Help! I’m Tired of Religion by Pearl Adams
CHAPTER 10
DEAR LORD, TARES ARE CHOKING YOUR WHEAT
Lord Jesus, this has been a very difficult book to write because it sounds a bit like washing dirty linen in public. Lord, I know you did warn us that a time would come when the enemy would sow tares in your vineyard. You also charged us not to attempt to uproot the tares lest we destroy your precious wheat in the process.
I must confess that I feel terrible about my spiritual state and that of other Christians around me. What’s with us that makes us so susceptible to Satan’s deception? Is it our greed or desire to be lords of our lives? Oh Lord, I wish you would sometimes holler from heaven or seal the mouths of some so-called men of God who make merchandise of your lambs.
I know their judgment would be terrible except they repent, but dear Lord, how about the souls of people they are leading astray. Sometimes, Lord, I wish with all my heart that you’ll mete out the Ananias and Sapphira treatment to these wolves in sheep’s clothing. But then, you are a merciful God and you don’t rejoice over the death of the wicked.
But there must be a way out for the gullible who still want to know you, Lord. I know you desire vessels of honor that will take the gospel to the lost. I pray that you send workers into your vineyard to tend your wheat even if they must allow the tares grow in their midst until you send reapers to separate the wheat from the chaff.
We need preachers of the gospel and not entertainers. We need shepherds who will address the issue of sin in their congregation, not those who turn a blind eye to immorality and scandals for fear of losing their rich members. We are desperately in need of intercessors, not self-centred “believers” who deprive themselves of food and sleep in the name of fasting to secure a breakthrough from you.
Lord, have you not said in your word that you will bless us with things the Gentiles struggle for, if we make your kingdom our primary concern? Where did we get the idea that we need to fast and pray to secure your blessings? Did you not say that the good things of this world would be ADDED to us if we seek first your kingdom and its righteousness?
Lord, I was reading chapter twenty-six of the Acts of the Apostle recently. Verses seventeen and eighteen caught my attention. Paul was presenting his defense before King Agrippa after his arrest at the temple in Jerusalem. In response to allegations leveled against him by Jewish leaders, Paul said you assured him that you’ll deliver him “from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may RECEIVE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, AND INHERITANCE AMONG THEM WHICH ARE SANCTIFIED BY THE FAITH THAT IS IN ME.”
The words that struck me were, “receive forgiveness of sins” and “inheritance.” Lord, I believe this is the MESSAGE, the gospel Paul received for the Gentiles. First, the issue of sin must be settled and, flowing from there, we qualify to enjoy the inheritance reserved for God’s people. It’s sad, Lord, that many preachers invite unbelievers to partake of the inheritance without allowing the Holy Spirit to deal with sin in their hearts.
The idea of presenting you as a “Father Christmas,” eager to accept unrepentant sinners into your kingdom, has called to question the integrity of such ministers. Whether preached to the Jews or Gentiles, Lord, I believe that moral rectitude is central to the gospel. I can’t see you desiring our company if we continue to coddle sin in the name of being “liberal.
Lord, I remember that Peter, while responding to enquiries after his first message to Jews on the day of Pentecost, said, “Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Lord, you know I respect your word. I’m not in the least offended by abundance. I believe in the law of sowing and reaping. I know there’s much benefit in partnering with you to win souls. I know prayer is efficacious, if it’s in line with your will.
Lord, you know I don’t have anything against seed-faith in particular, except for the fact that some preachers are presenting it as a substitute to your gospel. They readily point to the fact that Abraham enjoyed so much of your blessings because he “sowed” his Isaac. But they fail to tell their followers that Abraham didn’t sow that precious seed until you demanded it of him.
That’s the crux of the problem with the gospel of seed faith. People are being encouraged to sow seed in return for your favor. I know a good number of Christians who have given what some refer to as “sacrificial offerings,” and their mountains have stood strong.
Personally, I’ve had the honour of sowing some precious seeds. Some were initiated by you, while others were in response to unfavourable situations in my life. Of course, Lord, you only honoured the ones backed by your word.
My desire, Lord, is to see Christians all over the world enjoying intimate relationship with you. Loving you in sunshine and in rainfall. Loving you regardless of their financial status, and lifting you up so that you can draw ALL MEN to you as you promised in John 12:32.