The people of God are everywhere, but sometimes you must look carefully. Within large and flourishing churches, and in small, scattered groups, you’ll find humble, faithful people who, having God’s Holy Spirit within, live their lives quite contrary to the norms of “this world”. They are saints. They reflect the light of Jesus in all they are. They have, in the words of scripture, crossed over from death to life.
These are the people with whom God fellowships. And they should be your friends as well. They are loosely defined corporately, as the “church without borders” is bigger than you may imagine and spread further afield than you might know. They are the very reason the world hasn’t yet sunken into the abyss of war and pestilence.
One faithful community, who in looking to Jesus for leadership, wrote this on their website:
We live in a time when many of the faithful have been scattered. The darkness of our world and the coldness of so many religious leaders make it a challenge for God’s children to find safe pastures. We believe God will provide the shepherds. We believe those leaders provided by God will be different than those who came before. Less invested in corporate mentality, less interested in control, more given to loving leadership, more generous in service. Less arrogant, less contentious, more humble, more patient with the imperfections of their brethren.
If this speaks to you, then you understand something others may not. You’re among friends, and definitely a part of the success story. And what’s more, you’re probably able to help others in search of safe pasture. It was Jesus who said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27-28 NIV)
John T Klassek
