Now, without further ado, I will address the third point mentioned in my original post.
3.)There are no spiritual elites.
Why is this an important statement to make? I suppose there could be a number of reasons.
So people don’t become spiritually prideful? Perhaps.
To bring a spirit of equality into the Church? Maybe.
To encourage the people to embrace the promises of God? Lord no!
This nonsense about people not being blessed by God in a greater or lesser degree is…..well…..nonsense. When you look around, do you see everyone with the same gifts and the level same spiritual maturity? If so, I fear for your soul. For you have been brought under the work of Satan. This is no joke. This delusion is sweeping through the church of God and taking as many as possible into it’s service. This is also responsible for the destruction of the Spirit’s power working amongst His people. Why? Because no one believes in it! What in the heck is going on with God’s people? Please tell me! If there is one question that consumes me night and day; it is this. I don’t understand it. I can’t comprehend it. Yet, God says to me: “What is it to you? You must follow me!”
Oh, I know, I know. But God has also given me a nearly overbearing concern for His people; as if it rested upon me. Yes, I know, it doesn’t. But what does that matter? God has given me this cross to carry. And I am glad to carry it. And if God so places something on your heart, a cross; don’t you ever listen to those blasphemers who go around spitting their deadly poison. Saying things such as: “That is not your’s to carry. Who do you think you are? God doesn’t expect any man to carry such a load.”
I’m telling you right now, yes He does! You say to that person: “Get behind me Satan”. For any man who tells you such a thing is doing so in service to the devil.
I agree that the notion that there are no distinctions among God’s people is quite false. Besides that notion being contradicted directly in scripture, it is patently obvious that people differ in level of maturity, Christ-likeness, wisdom, and so on. But there are a couple of senses in which “there are no spiritual elites” is true:
- It is true in the sense that, by God’s standard of holiness, we are all wretched; thus in terms of our goodness earning any favor from God, none of us is any better than anyone else.
- It is true in the sense that God gives each of us, regardless of race, gender, or station in life, all things pertaining to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3). To wit: a measure of faith is given to all, salvation is available to all, the Spirit and its fruits are available to all, heavenly wisdom is available to all, and spiritual gifts are given to all — who seek and are willing to receive. God shows no partiality, accepting whoever calls on his name.
I think the point is that we can’t blame anyone (including God) for any spiritual lack within ourselves, either real or supposed. And any differences between us can’t really be the basis for any pride, laziness, or jealousy; because we’re all fundamentally under grace.
Ryan, Good points. Thanks for the comment.