I’ve been pondering the nature of repentance, since with every election, Christians renew the call for America to repent. Asked to elaborate, most cite abortion and homosexuality as their primary complaints. War, divorce, removing prayer from schools, and pornography are also cited, though typically with less revulsion than is reserved for abortion and homosexuality.

How I wish I could claim I’ve never been caught up in one of Christianity’s campaigns to stamp out sin in the world. Frankly, the world has every right to sin; a right granted by the Father.

As it says in Revelation 22:11, “Let the one who does what is evil continue to do what is evil. Let the filthy person continue to be filthy. Let the righteous person continue to do what is right. And let the holy person continue to be holy.”

Every 4 years, the people elect a new president. Christians, Evangelicals in particular, look for their champion to be a kind of King David archetype – slayer of Goliaths, benevolent King, and worship leader. Then there’s the neo-Apostolic-Prophetic camp and their so-called words of “prophecy” proclaiming God’s “anointed” choice – always a Republican – who will help stem the tide of sin, usher in revival and restore America to its constitutional and (ahem) Biblical roots. Often such “prophecies” carry with them a broad call for America to repent, for which “prayer warriors” and “intercessors” labor in prayer, while hedonistic Americans go right on living as if there were no God at all.

As often as we’ve managed to elect a King Saul rather than a King David, I see little point in voting for a man to rule over the people. Since 1976 when I first voted, every president has disappointed insofar as bringing peace and advancing the Kingdom of God is concerned. And yet every 4 years, regardless how poor the choices, Christians clamor to vote, admonishing one another to ignore the character of the candidate and vote the issues or party platform, all the while claiming it’s a Christian’s civic duty to vote. Frankly, I bristle at the notion that choosing between the “lesser of 2 evils” is my civic duty.

In the episode “Rebuilding the fallen tabernacle of David”, I said “Hirelings have a habit of interpreting spiritual things physically and literally to profit the flesh (1 Cor. 2:14).” A sad testament to man’s spiritual ignorance borne out by countless church buildings that squander resources, while people go hungry and ill-prepared to take the gospel to the nations. The flesh builds with brick and mortar, Christ builds His church with people. The one runs on money and sweat, the other by the Spirit and faith.

What hope do we, as physical and literal beings have for ever understanding the things of God about whom Jesus said “God is spirit” (John 4:24 ESV).

Even when Jesus explained the hidden spiritual meanings of His parables, did the disciples understand them? Or does Jesus look at them in stunned amazement after teaching them for 2 years and groan “are you still so dull” (Matthew 15:16)?

Hirelings have a habit of interpreting spiritual things physically and literally. Take for example the prophecy of Amos wherein God said “I will rebuild the fallen tabernacle of David … declares the Lord” (Amos 9:11 and Acts 15:16). In Kansas City, the International House of Prayer also known as IHOP is claimed to be a model for rebuilding the tabernacle of David. There musicians, singers, dancers and other artistic people have “worshiped” God 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, since September 19th, 1999. IHOP Kansas City in and of itself is prima facie evidence that the founders have made a literal and physical interpretation of the prophecy in Amos 9:11 and Acts 15:16.

But does their interpretation reflect a spiritual and Biblical understanding of the prophecy?

Since I first received Jesus, my outlook has changed from one of striving to do works and looking for God’s approval after the fact to one of resting in Christ and trusting the Holy Spirit to direct me in concert with God’s work. It is not unlike Peter who fished all day and caught nothing, who at the end of the day followed Jesus’ instructions and hauled in a huge catch. The former was Peter’s effort without Christ’s direction, the latter was Christ’s doing through Peter’s obedience. The lesson in that? Action without direction is fruitless.

One way I see things differently now, is through the gardening metaphor so often used in scripture. Working in my vegetable garden those scriptures come to life as I clean up a garbage pile behind the garage, kill the weeds, till the soil, fertilize, plant, water, prune, cultivate, deal with pests and finally bring in the harvest. It’s hard work, but a great way to get perspective on God’s work with us.

For nearly 18 months I applied myself to various church jobs, hoping to spark something, anything, that resembled revival. But the harder I worked, the worse it became. Finally the Lord said to me:

Get out of the way and let it fail.

His words left me stunned. In fact, I questioned whether or not it was the Lord speaking since I felt it was blasphemous to suggest the church should fail. But the Lord went on to show me the church was not a building, nor the religious institution with all its programs most people identify as the church, but simply the children of God coming together as family to live in community with God and one another. The Lord went on to speak to me about building on sand and that He is doing what He has always done: sending wind, rain and waves to test our houses for whether or not we’ve built on the Rock.

Past episodes have looked at the ways jealousy and ambition can grieve and quench the ministry of the Spirit. Likewise man’s church system which sustains itself through systemically suppressing the witness of the Spirit. I’d like to share a vision from the Lord that showed me what’s behind it all, and a dream that contrasts a ministry of compassion and healing with the ministry of selfish men. Both have helped to show me the nature of man’s church system and what the Lord wants ministry to be.

It was while meditating on the saying “the ground is level at the foot of the cross” that the Lord prompted me to consider His perspective through a vision.

I was making my way on foot down the side of a mountain with another man who seemed to be a mixture of my earthly and spiritual fathers. The mountain we were descending was desert like, covered with rock, cactus and stumps. Not a single tree remained on the mountain, while the valley below was lush and inviting with green forest and clear streams. Though I couldn’t see from the rocky trail, I knew the valley to be filled with people, shelter, food, fellowship, etc. Conversely, I knew the mountain to be “snake country”. If I’ve never mentioned, I hate snakes!

One day Jacob was cooking a stew. Esau came in from the field and said to Jacob, “Give me some of that red stew–I’m starved!” Jacob said, “Make me a trade: my stew for your rights as the firstborn.” On oath Esau traded away his rights. Jacob gave him bread and the stew of lentils. Esau ate and drank, got up and left. (Genesis 25:29-34, The Message Bible)

We have a wonderful birthright from God in Christ. We are God’s children and heirs, temples in which His Spirit dwells, priests and kings who reign with Christ. Sadly, we are more like Esau than many of us care to admit because we’ve traded our birthright for even less than a bowl of stew.