In the more than fifty years I have been involved in Spirit-filled churches and parachurch groups, I have seen in most of those groups the notion that we were the best group in town. The theme was consistent: We are where it’s at. We are the ones who carry the plan of God. Ugly, when stated so matter of factly, isn’t it?
I heard it said in private conversations and, sadly, from the pulpit. (One pastor apologized publicly the following week.) Sometimes it was subtle, and at other times, it was quite blatant.
Or, how about these lines?
- Revival will start with us.
- This group knows how to pray God’s kingdom in like no other.
- The destiny of America/Israel/our state/region/city depends on our prayers alone.
- If we don’t do it, nobody will.
- We are God’s instrument to bring about __________.
- Jesus can’t come back unless we usher Him in. (Seriously???)
Honestly, we need to stop it. It is delusional! We should love our local fellowship, but at the same time realize that we aren’t the end-all. Other people besides us have the call of God on their lives — separate from being part of our group. It doesn’t all hinge on our little corner of Christianity. In fact, if we could see the big picture, our group or flavor of the Church is probably a small sliver of the whole.
Consider Elijah’s conversation with God in 1 Kings 19:14 and 19: Elijah says, “I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts, because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant … and I, even I only, am left.” God responds, “I still have left to Me seven thousand in Israel whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”
Or how about what John the Baptist told the religious leaders in Matthew 3:9: “Don’t think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you, God is able to raise up children to Abraham of these stones.”
So much for thinking it all hinges on us — any of us. While it should humble us to realize we are not the elite ones, people who are necessary for God’s plan to survive, it also takes from us all inordinate pressure.
Consistently through the years, I have reminded our prayer group that we are one small gathering among thousands of intercessory groups who are also praying the same things we are, led by the same Holy Spirit. When we see that we have gained a mighty answer to prayer, we rejoice, but always with the understanding that we are a piece among many other pieces in God’s vast army of prayer warriors. We all work together.
No, you are not elite. Your group is not elite. I would especially like to repeat this to our friends in the apostolic/prophetic movement, which I have identified with for many years. We are each special in God’s eyes, yes — special simply because we are loved by Him and moving with Him by His grace. But so is every true believer and every gathering of true believers. We are one with the greater Body of Christ, not elevated over our brothers and sisters.
It’s important to consider this often. And if we drift back into thinking we are of a higher caliber than others, it is time to repent from the depths of our hearts.
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