I don’t know what is more upsetting to me, the wing of the church that seems to be totally insensitive to the move of the Spirit or, the name it and claim it crowd?

            I am growing increasingly frustrated with the Charismatic Movement in all levels because they continue to neglect the reality of Scripture. If you listen closely to these charismatic preachers, they are saying that, everybody should enjoy perfect health and everybody should be rich; so if you are not healthy and if you are not rich something is wrong with your faith.

            Beloved, somebody has to tell you the truth! Not everybody you pray for is going to be deliver, not everybody you pray for will get saved and not everybody you pray for will get healed. True be told, many of your prayers will not be answered.

            Some marriages will not get any better, some of our children and love ones will endup in hell, some will never recover from cancer, some will never experience a breakthrough and, in case you don’t know yet, all of us, with the exception of the generation of the rapture, will experience death. Not everything we claim will come to pass and not everybody will be a millionaire.[1]

            David prayed and fasted for God to save the first son he had with Bathsheba, nevertheless his son still died.[2] You may say, that was the result of God’s judgment over David’s sin and you are right. However, how can you explain that out of that awful relationship God gave Salomon to David? Salomon was not the first-born, but was the chosen one to inherit his father’s kingdom. Not only that, but Salomon is part of the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who understands the mind of God?[3] David knew the glory of having Salomon as his dear son, but not without the pain of loosing another.

            The Apostle Paul prayed three times for a thorn in his flesh, he called it a messenger from Satan; nevertheless he never received his deliverance. The man who pray for so many people; even brought people back to life, could not pray himself out of his own affliction, but he concluded that God’s grace was sufficient.[4]

            Hebrews 11 is known as the Hall of Fame of Faith; however, none of the folks mentioned there saw the promise they believed God for. Hebrews 11:39 tells us, “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise,” (NKJV)

            So what is wrong with our charismatic preaching? We are making people stumble because we are preaching a Gospel with no pain and no suffering; a Gospel where everything we want can and will come into fulfillment. But that is not true. That is the reason why many on our side fall apart over every little affliction; that is because is not included in their theology.

            The Bible tells us that many are the afflictions of the righteous.[5] God will indeed deliver us from all of our afflictions; that is the promise; but nobody will escape the afflictions, that is also a promise. The Bible tells us in First Corinthians 13 that love is longsuffering. If you are walking in love, you-will-suffer.

            Could you agree that our ultimate deliverance will not take place on this earth? Revelation 21:1-4 confirms this statement,

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John,[a] saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (NKJV)

                  Jesus is our maximum example and He took the time to prepare His disciples for suffering[6] why are we not doing the same? I am afraid that we, in the charismatic movement, are preaching carnality focus on me, my self and I and what I can get here and now. We are totally ignoring the fact that this life is just a vapor.[7] This life is not our ultimate destination. I am not preaching that we should be miserable, but our hope should never be place on what we can get on this life.

I conclude with the words of the Apostle Peter,

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:13 (KJV)

[1] Matthew 26:11

[2] 2 Samuel 12

[3] First Corinthians 2:16

[4] 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

[5] Psalm 34:19

[6] John 16:33

[7] James 4:14