[Hope]

Dear Ohio,

I just read your post in response to my post. Thank you my brother. Is it not amazing that we both know exactly what the other is talking about? I loved you summary of my summary. There was nothing spectacular, no high theology, no works of power, no reverberating message,…

Dear Ones, I had much, much, much rather have the Son of Man walking in the midst of the lampstand and the Spirit of God blowing where He wills than to have all that spectacular high theology. Been there, done that. Give me that fresh message “to the Church in _____” says the Son of Man.

Three weeks ago we had three Hindus attend our meeting. (One is now saved, another is very close, the third we are praying is on the way.) We did not know they would be there until minutes before the start. A brother had prepared to share something that would be for believers. So at the last moment the Lord changed the program.

A brother shared on John 3:16-17. Never have I received so much light and enlivenment from John 3:16-17. I, personally, understand much more clearly what it means for God to love the world and send His only Son and how God wants to save rather than condemn the world.

Recently we had a wonderful prodigal son experience. (By the way, we have renamed the story from Luke 15 from “the prodigal son” to “the Loving Father.”) Anyway, one of the daughters in one of our families had run away and was living a very profligate life. We all were in great anguish of soul for many months. Then one day she was back, loving the Lord and her family and the church.

Her younger brother shared through a river of tears how he had prayed for his sister every day. He shared how he was so mad at God for letting this happen to his sister. He declared that he wanted not to believe in God but he could not stop praying. Then he was just about to give up and suddenly she was back.

Recently the sister shared that she has the joy of the Lord. Before she had heard of the joy of the Lord but now she starts everyday with His joy. She is a glowing woman of Christ and a daily inspiration to the saints, her friends and now she is back in college.

Last month she gave a report in her humanities class how she had been a homeless vagabond but because of Christ, her loving family and the church she has been recovered. This semester she earned 4 As and 2 Bs. Glory, Glory!!! God is so good.

When your heart is occupied with lost souls, troubled souls and just plain ole ordinary folks and you love our Wonderful Savior, well, oneness just seems to take care of itself.

Romans chapter 15 has become a favorite. This is the chapter in Romans on the “Oneness.” Most think that chapter 14 is on oneness but it is on the Lordship of Christ and not usurping the conscience of other believers. Please read these wonderful verses: Rom 15:1-6, Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached Thee fell upon Me." For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus; that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rom 15:7, Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. NASB

Posters, note how suddenly there is a reference to reproaches. When you seek to bear the weaknesses of those without strength they will not thank and appreciate your efforts but will reproach and rebuke you. For centuries, sinners everywhere have reproached the Lord Jesus. Only His name is a curse word. No one yells "oh Buddha" or "oh Mohammed." How many saved sinners reproached the name of Christ before they experienced Rom 2:4c, “the kindness of God leads you to repentance.”

To maintain a practical testimony of the Oneness requires perseverance for the care of those without strength and encouragement not to give up on them and to always have hope for them. My moniker is Hope. That is not just hope for me but I desire to maintain hope for all the Lord’s people regardless of any current state of defeat or struggle. It is easy to be one with some great gifted Christian leader who only brings you joy etc. But is requires the power of the Holy Spirit to be abounding in hope for a brother or sister who is without strength. Rom 15:13, Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. NASB

Hope, Don Rutledge
A believer in Christ Jesus who is seeking to be a true disciple.
John 8:31-32, Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. " NASB