Quote:
Originally Posted by Igzy
Further, a major plank in Lee's theology was that that God got added to or "wrought into" our inner being. I'm not sure this is accurate at all. I think God changes our hearts and the more he does the more he can dwell comfortably in us and be seen in us. But whether that means that "more" of God is added as time goes by I believe is very questionable. In fact, I think it's flat wrong.
If I just come out of a good church meeting and feel filled with the Spirit, people may say "he's got a lot of God." But if thirty minutes later I'm screaming at my kids and losing my temper, what happened to all that "God" that was "added" to me?
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I agree with your comments about "false hope" spread by the ministry. This is because the real work of the Spirit was disappearing, and WL had to explain why there was no real change in the saints even though they were doing "all the right things."
The Bible does tell us that we grow with the growth of God. Performing mechanized activities provides little to no growth. Growth is spiritual, and it is always related to our heart. Paul planted the seed of life into the saints. That was an addition of God. Apollos watered the seed. That was "more" of God in the believers. But it is God who gave the growth.
Whatever spiritual exercises we did that at one time helped us to grow, cannot be mechanically reproduced with the same results. Growth does include change. Real change. Firstly changes in thinking, then changes in behavior. Oh how our minds need constant renewing!
I saw much genuine Spirit-changing activity in the earlier years when our center was on Christ. Yes, there were problems, but there was an addition of God in those seeking Him.
One of the serious problems in the LC was highlighted in your final paragraph. The goal and center of our Christian walk was misdirected by WL. He firstly focused us all on the meetings, then he directed us all to himself and his ministry. In this way many, many precious ones were defrauded from their first love, Christ, and many brothers and sisters did not rightly esteem their relationship with their spouses and children.
I, for one, was guilty of this. Interestingly, the more I repented to the Lord, and properly focused on my family, the less appetite I had for WL and his program. That says a lot. But, unfortunately, I learn most lessons thru painful failure.