Saints,
Praise God! He is always at work.
Our church family recently hosted a play presentation from Times Square Church, It was a modern day setting of The Cross and the Switchblade. God transferred Nicky Cruz, a gang warlord on the streets of New York, and consequently, thousands of others from the domain of darkness to the Kingdom of Light. God compelled a simple country preacher to reach New York gangs. Even more amazing—God still uses this story to rebuke, convict, encourage, inspire Christ-followers as well as draw new believers to Jesus.
After the presentation a dear older sister in Christ asked me what I thought about David Wilkerson. “Was it that David was some kind of a “special” Christian or is it possible that all Christ-followers can be used by God to produce fruit like that?” I have not been able to get this question out of my mind—it has caused me to wrestle in the spirit. I thought, “God must have somehow anointed David in a special way. I don’t seem to have that.” Have you ever compared yourself to someone else like this? If so, it may have left you feeling inadequate or somehow incapable. It seems our beliefs are truly connected to our feelings and actions. So, what do we believe about this question?
I want to suggest two Bible passages as a possible answer to this question:
First in John 15:5, Jesus shared,
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (ESV)
And, secondly, in John 15:16, Jesus declared,
“You did not choose me. But I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” (ESV)
Obviously David Wilkerson was a special follower of Christ—one who God used in a mighty way. Even so, please let me encourage you. We have the same Holy Spirit that inspired, even “drove” David Wilkerson! Yes, the same Holy Spirit that compelled Peter and Paul. And so, it seems we arrive at the same question, “If this is true, what do we do?”
May I suggest an option? I believe that David Wilkerson’s actions flowed out of who he was in Christ. He was a man who loved Jesus. David lived a surrendered life. Jesus drove his life. How did this happen? Let me suggest that as David connected with the father more deeply, (remember, as an example, he stopped watching TV to spend a few hours in prayer and reading the Word.) two things happened. First, The Spirit convicted him of sin and error in his life. Then secondly, The Spirit began to reveal, even infuse God’s passions into David’s heart. Please see pages 117-119 of The divine Intercessor, by Gary Wilkerson.
As you can see, this older sister’s question got me wondering. We know that grace, faith, and surrender all play a role in abiding deeply with Jesus.
Father, thank you for men and women of Christ whom you use to inspire us. We ask for intimacy with you that transforms our thoughts, even our thoughts about who we are in you. Take our lives. Wash our pride and sin away. Radiate your “REAL” love to this world through us. No pretense, no institutionalized religion, no self-reputation, no resisting your grace in any way. We ask this in the name and through the character of Jesus, Amen.
Please feel free to comment on these devotionals. I hope that our community and team-spirit will grow as we discuss these thoughts together.
Desiring more of Him,
Steve
