SPIRIT allows me to walk in ways that otherwise are impossible. HE alone is my hope and praise. It is in HIM and by HIM and through HIM that anything good or kind or loving can even begin in the coldest, deadest heart…I know, because He found me and transformed me - still is, actually. SUCH SCANDALOUS and AMAZING GRACE! So you see, I don’t truly have time or inclination to insult or mock or make fun of anyone, as I know how far GOD has already brought me, and how very far I have yet to travel with Him, by His grace. What I do feel led to write about, however, is those who are intentionally and increasingly - knowingly - hurting GOD’S sheep, current or yet to come.

COME BACK TO THE NARROW ROAD

It is NOT OKAY. It is NOT Divisive either, as GOD Himself tells us to call those back, who have left the narrow road…This is profoundly different than searching for the lost sheep, as it involves EXPOSING LIES and WARNING OTHERS. It is no small thing to call out a brother or sister who professes CHRIST. It is an arduous, grueling and painful undertaking that must be absolutely covered in wisdom. discernment and prayer. Many we will discuss on these posts are our dear friends and colleagues - or used to be, as sad as that truth is to write…We have made EVERY attempt to meet with each person in person, and have pleaded with many to seek the LORD while He may be found and to allow HIM to show them His truth and His heart. What Kevin and I have come to realize and discover is that “church” can in fact be big business, with big power, big money and big influence. These three deadly vices have become stumbling blocks to many inside the Church, as well as those who dare to lead them. GOD will not be mocked and He will not share His throne - nor should HE! HE alone is the KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS, worthy of all of our praise!

This and and all future writings are my best attempts to honor my GOD as I seek to fulfill His Word spoken by Paul in EPHESIANS 5:5-7, 11-12 (NASB) -

For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of CHRIST and GOD.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of GOD comes upon the sons of disobedience.

THEREFORE DO NOT BE PARTAKERS WITH THEM…

Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.

AND FINALLY -

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the LORD is.

EPHESIANS 5:15-17 (NASB)

(*emphasis mine)

To GOD ALONE be ALL THE GLORY, now and forevermore.

BAS